fin
February 21st, 2009, 12:14 PM
We need to thank everyone that came to Aspen the week of Feb. 7th to 13th and participated in the 9th Summit Expression Session! As always, participation was the highest yet with an estimated 200+ carvers in town. Conditions where very good and we had excellent carving for most of the week.
One thing I would like to do here is state and define exactly what a "Expression Session" is. And this applies to not just this one but all Sessions including the ECES, OES, WTC, WCS, etc. We thought long and hard on this one as we really wanted to sum up the point of a Session in one single sentence. We came up with this:
The mission of an Expression Session is to bring fellow alpine snowboarders together, in one place at one time, to be able to ride with each other in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
Anything after this statement is a secondary. I think a large majority of people have forgotten this, and that includes me. I have fallen into the trap of complaining about small details that have little bearing on the fact I am at a beautiful resort in Colorado riding with dozens of friends for an entire week. I find I have to remind myself of this from time to time during the week and I would suggest others do the same.
Years ago when the gang from Pure Carve started the first Expression Session (Mid/late 90's) it was at its early stages and the above Session Mission Statement was all that mattered. Everyone met at Buttermilk at a certain time and we all rode like drunk monkeys on the hill. As time went on they added a few more events like a dinner at the end but it still was about the riding and nothing else.
It seems some recent complaints have come from more of a misunderstanding then anything else. The Package we offer seems to be one of them. Even though it is pretty much disclosed in print here: http://www.bomberonline.com/ses/content/package_deal.cfm (http://www.bomberonline.com/ses/content/package_deal.cfm) there are some assumptions we should take care of.
A Package gets you
Lift tickets at our group rate (6 day pass. Note: from us $75/day - at the window $79/day)
Prepaid for the Opening party, party with Joergs group on Monday, and the end of week banquet
Access to demo tent all week
A swag bagNothing else is implied, included, or promised. Anything else that occurs at the Session is done for free, a sponsor paid for it, or someone volunteered to do it. For example Clinics are free because every year we get a few great soles who will take the time to help others out and run these. The house party we had last year was done because we where able to get a sponsor for the liquor (Madd Snowboards) and food (Takah Sushi). No sponsors stepped up this year, so unfortunately there was no party. This is your event folks, anyone at anytime can have/sponsor a party. If you are waiting for us every night to entertain you, we just can't do that with our limited capacities. Max, how about an all German Beer party at the Mountain House next year :biggthump
I also want to clarify, the party on Monday with Joerg and his gang was a combined party with Bomber and Pureboarding. Both groups worked to organized it and execute it. That is why if you bought the package you did not pay at the door.
Keep in mind you do not have to buy the Package to participate. We try very hard to let people know this so they do not feel forced to. The Package deal was created by us as a convenience as people kept asking us to just roll all the costs into one over the years. This is what we did.
It was also pointed out by some of our friends from over-seas the cost of the event went up and you got less. I believe this is more of an economics event. First the Package price for this year vs. last year was the same (if you look at the No-lift ticket package). And the list of what you get was also identical from last year. However, last year the Euro got you 1.48 US dollars (Feb. 08), but this year it only got you 1.28 US dollars (Feb. 09). You did get the same thing, it just cost you more due to the weaker Euro. As far as things we can control, I would say that one is pretty much out of our reach.
So if the package deal is not for you, by all means don't use it. You can piece-meal the week together yourself. All we ask is you show up for the event.
We have also had das sponsor question why we charged for the demo tent ($20 a day for walk ups). A fair question. Part of this money pays for the gas in the truck, the benches, the racks, tent, tools, etc. As you have seen at the event we set up one heck of a tent world so people can easily get to the gear they want to try. These things cost money. However, the biggest money sponge for this is liability insurance. For fun one day, call an insurance provider and tell them you would like to get insurance to have people try sports equipment on a snow hill for an entire week that you not only manufacturer this gear but will also be setting it up. Don't forget to mention that this is also open to the public and there is a chance that people with absolutely no right to be considered something even resembling an athlete might be using this gear. And for the topper, mention this will all be occurring in the United States, the most litigious and sue happy-nation in the world. One of two things will happen, they will either hang up on you or give you a quote that will make you want to cry. This alone is the main reason you do not see a demo tent like the one we assembly at the SES at other Sessions like the ECES or OES, it is a major financial burden. It is a sad statement towards our nation but an argument for another day. Maybe if we could get all the manufacturers to pitch in and split the cost of the demo tent, then by all means we could offer demos for free. Any sponsors willing to do this, please e-mail me at fin@bomberonline.com. Danke.
Now we (Bomber) do want to admit a few things did not go as we had planned and for that we are very apologetic. First, the schedule had some errors in it that did cause some confusion. We tried to correct these at announcements, but that obviously does not make it out to everyone. So once again, we apologies for that. The end of the week banquet venue was NOT what I expected and I personally take responsibility for that. I suspected it would not work, but I let myself be talked into. Those who where there last year remember we had it downstairs in a great big huge room that worked. Why I let myself get talked into doing it into a smaller room I have no idea. However, I found it an example of the spirit of the Session when I saw people making due and showing their good old American "Get er done" attitude. We made it work and I think we had a great evening. Take note, we will NOT be having another banquette in that room unless everyone agrees to drop 3in off their waist-line so we can all fit. Otherwise, back to downstairs for next year I promise.
We do need and listen to all feedback. As those who have come for years we usually have "Feedback" cards you can fill-out on the tables at the Banquette. The best and most constructive point that I think came up this year was from SWriverstone. His point is spot-on and I consider the number one issue with this SES and frankly all Sessions. That is the issue of first timers or newbies feeling welcome. Here is what I see happening over the years (thanks to "Kjl" for making light of this as well): in the beginning the group was small and every one was relatively new. It was easy and conducive to meet new people. However, as time went on the event become bigger, much bigger. Now we are at 200+ carvers and quite a few have now been coming for the full 10 years. So what does this mean? It means that these people who have been coming for years have created groups that they gravitate towards when they arrive. This is not a bad thing and frankly it is just human nature. We cannot change or control this. But the side effect is that it becomes much harder for new people/first timers to break into these established groups. What is the solutions, I have no idea. OK, not totally true, but the solution I have might not be that popular. What I ask is that these first timers MAKE that effort to introduce themselves and don’t be a wall-flower and hope that someone will come up and talk with you. A little effort on your part will go a long way. I can promise you this, there is not ONE person/hardbooter at the SES who will not respond positively to you walking up and saying "hi, my name is so and so" or "hey, saw you riding just now, can you give me a few pointers". Once again I guarantee you will get a good response. But if you do not make this effort to instigate, it will never happen. At the same time, all you "old timers" make the effort to introduce yourself to one new person and possibly even take a run with them. And no, we will never wear name tags. Ever.
http://www.forsaindustries.com/images/Special_post_pictures/shredsboards.jpg
Here are the rock stars for this concept. David and John from Idaho and Montana. Never been to a SES, knew just about no one, and drove big miles just to be there. They show up cold at the start and by the end of the week I think most people new their names and had made runs with them. And David possibly owing them money, but I digress. What I saw was these guys making the effort to make friends. They did not wait to be introduced.
The event is growing every year and these are the things that will start to become more prevalent and need to be addressed. An issue Bomber had is we are just over-worked on this event at this point. I know, waaaaaa to us ;) but we are now running a much larger event and it seems we have fewer recourses. We had three of us full time in years past and this year it was just Michelle and I. All I ask is to stick with us as we work through these changes of the event and make it even better. We love the idea for a grease-pen board people can use to make contact with others. Keep these kinds of constructive criticism coming, trust me, we’ll listen.
I have set up a Poll Thread HERE (http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24832)for all those that we can use as a feedback mechanism for the event. I won't go into it here, but take the time to read it and vote on how you want to see the SES go from here.
OK, enough of this I want to end on a high note. The things I saw that made it my favorite week of the year:
Having 15+ first-timers walk up to the tent and say "I want to try this"
One newbie asked to get some advice on his first run. I asked Steve Prokopiw if he could just go up the chair with this guy and help him out for 10 minutes. Steve did not bat an eye and spent 45 minutes with the guy.
All the clinics that went down and the huge groups that showed. The coolest I saw was Bordy's "Gates Clinic" at Buttermilk. I think he had 25 to 30 people show-up to run gates for the first time. Amazing.
The two days of First Tracks at Ajax. Copper Bowl always makes me smile.
Seeing Elle Macpherson at the gondola at First Tracks for the third year in a row. And being able to ask her why she does not return my letters written on my boxers.
Seeing great sponsors like Chris (Prior), Bruce (Coiler), Sean (Donel) and his crew, and Dave and Bordy (Hardbooter) spend a huge amount of time in the tents helping people out with the gear.
And last, all the great pictures/video that people took the time to post for the event. Collected here for convenience:http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24627 (http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24627)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWdzAHRjmI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWdzAHRjmI)
http://www.pureboarding.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publisher/videos/passion_of_carving_09/ThePassionOfCarving_09.wmv (http://www.pureboarding.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publisher/videos/passion_of_carving_09/ThePassionOfCarving_09.wmv)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobaq5dOHCI&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobaq5dOHCI&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNNSz_peLk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNNSz_peLk)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wSpTFwpY4&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wSpTFwpY4&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5yyuDQEkYA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5yyuDQEkYA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnJZEhvvD2U&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnJZEhvvD2U&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvO5XZKiArA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvO5XZKiArA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
If your week was negatively effected because you believe you should have gotten more beer, been given a free t-shirt, or your fish dinner was a tad dry, we are very sorry for that and do what we can to change that next time. But I can honestly say you are missing the point. Take a minute to watch some of these videos and ask yourself why you really come to a Session?
Same reason I do. No matter who is hosting the event next year, we'll see you in 2010.
Cheers,
One thing I would like to do here is state and define exactly what a "Expression Session" is. And this applies to not just this one but all Sessions including the ECES, OES, WTC, WCS, etc. We thought long and hard on this one as we really wanted to sum up the point of a Session in one single sentence. We came up with this:
The mission of an Expression Session is to bring fellow alpine snowboarders together, in one place at one time, to be able to ride with each other in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
Anything after this statement is a secondary. I think a large majority of people have forgotten this, and that includes me. I have fallen into the trap of complaining about small details that have little bearing on the fact I am at a beautiful resort in Colorado riding with dozens of friends for an entire week. I find I have to remind myself of this from time to time during the week and I would suggest others do the same.
Years ago when the gang from Pure Carve started the first Expression Session (Mid/late 90's) it was at its early stages and the above Session Mission Statement was all that mattered. Everyone met at Buttermilk at a certain time and we all rode like drunk monkeys on the hill. As time went on they added a few more events like a dinner at the end but it still was about the riding and nothing else.
It seems some recent complaints have come from more of a misunderstanding then anything else. The Package we offer seems to be one of them. Even though it is pretty much disclosed in print here: http://www.bomberonline.com/ses/content/package_deal.cfm (http://www.bomberonline.com/ses/content/package_deal.cfm) there are some assumptions we should take care of.
A Package gets you
Lift tickets at our group rate (6 day pass. Note: from us $75/day - at the window $79/day)
Prepaid for the Opening party, party with Joergs group on Monday, and the end of week banquet
Access to demo tent all week
A swag bagNothing else is implied, included, or promised. Anything else that occurs at the Session is done for free, a sponsor paid for it, or someone volunteered to do it. For example Clinics are free because every year we get a few great soles who will take the time to help others out and run these. The house party we had last year was done because we where able to get a sponsor for the liquor (Madd Snowboards) and food (Takah Sushi). No sponsors stepped up this year, so unfortunately there was no party. This is your event folks, anyone at anytime can have/sponsor a party. If you are waiting for us every night to entertain you, we just can't do that with our limited capacities. Max, how about an all German Beer party at the Mountain House next year :biggthump
I also want to clarify, the party on Monday with Joerg and his gang was a combined party with Bomber and Pureboarding. Both groups worked to organized it and execute it. That is why if you bought the package you did not pay at the door.
Keep in mind you do not have to buy the Package to participate. We try very hard to let people know this so they do not feel forced to. The Package deal was created by us as a convenience as people kept asking us to just roll all the costs into one over the years. This is what we did.
It was also pointed out by some of our friends from over-seas the cost of the event went up and you got less. I believe this is more of an economics event. First the Package price for this year vs. last year was the same (if you look at the No-lift ticket package). And the list of what you get was also identical from last year. However, last year the Euro got you 1.48 US dollars (Feb. 08), but this year it only got you 1.28 US dollars (Feb. 09). You did get the same thing, it just cost you more due to the weaker Euro. As far as things we can control, I would say that one is pretty much out of our reach.
So if the package deal is not for you, by all means don't use it. You can piece-meal the week together yourself. All we ask is you show up for the event.
We have also had das sponsor question why we charged for the demo tent ($20 a day for walk ups). A fair question. Part of this money pays for the gas in the truck, the benches, the racks, tent, tools, etc. As you have seen at the event we set up one heck of a tent world so people can easily get to the gear they want to try. These things cost money. However, the biggest money sponge for this is liability insurance. For fun one day, call an insurance provider and tell them you would like to get insurance to have people try sports equipment on a snow hill for an entire week that you not only manufacturer this gear but will also be setting it up. Don't forget to mention that this is also open to the public and there is a chance that people with absolutely no right to be considered something even resembling an athlete might be using this gear. And for the topper, mention this will all be occurring in the United States, the most litigious and sue happy-nation in the world. One of two things will happen, they will either hang up on you or give you a quote that will make you want to cry. This alone is the main reason you do not see a demo tent like the one we assembly at the SES at other Sessions like the ECES or OES, it is a major financial burden. It is a sad statement towards our nation but an argument for another day. Maybe if we could get all the manufacturers to pitch in and split the cost of the demo tent, then by all means we could offer demos for free. Any sponsors willing to do this, please e-mail me at fin@bomberonline.com. Danke.
Now we (Bomber) do want to admit a few things did not go as we had planned and for that we are very apologetic. First, the schedule had some errors in it that did cause some confusion. We tried to correct these at announcements, but that obviously does not make it out to everyone. So once again, we apologies for that. The end of the week banquet venue was NOT what I expected and I personally take responsibility for that. I suspected it would not work, but I let myself be talked into. Those who where there last year remember we had it downstairs in a great big huge room that worked. Why I let myself get talked into doing it into a smaller room I have no idea. However, I found it an example of the spirit of the Session when I saw people making due and showing their good old American "Get er done" attitude. We made it work and I think we had a great evening. Take note, we will NOT be having another banquette in that room unless everyone agrees to drop 3in off their waist-line so we can all fit. Otherwise, back to downstairs for next year I promise.
We do need and listen to all feedback. As those who have come for years we usually have "Feedback" cards you can fill-out on the tables at the Banquette. The best and most constructive point that I think came up this year was from SWriverstone. His point is spot-on and I consider the number one issue with this SES and frankly all Sessions. That is the issue of first timers or newbies feeling welcome. Here is what I see happening over the years (thanks to "Kjl" for making light of this as well): in the beginning the group was small and every one was relatively new. It was easy and conducive to meet new people. However, as time went on the event become bigger, much bigger. Now we are at 200+ carvers and quite a few have now been coming for the full 10 years. So what does this mean? It means that these people who have been coming for years have created groups that they gravitate towards when they arrive. This is not a bad thing and frankly it is just human nature. We cannot change or control this. But the side effect is that it becomes much harder for new people/first timers to break into these established groups. What is the solutions, I have no idea. OK, not totally true, but the solution I have might not be that popular. What I ask is that these first timers MAKE that effort to introduce themselves and don’t be a wall-flower and hope that someone will come up and talk with you. A little effort on your part will go a long way. I can promise you this, there is not ONE person/hardbooter at the SES who will not respond positively to you walking up and saying "hi, my name is so and so" or "hey, saw you riding just now, can you give me a few pointers". Once again I guarantee you will get a good response. But if you do not make this effort to instigate, it will never happen. At the same time, all you "old timers" make the effort to introduce yourself to one new person and possibly even take a run with them. And no, we will never wear name tags. Ever.
http://www.forsaindustries.com/images/Special_post_pictures/shredsboards.jpg
Here are the rock stars for this concept. David and John from Idaho and Montana. Never been to a SES, knew just about no one, and drove big miles just to be there. They show up cold at the start and by the end of the week I think most people new their names and had made runs with them. And David possibly owing them money, but I digress. What I saw was these guys making the effort to make friends. They did not wait to be introduced.
The event is growing every year and these are the things that will start to become more prevalent and need to be addressed. An issue Bomber had is we are just over-worked on this event at this point. I know, waaaaaa to us ;) but we are now running a much larger event and it seems we have fewer recourses. We had three of us full time in years past and this year it was just Michelle and I. All I ask is to stick with us as we work through these changes of the event and make it even better. We love the idea for a grease-pen board people can use to make contact with others. Keep these kinds of constructive criticism coming, trust me, we’ll listen.
I have set up a Poll Thread HERE (http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24832)for all those that we can use as a feedback mechanism for the event. I won't go into it here, but take the time to read it and vote on how you want to see the SES go from here.
OK, enough of this I want to end on a high note. The things I saw that made it my favorite week of the year:
Having 15+ first-timers walk up to the tent and say "I want to try this"
One newbie asked to get some advice on his first run. I asked Steve Prokopiw if he could just go up the chair with this guy and help him out for 10 minutes. Steve did not bat an eye and spent 45 minutes with the guy.
All the clinics that went down and the huge groups that showed. The coolest I saw was Bordy's "Gates Clinic" at Buttermilk. I think he had 25 to 30 people show-up to run gates for the first time. Amazing.
The two days of First Tracks at Ajax. Copper Bowl always makes me smile.
Seeing Elle Macpherson at the gondola at First Tracks for the third year in a row. And being able to ask her why she does not return my letters written on my boxers.
Seeing great sponsors like Chris (Prior), Bruce (Coiler), Sean (Donel) and his crew, and Dave and Bordy (Hardbooter) spend a huge amount of time in the tents helping people out with the gear.
And last, all the great pictures/video that people took the time to post for the event. Collected here for convenience:http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24627 (http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24627)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWdzAHRjmI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWdzAHRjmI)
http://www.pureboarding.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publisher/videos/passion_of_carving_09/ThePassionOfCarving_09.wmv (http://www.pureboarding.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publisher/videos/passion_of_carving_09/ThePassionOfCarving_09.wmv)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobaq5dOHCI&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobaq5dOHCI&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNNSz_peLk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNNSz_peLk)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wSpTFwpY4&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wSpTFwpY4&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5yyuDQEkYA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5yyuDQEkYA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnJZEhvvD2U&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnJZEhvvD2U&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvO5XZKiArA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvO5XZKiArA&eurl=http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24520&page=3)
If your week was negatively effected because you believe you should have gotten more beer, been given a free t-shirt, or your fish dinner was a tad dry, we are very sorry for that and do what we can to change that next time. But I can honestly say you are missing the point. Take a minute to watch some of these videos and ask yourself why you really come to a Session?
Same reason I do. No matter who is hosting the event next year, we'll see you in 2010.
Cheers,