The 2012 Oakley Progression Sessions will invade the Eastern Sierras March 17-18 with the all-female shred camp hitting Mammoth Mountain for the third stop of the season. Mammoth isn't just celebrated for one thing. This resort is outfitted with endless terrain options suitable for all levels of riding: long and wide groomers, steep and deep lines from the summit, and of course, prime-time park setups.
Mammoth Mountain's park crew and jib features are not only among the top in California, but within the entire U.S. This might be why the Oakley Progression Sessions will be heading to Mammoth for the first time. The ladies involved in the Sessions are aiming to increase their confidence in freestyle riding and Mammoth is quite possibly the best place to do so.

The amount of parks to choose from at the mountain is supreme-- Main Park, The Art Park, South Park, Forest Trail, Wonderland Park, and Eagle Park-- provide an array of different setups and opportunities to progress. Additionally, heaps of contests are held at Mammoth each season due to the impeccable grooming and maintenance of their freestyle courses.


The mountain boasts a high speed gondola to the summit, 28 lifts, 150 named trails, 3,500 skiable acres, and over 300 days of sunshine each year, so there isn't much room for improvement.

Marie-France Roy, Grete Eliassen, and Maddy Schaffrick are slated as the pro coaches for this stop of the Progression Sessions and are generous with their riding knowledge. If you haven't experienced Mammoth yet, this event is undoubtedly an amazing chance to. Head here for more info on the Oakley Progression Sessions.

The life of a pro skier and snowboarder is a filled with copious amounts of travel and adventure. Each season differs from the last with distinct memories made at every juncture. Hectic schedules and obligations can make it difficult for pros to capture and share their memories with the masses, especially in an artful and unique way. Last season, Holga Sports set out to change all of that.

The Holga was originally crafted in 1981 as a affordable plastic camera for the working-class Chinese. Through the years, photographers worldwide began to appreciate the Holga's basic construction and minimal precision. These elements, coupled with its light-weight design and style, have made the Holga the artistic go-to for any occasion.

Holga Sports wanted to get these cameras into athletes hands and teamed up with several ski and snowboard pros to shoot their experiences from their individual shred seasons.

Pro freeskier, Grete Eliassen spent her season competing coast to coast and shares some shots from her season.

The view from my chalet window at Baldface Lodge, BC. I went there with the TGR crew; Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Dylan Hood and Dash Longe. We had a blast because it would not stop snowing the entire time we were there. I think we had one day of sun. Also, TGR set-up a bunch of cable cams over cliff lines for the new movie, "One For The Road." I can not wait to see the action. -Grete


This photo was taken in Powder Mountain's "Powder Country." Part of the mountain is basically backcountry skiing, but you get picked up by the Powder Bus at the bottom. What's not to like? -Grete


This is me getting a hug from my mom and dad right after I won my sixth X Games medal in Aspen.- Grete


This is a photo of my annual road trip to Aspen X Games from Utah. However, this time I got out of the car and decided to jump for joy. -Grete

This is my truck I rode in all winter. It's a 2011 GMC that I got from Snell Motorsports in Minnesota. As you can see my Ski-Doo fits perfectly and I am ready for the backcountry. However, this trailhead does not have much snow in the beginning of the trail so you have to be prepared to get a little dirty. -Grete

Ski Gull is a small ski hill in Central Minnesota. My family grew up skiing here so we went back for a few Christmas Vacation laps. It's a little cold, but it's a lot of fun.-Grete

Check out Grete's full Holga gallery here.

Also be sure to head over to HolgaSports.com to pick out your own camera!

You know what they say about Norwegians....actually, I have no clue whatsoever what they say about Norwegians. Although, this new ski flick seems to have a lot to say about them. Things like they're bad ass on skis. They know how to slay some powder and maybe crush a gigantic booter or two. Chaoz Productions has released the trailer for their FREE movie, "Broken Record" and it is filmed 100% in Norway with as much variation in terrain as you can get.

Hopefully this film is a broken record of stylish riding, good times, and breathtaking scenery. Get a little Norwegian flare in your life.

Featuring: Ane Enderud, Grete Eliassen, Gaute Silseth, Fridtjof Fredricsson, PC Fosse, Karina Hollekim, Phil Meier, Thomas Dolplads, Lasse Nyhaugen, Kim Boberg, Lars Haakon Hafsal, Dennis Risvoll, Viktor Asander, Oskar Pedersen and more.

Produced by: Eivind Aurstad
Edited by: Eivind Aurstad and Lasse Nyhaugen

In association with: SB Sportswear, Missing Link, Völkl, Fri Flyt, Newschoolers, Downdays and FHM Norway

DVD release: November 2011 (More info to come)
Digital release: December 2011 (Newschoolers, Downdays, Fri Flyt, Freeride.se etc)

Teaser below:

Ready to charge the biggest jump in the park? Tired of feeling scared out of your mind to charge that rail? Finally want to be the one to drop in first and kill the halfpipe? The time has come ladies, The 2011 Oakley Progression Sessions is your freestyle shred haven and the time to register is now.

For women by women, this all-girl 2 day ski and snowboard progression camp is aimed at those riders who want to step it up and lose the training wheels. This isn't a beginner ski school girls, Head Coach Mary Walsh, and Oakley team riders Gretchen Bleiler and Grete Eliassen will be pushing limits and teaching you the steps to ride like they do - as in...kill it.

Surrounded by girls who are just as passionate about snowboarding and skiing as the next; Oakley is aiming to create a vibe where no one is intimidated and everyone is confident in their riding abilities. Fully equipped with a private park, yoga sessions, video feedback, prize giveaways, and much more, this is something that you can't miss out on. The first session at Loon Mountain is already SOLD OUT so it's time to get the ball rollin' and REGISTER at your preferred mountain!

Riding with the guys is always fun but there's nothing better than taking over the park with a bunch of your girlfriends and showing them what's up. The Oakley Progression Sessions is the ideal way to do just that with a coaching staff stock full of top-notch riders like Gretchen Bleiler, Grete Eliassen, Marie-France Roy, Chanelle Sladics, Silvia Mittermuller, Dominique Vallee,and Kristi Leskinen - not a bad group of chicks to be learning to shred from.

Space is limited so head over to http://www.oakleyprogressionsessions.com to register for your session and get more information. What better time to start pushing your riding than now?

Full camp session schedule below:

March 5/6 - Loon Mtn: Grete Eliassen & Chanelle Sladics, Silvia Mittermuller
March 12/13 - Canyons: Grete Eliassen, Marie-France Roy, Dom Vallee
March 19/20 - Winter Park: Chanelle Sladics & Kristi Leskinen, Marie-France Roy
March 26/27 - Northstar: Gretchen Bleiler & Kristi Leskinen, Silvia Mittermuller, Dom Vallee

In an attempt to continue the progression of women's skiing, 2010 X Games medalist Grete Eliassen set a new record when she soared 31 ft into the air, higher than any other women. At 60 miles an hour Grete hit the 30 ft custom built snow jump known as a "hip" launching herself into the record books.

At the age of 23, she has developed a reputation as one of the best all around skiers.

"So Stoked, the Canyons and Red Bull helped me build the biggest hip I have ever hit, 31 feet!!!Say somin or do somin!!!" Grete twittered after she stomped the jump.

Red Bull stepped up like they have done with many of their other athletes, allowing Grete to make her dream a reality. With the help of the Canyon's Park crew in Utah, they were able to customize a massive hip allowing her to fly 31 ft off the snow.

Red Bull is no stranger to building massive snow jumps, in April of 2008 Simon Dumont secured his spot in the record books by flying 35.5 feet off the giant quarter pipe.



Photo: Stan Evans 2010/Red Bull Photo files