LINE UK NEWS

Scroll down and follow the links for news of LINE in the UK and Europe... (for the latest news from LINE's World HQ in Burlington, Vermont click on the USA flag in the menu bar above)... more news coming soon... watch this space! [Latest update 08]

DON'T MISS THE TOURPARTY TOURPARTY CAMPS - OFFERING COACHING AND INSTRUCTION IN SKIING & SNOWBOARDING AT THE BRITS 08 AND EASTER 08... PLUS LOTS OF ACTIVITIES ETC... PLACES GOING FAST...www.tourparty.com.

	TOURPARTY SKI & SNOWBOARD CAMP ROCKS LAAX! Tourparty are just back from their first Winter Snowboarding and Skiing Camps/Holidays to be held in Laax, Switzerland over two week in February, during the traditional February half-term period. Sponsored by LINE Skis, these were a huge success with a great group of people of all ages from around Europe and North America and further away participating in two awesome weeks of skiing and snowboarding in a great resort with loads of fantastic riding. Read all about it by clicking on the link: Tourparty Ski Holiday & Camp Rocks Laax!
	LINE SKIERS REIGN SUPREME AT THE LONDON SKI SHOW 2007 Four of the six skiers invited to demonstrate throughout the Metro London Ski and Snowboard Show held at London Olympia (24-28 October 2007) this year were members of the LINE UK Mountain Command (MC) team, representing LINE Skis! Even better… Mike Wakefield, James Machon and Andy Bennett all managed to get through to the finals of the LONDON RIDE on the Saturday 27 October and Mike went on to take the crown. He and James also did battle in the finals of the BEST OF BRITISH Competition on Friday 26 October with Mike also coming out on top in that competition too. Read all about it and other news from LINE UK by clicking on the link: LINE News Round-up From The London Ski Show 2007
	TOURPARTY @ THE BRITS 08 Tourparty have just announced that they will be running a Skiing & Snowboarding Camp alongside the BRITS 08 Ski & Snowboard Championships in Laax, Switzerland - this means young people and adults can experience a full week of Tourparty skiing and snowboarding coaching, make lots of new friends, participate in the BRITS 08 (optional) with the support of Tourparty Coaches, enjoy all the BRITS 08 apres-ski events and celebrations during the week (optional) and be under the care of Tourparty's staff from arrival at the airport to departure (24/7 supervision is included for 10 to 17 years olds on the fully-residential Youth Ski & Snowboard Camp)... with accommodation, food, lift pass, BRITS 08 entry and festival pass, ski and board demo testing, special prizes and awards and Camp T-shirt all included: Tourparty @ The BRITS 08
	JOSH BIRCH REPORTS BACK ON SUMMER SKIING Along with his fellow Mountain Command riders Josh Birch has been training this Summer, but that doesn't mean he can escape homework! He's keeping us updated with his online diary, read it and the recent article about him in his local newspaper by clicking on the link: Josh Birch Online!
	10% EXTRA DISCOUNT ON EX-DEMO LINE SKIS 2007-2008 AND 06/07 STOCK Get yourself a real bargain on either ex-demo skis with pre-fitted fully adjustable bindings or last season's skis with SoulX who are offering an EXTRA 10% off this week on all orders received before 7pm Monday 6 August 2007, plus special deals like free ski bags and shipping... get yourself the best skis at the best prices ready for the start of the season... don't miss out, limited stock... See the Skiing section of the SoulX website: 07/08 Ex-Demo & 06/07 Sale LINE Skis... Lovely!
	WHERE ARE THE LINE UK MOUNTAIN COMMAND THIS SUMMER? The members of the LINE UK Mountain Command are keeping very busy this Summer, training and competing around the UK and Europe. Read all about what they are up to: Mountain Command Summer '07.
	RIDERS REPUBLIC TO HOST LINE UK TEST CENTRE Riders Republic offer ski and snowboarding holidays that are designed to be fun, friendly, flexible and affordable in a number of chalets based in the La Plagne group of villages on the doorstep of the lift to Les Arcs, in the heart of the Paradiski area. Now as a new service for 07-08 Riders Republic will be offering LINE Skis for rental and demo testing in the first LINE UK Test Centre in France. For more information click on the link: Riders Republic LINE Skis Test Centre.
	HAVE YOU BOOKED FOR NEW YEAR / FEBRUARY / EASTER YET? Tourparty, in conjunction with LINE Skis and Burton, have a range of fantastic Camps & Holidays for people of all ages to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in snow-guaranteed locations with fantastic features and facilities, brilliant coaching and great friendship and fun... so have you booked yet? Places are going fast... reserve your place now... mention LINE Skis for a 5% discount! Click on the link for information and secure online booking: Tourparty Ski and Snowboard Holidays / Camps at www.tourparty.com.
	EX-DEMO LINE SKIS 2007-2008 Every year we have ex-demo skis with pre-fitted fully adjustable bindings which need to find a good home... this year is no exception and they are in the best condition ever... to see what is available and treat yourself to a pair check out the Skiing section of the SoulX website: Ex-demo LINE Skis... lovely!
	JAMES MACHON REPORTS ON THE SHEFFIELD STOMP The Sheffield Stomp Freestyle competition was run by the Sheffield Sharks Ski Club. The competition was the first of it's kind, and attracted over 50 skiers from all over the UK. The Slopestyle competition showcased some of the best skiing ever seen at the Ski Village and it turned out to be a great event, due to the fantastic atmosphere, great weather and BBQ which was put on in the afternoon. The entry fee for the competition was only £5 for the day, with amazing sponsors behind it! With cash prizes for the unsponsored, as well as sponsored riders. Talking to Richard Summerhaze, the main event organiser, his aim for the competition was to give the younger, unsponsored athletes a chance to win, by separating the sponsored and unsponsored riders, to raise their profiles within the sport. It turned out to be one of the best competitions in the UK and it certainly said something about the amount of talent Sheffield has to offer! Overall a great event and I would recommend it to anyone.
	SKI CROSS Unfortunately you won't have the opportunity to represent in Halfpipe at the Vancouver Olympics but maybe "Ski Cross" (also known as Skier-X, Skier X or Skier Cross) could be your route to Olympic Gold?! A lot of skiers from backgrounds as diverse as freeride, freestyle and racing are looking for opportunities to perfect the techniques required to compete in Skiercross so in response the Tourparty team at Tourparty have just opened bookings on their Skiercross Camps taking place over the February Half-term 2008 in Laax in Switzerland, alongside the Freestyle and Freeride Camps. Everyone is welcome, from anywhere in the world. For more information see: SkierX Camps!
	LINE SKIS 2007-2008 We all know that Eric Pollard has a unique style of riding and his Elizabeth and Sir Francis Bacon skis sold out in no time last season, for 2007-2008 Eric has added another unique ski that will be a "must have" for every backcountry freestyle powder hound, called the "Eric Pollard Pro"; also new for next season is the re-engineered "Chronic" with kick-ass graphics; the big brother of the "Invader" ski, the "Anthem" will finally be available for those desperate to get a pair last year but cruelly denied; the "Invader" has a Carbon Ollieband for next season; read about them and the rest of the 2007-2008 range, plus the new clothing, beanies, caps and bags by clicking on the link: LINE 2007-2008... lovely!
	WHAT, WHERE, WHEN?? The British Freestyle scene has gone into overdrive... as a result there are lots of great events happening around the UK throughout the year at artificial slopes, SNO!Zones etc. These are always lots of fun for freestyle skiers of all levels and ages, and entertaining to watch too. For news of events like the Westbeach Snowflex Series, Sheffield Freeze and British Snow Tour (the successor to the AIM Series) please click on the link. See: Freestyle and Freeride Ski Events.
	STANDBY FOR A SUMMER OF LOVE If you can't stand the heat jump into the fridge... a cool Summer of Love is planned at the Sno!Zones around the UK with all-day Freestyle skiing, lessons and special SNO!academies including a "Girl's Only" academy. It won't surprise anyone familar with the pioneering approach taken at CASvegas (Castleford), Milton Keynes and Braehead to learn that as well as the many competitions and events there are new special sessions happening for everyone, all ages, from Rookies to Pro riders... read all about it at: Sno!Zones deliver Freestyle Nivarna this Summer.
	FEELING ADVENTUROUS? Snow + Rock and the Ski Club of Great Britain are joining forces to run Summer Adventure Talks in June and July showcasing some of the Britain's leading climbers, mountain bike racers and freestyle skiers. The five summer adventure talks are entitled ‘Living the High Life’ and promise to transport those attending from the summits of unconquered mountains to the world of mountain bike racing. Don't miss it: Summer Adventure Talks.
	SKI TRAILERS Two skiing trailers for you... first is a teaser trailer for 'Sticks & Stones', a new British Ski Flick by LINE Skis UK Pro Andy Bennett, Slavemonkey and others made for Ellis Brigham, featuring top UK freestyle and freeride skiers. Check it out! The other is a trailer for the Tourparty 20/40 Adult Ski New Year 2008 Camp / Holiday we sponsor. View the trailers here...!
	BROTHER IN ARMS Congratulations to LINE UK Mountain Command skier James Machon and his brother Robert who hit the headlines in the Derbyshire Times with their success in the Brits this year, click on the link to see the: Derbyshire Times article.
	130 RIDERS GO BIG AT MK It may have been the first major competition organised by the guys at Fear of the Park (FOTP) and FBBB but you wouldn't have known it! Two months of planning and organising Thirteen over the internet paid off big time when the 12 May 2007 finally arrived. Read all about the brilliant freestyle skiing and snowboarding event that went down at the Milton Keynes SNO!Zone by clicking on the link: Thirteen Rocks!
	TOURPARTY ADD "LEARN TO..." AND "PROGRESSION" OPTIONS TO HOLIDAYS / CAMPS Tourparty, in conjunction with LINE Skis and Burton, have just introduced “Learn To Ski” and “Learn To Ride” options on their year-round holidays and camps for those new to skiing and snowboarding who want to find out what they're missing, while enjoying the company of lots of other skiers of all ages who love the mountains. Tourparty are also launching new options for experienced skiers and snowboarders not yet ready to try their hands at freestyle or freeride. The "Ski Progression" and “Ride Progression” packages will provide high quality instruction to help you take your skiing and snowboarding to the next level on the piste and in the powder, while participating in all the usual fun of a Tourparty holiday. Open to all ages, from all over the world. Book now and mention LINE Skis for a 5% discount! Click on the link for information and secure online booking: Tourparty Ski and Snowboard Holidays / Camps at www.tourparty.com.
	LINE MOUNTAIN COMMAND PRO SKIER MURRAY BUCHAN IN THE NEWS Widely tipped for Olympic success when the Halfpipe is finally included in the Winter Olympics in 2010 or 2014, LINE Pro Skier Murray Buchan has been getting a lot of coverage in the press lately, reporting his success at various European Competitions over the season. Readout the article which appeared recently in the Edinburgh Evening News and see photos of Murray in action at the recent Tourparty Easter Camp by clicking on the link: Scottish hope for Olympic success.
	CAMMIE NICOL JOINS LINE MOUNTAIN COMMAND (MC) Congratulations to Cammie Nicol from the Midlothian Ski & Snowboard Slope in Hillend, Edinburgh, Scotland. We have known 16 year old Cammie for a couple of years from his freestyle skiing at his home slope and his attendance at the Tourparty Ski Camp last year. He so impressed his coaches and fellow riders on the recent Tourparty Easter Ski Camp (held in Les Deux Alpes in April 2007) with his progress over the last 12 months that we decided to offer him a place on the LINE Mountain Command (MC), giving him product and training support. We are very pleased that he has accepted this offer and are pleased to welcome him on the LINE Skis UK Team. (He will be riding the Invader 178cm skis.) Click on the link to read Cammie's profile and to learn more about the LINE MC and his team mates: Cammie joins LINE Mountain Command.
	TOURPARTY EASTER CAMP 2007 WAS UNMISSABLE - SO WHERE WERE YOU?! We're back! We've just returned (in one piece!) from two amazing weeks in the French Alps with the Tourparty Ski and Snowboard Freestyle and Freeride Camps and it was brilliant! Last year's first ever Tourparty Camp, organised by Tourparty and sponsored by LINE Skis, was a huge success so this year Tourparty decided to run two weeks of Camp over Easter in Les Deux Alpes, France. Burton, Red and Anon came on-board this year as sponsors and the Tourparty team expanded with Burton Pro and Snowboard Coach Posy Dixon, Ski Coach Andy Evans and Tourparty staffer Craig Hume joining Ski Coaches Pat "Sharpie" Sharples, Gavin Carruthers and Rick Hutchings who returned from 2006. Click on the link to read the full article: Tourparty Easter 2007.
	END OF SEASON SALE NOW ON AT SOULX The guys at SoulX have asked us to let you know about their end of season sale just launched... there are some amazing deals worth checking out. If you are the first customer to call/email them to order a particular ski model/size they will give you a massive 30% OFF plus FREE UK shipping (discounted for shipping abroad) plus FREE EXTRAS worth £70 including a £50 transferable voucher off Tourparty Camps/Holidays and a free pair of special ski socks worth £20! But you have to move quick! For the next two customers for each ski model/size they are apparently giving 20% OFF plus the FREE Shipping and FREE EXTRAS above. Move fast as stock is limited and they have already sold out of some skis/sizes/clothing - check out the site at: http://www.soulx.com. Good luck!
	TOURPARTY LAUNCH FEBRUARY 2008 CAMP/HOLIDAY IN LAAX Tourparty have updated their web pages which we host at: http://www.tourparty.com and have simplified everything (the Tourparty area was turning into a maze!). Check it out now! You can now just click through to the sport of your choice and then on the dates to get a sub-menu setting out clearly all the options/packages available to you. Tourparty offer Camps in skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, basketball, football and inline hockey throughout the year. There is a fantastic one week Tourparty Ski Camp/Holiday taking place in Les Deux Alpes in France in July and just launched there is a new great value Camp/Holiday in February 2008 in Laax, Switzerland which is expected to book up fast. (Supervised Camps/holidays are available for 10 to 17 year olds and there are also packages for adults aged 18+ years.) If you know anyone who might be interested please give them the website address. To read more about the new Laax Camp/Holiday in February Half-term 2008... click on the link: Tourparty to run February Half-term 08 Camp.
	MURRAY BUCHAN REIGNS SUPREME AT THE AUSTRIAN OPEN 2007 On Friday and Saturday 9-10 February 2007 LINE UK Pro rider Murray Buchan was over in Austria at the Columbia Austrian Open by Salomon preparing to ski off the biggest triple big air kicker line of his life and steeling himself to compete against some of the most talented young freestyle skiers in Europe. Eventually after everyone had completed their runs Murray, a 15 year old freestyle skier from Edinburgh, Scotland was crowned winner of the Rookie Youth Category, beating other sponsored skiers from Germany and Italy. For more information on this fantastic result and photos please click here.
	LINE RIDERS GO BIG AT THE VERBIER RIDE 2007 LINE Skis UK Pro rider Andy Bennett and Mountain Command rider James Machon recently competed in the Verbier Ride 2007 Big Air and Rail Jam competitions. James has sent us a report on his trip, click on the link to read all about how he and Andy go on: LINE riders go BIG at the Verbier Ride 2007.
	LINE UK MOUNTAIN COMMAND RIDING HIGH! The LINE Ski UK Mountain Command are going from strength to strength with some of the UK's most talented young freestyle and freeride riders skiing together whenever possible and representing LINE and their other sponsors at Competitions in the UK and abroad over the next few months. Click on the link to read all the news from Command riders Josh Birch, Tom Coe, Harry Hancock, Claire Hughes and James Machon: LINE UK Mountain Command Update.
	LINE SKIS PRO RIDER ANDY BENNETT REPORTS FROM VERBIER LINE Skis UK Pro rider Andy Bennett is an old head on young shoulders, with fingers in many pies! Andy has been keeping very busy lately with filming, photo shoots, freeride skiing, comps etc and has just sent us a report updating us on his time in the mountains and plans for the rest of the season plus some great crash clips and photographs... click on the link to read what he has been up to and to see the clips for yourself: Andy Bennett in Verbier.
	SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS! A lot of people who ride LINE are serious skiers packing in as much time riding as they can, whether in the UK on artificial slopes or in resort. We welcome photographs from everyone and anyone showing what you've been up to... and you don't have to throw yourself of a cliff either! (Infact, please don't!!) We love to receive pictures of you having fun on your LINE skis, whatever your level of riding. 17 year old British skier James Williams-Fuller rides a pair of super fat Prophet 130s and Invaders and is currently doing a season in Verbier, training with Warren Smith and competing. Andy Hastings is another keen skier on a season in Serre Chevalier, France. He has been riding on the Line Motherships and is planning to compete in various competitions. Look out for him in the February issue of Attitude magazine with a wicked full page photo! Click on the link to see photos recently sent in by James and Andy: LINE Skis Photo Gallery Update.
	TOURPARTY & TOURPARTY LAUNCH FREESTYLE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING SUMMER CAMP Brand new this year and hot off the press... Tourparty & Tourparty are hooking up again to offer Summer Camps for skiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers in the mountains of Les Deux Alpes, France. You can choose from the Tourparty Freestyle Skiing & Freestyle Snowboarding Camp on the amazing glacier, with a fun park that's even bigger than in the Winter! Or if Freeride Mountain Biking is your thing in the Summer holidays there is no better way to spend a week than with DirtTribe's top Coaches and riders in Les Deux Alpes with its massive freestyle bike park, numerous downhill tracks and many cross country trails. After you've finished skiing, snowboarding and/or mountain biking each day there are lots of multi-activities included in the programme. These amazing Summer Camps are open to riders aged 10-17 years old with great value fully-inclusive packages on offer. Don't miss out!! Book now, places limited. For more information and booking forms for the DirtTribe Freeride Mountain Biking Summer Camp click here. Or to read all about the Tourparty Freestyle Ski & Snowboarding Summer Camp click here.
	JAMES MACHON SPONSORED BY LINE We are pleased to announce that James Machon has signed with the LINE UK Development Team, alongside Josh Birch, Tom Coe, Harry Hancock and Claire Hughes. James is one of the UK's best young freestyle and freeride skiers, leading the charge of young riders coming from the UK scene who have the talent to compete against skiers from countries with real snow! Read all about his signing and how the rest of the LINE UK Development Team are doing by clicking here.
	SKIS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT Do you dream of sponsorship? Want to experience what it is like to be supported by the true freestyle and freeride brands like LINE Skis? Here's your chance... LINE UK are sponsoring a new freestyle ski competition being organised by Tourparty in Les Deux Alpes, France from Wednesday 11 April to Friday 13 April 2007. (Competition registration on Tuesday 10 April.) Open to all unsponsored teenage skiers aged 13 to 19 years from the UK and the rest of Europe. The final details are being finalised (!) but for the key information please click here to read all about it.
	FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL & INLINE HOCKEY SUMMER CAMPS Tourparty, responsible for the excellent freestyle and freeride Ski and Snowboard Holidays and Tourparty Camps, have decided to offer two new sports on their Summer Camp for boys and girls aged 10-17 years old in Barcelona, Spain. This is a great Summer holiday to keep your mind off the lack of snow until next Winter! Tourparty will be offering expert coaching in soccer and basketball, with GB and International coaches on the staff rosta for both the Kickers Football Camps and the Hoopers Basketball Camps. The Camps are open to boys and girls from anywhere around the world. For the full info click here.
	ARE YOU THE NEXT BRITISH FREESTYLE CHAMPION?! Originally the British Snowboarding Championships, the Orange Brits now embraces skiing as well and is billed as "the highest ranking freestyle competition in the UK". Olympians and British professional athletes compete for the British National titles in Halfpipe, Snowboard/Skiercross, Slope Style and Big Air. If you still need convincing then organiser Stu Brass has come up with 20 Reasons for going to the Brits, including truths like: "There's more to Laax that the park", "The Brits is a good place to get noticed", "Swiss barmaids rule" and "Tim Warwood is a funny bastard". (Hmmm not so sure about the last one... hehehe). For the full info and package details etc check out the website at: www.orangebrits.com.
	MURRAY WINS YOUNG EDINBURGH AWARD 2006 Congratulations to Murray Buchan, the youngest rider on the LINE Skis UK Pro Ski Team, who was recently presented with a Sporting Achievement award as part of the Youngedinburgh Awards 2006. Click here for all the info.
	YOUNG GUNS BLAST OFF Rick Hutchings, the new Team Manager for LINE UK, has wasted no time signing up four riders (Josh Birch, Tom Coe, Harry Hancock and Claire Hughes) to the new LINE UK "Young Guns" Development Ski team made up of the best emerging talent in the UK... these are the freestyle and freeride skiers we think stand apart and deserve recognition and support from LINE as a core twin tip ski company started by riders in 1996. Read all about the riders and find out how you can join them by clicking here.
	MIKE WAKEFIELD INJURED Mike Wakefield, Pro rider for LINE and Oakley, has been injured while training in France. Ironically this didn't happen when he was 20 foot in the air over a halfpipe but on a small windlip jump just off the piste when snow fell away as he hit it, revealing rock and flipping him over. He is in hospital in Grenoble having hurt his vertebrae and is unlikely to ski this season. This is hugely disappointing for Mike as he is one of the best freestyle skiers in the UK and was just coming back from a frustrating season last year when he broke his collar bone twice. Having been crowned British Quarterpipe Champion 2006 at the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show in October Mike was looking forward to competing this season in all the key competitions including the World Cup Halfpipe, Brits and Orage European Open. We wish Mike a fast recovery. We will provide more news here as we get it.
	LA TIMES GOES FOR PROPHET 100 The LA TIMES has just printed an article on Fat Skis on 10 December 2006 called "Fat but so light on your feet" by Tom Winter, who spent a decade testing every ski on the market for his job as senior editor of Freeskier Magazine, explaining why the Prophet 100 is the ski to have this season. Click here to read all about it.

OLDER NEWS...

	TOURPARTY TRAILER ONLINE NOW Tourparty have just released a new trailer for their New Year and Easter ski and snowboard camps, now available online on YouTube at: www.youtube.com. Click on the link and check it out! (The film is also available on the Tourparty Tourparty MySpace profile at: www.myspace.com/snotribe.) Made by Chris Asquith of Regime Change Products (who produced this season's new ski film "Three For Flinching"), the film is only a few minutes long and shows what people got up to at the Tourparty Camp held in Les Deux Alpes in April 2006. For more information about this year's ski and snowboard holidays and camps (sponsored by LINE, Burton, Red and Anon) see the website at: www.tourparty.com.
	CLAIRE HUGHES SPONSORED BY LINE SKIS LINE UK have just confirmed ski sponsorship for Claire Hughes, the 22 year old winner of Dark Summer’s ‘It’s A Girl Thing’ Competition in December 2005 and 5th placed skier in the New Zealand Big Mountain Competition in August 2006. Click here for all the info.
	LINE UK APPOINT TEAM MANAGER LINE Skis are pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Hutchings as LINE UK Team Manager. Rick will be helping LINE Pro riders to build on the success they have achieved over the last 4 years, recently recognised at the UK Freeski Awards when the LINE UK Pro Team won the new UK Freeski Team Award. He will also be working with upcoming riders and be dealing with sponsorship enquiries. Read more by clicking here.
	SKIS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT Ok, ok... there may be some truth in the rumours! Word has it there may be a ski comp sponsored by LINE and other core brands at the end of the season... comprising Half-pipe, Slopestyle and SkierX... in Les Deux Alpes... Wednesday 11 April to Friday 13 April 2007... a chance to win LINE ski sponsorship for a year... organised in conjunction with Tourparty & Tourparty... open to all European teenage skiers aged 13 to 19 years... with a category exclusively for UK skiers (aged 13-19)... to ensure you are one of the first to receive pre-registration information and have the chance to compete, submit your details now by clicking here.
	PADDY GRAHAM COVER BOY! Get your hands on a copy of this December's issue of Fall Line magazine to see Paddy Graham taking air in his first cover shot, skiing on a pair of LINE's Anthem skis. As Paddy would say... "Shabba!"
	RIDE WITH THE NEW ZEALAND FREESTYLE & FREERIDE SKI TEAM THIS NEW YEAR! Tourparty & Tourparty have hooked up with the New Zealand Freestyle & Freeride team to offer the unique opportunity of a week's skiing with some of the best riders in the world as they prepare for the competition season in Europe. It's a chance to ride with skiers like Hamish Acland, Lyndon Sheehan and Jossi Wells, alongside some of the Europe's top coaches and pro riders. Don't miss it! Click here for all the info.

LINE UK PRO SKI TEAM OUT IN FORCE AT THE LONDON RIDE The 3rd London Ride has become a annual event in the UK snowsports calendar, hosted each year by the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show at London Olympic. This year's event showcased the best of the UK's freestyle skiers and (unlike the last 2 years) was on a Quarterpipe built with snowflex artificial matting. Fresh from collecting their award at the UK Freeski Awards the UK LINE Pro Team were hungry for some Euros... so guess who came 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th?! Find out and see the photographs by clicking here.

LINE CLEANS UP AT THE UK FREESKI AWARDS 2006 After thousands of votes had been cast the night finally arrived for the UK Freeski Award presentations at the London Ski & Snowboard Show on Thursday 19 October 2006. Many thanks to everyone who voted, it was a good night for LINE's Pro skiers. Awards were given for Best UK Freeski Team, Best UK Male Freeskier, Best UK Female Freeskier, Best UK Rookie (Under 16) Freeskier, Best UK Unsponsored Freeskier, Best UK Ski Film, Best UK Rider Segment in a Film, Best UK Freeski Event, Best UK Freeski Team, Best UK Ski Photographer, Richard Taylor Memorial Award... find out the results and see the photos by clicking here.

MIKE WAKEFIELD BACK IN BUSINESS AT THE BRITISH QUARTERPIPE CHAMPIONSHIPS The Metro Ski and Snowboard Show played host to the Orange AIM Series British Quarterpipe Championships on Friday 20th October 2006 with the UK’s Snowboard and Freeski elite all under one roof, throwing down some tight freestyle action to a crowd of thousands. LINE riders dominated with Mike Wakefield getting first prize... for all the results and information click here.

TOURPARTY & TOURPARTY UPDATE Lots of exciting news about developments with the Tourparty Holidays and Tourparty Camps. If you’re hoping to get on the snow this season for an unforgettable holiday you won’t do better than to book with Tourparty.com! New sponsors alongside LINE Skis include Anon, Red and Burton; there is exciting news of new coaches being signed to the coaching rosta and there is a new MySpace profile too. Click here for all the latest news and information, to download the new leaflet brochure and to get your copy of the Tourparty poster as seen in Fall Line magazine.

LONDON SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOW IS BACK! The Metro Ski & Snowboard Show takes place this week (18th - 22nd October 2006) with a ‘mini ski season’ in the Grand Hall, London Olympia. There is lots happening with the LINE UK Pro Skiers in action on the slope and tonnes of other things to see and do. Plus, kids under 14 get in free (if you know any!). Apparently this year there are 10 NEW features guaranteed to put you in the mood for action on the slopes. Click here for all the information, opening times etc... and see you there!

DARK SUMMER SKI SHOW PARTY If you’re planning to attend the London Ski Show on Thursday 19 October to see the UK Freeski Awards then why not celebrate with the winners at the Dark Summer after show party in Shepherds Bush? Click here for more information.

AGGRESSIVE ALPINE SKIING Ellis Brigham’s new ski movie “Aggressive Alpine Skiing” by Andy Bennett and Dave Young has a fruity cover design by LINE Skis Pro Rider Paddy Graham. We asked him how he came up with the colourful design, click here to read what he had to say.

ACTIVE SPORTS SHOP REFIT COMPLETED The Active Sports shop refiit has now been completed and looks amazing. It is now more open, brighter and with more space to see the best range of skis they have ever stocked. There is now a coffee bar where people can chill out and watch the huge TV screen constantly playing ski and board DVDs - awesome! Click here to read all about it and see the photos.

CHARLIE SMITH GETS WORLD RECORD TITLE! We’ve just heard that Charlie Smith is now the official Guinness Book of Records World Title holder of the longest rail slide on skis, about 36 metres! We haven’t been able to confirm the exact length of his slide as it all went a bit crazy on the night and this news is hot off the press but he has the title! Read all about it by clicking here.

NEW FRENCH SNOWFLEX SLOPE OPENS Not quite selling snow to the Eskimos but Briton Engineering, the manufacturers of Snowflex, have pulled off a coup by building the biggest snowflex artificial slope yet, in France! Various UK riders competed in the competition to open the slope and beat off older riders from around Europe to win both the individual male skier (James Webb) and ski team categories. Click here to read about the opening and for the results.

WARMWELL BREAKS RECORDS The UK’s top snowboarders and freeskiers, amongst them Olympians and British Champions, descended on the new snowflex slope at the Dorset Snowsport Centre at the beginning of October for the finale event of the Orange AIM Series 2006 calendar. A record number of over 160 competitors took part, hoping to win the British Artificial Big Air Championship titles. The event also served as a qualifier for the British Quarterpipe Championships at the Metro Ski Show, London on the 20th October, with the top three skiers qualifying to compete at the prestigious event. Click here for all the results, photographs etc.

FALL LINE MAGAZINE OUT NOW! The first issue of Fall Line magazine for this season (Issue 63, October 2006) is out now and packed with information, photos and reviews. Check out the LINE double page photo of the LINE Skis UK/Scandinavian Pro Ski Team and photo of Paddy Graham in action in the Gear supplement, plus the Tourparty advert on page 33, the Paddy Graham bio on page 32, the advert for the awesome new Anthems (with Paddy) on page 93, the 180 guide on pages 102/103 (again, with Paddy!) and the photo of Andy Bennett with his Prophet 100s inside back cover... to name a few pages worth a look! Get your copy now!!

COMPETITION ROUND-UP For the latest results from the Farmers Jam and AIM Series at Rossendale, and news of the last AIM Series taking place at Warmwell on Sunday 1 October (don't miss it!) click here.

REVOLUTIONZ OPENS IN GREENWICH There's a strong argument that London is underserved by specialist, modern ski and snowboard dealers. The good news is that the new Revolutionz store just opened in Greenwich (14a King William Walk) and sister store to Revolutionz in Norwich (and a new Revolutionz opening soon in Newquay) is doing its bit to regress the balance. Just around the corner from the famous market, high street and Cutty Sark, this store is stacked with top ski and snowboard brands and managed by the owner Jason so you are guaranteed personal service. Greenwich is also a lively, funky place to visit. Go check it out! Click here for full contact details and photos from the opening night!

BOOK YOUR SKI HOLIDAY NOW WITH TOURPARTY The organisers of the very successful Freestyle & Freeride Camp held in April 2006 (click here to see the reviews and feedback) are offering great value accommodation and extras for skiers and snowboarders in Les Deux Alpes at Christmas, New Year and Easter. There are options for families, groups of adults and adults travelling alone. There is also a fully inclusive, fully supervised residential trip for 12-17 years olds. But you don't have to book any accommodation with Tourparty to attend the Freeride & Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Tourparty Camp offering expert coaching and loads of benefits and extras for people wanting something different to the normal ski school, enabling them to improve their freestyle and freeride skiing and snowboarding while making lots of new friends and learning to ski the whole mountain like never before. Bookings are welcome from skiers and snowboarders around the world who want an unforgettable Christmas, New Year or Easter in the Alpes this season. Click here for information, prices and booking form etc. **As seen in Fall Line magazine!**

NEW INDOOR SNOW SLOPE PLANNED FOR MANCHESTER Work has started on a new £31 million development to construct the biggest indoor ski centre in the country. Close to the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester, the slope will be called "Chill Factore". As well as three interconnected real snow slopes, a toboggan run, climbing wall, skate park and children’s snowplay zone are also planned, with the centre due to open in October 2007. For full details click on the link: www.chillfactore.com.

PADDY & ANDY RIDE HIGH IN NZ LINE UK Pro Skiers Paddy Graham and Andy Bennett have been over in New Zealand over the Summer training and competing in the NZ FreeSki Open, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest event of its kind with Park and Pipe events and the Big Mountain event at Treble Cone. We were totally stoked to hear that Paddy had come in 13th in the Men’s Slopestyle and 9th in the Men’s Halfpipe and Andy had come 19th in the Men's Slopestyle, competing in a world-class field including X-Games gold medalist Simon Dumont (USA) and a host of other international riders. Click here to read all about it and about how Paddy is making his mark on the international scene.

UK FREESKI AWARDS Dark Summer (www.darksummer.co.uk) have launched the UK Freeski Awards to recognise the progression of skiing, celebrate the efforts of everyone involved in the ski industry and to highlight the sport of freeskiing to a wider audience. You can vote for the UK Freeski Awards now, and you can suggest additional nominees. There are ten awards categories in which to vote. Click here for all the info.

COME TO LES DEUX ALPES! Book now to come with us to Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez for some fantastic skiing, great coaching and lots of fun this season. Different packages are available for families, individuals and groups. We also have fully escourted ski camps for 12-17 year olds... don't miss out! Click here for booking information etc.

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF "3 FOR FLINCHING" NOW Following his groundbreaking "try.fail.try" UK ski movie last year, Chris Asquith will not disappoint this season with the new “3 FOR FLINCHING!!!” film coming soon from Regime Change Productions. Click here to see the new movie trailer.

AIM SERIES AT BRACKNELL The sunshine came out on Sunday 3 September for the ski section of the Bracknell AIM Series with riders throwing a variety of 540, 720 and attempted 900 rotations for the Big Air competition. The standard of skiing for the afternoon's Slopestyle competition was also high with the younger riders taking charge, linking together some smooth, stylish and technical runs. Click here to read all about it.

ANDY BENNETT WITH THE PROPHET 100 Click through to see the fun photo by Yves Garneau of Andy posing with a pair of the new Prophet 100 skis. While on the G1 Photo Productions website it's worth checking out the rest of the gallery online. Yves was spent the first part of his life in a relatively flat part of the world but aged 19, he packed up and headed west to Whistler Blackcomb for a taste of the mountains. In 1997, he left for Verbier, Switzerland and never looked back... he's one of the great ski photographers and oversees photography for Fall Line magazine. Click here.

AIM SERIES AT MILTON KEYNES Saturday 19th August saw over 500 competitors and spectators descend on the Milton Keynes SNO!zone for the Orange AIM Series Indoor Snowboard / Skiercross Championships. Click here for the results.

WHO IS THE DADDY?! Saturday 12th August 2006 saw the latest instalment of ‘Who’s The Daddy?’ billed as the Ultimate Freestyle Showdown Comp at the SnowDome, Tamworth. The scene was set on the slope with a grisly array of brand new toys including the Fun Bus, the Whale Rail and the ‘Daddy Tombstone’ towering above the 1/4 pipe. Read more by clicking here.

GO SKIING NOW! Ever longed to get in some real snow practise over the summer? Ever been disappointed with the size of kickers or the range of rails in a park? Ever come back from a winter holiday and been bummed out because you have to wait 12 months for you next fix? Read about Summer Skiing in Alan Hogg's article: http://www.snowriders.co.uk/line/summerski.html.

RICK LAUNCHES NEW SITE Rick Hutchings is a skier, instructor, sales manager and professional photographer working with LINE UK for a number of years and now concentrating on his photography. He works for various brands and also takes photos at LINE Camps etc - check out his new website for galleries etc (site may take a while to load): www.rickhutchings.com.

BRITISH RIDERS IMPRESS AT SAAS FEE The second event in the 2006 Ride series took place on Saturday 22nd July in the glacial resort of Saas Fee, Switzerland with riders from around the world competing in the Slopestyle and BIg Air. LINE Pro Riders Paddy Graham and Murray Buchan along with a number of other British riders held their own and impressed everyone with their skills... Click here for results and photos...

LINE DOMINATES IN RECENT COMPS Comps and events happening all over the place - The British Indoor Slopestyle Championship took place in Glasgow on Saturday 5th August 2006 at the Braehead SNO!zone with LINE Pro Skier Murray Buchan taking first place; a week earlier on the 28 July 2006 Charlie Smith took first place in the British Indoor Rail Jam on his LINE Skis at Castleford SNO!zone... Click through for all the info on these and other events in our Comp Round-up! Click here for all the info and pics.

AIM SCHOOLS TOUR HEADS HOME LINE Pro Skier paddy Graham has been an enthusiastic participant in the latest Orange AIM Series Schools Tour which brought snowsports to life for over 3,000 Pupils at 10 Schools between the 12th and 23rd June in Glasgow, Yorkshire, Milton Keynes, Bracknell and Dorset... Read more...

NEW COMPETITION - BE THE FIRST TO OWN THE NEW REMOTE BACKPACK! Answer one easy question and be the first in Europe to own a new LINE Remote backpack... it's simple, it won't take more than a minute and you'll have a super cool bag to replace that carrier bag you normally use to carry your stuff around in. Click here!

JOIN US AT BRAEHEAD! The UK LINE Pro team will be at Braehead Sno!zone at Xscape, Glasgow, from 7pm this Friday 30 June 2006 for the freestyle night and to get some photographs taken... if you are anywhere near come along and join us on the slope for a session!

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS We are pleased to announce that in response to demand Tourparty now accept all major Credit or Debit cards (and PayPay account payments online). So if you want to pay by Credit or Debit card for your place(s) on the Ski Holidays and Ski Camps sponsored by LINE Skis at Christmas and Easter... you can! (Or you can pay by sterling Cheque or bank transfer.) Bookings from skiers and their friends/family from anywhere in the world are very welcome. The more the merrier but book soon, places are limited! Click here to read everything you need to know and to book online.

CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF IT!... According to sales figures just in from the SIA in North America, freestyle skis and clothing are the hottest growth area in snowsports right now. Freestyle twintip skis were the fastest growing equipment category this season in the USA, notching a near 70% increase in pairs sold and 65% increase in the amount people are spending on skis. Freestyle inspired clothing is also selling well - no need to wear snowboard brands anymore! It’s like Mike Nick, one of LINE’s first pro skiers and founder of Siver Cartel clothing, recently commented: “Skiing is no longer a sport for the older generation and with expanded product offerings from both hard and soft goods our sport is attracting new participants every year.” Even snowboard shops are getting excited about the growth in freestyle skiing, take Jared Derosier for example, snowboard buyer/manager at a shop in New Hampshire, USA: “Twintip skis sold well because they are a great all-mountain ski and so easy to use for all levels and ages of participants.” For fat skis and twin tips there is only one brand of choice… ride LINE… we’ve got your back.Click here.

THE ICELAND PARK PROJECT LINE UK Pro Rider Paddy Graham is helping with the Iceland Park Project (IPP) at the moment before returning to the UK to support the Aim Series Schools Tour. The IPP is a pretty unique camp in a country where you really can ski day and night if you want to. Read all about it by clicking here.

LINE & K2 GET IT TOGETHER! LINE is all about progression. This means change. It means moving forward, constantly surprising people, innovating, pushing outside the comfort zone. You wouldn’t expect anything else from LINE, and we’re only just getting started. For the story on LINE and K2 getting together click here.

BOOK YOUR NEXT SKI HOLIDAY WITH US! Following the massive success of the LINE Skis "Ultimate Ski Holiday" in April 2006 we are now offering unique ski and snowboard holidays for December 2006 and April 2007. Priced as competitively as possible, these holidays and camps offer excellent value, providing a holiday experience far better than anything available from some big faceless travel company or DIY. With highly flexible packages for families, friends, groups and individuals of all ages, there is something for everyone, from anywhere in the world! You don't have to live in the UK to book with us, you don't have to be an excellent skier, you don't have to live in the UK, you don't have to use LINE Skis, you don't even have to know how to ski (for non-skiers there are plenty of alternative options available in the resort!)... join us for an unforgettable holiday next season... click here to read everything you need to know... but don't leave booking too long, places are strictly limited!

WAS IT THE "ULTIMATE SKI HOLIDAY"?! Did the LINE Skis Holiday and Freeride & Freestyle Camp live up to its billing when we took 25 skiers to Les Deux Alpes in April 2006? Read all about it and see the photos online... from a general report on the week to individual diaries written by the participants, from photo galleries to profiles of each skier involved in the Camp... plus the post-Camp feedback from all the participants. Read all about what went down on the first ever LINE Skis Camp held in Europe by clicking here. Don't miss out next time!

XSCAPEOLOGY MASSIVE AT CASTLEFORD The posters promised "the biggest baddest CASvegas park and rookie / snowskate park in the UK" with "the usual suspects will be on the slope for your riding pleasure with the infamous wall ride!". Did it deliver? Charlie Smith reports on a huge night of freestyle skiing hosted by the SNO!zone, Castleford on Friday 5th May 2006... Click here for words and pics.

BRAEHEAD XSCAPE NOW OPEN! LINE Pro rider Murray Buchan, based in Edinburgh, recently popped over to check out the new Friday night Freestyle session at the recently opened Xscape now dominating the skyline at Braehead, Glasgow. Find out what he made of it and read about what the new Centre has to offer by clicking here.

LINE SKI HOLIDAY & CAMP We're back from the most amazing Freestyle/Freeride Camp with 25 hardcore skiers aged 11 to 49! Where were you?! The trip was a massive hit with everyone who went - bluebird skies, great snow, awesome resort and snow park, excellent coaches/staff, comfortable hotel... it really couldn't have been better... except maybe with you there?! Check out the brilliant feedback in the NEWS section... full report, photos etc online soon, watch this space... and don't miss out next time! Click here to read the feedback.

LINE RIDERS DOMINATE AT LAAX! Congratulations to the LINE UK Pro skiers who were able to compete at Laax in the Orange Brits, doing a great job representing main sponsors LINE, Nike ACG and North Face. Given injury, strange judging etc the results were excellent. (Commisserations to Mike Wakefield and Tom Last who couldn't make it out this time... they'll be back next year!)

• LINE UK Pro skier Andy Bennett took the BRITS Slopestyle title again (with a Switch 540 and Corked 720 over the kickers and easily negotiated Rollercoaster rail) and came 2nd in the Big Air (Switch, Corked 720) and 2nd in the Halfpipe.
• Team mate 14 year old Murray Buchan was hot on his heels coming 3rd overall in both the Big Air (clean Switch 900) and Slopestyle (Switch 5, Corked 720 and another smooth Wall Ride), a fantastic result for such a young rider competing against much older, more experience skiers! He also qualified in 4th place for the Halfpipe finals (with a 9 in his run) but was unable to compete due to a brake problem.
• Paddy Graham dominated his age group early in the week and then pulled it out of the bag to come 1st overall in the Halfpipe (having already taken a cheeky ride through the halfpipe just before the Snowboarding Halfpipe competition kicked off, going huge and drawing appreciation from skiers and snowboarders alike). Paddy also won the one-hit biggest air with a 22ft high straight air! Shabba!!
• LINE staffer Rick Hutchings was out there to support/coach but couldn't resist having a go himself and won the Masters Halfpipe. Congratulations also to Richard Martin (3rd in the Halfpipe), James Woods and Joe Taylor (Salomon rider who won the Big Air).

Well done to everyone for making it such a great week, especially all at Soul Sports, the guys behind the Orange Brits. Photos and a full report coming soon. Meantime to read the results in full see: www.aimseries.com

GAUTE HAAKER GOES BIG IN NORWAY... After spending most of February training in Laax, LINE Skis Norwegian Pro rider Gaute Haaker returned to Norway for some key competitions before the Orage European Open in Laax. Read all about how he got on... Click here.

ANDY BENNETT 2nd IN VERBIER RIDE BIG AIR & RAIL SLIDE... LINE UK & North Face Pro Skier Andy Bennett has beaten a host of top international freestylers to come second in both the Verbier Ride Rail Slide Slopestyle and Big Air near Carrefour, Verbier, Switzerland on Thursday 23 February. Presented by Peak Performance with the support of Saab and Dainese, according to Phil Martin (www.natives.co.uk), “the freestyle competition brought style, skill and some interesting steeze to Verbier's sun-drenched slopes” with mapcap commentary from Jamie Strachan. Read more... Click here.

JO GUEST... BIG IN JAPAN Female freerider and LINE UK Pro skier Jo Guest has been touring Japan. She has emailed us this diary report on the sights, sounds and skiing of this amazing land including how she ended up in the house of Osamu Yamazaki, Japan's first skier to go to the Olympics, with 13 international snow loving bodies, 2 different kiwi crews, a Japanese cluster and one Canadian! Read more... Click here.

LINE SKIS HAVE ARRIVED IN THE UK AND NORWAY It's been hell waiting... this is the most exciting range of skis ever... they look fantastic, they perform brilliantly... and now you can own a pair! BUT only if you move fast because this year the stock is very limited... you might be one of only 5 or 10 people in Europe riding a particular model! Click here now for information on where you can get your hands on a lovely pair...

TRIP TO LES DEUX ALPES + MORE COACHES ADDED TO THE LINE SKI CAMP TEAM... Pro skiers and instructors Pat Sharples and Glen Lawley have joined the LINE Ski Camp team... do not miss out on this unforgettable holiday experience... read all about their background and what they can do to help you improve your skiing, gain confidence in freestyle and freeride and have a great time! Click here.

BRITISH RIDERS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS... British riders Andy Bennett, Richard Martin, Wil Burrows, Emily Sarsfield and Shelley Jones did us proud at the World Cup in Les Contamines, January 2006. Read all about it... click here.

THE LINE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY 2006 Want to experience a holiday like nothing else? Open to all ages, boys and girls, men and women (but sorry, no pets, doesn't matter how good they are in the half pipe!) You won't get this from any brochure... 8 days of skiing in April 2006... plus loads of unique extras including your chance to test the new 2006-07 skis and equipment months before anyone else... plus get tips from the Pros... take part in the filming for the 2006-07 LINE UK Ski movie (and appear in the credits!)... get top quality coaching... grab loads of free stuff... and lots more! ++ fantastic accommodation, great food, brilliant skiing... and all for under £500. Also... no one gets left behind... we have a special Camp for unaccompanied riders under 18 years old running alongside the holiday in April! Book now... places limited... for all the information about the holiday and the Camp, and the booking forms click here.

FREESPORTS FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL AND AWARDS 2005 The first of its kind to be held in the UK, the Freesports Film & Photography Festival will take place at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, London bringing together the best films, directors, athletes and photographers in Freesports in one place over 4 packed days of exclusive premieres, shows, Q&A sessions, workshops, talks and parties. (And for those who can't make it to London there is a UK Tour planned for early 2006 - see their website.) Covering all Freesports, from Kitesurfing to Snowboarding, Parkour to Climbing, Mountain Biking to FMX to Skateboarding to Wakeboarding to Skiing, the programme is packed with the best new films, plus a few classics. Not forgetting MC's TV presenters Christian Stevenson and Ed Leigh, the Freesports Photography Gallery in Carnaby Street AND the Freesports Awards 2005... click here.

DON'T MISS SNOW PATROL! Throughout last season LINE UK Pro skier and Big Mountain specialist Noddy Gowans was busy with his Node Productions crew and fellow LINE UK Pro skier Paddy Graham filming a new 12 part series around Europe. Called "Snow Patrol", the series will air on Monday 10 October 2005 on the Discovery Travel and Living Channel. Watch the trailer: click here. Read here...

SKIING IN SAN FRANCISCO... LONDON NEXT! "I think this is following in a long line of great San Francisco nuttiness." So said a San Francisco resident on Thursday 29 September 2005... but what was he talking about? A king-of-the-hill competition like none you've ever seen... Jonny Moseley (Olympic gold medallist in moguls) built a ski jump on one of the steepest roads in San Francisco, in the well-to-do Pacific Heights neighbourhood. For more information and photos click here.

LINE FOUNDER ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS Jason Levinthal, Founder and El President of LINE Skis chatted live on the Newschoolers website on Sunday 2 October... what did the guy who started it all off 10 year's ago in his parent's garage as part of his College engineering course have to say? See: www.newschoolers.com.

SKI BARGAINS, WHILE STOCKS LAST The guys at SoulX in Brighton have asked us to let you know they have a few more of last year's LINE skis for sale at big discounts up to 35% off. If you want to get your hands on a second pair of skis, or your first pair... these are great skis to go for... the Assassin MTX Pro for example got excellent reviews last season. If you or someone you know fancies a bargain move fast! Click here