Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom 2014 Gallery

When it comes to snowboarding for the masses, much of this year has been mainly focused around the Olympics and all the contests leading up to it. For core snowboarders who don't believe the hype, there are other priorities. What's a better way to escape all the noise from the O-Games than to go to Mt.Baker and watch or compete in the finals of one of the most legendary, iconic events in the history of snowboarding and get lost in the zone with a bunch of good friends?

The LBS (Legendary Banked Slalom) was definitely a different kettle of fish this year. With a less-than-ideal snowpack, Mt. Baker decided to push the course up to a new location with a bit more elevation. This leveled the playing field out and set forth a whole new leader board. Times were still fast with a difference of only 2 seconds between first and tenth but there was a decisive winner and it was Harry Kearney, who got to the bottom the fastest and took the title home.

For me, one of the best things about this event is that everyone has to compete on the same course. From little groms to the older legends, they all brave the same conditions and can compare their times to each other. One of the standouts was Pat Abramson, an LBS veteran of 17 years who came out blasting and landed first on the podium of the Pro Masters category.

At the end of the day, none of the riders are really too fussed about their times or who won. This event really is about the good vibes and great friends, for real!RV alley in the lot.Gotta get ya bib!Riders anxiously await the first chair.Things are about to get real steep and icy.Stay low & go, go go!Alex Yoder on course.Pro Master winner, Patrick Abramson, waxing up the stick. There must something special in there...The Sprocking Cat about to win qualies.
This unidentified rider was a bit spooked and had case of the blues...All eyes on on each other.Speed makes Josh Dirksen a happy man.Blair Habenich bringing up that nose and reaching for the next bank.Nick Ennen stepping away from the race to snort a line of the good stuff.Terje in that classic cat stance.Speed racer, Blake Paul.You bettah!
Bryan Fox dialing in his line through the gates
Gigi working on that tan. Look out, grom squad!Jack Mitrani taking a break from goggle vision.The peanut gallery in full effect.Max Warbington powering through the berms.Even Frequency's Jon Laing had a go.Little dudes stopping by the Stohke tent to watch some triples in Sochi on the screen. (Look at the kid on the left! Can I take him home?)NW local, Ben Ferguson is all about that edge control.
Pro masters, Pat A. and Blue M. checking out the first run times.How low can you go?Turning & burningRob Kingwell always gives a great interviewTim Eddy, never thumbs down.Boards on boards on boards...The CU snowboard crew came to play! Who said a Buffalo isn't fast?The Craig Kelly Award goes to the Debari Family.Pro men podium: 1st Harry Kearney, 2nd Sylvain Duclos, 3rd Seth Wescott
Good night Mt. Baker & see ya next year for the 30th anniversary!Some videos from Dakine & Snowboarder Mag:

Text and photos by Seth Hill (except for that last one of the pro winners)


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