“The Olympics are practically an ancient tra-
dition nowadays, so it is absolutely ingrained
in our social consciousness. And the coverage
and commentary is much better than ever.
This makes for a spectacular show that is not
only greatly anticipated but also watched to
excess. Skiing obviously has been there much
longer, but now snowboarding has an almost
equal audience, at least in our household. I
truly believe the Olympics is still a beautiful
thing and every effort should be made to pre-
serve and continue it.”
- Gerry Lopez
(surf legend, board shaper, and snowboard
shredder)
P: Neil Kor n
“I will watch the olympics. I will cheer for the best
rider. I will not be allegiant to my nation, per se. I
appreciate what the athletes are doing, but I real-
ize that this is a very isolated group of snowboard-
ers that train daily to be in this spotlight and good
for them...Seeing riders like Ben Ferguson, Scotty
James and Danny Davis bringing a reality to the
events that has been missing for the past few years.
Their style and personalities will always prevail
over any sort of judging that happens- and that
brings a smile to my face. It is refreshing for sure.
My hope is that some kid in middle Americas
watches the olympic snowboard events and realizes
that they want to get into snowboarding. Maybe
it will make them move to a mountain town, get a
crappy job and ride 100 days a year. If it can help
one more kid join our gang ,that would make me
smile.
I got into snowboarding for the communal feeling
it brought me as a kid.. It was rebellious and some-
thing that few people did. I felt like part of a unique
group, and I still do to this day.. So my opinion of the
olympics is somewhat skewed. I want to hate it….
but I won’t. I will watch it and enjoy every second of
it knowing that it is good for the overall sport.
And watch the women this year! Good things com-
ing from them!!!”
- Christopher “Topher” Laws
(Long time snowboard manufacturer representative
and promoter of snowboarding)
“Pipe and slopestyle exists in the Olympics for US television
ratings.....because they don’t recognize tradition. If I gave a
s**t about slopestyle I would watch the XGames.”
-Chris Costigan
(skier and angry Bend local)