The Stash at Killington: Rough Cut and Interview

by Tim Yu

Last week we were invited by our friends at Burton to go up to Killington, VT to try out the new Stash trail which opened early this year. Taking riding back to the roots of freestyle, the Stash run strategically weaves it way down a wooded trail offering a mix of terrain, hits, rails, jibs, powder shots and even a small cabin for the convenient pit stop.

Converting the otherwise monotonous terrain park into one of limitless opportunity, the beauty of the Stash run is its infinite lines and discoveries. Jeff Boliba, Burton Global Resort Director comments, “the Killington Stash run allows riders to be creative, has unique features and an endless amount of lines to keep riders discovering new ways to shred the mountain.” Even for a rider that's not going to jump over the cabin, everyone, including skiers, can find challenging and diverse lines every time down the trail. Along with a few pro's, including Dave Downing, Yale Cousino (pictured right) and brothers Hans and Nils Mindnich, we ran the stash from 10am to 4pm and never got bored.

Ride along with Dave Downing (pictured below) who filmed our point-of-view rough cut video on the Stash.

Stash is an all together new breed of terrain park and trail masterminded by Jeff Boliba. We caught up with the man to ask him a few questions about the development of Stash and what's next.

What was the inspiration behind the Stash runs?
The Stash is really about bringing snowboarding back to its roots by creating a run that uses the natural features that the mountain offers. An added benefit of the Stash is that it is more ecological because it uses natural elements and materials found on the hill. But the real drive behind it is to inspire people to get creative with their riding by using the natural features that the mountain and woods offer.

What are you looking for when scouting potential Stash spots?
Mountains that are completely committed to snowboarding and freestyle terrain and that want to take resort riding to the next level.

How is the Killington run different than the other Stash runs?
Making a Stash run in Vermont was a goal from the beginning as Burton’s Snowboard’s Global Headquarters have been in Vermont since 1977. Killington’s reputation of being a progressive freestyle terrain and a great mountain made it the ideal location for the latest Burton Stash. There are a few unique features at the stash at Killington, one being the Sugar Shack, Yeti Arc and the Banked Snake Run through the trees.

What is your favorite part of this run?
My favorite part of the run is probably hitting the up log and then heading into the banked turns on the main run that then lead into the trees and out by the old patrol shack that you can jib on the way out of the trees.

Where next?
Working on that now and should have another location finalized within the next month or so.

The Stash at Killington Resort is the fifth run of its kind worldwide and the first in the Northeast. The Stash can also be found at Northstar-at-Tahoe, USA; Avoriaz, France; The Remarkables, New Zealand and Flachauwinkl Resort, Austria. Check out the Stash for more info including some great videos and interviews.

Hans Mindnich pictured left.

With contributions by Josh Teixeira. Photos by Blotto.

LVHRD: (CLL) PHN-LCKN 09

by CH Contributor

by Bailee Wolfson

Good news for cell phone addicts everywhere—on Monday 26 January 2009 our friends at LVHRD, the NY-based arts collective, is at it again with another unique event. Unlike their last (CLL) PHN-LCKN (pictured above) this time you can bring your phone and will be using it throughout the party.

Drinks are on the house—Dewars and Sapporo—and a camera is a must, as everyone will be wearing a "full-body protective device." Keeping in theme with the electronics, we've heard that Cool Hunting favorite, YACHT, will be providing the entertainment. In typical LVHRD fashion the details of the party are a bit blurred, but we're sure this will be an event you won't forget. To learn more and purchase your tickets for $30 visit LVHRD.

See you there!

British Design Classics Stamps

by CH Contributor

by Laura Neilson

On 13 January 2009, Britain's Royal Mail service issued a new series of ten stamps celebrating 100 years of quintessentially British design. We love smartly-designed British creations as much as the next Anglophile, but the Royal Mail's latest release has made philatelists out of all of us.

Not surprisingly, the Mini and the classic cherry-red K2 telephone booth are part of the collection, which also includes AAM Durrant's Routemaster double-decker bus (now a rare sight on London's streets), Mary Quant's bold mini skirt and the less-obvious Anglepoise lamp, created by British motor car designer George Carwardine.

With their crisp, simply-photographed images and white backgrounds, the stamps are as appealing and timeless as the designs they're honoring. If you're stateside and feeling envious, the Charles and Ray Eames commemorative stamps are a good runner-up.

Available online as stamps, in addition to cards and postcard prints.

McNally Jackson Bookstore

by CH Contributor

by Tamara Warren

McNally Jackson is your average neighborhood bookstore—with a neighborhood that extends well past its Prince Street hub in New York City. The independently-owned store opened its doors in December 2004 and has become well-trodden browsing grounds for book lovers of a particular variety: independent, worldly and curious.

Part of its irrefutable charm is the adjoining teashop, where literary events are held on a regular basis. “We do a lot of focus on New York and local authors,” says Sarah McNally, owner of McNally Jackson. “We do things that are relevant to the world. We are trying to gear more and more to lectures and discussions rather than single author readings, unless the author has a connection to the community and the store.”

At past events, author Jonathan Lethem and DJ Spooky shared the stage comparing notes on the intersections between art forms. And James Frey conducted a reading (before the scandal broke). Regular events include Saturday storytelling for kids, a Spanish discussion group and NYU professor Mark Krispin Miller's first Tuesday of the month series that instills a political consciousness by showcasing activist authors. “At this point, it's practically a salon,” McNally says. “People will stop in the street to participate.”

McNally, who once worked as a book editor, has an uncanny eye for good book business. Perhaps it simply runs in the family—her parents own the Canadian chain McNally Robinson, and her husband Chris Jackson is an editor at the Doubleday imprint Spiegel & Grau. Originally, she named her store after her family's business, but changed the name in August to reflect its independent status and ties to Jackson. “It’s become a much more global store than I expected. Our focus has always been international literature. I felt like it was ignored. Our book club only reads international literature. New York is a crossroads of the world. It’s very cool.”

The calendar is flush with upcoming events of note, featuring indie presses and well-know writers. Charles Bock, author of “Beautiful Children,” will appear in conversation with Random House editor David Ebershoff on 26 January. Pulitzer prize-winner Jimmy Breslin is scheduled to appear on 11 February to discuss his latest book “The Good Rat.” A full calendar is available on the website along with staff picks and notable literary news. Events are free unless otherwise noted.

McNally Jackson
52 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. +1 212 274 1160

QuadCamera iPhone App

by Josh Rubin

The fourth in the "ToyCamera" series of iPhone apps developed by Takayuki Fukatsu, QuadCamera uses the device's camera to create multiple images taken moments apart from each other. Similar to the normal iPhone camera, the user sees a single image on the screen, but QuadCamera takes a handful of shots spaced by adjustable time intervals. You can also choose between four and eight serial shots that can be oriented in a line or two parallel rows.

The effect is similar to that of Lomography cameras, only in digital form, but complete with soft focus and slightly overexposed edges. Like Lomography does for film, QuadCamera takes the inferior capabilities of the iPhone camera and adds creative tweaks to increase the fun quotient.

QuadCamera can be purchased at the iPhone App Store for $2. See more sample images after the jump.

The Impossible Project: The Re-Invention of Instant Film

by Karen Day

The creators of The Impossible Project are following the advice of instant photography inventor, Edwin Land. With just 12 months to sort out a new way to make instant film, Land's famous quote "Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible," is surely at the heart of Impossible's mission.

Over the course of 2009, the Netherlands-based team will attempt to tackle the main problem Polaroid had with continuing integral film production—finding replacement parts for the now extinct components used in the original Polaroid instant film formula.

They're asking for your support as they count down the seconds (29,824,232 left as this is written) until integral film is again in mass production. Sign up and stay informed on the various ways you can help encourage their cause.