Thursday, October 22, 2009

2010 Powder Readers Choice is up and taking votes. Click HERE to count your vote. Hope you vote for yours truly. If you are questioning who to vote for in the men's category...Sean Pettit had a stellar performance in this years MSP video In Deep.

And here's little Halloween me. According to the date, I'm only two in this photo...at the time I would have told you two and a half.
Labels: 2010 Powder Readers Choice, Halloween, Michelle Parker, Sean Pettit
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The second ever Pink Chase takes place at Keystone on December 12th! We're currently trying to raise money for Breast Cancer. The event details are below. The link to support this cause: Pink Chase!
This fundraiser offers women of all ages and disciplines: the opportunity to be involved in an all women's snow event, make a difference by fundraising for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and have a ton of fun skiing and riding with the K2 Alliance, their friends and other women teams for a day!
On December 12th, 2009 at Keystone Resort, CO, teams of 3 women will compete against each other by trying to ski the most vertical feet. On event day, each team will receive a mountain package that includes: vertical data of each run, checkpoints around the mountain that earn teams’ additional vertical bonus, and tally sheets to record their vertical acquired. Teams must determine the best approach with the access of several lifts, multiple trails, and the assortment of checkpoints around the mountain. Teams are encouraged to dress up, or accessorize in pink. Off the mountain, teams are encouraged to fundraise for the cause up till a day before the event. For more info and to register, click on the register here button and get involved today!
Registration closes December 5th, 2009 at midnight local time (MST), so be sure to register early (for the early bird discount) and begin fundraising to be eligible for some amazing prizes such as Keystone Ski packages, K2 skis, K2 Snowboards, Smith optics, ski clothing, and much more!

Labels: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, K2 Alliance Team, Keysone Co, Michelle Parker, Pink Chase
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining Emily Miller (pictured above) and a bunch of extraordinary women in Emily and Rod Hall's off road driving academy.

Emily, most recently won her first race from Vegas to Reno. It took a total of three days. She took down some trophy trucks in the race to the finish in the H3 pictured above.

The interior of the H3 is completely custom to Emily's petite size (she's a bit smaller than me). My favorite part of the day was doing the hot lap with Emily. We rallied through the desert, jumped the Hummer a couple of times, and I was blown away the entire time. So much fun!

We did a ton of useful drills. Rod Hall, the legend himself, and Emily were our coaches. Rod Hall started racing in the 50s and has the longest unbroken string of race victories in off-road racing history with 35 total.

Wendy Fisher was there safely guiding her partner around the cone symbolizing a rock.

We drove the H3 and this ford explorer. The H3 was my choice vehicle in every situation, but the Ford was pretty fun to play with too.

We got dirty.

And some wild mustangs even came out to play.

Labels: Emily Miller, Hummer, Michelle Parker, mustangs, off-road racing, Rod Hall
Saturday, October 17, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Mercedes AMG race academy in West Palm Beach Florida. I showed up and had no idea what to expect. We drove on a sweet track with about 8 turns and two straightaways with top speeds of 140. 140 really didn't seem all that fast in these cars.

We drove about 5 different AMGs. The E class was so new it didn't even have a price tag on it. The first thing they told us was that these weren't out cars and that the mechanics could pretty much fix anything and everything...so drive fast and don't worry about the car.

By the end of the day, the brakes would smell, the engine would over heat, the tires had no more tread, but it didn't matter because they weren't our cars. In the morning they would be as good as new!

I went with a bunch of girls and one guy. Above are snowboarders Channel Sladics and Jamie Anderson. Stoked after a day on the track sweating bullets in the hot and humid Florida weather.

Hunter Schleper (Sarah Schleper's younger brother) won the autocross race. He came close to Tommy Kendal's time. T.K. was our coach for the week. The hot lap with him might have been my favorite part.
Labels: AMG, black series, Channel Sladics, Hunter Schleper, Jamie Anderson, Mercedes, Michelle Parker, Tommy Kendal, West Palm Beach
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Enter to win Michelle Parker’s setup
Pair of K2 Missdemeanors
Women’s Orage jacket
Women’s Orage pants
Pair of Scott goggles
Set of Scott poles
Pair of Nike 6.0 shoes
Pair of Dakine gloves
One Dakine backpack
Set of Skullcandy headphones
Pair of Eesa socks

Labels: Michelle Parker, PICK-UP MICHELLE PARKER’S GEAR
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Featuring the Skiing of: Two of Porters own team riders Michelle Parker and JT Holmes, Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Daron Rahlves, Henrik Windstedt, Chris Davenport, Bobby Brown, Colby West, TJ Schiller, Mike Douglas, Kaj Zackrisson, James Heim, Hugo Harrisson, Rory Bushfield, PK Hunder, Ingrid Backstrom, Jacob Wester, Russ Henshaw, Henrik Harlaut, Alexis Godbout, Sammy Carlson, Chris Rubens and Shane McConkey.
Labels: AK, JT Holmes, Match Stick Productions, Michelle Parker, MSP, Shane McConkey
Thursday, April 16, 2009
What the hell is Patellofemoral...?

Once again, I've been plagued with a knee injury. This time, not as much fun as last. I'm three weeks post op. right now and just had a refreshing P.T. session. This time around they fixed up my medial and lateral meniscus, they reconstructed my patellofemoral ligament, and performed a microfracture to help regrow a cartilage like substance. After 5 hours on the cold metal table, I woke up dazed, eyes tired, and in a hospital room. It was 12:45 at night...surgery went a little longer than expected, but it was a good thing I stayed in the hospital that night. First night's never fun. 5 more weeks from now, I'll be back on the table undergoing surgery number 2...ACL.
With all this time on my hands, I thought it would be a good thing to get to know the medical procedures a little better. I was mostly interested in the microfracture since I've heard mixed opinions about it. I read through a lot of successful operations and a lot of unsuccessful ops. It made me especially uneasy when I read that this procedure used to be considered a "career death sentence." However, today I had all of my questions answered. Lad, my PT, assured me that I can recover %100. I was relieved. Reading "career death sentence" seemed to haunt me these past couple of weeks. It's amazing how quickly these surgeries are becoming more and more efficient. Within 5 years the microfracture procedure has become much more successful...phew!
So until next time, I'll be PTing, reading, blogging, icing, and CPMing. I hope you guys are enjoying what's left of the lingering winter and I hope not to see you at PT!!
-Michelle
Labels: ACL, knee, Michelle Parker, microfracture, Pattelofemoral, Surgery
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Below is the Article by ESPN.
There's something about a girl who can beat you down the mountain with a smile on her face. Ready to be intimidated? The following six ladies are doing this on the daily in dizzying chutes, strict no-fall zones and terrifying avalanche run-outs ... and with just as much style, speed and aplomb as their male counterparts. Gentlemen, please allow us to introduce you to the Sisters of Steep.

Elyse Saugstad
The North American ski industry tends to judge its riders by their filming exploits, but the Europeans let results do the talking. That's why Alaska native Elyse Saugstad earned so much respect in 2008 when she won the Freeskiing World Tour: For five brutal tour stops, her competition was mostly Euros. One such stop was the Nissan Xtreme Verbier in France, and with 20,000 spectators and the bulk of European media watching. Saugstad took a no-holds-barred approach to several no-fall-zones and earned a big win. "Elyse is out there in the comps sending the guys' lines as big as the guys do," says Rachael Burks, one of Saugstad's biggest fans. "I talked to French pro skier Thomas Diet and he was like, 'Elyse not only skied my line, but she did it better than I did.' And that is coming from a French guy!" (Photo: Ian Coble)

Michelle Parker
Bringing park skills into the backcountry isn't a new concept -- just read any interview with Pep or Tanner circa 2003. Still, it wasn't until 21-year-old Michelle Parker came along when women really started to get the hang of it. Parker, who recently finished second in slopestyle at the Dew Tour at Northstar, has shown that she can ping-pong effortlessly between both disciplines -- elevating one with the other -- with a similar finesse and ease. (Photo: Hank de Vre)
"I think Michelle has big things ahead," says Matchstick filmmaker Scott Gaffney. "We [MSP] are filming with her this year, and it really won't take many days for her to put together a segment that'll floor people and leave them thinking, 'Where did she come from? A girl who can zero spin a 50-foot table and fearlessly rip big mountain terrain?' That makes for a very unique package."

Jamie Burge
Jamie Burge first made a name for herself as the girl who hucked road gaps and threw backflips off the Palisades at Squaw Valley (open up a ski magazine a few years back and there's Burgie sending it over a moving train on Donner Pass). Still, her career has been a roller coaster of ups and downs where Powder Award nominations are followed by blown ACLs. One thing remains constant: her what-you-see-is-what-you-get persona. There is no sucking up to please sponsors or smiling pretty for powder shots. Burge is the girl next door who rips ... and who is frequently banned from the seediest bar in Tahoe. (Photo: Bill Stevenson)
Labels: Big Mountain Skiing, Elyse Saugstad, ESPN, Jamie Burge, Michelle Parker
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dew Tour Ski Slopestyle Finals
Slopestyle Finals happened on Saturday. I got to run around like a madman covering the event for Newschoolers. With Finals, then Womens, then Ski Superpipe immediately following, it was one hectic day. On the men's side, newcomer Tom Wallish topped an impressive field. For women, Kaya Turski won. Our very own Michelle Parker took home spot number two. Michelle rarely competes, so this is a huge accomplishment. Congrats!
Labels: 2009 Winter Dew Tour, Michelle Parker, Northstar, Ski Slopestyle
Monday, February 9, 2009
Now I remember how it feels to compete again. It was fun times and great to be back in the game. After finding out that I won, first stop was the liquor store to take care of my friends and fulfill the 10% rule.


Labels: Aspen Open, Michelle Parker, slopestyle
Nice Michelle! Did you cash your check directly at the Liqour store in that last shot?..LOL!
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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Well, I was going to do a post with a lot of pictures from my travels over the past month, but for some reason the internet keeps pooping out and I can't upload any more photos than these two. So I suppose the pics won't really tell the story. Nonetheless, it's been a hectic month of traveling and even though these two photos don't quite give my month long of traveling justice, they will have to do just fine. From Tahoe, Retallack, Mustang Powder, X Games, SIA in Vegas, back to Tahoe, and now off to Colorado...I have a lot of plane stubs, overweight charges, and added miles to my truck.
It's been fun. A complete transition from the filming aspect of skiing to the competition aspect was one of the things that I experienced. It gave me some culture shock (the only way I can think of to describe the feeling that I had after leaving the cozy lodge of Mustang Powder to X Games) and again allowed me to reevaluate what I love about skiing. It's not the bright lights, the interviews, the cameras, and VIP energy drink parties. I'm more interested in the quite life living in my long underwear in the woods only accessible by cat or snowmobile (I suppose these two pictures go along with that part of my story).
After having some difficulty getting into the invite only slopestyle competitions this year (seeing as I didn't compete last year) I've been super motivated to get back on the list. In skiing right now, everything seems to be planned around hopefully getting skiing halfpipe into the Olympics. With that being the case, 2 of our bigger open slopestyle events have been canceled due to lack of funding (US Open, and North American Open). So off to the Aspen Open I go. It will be on the X Games course (which I've been riding on during X for a few days). I'm really looking forward to getting back in the game and feeling the rush that competitions give me. Despite the fact that I don't always like what goes along with competitons, I'll enjoy spending some days in the park and catching up on some reading while at home. I figure I can balance out the hype with some quite time.
Enough writting...sometimes I do that. I hope Tahoe gets some snow! Enjoy the sunny weather while we've got it.

Labels: Aspen Open, Lake Tahoe, Michelle Parker, Mustang Powder, Retallack, slopestyle, Traveling, Winter X Games
Friday, January 23, 2009
Let's just say our first day in Aspen we got down like rock stars...or should I say red bull stars? After we landed we got settled into our house then off to the Oakley house to meet the crew and build ourselves some custom goggles and get hooked up with some outerwear. We arrived late into Aspen, so we had no time to make it to the X-Games, and watched it from the house.
We ate dinner had a few cocktails then off to the clubs. Luckily we are within walking distance to downtown it came in handy at the end of the night. We headed out to the Red Bull party at The Sky Bar 39° and it was off the hook. There was a huge line and they were bouncing most of the people, but with our nifty Oakley wrist bands it got us in the door V.I.P style. It was a who’s who of the industry. We hung out with Porters own Michelle Parker who recently turned 21, and Tahoe local CR Johnson plus a ton of other pros Tanner Hall, Seth Morrison, Travis Rice and even said what’s up to commentator Sal Masekela to name a few.
When the clubs closed we stumbled back to the house for a late night hot tub session. That put the fork in a few people, but the rest of the crew was still in full party mode, and invited over whomever they could get a hold of. Let’s just say the house was packed until the sun came up.
For this being our first night in Aspen, it lived up to the hype. Based on tonight I’m sure there’s going to be a lot more fun being had. Check back for more party updates.
Labels: Michelle Parker, Sal Masekela, Seth Morrison, Tanner Hall, Travis Rice, Winter X Games
Oh good lord...Steph dancing on tables! Who's gonna get arrested 1st?
Last night, I made mac n' cheese and watched The Rock, starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage. "I'm only borrowing your HumVee"...haha, I love that part. Man, what a fun night that was.
You guys should be careful, somebody might get drunk if you keep drinking like that. I love beer, and rain.
I second that Jason will. I mean we all know he is a boozer! Steph, you should be careful, you might break an ankle or chip a tooth!
So it that how they do it in Aspen? Everyone gets in the shower together with their Goretex on?? HAHA
I've been to a bachelor party with Jason and he can drink everyone under the table. He can smooth talk the po-po though. My money's on Captain Coors Light going to the tank first, epecially if he had to step up to the "Full Strength Beer" in CO
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

This photo is from leaving Retallack. There was so much snow the roads had been closed due to a heli triggered avy that covered up the road with 75 feet of snow. Sean Pettit and I had to meet up with the MSP crew at Mustang Powder after Retallack. That trip takes about 3 hours. Because of the road closure it took us nearly 10 hours on the road and another hour on sleds to the lodge.

The Orage cat. Retallack has a lot of ski industry behind them. Part owners of the lodge include Tanner Hall, Seth Morrison, Photographer Chris O'Connell, and Oakley Team Manager Greg Strokes. Orage and Armada also sponsor the lodge and operations.

The avy danger was high, so we entertained ourselves with tree taps and jumps. Here's Sean about to knock the snow ghost.

Andy Mahre with his calm and simple style.

We built a jump a bit down and to the left of this fracture line. Seth had been skiing this run quite a bit and right where it fractured was our in run. On my 4th or 5th hit I landed from the jump and triggered this. Luckily I was well out of the way, but we were on our tippy toes for the rest of the trip.

After two days of sitting in the parking lot these cars were looking like pillows. Took a while to dig them out, but a lot less time to clear the lot with a snow cat and some kokanees.
Now I'm at Mustang Powder. It's been overcast and snowy pretty much the whole time I've been here. Supposed to get sunny soon, we'll wait it out. There's a lot of trees and sick skiing to be had!
Hope Tahoe is getting good snowfall. Remember to wear your beacons...even if you're skiing at a resort!!! Crazy weather patterns and accidents this year, it can't hurt.
Labels: Andy Mahre, Cat Skiing, k2 skis, Michelle Parker, Orage, Retallack, Sean Pettit
Monday, November 24, 2008
Labels: Children of Winter, Cody Townsend, Jeremy Benson, JT Holmes, Michelle Parker, Nate Holland, porters team, Reno, Warren Miller
Saturday, November 22, 2008



Labels: Big Chief, Michelle Parker, rock climbing
Friday, October 3, 2008
Michelle Parker - Photographer
http://www.michelle-parker.com/
Shots from my holga...just for funzies.

These photos were all taken in Montreal. I had just purchased a new holga and was eager to try it out. So these are from my first couple of rolls. I admit, I forgot to take the lense cap off often and not many photos came out how I was imagining them to. I was taking pictures all over the place.

Cody and the cook at this great little Italian restaurante by his house. They are big Cody fans there.

First go at a double exposure in the city.

A day in the park. Good times.

Cody, again.
Labels: Michelle Parker
Michelle has a great collection of pics on her blog...check it...Skills on the planks and behind the lens. MP rocks
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
With the snow being very unstable in Bariloche, Argentina, all of the SASS coach’s and guides decide that it was time to give a thorough lesson on Avalanche safety. Today started out a little different than normal.
Instead of everyone breaking off into their normal groups, we all headed up to the top of the El Bosque lift and started the class. First off, we dug an avalanche pit that was literally 40 feet wide and about 8 feet deep so that everyone who was attending could actually experiment with the snow first hand. The two head guides who were in charge of the lesson were Alex Hunt and Skyler Holgate, both head guides at Silverton Mountain in Colorado during the North American winter and head up backcountry safety at SASS (South America Snow Sessions) here in Argentina.
First they showed us how to dig an avalanche pit and how to examine the strength of the layers and bonds within the snow pack. They showed us how to record information about temperatures; snow crystal types and depth of layers, which would further predict how the snow would react to someone slashing some turns.
After everyone built their own snow pit, we did another test called a rutcshblock, which will basically tell you if the snow will support a rider’s weight. After learning as much as I did in only a couple hours, I would suggest to any rider that goes into the backcountry to have some sort of knowledge about how to evaluate the snow.
If you want to shred waist deep powder and learn anything from tricks to avalanche safety, come to SASS! Its the best snowboard camp out there!!
Sasnowsessions.com
Labels: Argentina, Avalanche, Bobby Witty, Michelle Parker, Porters Tahoe, SASS
Monday, April 14, 2008
Chappy's Daily Alaska Heli & Sled Lovefest 2008 - Days 5 - 7 Sleddin 'n Drinkin
We’ve been snowmobiling two days now – Friday and Sunday – and it was a storm day on Saturday so it was an official “down day”. I should show you the pictures from the “ringing the bell” spectacle that went down Friday night at the Pioneer bar – when half the big mountain freeskiing community was in the bar – but I guess you have to remember to take them in the first place. Sorry ‘bout that. Seth Morrison’s bar tab alone could’ve been close to $1,000…
But I do have a few lazy Saturday afternoon shots at the Harbor Bar shooting pool with Michelle Parker and Daron Rahlves? Oh, and it was little Michelle’s 21st birthday last week so we did a belated birthday dinner.
Oh - one other quite random and interesting deal. Pro Snowmobiler and Red Bull athlete Ross Mercer is up here right now building huge booters in the backcountry.....and he's got the Red Bull snowcat and ramp. We ran into him in the middle of nowhere driving the cat. He's going to try a DOUBLE back flip on a sled.........@#%&*$!
Well here are some pics from the last couple of days…..
Labels: Alaska, Chappy, Daron Rahlves, Haines AK, Michelle Parker, Seth Morrison, Snowmobile
Friday, February 2, 2007
This weekend (Feb. 3-4th) be sure to check out the Queen's Cup in Park City, Utah. It will be the second annual all women's slopestyle and halfpipe event. Last year it was an eye opener for many and this year it's going to go off. The event get's plenty of coverage so if you aren't in the area, you'll be able to check it out elsewhere. Being the first all girl's ski event, it has been designed to bring more females into the sport. There are 15 invited pros who team up with 4 amature riders each and compete as a team. Last year the after party went down with DJ Marc Frank and DJ Knuckles, this year Swollen Members will kick it off. If you're a chick...might be too late to get in, but check the website for next year's event.
Michelle
Labels: Michelle Parker, Park City, Queen's Cup, Ski
Friday, January 26, 2007
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Labels: Andy Finch, Michelle Parker, Nate Holland, X games
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
My First Day at Xgames 1/24/07

Boy am I tired! Operating on an hour and a half of sleep to bring you my little insight on Winter X Games 11. Don't worry, I'll be here till the end to give you the skinny on whats going on with X and with our Porters Athletes who have been invited to X. Invites include Andy Finch, Michelle Parker, and Nate Holland. Today was the qualifiers for the womens 1/2 pipe and boy, the cold once again took its toll on me. Me thinky a little sicky. So in response to the cold, I proceeded to watch the qualifiers from the riders lounge with Mike Goldschmidt. Nice and warm, on the couch, and with hot chocolate in hand. Here's a few picks for you to view cause I really gotta get some sleep. Big week coming up and I promise to give you a little more insight
Eric

Nate HollandParker & Goldie
Gretchen Blieler and family after her winning qualifying run
Finch and I Aspen Extreme R&R! See you at the Bar!
Labels: Andy Finch, Aspen, Gretchen Blieler, Michelle Parker, Mike Goldschmidt, Nate Holland, X games
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Michelle Parker Takes 2nd Slopestyle US Open
Michelle


Labels: Michelle Parker, US Freeskiing Open
Way to go Michelle!!!
Aunt Lonna's baby doll! You go girl, you're awesome!
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