Christmas is closing in fast and it's giving us hot flashes. Stores are swarming with crazed and desperate customers, the shops look like someone threw up product all over the place, the lines are curving around the corner, and there are way too many toddlers screaming their faces off. To avoid serious trauma from these types of situations, we've attempted to provide a cheat sheet for gifts in regards to snowboarding. The featured item this week is somewhat of a necessity when it comes to going riding - a snowboard.

There are countless brands with their own collection of snow sticks ranging from expensive to affordable, powder boards to jib boards, rocker to camber, hideous graphics to sweet graphics...it goes on and on. We've snagged a few of our favorites to help you narrow down your search. So, take a deep breath, peruse what we've picked for this week's gift guide, and become everyone's favorite gift giver.

More options over at Snowboarder Mag's Buyer's Guide...

Arbor Blacklist $419.95

Arbor Del Rey $299.95


Restricted Burton Nug $399.95

Burton Custom X $649.95

Burton Lipstick Women's $479.95

Burton Flying-V Deja Vu Women's $399.95

Forum Destroyer Double Dog $439.95

Forum Youngblood ChillyDog $399.95

Forum Spinster Women's $399.95

Forum Sauce Women's $319.95

Flow Shifty $379.99

Flow Jewel Women's $369.99

Rome Mod Rocker $550.00

Rome Artifact Rocker $370.00

Rome Detail Rocker Women's $360.00

Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro $539.95

Ride Berzerker $489.95

Ride DH2 $499.95

Ride OMG Women's $439.95


Gnu B-Street Women's $449.95

K2 Fastplant $499.95

K2 WWW $379.95

K2 Va Va Voom Women's $379.95

CAPiTA Totally F*kn Awesome $449

CAPiTA Indoor Survival FK $399

CAPiTA Saturnia Women's $339

Eric Jackson's two-song ender in People's film "Good Look" this year left people speechless. Well, that's a lie. People were anything but speechless. They were hooting and hollering and cursing because it was so insanely good.

E-Jack showed up and sent it last year in Canada. The hits he was charging were jaw-dropping big and he made it clear that he was there to lay it all out...and obviously have a great time while doing so.

He made an impact to say the least after "Good Look" was released and Lib Tech just released a re-edit of some of his footage from the past season while filming with People. So, if you weren't convinced that E-Jack was a beast before well, you're an idiot. More proof below.

Seattle's Pioneer Square was a bit different scene than usual on October 8th as Lib Tech's Downtown Throwdown invaded town. Tall cans, rail rippers, flannels, mustaches, a jib set up, and of course, snow took over for another urban rail jam -- the sun was out and the boys were sending it.

Brandon Hobush ended up coming out on top with Dylan Thompson and last year's champ Ryan Paul coming in second and third.

The crowd was hyped all day with Matty Mo playing DJ and impressive technical jibbing playing out as the main attraction.

SNOWBOARDER's Laura Austin was on-scene to witness it all. Head HERE to get the detailed recap with a full photo gallery.

Alright, we all like to throw down downtown. Whether that be a bar fight, a serious night of boozing, dance moves on a street corner, or hitting a down rail in the middle of Pioneer Square in Seattle - it all counts. On October 8th, however, it will probably turn out to be a mixture of all aforementioned.

Lib Tech is hosting the Sixth Annual Downtown Throwdown in Seattle, WA which draws a handful of technical jib riders from underneath their rocks to compete for 20 grand. The list of past champions is impressive and can only prove to up the ante and level of shredding. For all the happenings, read the full press release below:

Tech and Snowboy Productions are stoked to bring back the Downtown Throwdown to Seattle on October 8, as well as adding our new stop in San Francisco on October 29...it's gonna be BANANAS!

In the past 5 years this event has grown from a great local event to the biggest and most respected urban snowboarding event in the world, with a focus on the up and coming snowboarders who are shaping the industry.

"I'm humbled at how big this event has grown, and definitely excited about its future" says Snowboy Productions President Krush Kulesza. "With Seattle and our new SF stop, plus our AM qualifier series (The Feeders!) in Portland, Spokane and Sacramento, we've got the whole west coast covered from the Bay to the Border."

The invite list is STACKED with the likes of... Scott Stevens, Forest Bailey, Johnny Lazz, Ted Borland, Jake Kuzyk, Dylan Thompson, Austen Sweetin, Jess Kimura, Chris Larson and a lot more. Each stop will feature 25 of the most progressive jibbers on the scene today. We can't wait to see who will join past winners Dan Brisse, Jed Anderson (twice), Nick Visconti and Ryan Paul as the next Downtown Throwdown champ.

Lib Tech rider and Think Thank owner Jesse Burnter will hold down the emcee duties along with Preston Strout from High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Crab Grab fame. Dinosaurs Will Die's Sean Genovese will head up the judgeMENTAL crew with the likes of Zac Marben, LNP and Chris Grenier to determine what riders will take home a share of the $20K in prize money.

In addition to the non-stop shred action, there will also be music, food vendors, live art, autograph signings, a raffle of prizes that benefit great local charities, as well as info and prizes from all our great sponsors.

Best of all? It's still TOTALLY FREE!! So get your butt down to Pioneer Square in Seattle or the Civic Center in San Francisco and check out the action!

Thanks to Lib Tech, Zumiez, Arnette, Vans, GoPro, Mt. Bachelor, Skullcandy, Monster Energy Drink, Snowboard Connection, SFO Snowboarding, POW Gloves, Snowboarder Magazine, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Summit at Snoqualmie, Think Thank, Diecutstickers.com and Crab Grab for their amazing support.

Downtown Throwdown / Seattle

Occidental Park in Pioneer Square - Noon to 4PM

Facebook Event Page:
http://www.facebook.com/SNOWBOYproductions#!/event.php?eid=146531518761522

Downtown Throwdown / San Francisco

Fulton Street and Larkin Street in the Civic Center - Noon to 4PM

Facebook Event Page:

http://www.facebook.com/SNOWBOYproductions#!/event.php?eid=230760726976386

VICE's third installment of four of Jamie Lynn's "Powder and Rails" feature is here and let's be honest - everyone wants to find out how this guy ticks. Lynn introduced a riding style that no one had seen before and cruised to the top before anyone could say, "Sweet goatee."

A guy who has earned pretty much the respect of everyone in the industry; Jamie Lynn brings up an important subject of selecting the company you want to ride for. In his case, he was offered deals with a lot of brands- some more profitable than others - however, he ultimately joined Lib Technologies. Lib Tech was to provide a more meaningful relationship, room for growth in various ways, and a chance to be a part of something extremely unique.

Would you rather be a number with a major sponsorship rolling in the dough? Or get emotional with a smaller company that attends to all your needs? Jamie gives us his answer - watch the video below.