![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.yobeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/secondturn.jpg\" "\\"secondturn\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThere’s a dude turning in there. Squint, you’ll see him<\/em><\/p>\n I wonder what the first Mt. Baker Banked Slalom was like. You know, before it became legendary and all that. Chances are it was a small and incredibly disorganized event. Some of the participants probably had the best time ever, and others were upset because it took too long to take their runs, or whatever gripe people can come up with at a contest. And of course, there was most likely tons of pow to be shredded between runs.<\/p>\n The first-ever Bone Zone Banked Slalom at Timberline was a lot like that. However, it had a few advantages over that inaugural event at Mt. Baker so many years ago. For one: better equipment. And also, the Banked Slalom formula is pretty much set at this point: duct tape on the bibs, provide food and goodies for the participants, and see who goes the fastest. They also had iPhones, serving as sophisticated timing system, which I’m willing to bet weren’t part of the LBS 1 (hell, they still barely work up there.)<\/p>\n Jimmy, preparing to get a slower time than some of the girls.<\/em><\/p>\n Apparently no one told Mother Nature spring has started, because the conditions were basically whiteout for the pro division’s runs. After a feeble attempt at taking photos, I soon opted to ride powder instead. It was awesome. So awesome that when it finally cleared up and the sun came out, my camera was already in the car and I decided to keep riding instead of getting some better photos. I did make it back after the event had wrapped up to take a run on the 2-minute long course. Verdict: it would have been really hard to ride with no visibility. I’m impressed pro winner Gabe Triplette actually made it down in 1:56. Let’s just say it took me longer than that.<\/p>\n Twenty-something years from now I’m sure the crew at Shred Northwest<\/a> will look back at the event with the fondest of memories. They’ll laugh at the fact the weather didn’t cooperate. They’ll have a much better timing system worked out. And maybe, by then, they’ll even have added “legendary” to the name.<\/p>\n Visibility: approximately 5 feet.<\/em><\/p>\n John Laing, Ahmon Stamps and other cool dudes await their runs<\/em><\/p>\n The snow was good for lots of things<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n