Skier Seth Morrison of Frisco, snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler of Aspen and wakeboarders Tino Santori and Emily Copeland-Durham of Denver have been nominated to represent Colorado in the action sports world at the inaugural Arby’s Action Sports Awards on Nov. 30, presented by Fuel TV and airing on Fox on Dec. 10. In addition to the local nominees, the newly conceived awards ceremony will bring together the biggest names in skateboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and more.
FMX star Travis Pastrana received four nominations following his double backflip at this summer’s X Games. Jamie Bestwick, one of the top BMX vert riders, also received four nominations. Shaun White is up for three awards after his Olympic gold-medal and Winter X Games gold-medal snowboard runs.
“Being nominated for one award would be special, but four awards is truly unbelievable,” Pastrana said. “I’ve had just an amazing year, and to be recognized by the industry is an honor.”
Winners in 20 sport and gender-specific categories will be determined by fan balloting (vote at www.fuel.tv) and a panel of expert judges.
SKI AREA OPENINGS: Keystone, Copper crank up lifts
It’s beginning to look a lot like ski season as two more Colorado resorts – Keystone and Copper Mountain – cranked up their lifts Friday, offering recreational skiing to the masses and early-season training to members of the U.S. Ski Team.
Keystone bumped its opening date up a full week, joining nearby Arapahoe Basin and Loveland among the first ski areas open in the nation after one of the snowiest Octobers in history. Wolf Creek also is open, having its earliest opening ever Oct. 27.
Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety joined fellow U.S. Olympic teammate Jimmy Cochran on the first chair at Keystone, sharing it with Team Summit youth racers Erin Breslin and Hunter Black.
FREESKIING: Jackson to name run after Coombs
Following the tragic death of legendary skier and mountaineer Doug Coombs in Europe last spring, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) announced it will dedicate a ski run to the late Jackson, Wyo., local, simply called Coombs.
Coombs is located on the infamous expert Headwall terrain above the Bridger Gondola, where its namesake spent many of his days freeskiing and guiding clients. After a short 15-minute hike up Pepi’s Ridge, skiers will traverse into the 800-vertical-foot run with an average pitch of 30 degrees and a maximum pitch of 35 degrees.
“In agreement with Doug’s wife, Emily, we decided there is no better place than the Headwall for a run dedicated to Doug,” JHMR owner Connie Kemmerer said. “He had such an impact on this resort both professionally and personally. He is sorely missed. We hope that with his name now firmly on the map, he will continue to inspire those who enjoy our terrain.”
RESORT DEVELOPMENT: Firm moves ahead in resort proposal
The firm hoping to build a private, eight-lift ski and golf resort near Vail submitted detailed plans to the town of Minturn last week, moving one step closer to annexation necessary for development of 4,300 acres on Battle Mountain just south of town.
In hopes Minturn will annex the land, the Florida-based Ginn Co. presented plans analyzing impacts of the proposed 1,700-home ski and golf resort on traffic, wildlife, employee housing, schools and the town’s economy.
The Minturn Planning Commission is expected to begin reviewing the documents in January.
