It’s post-Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. That means you can’t blame the early-season for your lack-luster performance on the slopes any more. The snow is no longer riddled with rock and twig death traps; you aren’t considering amputating a foot after a full day in your boots; and there is much less giggling and snickering when your friend mentions a “big dump,” because the image that comes to mind has nothing to do with last nights drunken Del Taco burrito bender.

Every day we ride we try to improve, but sometimes we hit a plateau. Something is holding us back but we don’t know what.
So- Maybe you’re downright embarrassed to tell your friends you’ll meet them after your bunny slope warm-up runs. Could be you need a little extra game to seal the deal with “Jackie from Texas” at the bar in the lodge. Or perhaps you’re somewhere right in between. Whatever the case, these three tips should have you back on the path to bragging rights. They may seem simple and obvious, but I guarantee you haven’t considered all three (if any)!

1. Rub it Out- err… On. 

   The wax that is! Or even better, get an iron and do it right. Think about your first day this season. Were you “that guy/girl” in the group: the last one down every run– leaving your friends tapping their foot in the lift line? Maybe you should try a few solo lesson days… OR- maybe a fresh tune is all you need. I waxed my board halfway through day 1 this season and was TOTALLY amazed the diference it made. If you have to take it to a shop I wouldn’t be TOO embarassed… but you could just as easily follow these instructions at home.

2. Get Some Beef on those Buns 

   Nobody wants to believe it, but chances are you’re out of shape. Maybe you bike, run, or perform arial acrobatics on the reg, but that doesn’t mean your ski/snowboard muscles are up to par. Flexibility and endurance are equally as important, but most of us sending it every week are young bucks anyway.

   I spent WAY too much time looking through websites to find pictures and explanations of exercises that would be the most beneficial to you. So, while Exercises to Prepare for the Slopes on Bodybulding.com seems a bit hardcore, the exercises in the article are the most quality, and appropriate for skiers and snowboarders alike, that I could find. Try to incorporate a few of these into your day once or twice a week. You’ll be blown away how much easier tricks will be. And a positive side-effect: you’re ass will look better than ever come summer.

3. Treat Her Right
   

   I’m talking, of course, about our Mother Earth. In true DVLP Life fashion, “riding green” had to get thrown in here. While being environmentally conscious probably wont help you stick 60 ft. frontside 5′s by the end of the season, it may score bonus points with the snow-bunnies. When she says, “Ooo, I like your snow pants!” what’s better than replying: “Thanks! I bought the skinny pair because I’ve been doing conditioning this season (i.e.- ‘they make my ass look awesome’). Oh, and did I mention they’re made entirely of post-consumer recycled material and $1 of my purchase went to saving children and puppies in Kazakhstan?” Nicccce.

   This article is an awesome place to get started: How to Go Green: Skiing & Snowboarding

    

So now you have no excuses! With these three easy-as-pie tips, you should be upping your game in no time!
And if any of these tips worked for you and you want to show off, hit me up ANYTIME– let’s ride!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Several people I know in Denver, including myself,  use a bike as the main mode of transport. There’s lot of obvious benefits–it’s good for the environment, better for our health, and our calves are the envy of the town (well….probably  not the last one). It also is one of the best and long lasting options for sustainable transportation. Plus, it is just a lot of fun…. as showcased in the video Empire…

Empire is a film about people having fun riding track bikes and fixed gears in the city. The final teaser was released last year…check it out:

And for you two-wheelin’ Denverites…if you have not checked out  Loops yet, then I recommend you heading over to Crema Coffee House on a Tuesday around 7pm, and set off into the night for a 15-20 mile ride through Denver with a couple stops along the way. What could be more fun?

- Rustin Coburn

I was recently sent a new skate video from one of DVLP’s old team riders Robert Reyes. As you can see below it is well put together, and for an amateur video the level of riding is pretty heavy. I am very impressed to see how young Robert has advanced his skills and continues to push himself. He has grown up and lives in Montrose, CO (a small town where people go to retire in Western Colorado).
The great thing about Robert is that he is true to what he loves and is focused on always improving. Without any necessary outside influences he pushes himself and his skateboarding.

When he sent me this video, he also mentioned that he would be in Denver in a few weeks and wanted to stop by the DVLP warehouse. It has been nine months since we closed the company down, but Robert is so passionate and focused on his skateboarding that he was not aware of this. Yet, as you may notice in the video, everything he is wearing (shirts, hats, and jeans) is DVLP. He loves his skateboarding and loves his DVLP. We started the company to support people like Robert Reyes, and this is a perfect example of why the soul and voice of DVLP lives on.

Thank you for reminding me of this Robert!!!

- Rustin Coburn

***

Hello all! Happy hump-day and happy first snow!

Originally I’m from San Diego, where today they are enjoying 70 degree weather and sunny skies. They will likely enjoy similar weather tomorrow… next week… Christmas day… YUCK!

Which brings me to the point of this ramble: Too many guys are, umm… challenged, in the fashion dept.
When I went to get dressed this morning I realized that my clothing considerations changed drastically. I like to think of myself as a stylish fellah, but it took a minute to put a cohesive outfit together– one that complimented my baby blues while protecting my ‘chestnuts’ from Jack Frost. Lucky for me, my wardrobe and I were blessed to have been a part of DVLP Clothing. DVLP was an innovator in mens fashion, offering guys stylish threads for any temperature. Unfortunately, not all guys have been graced with an intuitive sense of style and many (like myself) don’t have a fashion-forward female to lead them down the path of dashing dress. In my own search to be stylish I’ve come across a few resources that offer men options beyond the relaxed fit wranglers and pullover CU hoodie.

For the Winter: Holden. If you’re not familiar, Holden is a snowboard company out of Portland that makes some super rad streetwear and outerwear (for dudes and dudettes).
Year-round: Secede For Men. Our good friend and previous fashion design intern for DVLP, Diana Walker, is passionate about Mens style. She’s showed some love to my look on more than one occasion.
Nearby: Emage. Our friends over at Emage skate/snow have an epic collection of sneakers, as well dashing adornments for the other pieces of you.

These are just a few places to start. Get creative with layers. Don’t be afraid of accessories. Bust out the scissors.

Guys, what are some of your favorite brands and looks that set you apart from ‘Chad’ in the polo and cargo shorts over there?
Ladies, what kind of styles are your favorite to see us stud-muffins in this time of year?

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Recently, the good folks at Battery 621 hosted an event called “The Business of Fun: Keeping Kids out of Cubicles.” It was held as a panel, with an open discussion format, and featured guest speakers of varying professions within the action-sports industry. I’ve attended the event two years in a row now. Both panels left me feeling invigorated about pursuing a career for passion instead of paycheck.

Q with Travis Rice at "The Art of Flight" premier in Denver

This time around, there was a gentleman in the audience sitting two seats to the left of me: Questor Sapnu. If you enjoy the Denver nightlife, chances are you’ve met him, felt enamored with him, shared bottle service with him… woke up in a hotel room, missing teeth, with a baby and Mike Tyson’s tiger [giving you the stink eye] with him.

Don’t remember? Likely story…

Well anyway, his friends know him as “Q.” For years Q ran the scene at several of Denver’s most popular locales, including Wicked Garden and the Jet Hotel & Twenty. After being on the grind forever he realized it wasn’t his calling. He dropped everything in the pursuit of something he has been passionate about his entire life. Q’s enthusiasm for the action-sports industry will soon deliver us a unique training facility for skateboarders, bmx riders, skiers, and snowboarders. The facility, located at 9499 Washington St. in Thornton, will be called Progresh– and it’s gonna blow your mind!

Q, Rustin, and I had an epic day at Loveland on Monday and the drive to/from gave us a chance to chat about the specifics of Progresh:

DVLP Life: What made you decide to leave the Denver nightlife and start Progresh?

Questor: For a long time all I wanted was to open my own bar/club.  I got back into the nightlife business here in CO to learn more as well as try to log 100 plus days a year riding…  And successfully did that for 11yrs in a row.  After 18 yrs in the bar biz I realized that this wasn’t my goal anymore. The only other thing I knew was riding…that’s always been my passion.

DL: Any hint of when we may be able to start signing liability waivers?

Q: We’re hoping that you guys could start hucking your carcasses by March 2012!!

We’ll have price points that will fit all budgets!  You can figure dropping in for a 2hr session in the morning for $25 or in the afternoon for $35.  We’ll do a variety of passes, but the more in advance you purchase the bigger discount you get.  We want to take care of our loyal customers.  Kind of like buying your ski/snowboard pass.

We are SUPER excited to see this thing blow up! For up-to-the-date info make sure to ‘Like’ the Progresh Facebook Page and follow Progresh on Twitter!

- Ches Sheridan Arms

Tyler Browning and Rustin Coburn had a lot of fun and silly powder days at Loveland this year.
With the sun baking, our bicycles spinning and summer fun in full swing… Tyler made up this little video with a few shots from our Winter.

FRAMED is a pilot-project. Something Andi Wittmann brainstormed over the course of time and decided to go through with the idea.  With the help of cinematographer and Editor, Felix Urbauer, this soulful production was made possible.

With their busy lives and the hustle bustle a summer brings, these two managed to pull out a fascinating riderprofile. This film reached half a million views when first released. This film shows what Andi does best, and what he pictured this film to be, for so long.

FRAMED-Andi Wittmann Rider profile from Felix Urbauer on Vimeo.

song: radical face-welcome home

Nike 6.0 Presents their surf film starring the most radical wave driven women surfers.

Leave a message will come out and be available for download on May 24th. This film will introduce you to the hottest surfers around, Malia Manual, Lakey Peterson, Coco Ho, and many more!!

Check out the trailer and get a taste of what this surf film really brings!

Chanel, the iconic brand best known for classic scents, handbags, and women’s wear, is branching out–far out–into sports gear. The classic double “CC” logo now graces everything from basketballs and footballs, rollerblades and scooters, to surfboards and skis. While we can’t comment on the technical aspects of the gear (Chanel is a tad above our paygrade) we have to admit the wood skis actually look pretty awesome.

So, if you want to bring the bling this upcoming season, a whole new avenue just opened up for you. Get yourself into some Chanel equipment and we’ll see you on the next episode of “The Rich and Famous.”

Companies have been on the move to venture into sustainably constructed skate shoes. Vans indeed has made its attempt with their 106 SF. This shoe starts off by being animal-free and combines hemp and recycled PET with water-based dyes and glues all of which have less of an effect on the environment.

The 106 SF shoe is a one piece outsole made from a mold which has reduced production waste by half. The Dri-lex Bamboo footbed lining which requires zero cut and trim also reduces the shoes waste. Looking out for the environment in any and every way we can is the future.