The day should have been warm. The sun shone brightly overhead, the skies were a deep blue and it was March at Monarch Mountain. I shivered as we waited for the first of the competitors of the Big Air competition to take the big hit at the bottom and fly through the air.

I like this competition in particular because it features local kids on the Monarch Freeride Team (check out their website: www.option23.org) as well as riders of all levels coming in from other parts of the state. Kids of all ages go huge off the big jump at the bottom of “Aftershock” terrain park. Expertise varies as some competitors are content with a simple grab while others get inverted. Its all in good fun and the crowd is supportive of each trick. The coaches know their stuff and even have digital media that covers the basics of the tricks they are teaching.

Vistas abound at the top of the divide and provide a beautiful backdrop to the floating skiers and snowboarders.

For more info, check out Channel BV. The Big Air comp is coming up this weekend. You’ll probably see me there with my camera…