I just heard to news that Lindsey Vonn is going to divorce. Lindsey and her husband Thomas Vonn have announced that they have begun divorce proceedings. They have been married since 2007. Thomas Vonn, who is a former World Cup racer too, has acted as Lindsey’s chief advisor and assistant in coaching her. According to her statement Lindsey will continue to be coached by the U.S. Ski Team and look forward to competing the rest of the season.

Lindsey Caroline Vonn (1984) is an American alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team. She has won three consecutive overall World Cup and downhill championships (2008, 2009, 2010), the first American woman and third woman ever to accomplish this. Vonn won the gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first ever in the event for an American woman. Vonn also won three consecutive World Cup season titles in Super G (the first American woman to do so), and two consecutive titles in the combined.

Vonn is one of five women to have won World Cup races in all five disciplines of alpine skiing – Downhill, Super G, Giant slalom, Slalom, and Super combined – and, as of October 2011, has won 42 races in her career. With her Olympic gold and bronze medals, two World Championship gold medals in 2009 (plus three silver medals in 2007 / 2011), and three overall World Cup titles, Vonn has become the most successful American skier in ski racing history.

Lindsey started skiing at age two. They say that her father Alan Kildow, who had been a national junior skiing champion before a knee injury at 18, “pushed” her very hard. Her hobbies include cycling, tennis and reading.

Oh, and did you know that Lindsey Vonn has a number of merits such as making #59 on Maxim’s Hot 100 list?

Homeboy

Traveling internationally can be educational, exciting and culturally enriching, especially for young people. Even when accompanied by an adult, however,a minor who goes abroad must have a valid personal passport. When it is time for same day child pass port, different rules apply to underage individuals and knowing those requirements can potentially eliminate frustration or wasted effort.

Must Apply In Person

While adults can apply via mail, a minor must appear in person before an agent with his or her parents or guardian, who must also be able to prove legal custody. These rules may add a little time to the process but they exist to guarantee the safety and welfare of young people, especially in an era when trafficking and abductions have become commonplace.

Age Requirements

The legal definition of a child according the U. S. State Department includes anyone who has not yet reached aged sixteen. Those who are sixteen or seventeen face slightly different pasport renewal regulations but an eighteen-year-old is considered an adult. Anyone under age sixteen must have parental consent when renewing a travel document and due to the variations in modern family structure, there are differing rules designed to fit most domestic situations.

Proof Of Relationship

For most options, check one of the Parental Consent tables that can easily be found on several websites. These charts try to accommodate almost any type of family situation and detail exactly which documents are needed. Even in non-traditional family situations, solid proof of a legal parental relationship is still a requirement. If no legal guardian or parent is available, completion of additional consent forms is often necessary.

DS-11 Form

Armed with this information, it is time to download and print the official DS-11 forms. Completion of the form will require a current address, date of birth and social security number in addition to the required parental documentation. Take care not to sign this form until in the presence of an agent or it will be considered invalid.

Bring In Expired Document

Be sure you can still locate the expired document because it must also be presented. It should be undamaged physically and must be shown along with an official designation of the current parental relationship. That proof can be a report of foreign birth, an adoption decree or an official and original birth certificate. Lacking one or all of these, a court order must be granted certifying legal custody.

Parental ID

Parents also must prove their own identity through a current, valid driver’s license, an undamaged passport, a government or military ID or birth certificate. Photocopies are accepted, but in some cases the originals are required. Additionally, standardized photos must be provided. They may be taken professionally or may even be computer-produced home photographs that meet the right specifications.

You have a snowboarding event coming up in the near future and there isn’t enough time to get all of your snowboarding gear together. Where do you start? What do you buy first? This guide will help you get it all together in as little time as possible. Get ready. Get set. Shop! What Snowboarding [...]
Snowboard and Ski Gear

The Associated Free State of Puerto Rico is a small group of islands located in the northeast Caribbean Sea on the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola,which is jointly populated by the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Since 1917, its citizens have also been citizens of the United States of America. As a result, United States passport services Puerto Rico issue passports of the United States.

Travel Authorization

Generally, travellers to the United States of America or to any of its territories are expected to possess a visa, which they may obtain by application to the American Embassy located in their country of origin. However, according to the Visa Waiver Program, certain nationals may submit an application to the ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. In order to qualify, they must plan to stay for no longer than ninety days and intend to travel for the purpose of either pleasure or business. They must also meet enhanced security requirements. You may have to apply for a United States passport.

History Of Puerto Rico

The indigenous population of the Archipelago is an indigenous aboriginal people known as the Tainos. Their land was taken under Spanish rule by Christopher Columbus in 1493. It remained so for more than 400 years even in the face of attempts at invasion from the English, French and the Dutch. Following the Spanish Civil War, the islands were surrendered to the Americans as a direct result of the Treaty of Paris in 1898.

US Congress Involvement

The United States Congress regulates currency, interstate commerce, foreign relations, defense and communications. Locals are not permitted to vote in elections for the American President. Local government is under the control of a mayor and a council, who are elected by the populace. San Juan is different, in that it has a city-management rule.

Governors

The governor of the commonwealth is elected by the people and has been since 1948. Luiz Munoz Marin was the first native to be elected to the office. Prior to 1948, the governor was appointed by the American president. Prior to 1898, beginning in 1493, he was appointed by the ruling Spanish King. In 1579, the first native citizen to be appointed to the office was Juan Ponce de Leon II.

Physical Geography

Geographically, the big island has three distinct regions. The central mountain range, the Cordillera Central, dominates the landscape. There also exists a coastal plain and a northern plateau.

Tourist Season

The months from April to December mark the main tourist season. The islands experience summer temperatures all year round. The area is susceptible to hurricanes from May through November, although they are infrequent in June, July and August.

The US passport services Puerto Rico are not necessary for US citizens who may travel freely. Non-US citizens who wish to stay longer than 90 days or who wish to work or study need to apply for American passports, which itself is not a guarantee of entry. All visitors are required to pass inspection by the United States Agriculture Department to make sure they are not carrying prohibited substances, such as certain fruits. Those found carrying prohibited items are given an immediate fine.

If you were heading out for a backpacking trip in the middle of summer, you would naturally worry about hydration. When heading out to the slopes for a ski trip, you have to pay just as much attention to hydration. The following tips will ensure your trip is fund and eventful without a case of [...]
Snowboard and Ski Gear

Well, its been awhile since my last post, but I’m back and at least for the first part of the winter will be posting weekly updates. Its been a pretty hectic month getting ready for the season. I think this is the most prepared I have ever been before the lifts have started. The new shop has been great and it has afforded me the luxury of a curing booth for the decks and subs. After pressing they all go into this 70 degree room for another 5 days to insure the epoxy cures completely.

Although the recycled graphics from the last few years was fun I’m glad to be rid of someone else’s logo on my stuff. This season we’re looking at white, with some soon to be added stickers.

The sliding truck plates are black but other then that I’m pretty much sticking with the same design. Three hole locations and two height options with a quick release pin.

Black and green grip for the tops, with a built up tail option available too.

The subs from last season worked great but there is always a tweak that can push them even further. I reworked both the 145 and 135 forms for the better. I most excited about the 135 with the slightly longer base and lower sweeps to the nose and tail. Always looking for that short board that will float deep pow. The new subs are in white.

One great thing about the Chiller shop is that there is a great testing zone in the back. Just need a bit more snow to soften those landings.

The shop is clicking right along but the website is badly in need of a product page and that is next on the agenda.  Expect more pics and prices next week.

CHILLERdecks

Becoming a ski bum was probably my number one goal back in the late 1990s. All I wanted to do was to pack my shit and head to the “European skiing Mecca” – Chamonix. It was in my mind days and nights, and I could just think about doing something else. I didn’t want to spend my youth just like 98% of the youngsters, which means go to work, go shopping, go home, and keep on repeating the cycle every day…

So, back in 1997 I  finally landed in Chamonix, and couple of weeks later I found myself skiing some of the classic runs like Glacier Rond. Some guys went even bigger like the north face of L’Aiguille du Midi. I met a lot of fantastic people like Skipe Oivo, Jarkko Henttonen and many others. Together we killed the mountains day after day, we skied chest deep powder, we climbed beautiful mountain faces, and when the weather was bad we drank a ton of beer. It was all perfect, or may be even better.

Today it’s different. As a father and entrepreneur I can’t ski +100 days a year anymore. I just don’t have time enough, and I must prioritize my time. Sometimes I find myself thinking about moving to the mountains just like some of my fellow ski bums, but I made my decision to build my own business, so I stick to my guns. Anyhow, I will always fucking love the ski bum lifestyle.

Talking about ski bumming check the video below. Isn’t that pretty cool? These guys are in their seventies or something, and they keep riding year after year. They ski +100 days a year, which in my mind sounds unbelievable. How many people you know how are older than 60 years and ski +100 days a year? I love these guys. They don’t get bored at home, watch TV and drink beer. They ski until they die. That does not suck. Respect!

Homeboy

The dates for your snowboard trip are all set. You have friends or family on board for the adventure and your place is reserved at the resort or lodge. All you have to worry about now is making sure you have all the equipment needed to hit the slopes. There are some advantages when you [...]
Snowboard and Ski Gear

Diva Ski Tips

When one thinks of extreme skiing there are generally two places that come to mind – Chamonix and Jackson Hole. I am incredibly fortunate to live just 45 minutes from the former but until recently have never been to the jewel in Wyoming’s Stetson, Jackson Hole. I’ve always wanted to of course, what real skier wouldn’t? Like Chamonix, JH is synonymous with legends of the white crystals and therefore kind of symbolises a right of passage for any lover of the steep and deep stuff. As a result when the opportunity to get over there finally came around earlier this year, well let’s just say I was literally linedancing on the spot with excitement.

I’d love to do the British thing and tell you that it didn’t live up to expectations. It’d be typically UK style to build it up then knock it down with nonsense like ‘it doesn’t have the ‘charm’ of the Alps’, that ‘the American enthusiasm is insincere’, that ‘the mountains just don’t compare to Chamonix’, or that ‘that the size of portions are far too big…….blah blah blah. As I said, nonsense.

Skiing in North America and in particular Jackson Hole is truly one of the greatest opportunities that you can ever hope to experience in your mountain life. It’s not about comparisons, whose snow is deeper, whose peaks are higher, whose lifts are faster, whose beer is more expensive etc etc…….It’s about embracing something completely different and that is exactly what Jackson Hole is. It’s a fusion of old and new, it’s progressive as well as rooted in history, it’s the birthplace of extreme ski legends and the current terrain and playground of legends in the making like Sage Cattabriga Alosa and Tanner Hall. It’s real. One minute you can be riding the legendary JH tram standing next to one of the fathers of big mountain skiing, the JH Air Force, and the next you can find yourself inadvertently featuring in the latest edit by the world famous action sports filmmakers Teton Gravity Research. And all you were doing was just having a beer in the Mangy Moose – the après-bar of choice and TGR’s base for beer induced creative brain storming.

We had 2 superb weeks over in Wyoming and from a skiing perspective the overriding memory that I will take with me of the resort itself was just exactly how harsh the terrain actually is. I’m not talking about what lies beyond the ropes which is obviously extreme, but rather the inbound stuff which is also incredibly serious terrain. With hidden cliffs and chutes everywhere, if you know where you’re going it really is extreme recreation, if you don’t……well…..you’d better find out.

There were numerous occasions when shouts of ‘I’m going down here’ were almost immediately followed by ‘don’t go this way’. Unless you’re on a similar skill level to world famous pro riders such as Jeremy Jones or Seth Morrison, let’s just say it’s not really a place to ‘play’. In fact, any amateurish behaviour on the hill and JH will chew you up and spit you out like an angry buffalo. And rightly so, this is the Wild West after all……

These days ski trips about taking a punt – will the snow conditions be good, in fact, will there actually be any snow at all? Will the weather hold out, will the chalet/hotel live up to its trip advisor rating….and so it goes on. For sure if you decide to go to Jackson Hole the stake is even higher. Without doubt it’s one hell of a long journey from the UK and it’s clearly going to cost you a lot more to fly to the West Coast of the States than it is to jump on the orange bun fight express. Having said that though, I honestly think that it’s worth it……and then some.

I’m done with the unpredictable conditions of the Alps, am over the disinterested approach to customer service, and quite frankly hearts, crossed skis, and plates of bubbling cheese are well……a tad cheesy at times. After this trip, I for one would be more than prepared to make Jackson Hole my regular ski destination of choice. In fact I’d go as far as to admit that I’d be totally cool to put hand on heart and swear permanent ski allegiance to the powder gods of North America. Gawd bless Jackson Hole and all her ski in her. I’m off to get a pair of cowboy boots……

Homeboy