All I Want for Christmas # 2: Dogtown & Z-Boys Deluxe Edition, Nike SB Debacleand Better Internets Video

Before I really knew or cared what Black Friday was and long before Cyber Monday I was watching every piece of skater, surf and snowboarding footage I could get my hands on. Seriously, if it had somebody riding a board down concrete, snow, or water I was plugged in. Something about that sideways style always spoke to me. I've never been able to capture it. So even in my self inflicted knee is shot to hell current state footage still blows my mind. So Here are few of the things floating around right now that I have enjoyed and am currently enjoying

Dogtown & Z-Boys Deluxe Edition
Alternate endings, bonus features, and as vans.com says: "an all-new special features disc with footage of legendary riders Tony Alva, Bucky Lasek, Chris Miller, Rune Glifberg and more, as well as interviews with Alva and Lasek." That's usually enough for me to plug in and check this out. Dogtown and Z-Boys was one of the best skate movies that wasn't a skate DVD. Now, if they could get Lance Mountains pool part from the latest Flip vid in there it would be a masterpiece. Just kidding, it's an amazing movie and additional material will really make it even more enticing.

Funny story related to this flick. My brother got Married out around Palm Springs and I ventured with my Dad over to the Salton Sink to try and find some abandon stuff to skate. Plus I figured the sink was sketchy and weird enough that it would be mildly crazy. After searching for awhile we bailed and went to get a beer. Five years later the Old man calls me up all excited saying "I saw Dogtown! I know why we were looking for pools in California now! hey, do you know these Steve Alba and Tonya Alva guys?" True story I swear. Best part I told that story to Salba at the Pro Tec Pool party a few years ago and he laughed his ass off. If you ever need a go to rainy day movie I recommend this one. Get it.





Nike SB Debacle
On the other end of the spectrum is the saying today's youth is tomorrows talent. I've said that over and over again. Nike SB affirmed it with 'Debacle'. I guess considering today's AMs aren't really ams but more like minor league ball players with better sneakers it doesn't surprise me to see an AM video surpassing other pro team vids. Bottom line if you aren't watching these clips - you're missing out.





Finally I'd really liek there to be more good skatign on the interwebs. Bucky and Hewitt is top notch. More please

Thrasher Skateboard Magazine

Nau here this! Fashionable eco friendly options that don't suck

Over the last few years, there’s been a significant expansion of eco-friendly, green gear. In many cases, companies are able to create more sustainable clothing options, which is good. But for some reason, these options leave a lot to be desired from a functionality and style standpoint. They tend to be boxy, super slim-fit in a bad way and come only in green, brown or some khaki color. 

Relative newcomer, Nau changes the paradigm. The clothes are cutting edge, stylish and functional. When you put on one of their pieces, you don’t look like a reject from the Hobbits Patouli oil factory. Many of the pieces are highly versatile and able to truly transition from the white room to the boardroom. As part of their commitment to mother earth, Nau also offers donation options when checking out and carbon-offsets for your shipping.

Nau was built from the ground up from a group of ex-Patagonia employees, using a 100% sustainable model. Basically, they were a kick-ass, small little company based in Portland (PDX) with really innovative designs, which suffered from a lack of long-term investment capital and had made a few operational missteps. You can read about their origins in the pages of Outside magazine. Customers were bummed, seriously bummed. Enter their savior in 2008, Horny Toad. No not that nasty thing on the side of the road, but the outdoor company, looking to add an addition to their brand portfolio. According to CEO Gordon Seabury, "there was plenty of untapped potential left on the table."

It’s undisputed that the stuff is fashionable. They also appear legit in their strive for environmentally-friendly practices with materials sourced from natural, renewable fibers and the donation of 2% of every sale to humanitarian causes. Now what about the technical stuff?

According to Nau, their 3-layer fabric is a combination of recycled polyester with high-density knit, micro-fibers with 4-way stretch. Seams aren't stitched. They're RF-welded using glued seam tape. Sounds pretty legit. We look forward to testing the stuff this winter and will report back on how it fairs to more "traditional" outerwear.

Ever since the acquisition, Nau has been ramping up their marketing, product design and production. Utilizing the same principles that made them successful in the Pacific Northwest, they’ve now pioneered a new concept in shopping: The Changing Room. Purchase any Nau item for 50% of its retail cost. Try the garment in real-world conditions for 30 days. If you’re stoked, Nau charges your credit card the remaining 50%. If you’re bummin’, send it back to Nau for a refund. And if you live in NYC, check-out their temporary store in SoHo.

Take one part Patagonia, one part Holden and two parts Metrosexual fashionistas, and you've got it right here, right Nau.

Alpine Ski Shop and Skate Park of Tampa Unleash Consumer Fury

SPoT had the bum rush for $10 & $20 decks



That Turkey eating clown shoe wearing Crazy Eddie talking Chris Bunch is also selling stuff over at Alpine Ski Shop. I suggest going over there today

White Friday Sale at Alpine from Alpine Ski Shop on Vimeo.

Anybody else see a resemblance? I do...

All I want for Christmas part 1: New Shred Jammies - DC Snowboarding

I have two very small children. I did not get them on the black market. No sir. These are organically raised by Mrs. South of the North 2010 and I here in Washington DC. So, as you can imagine I spend a healthy amount of time working on the internets and that often results in numerous questions from said small children about what I'm looking at and why they can't watch Yo Gabba Gabba. Eventually one day last winter as I was reviewing outerwear and my daughter inquired as to my activities all I could say was: "I'm looking at Shred Jammies." The phrase stuck. So around The SOTN household we tend to not say outerwear we often say shred jammies. Which is funny because as winter is looming on the [B]East Coast my mind start to wander towards where to go with shred jammies. Based on last season fail on behalf of Burton to warranty their top of line AK gear I figured it's best if we move on and explore new alternatives.



One culprit hit my radar right away and that was DC Snowboarding. After spending a few season putting their Boa boots through the paces and getting strong feedback on the outerwear from other boot testers I figured it was time to hop in the gear. At first glance I'm pretty pleased. Now, I have yet to run a full testing but the cuts are true to form and description near as I can tell by doing shop check-ins. DC is passing along the Helix Jacket and Tasch pant for later testing and we'll get to that soon enough but lets start at the beginning. Overall, what pulled me towards DC was how the line was cleaned up this year. Less massive oversized pieces and instead a fit that puts focus on function and form over fashion trend. Let's be honest if a company is jumping on every big trend year over year (Yo baggy, creepy skinny tight & back to yo baggy)there's no real progression. DC has rolled out a solid lineup that would work well hiking in Utah to my slushy slopes over on the east. That's ideal when you reach that all terrain line up that hits most riders square in the season and the pocket book.

So, after sifting through pounds of shred jammies on the off season I gotta give initial thumbs up to DC for coming into 2010 swinging and producing some simple but technical stuff. After all simple is beautiful. Stay tuned as South of the North digs into more All I want for Christmas, our unofficial holiday guide for 2009.

The Tony Hawk Show

A few thoughts

1. Love Europe - looks well attended.
2. Can we do away with competitions and just have sessions where more people go for it? It may have been a fish eye lens but it looks like Andy mac was going rather grande here my amigos
3. Ms. Hawkins crushed that Mctwist. Nicely done lady!

Tony Hawk Show Highlights
Uploaded by quiksilver. - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.

Mother revolution + Hockey ='s rock out with your jock out

Saw this on Boardistan and had to repost but it does beg the question. Mike V. What the crap? Seriously -- what has happened to you man?




Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh just another reason why skating is more important for 16 year olds than 38 year old dudes. Seriously a hockey stick costs what .... $25? Now your kids see you take a swing and "stand up" for a hockey stick? There's no principal here. This is pretty much stupidity.

Jonaven Moore Joins Jones Snowboards

Jonaven Moore On Board with Jones Snowboards
Jeremy Jones develops innovative, new board line with emphasis on freeriding

Squaw Valley, CA (November 19, 2009) – Jonaven Moore will take on the steeps and deeps this winter with Jones Snowboards. The legendary Canadian snowboarder has been at the forefront of all-mountain riding for over 15 years, but continues to progress big mountain snowboarding from his home in British Columbia to the jagged peaks of Alaska. Jones Snowboards is thrilled to have Moore’s expertise in developing and pushing the limits of the boards, which will arrive in stores fall 2010.

“Jonaven is not only one of my favorite people to go into the mountains with, but also a rider that pushes my riding. He’s an obvious match for Jones,” says Jeremy Jones, Owner of Jones Snowboards. “To have his high level of riding representing the brand and his invaluable insight in designing the boards is an incredible honor.”

Jones Snowboards will introduce four models in the brand’s inaugural season. Moore will be instrumental in helping to design and extensively testing the brand’s preeminent all-mountain, powder and split boards. A start in the freestyle world at age 10 with halfpipe and boardercross wins is still evident today in Standard, Absinthe and Teton Gravity Research films where Moore’s style seamlessly fuses freestyle with big mountain terrain.

“Most freeride snowboards are either way too heavy to truly perform or are so light-duty that I need to bring replacements for them on a trip,” says Jonaven Moore. “Jeremy has drive and skill like few other people, so being invited to join a team that would focus on building boards for the mountains is a no-brainer. It’s an amazing opportunity to design both a solid board with Jones and a high-performance split-version.”

For the last few years, Moore, like Jones, has spent more and more time hiking around on his own steam in the mountains. This winter Moore is focusing almost all of his time on snow for the filming of “Deeper.” He’ll be travelling deep into British Columbia’s backcountry between Squamish and Whistler on the west end, and Revelstoke and the Rockies to the east. Jones boards will be tested extensively by the team in Alaska this spring.

With prototypes already in production, Jones Snowboards will make their first appearance at SIA and ISPO in January 2010. Expect worldwide distribution starting in the 2010-2011 winter season. Learn more about Jones Snowboards at jonessnowboards.com. Preview “Deeper” now at TetonGravity.com/deeper/.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kelly Schovanek. Looks like its high time for solid, new freeride board (see below) - Jonaven joins Jones

Rumor Mill Alert!!!! Nicolas Müller pulls a Gigi and will leave Burton

Newsflash! Stop the presses! Hold the phones! Put down the Droid phone! Warning: this is totally unsubstantiated. We will attempt to confirm for details.


Rumor is that the hottest snowboarder since Terje, his heir apparent, Nicolas Muller is leaving Burton after this year. One can only speculate where he'll go.

To Volcom? Lib/Gnu? To Yes/Jones/Autti/Nidecker to create his own board line? Straight up to the Noboard doods?

According to SOTN sources, it's an issue like Mandreas  where Nico's new babymomma (pictured here, totally fake, totally not true) is making him leave.

We'll keep you posted as we hear more. Don't ever say we didn't do anything fer ya.

Holiday Gift Idea #1: Quiksilver Cypher PS+ Heated Vest

Do you surf? Do you know someone that does? Last question, do they have a screw loose and surf through the winter in conditions that would make you think twice about going snowboarding in? If so, do we have the perfect gift for them.

The Cypher heated vest is the latest in surfing technology. Unlike the Ripcurl H-Bomb wetsuit, which incorporates heating elements and batteries within the wetsuit, the Cypher vest allows you to wear the vest under your current wetsuit. Utilizing FAR infrared technology (FAR is infrared heat sent through flat flexible carbon pads), the Cyper PS+ focuses on heating the most important part of your body, the core. The vest offers high and low heat settings, depending on how nasty it is out there. Since it's not connected to a wetsuit, it only costs ~$200 and offers you the adaptability of using your 3/2 or 4/3. Think of it this way, you're not spending $300-$600 on a 5/4 or 6/5.

According to Quiksilver, the PS+ vest is slightly heavier than your average rashguard. With the heat tranferred through the carbon pads, the vest allows you to flex and flow as you normally would. Charging duties are through a wall or car charger.

But Charlie don't surf, we snowboard. Rumor is that the Quik snow team has also been running the PS+ vest under their outerwear in subzero conditions. If Travis Rice and Kelly Slater approve, who are you to disagree?

The main benefit of the PS+ vest? You don't have to feel like and look like the Michelin Man when you surf. Chicks totally don't dig that. Look for a full review once the snow falls on the beach.

Things We Like Part 9: Snowboarding Now & Then

Recently I was back home in the wilds of Upstate New York to relax and basically clean out the parents homestead. Now while tossing out old banana board skateboards that were rusted to pieces and old Burton freestyle bindings I did come across a small piece of sentimental glory. My first pair of snowboard boots. Circa 1990 I took some Sorel knock offs and begin snowboarding. Needless to say my ankles quit liking that setup after about 10 runs at my local ski hill. A remedy was in order because two things were about to happen. First,the Burton Free 6 I had put on Consignment was about to come home and second - enough lake effect snow was coming to not have to pay for lift tickets. The end result I could spend 3 - 4 days hiking the local power line trails, slashing turns. Nothing major but to 17 year old me ... it was just shy of epic. However, I didn't have boots.

The funny thing is even though the high end of snowboards has evolved in 2009 - 2010 towards $1,000+ just for a deck the high end then and the middle of the road now are pretty much same price. The same way a skateboard hasn't really increased in price since the 80's neither has snowboard gear that will just simply get the job done. In 90 - 91 Burton boots were a few hundred and a board was near 400. I'm pretty sure that was without the bindings. Hence - why at the time I was buying a used deck. So, back to the story at hand, I get the deck. Snow is coming and sure enough no boots. So I ventured into the basement or garage and spied the old ski boots. I yanked the liners out and jammed them into the boot shells. Perfect fit. Actually, they were cold uncomfortable and I had enough heal lift that I could have been wearing some gold plated discos boots ala' Jim Greco. But, with a little duct tape and cranking the binders down - sur enough they worked!

Now, we didn't get that much snow overnight maybe 16 inches but I ventured out to take a few runs. I almost got trampled by a deer I spooked and eventually headed home after hiking 800 feet uphill became more work than fun. So imagine my shock and happiness 18 years later when I found the boots. I used them for three to four seasons after that first day and they worked fine. Eventually I grabbed a pair of airwalks and I'm pretty sure they did the same job my home made hack job did. So what's the point?

How about this ... 18 years later I still get excited thinking about when it may snow. I miss being able to cruise out my front door carefree of all the worries and go ride but am thrilled I now have a few kids who will be making turns in the next few years (if they want to). It is funny to look at how far snowboarding has come and the trends that are now recirculating in the industry. It's exciting to see smaller companies pushing it and breaking onto the scene. Most importantly, the same way it's exciting to hear about snow reports and people already riding - it's good to see people young and old alike getting hyped on snowboarding all over again every season. Like the seasons - snowboarding will come back every year with all it's good, it's bad and it's fun times. As for the boots? I pitched 'em in the trash. I mean the good old days were good but lets be honest - today is much, much better.

Make your vote count: SAM's 5th Annual Terrain Park Contest

Make your vote count. SAM (Ski Area Management) is hosting its 5th Annual Terrain Park Contest. Take a look at the list of participants, including, familiar suspects such as Loon, Northstar, Bear and those that you may not hear of so often like Stowe, Big Boulder and Holimont NY. Mark your top choices, perhaps the B at Northstar (featured in the B movie) or Mt Snow's Peace Pipe jam over Memorial Day weekend. Either way, cast your ballot by emailing jenn@saminfo.com. 

Your vote counts, helps recognize those hardworking terrain park snow jockeys and help justify why mountains need to invest resources into their terrain parks and features (i.e. more exposure = more riders = more money).

So in summary. Look at some terrain parks . Pick your choices. Email/Vote.

Monument Thinks Positive in VA

Yes I was lured out with the promise of a delicious foods. Dave lied. but the movie was good . Click here for the wrap up

Dear PR Flack: Generic Form Letters Get Generic Results

Dear PR Flack,
I know you are busy. Strike that, I know your are wicked busy. Wait, even better I know you are wicked pissah busy! But, lets discuss the pitches your brethren are sending my way. One would assume that in today's webtastic world of "Web 2.73" you would take the opportunity to provide a little context as to why you are contacting me or some relevancy of how your "OHMYGAWDTHISNEWWEBSITSOCIALNETWORKCONTESTFLUFFERMANUALISOAWESOMEYOURREADERSAREGONNALURVSIT" pitch will provide actual value to people who check out South of the North. So far this week I've received several pitches that had as much impact as farting in the wind. Lets review shall we?

First up the beer promotion!
Thought you might be interested in hearing about Brewery's new promotion . It's a 5-day all expense paid trip for you and three lucky friends to Name removed that includes backcountry cat skiing, lift tickets, technical gear, a custom snowboard, etc. Great beer and deep snow- sounds like a wonderful winter adventure to me!

More info is attached. Good luck!!

Fuck Yeah it sounds like a wonderful winter adventure! Hell yeah bro! I like beer, no wait, I like backcountry skiing and snowboarding, no wait I like technical gear!!! Wait - are you asking me to enter or to promote? I had so many things I like put in front of me I'm not sure what the call to action here is... other than to hit the delete button.

Hint we all read the e-mail first. It's like a job interview or a big sale and in that scenario you gotta go with the ABC. Always. Be. Closing. Hell, if you ain't selling the soul then I ain't buying. What makes you think I'll post some random contest to enhance your brand I want people who read SOTN to get something special out of this and I'm not talking about a free game of "Tune in Tokyo". There's nothing here other than a promo for a beer company and some lucky (or unlucky) fella will walk away with a beer branded K2 board. Now, At minimum the sender's note was coherent which as you'll soon find out isn't alwasy the case. So for all those who tune into SOTN lets move along there's nothing to see here oh wait ... train wreck up ahead.

I wasn't going to post anything but damn if this wasn;t to good to keep to myself. the best part others confirmed the same gaff. Nothing says total fuck up like sending out a form letter and not removing the generic pieces. Like this:

What's going on? My name is XXX and I'm working with (Note I pulled this out -I'm a jerk but not that much of a jerk) More blah blah blah We built a website to show the project to the public, and it's live now at (Again, I pulled this out -I'm a jerk but not that much of a jerk) We hope your readers would be interested in this content. If you think it's something they would like to see, it'd be awesome if you could post a link and let your readers know about it. If you don't feel this is a good fit, don't worry about it and thanks for your time. Whenever we have new updates to the site (blah) I'll be sure to keep you posted. Check out the site and let me know what you think!

The letter actually would have been perfect but the sender left XXX where their name was supposed to go. Way to make me feel special and like I am getting the big scoop. Yeah, I feel like client #10 at the Emperors VIP Club. Ew, so my replay was simple enough:

"Seriously? Did you just send me a form letter and not put your name on it? I'm confused this is like when it actually snows in Pittsburgh and the streets flow with IC Light."

Long story short upon further analysis of their response I can only surmise that in this Brandywine branders headquarters there must have been some confusion, excessive drinking, hurried work orders and consumption of long lost Biscayne bay Colombian snowstorm because the letters I received got weirder and weirder.

So lessons learned here

#1. Put your name on things you own tangible or intangible. Like e-maiL!!! If it works for my 3 year old daughter in thank you notes for a birthday party - it will work for you!

#2. tell me. Ask me. just be clear about what it is you want me to do with your press release. Show some balls for crying out loud. if I say no. I'll at least respect you in the morning.

#3. if you are pitching anything for crying out loud -- sell it. I only know of one style whisperer and man that guy can sell anything to anybody in the world of PR. he's scary good. why? He's always closing. PR isn't just sending out press releases -- it's hustling. Remember - ABC - Always Be Closing. Oh and a tip - generic form letters aren't considered closing. Until then we'll just keep up with the Dear PR Flack love.

Man - Alec Baldwin almost won an Oscar for that

Did You Know? part 1: Gwar, Free Flow Tour, Shaun White

So Burton snowboards had a pet contest at their headquarters ast week. and GWAR judged. From Blabbermouth:

Speaking of pets and more specifically dogs, Oderus Urungus and Beefcake The Mighty served as celebrity judges in the 14th annual Burton Snowboard Pet Costume Contest yesterday in Burlington, Vermont.

Unphased by success, GWAR continues on their course as "the people's band". Band members Oderus Urungus, Beefcake The Mighty, and Balsac The Jaws Of Death. are seen below judging the 14th annual Burton Dog-Costume Show. The event is held every year to benefit CHILL, a charity group dedicated to giving underprivileged children a chance to try snowboarding and other winter sports.

"GWAR loves animals, and underprivileged children," said Oderus, "usually cooked, sometimes raw..."

Also it appears the Winter Gatorade Free Flow Tour Dates were announced so if jockin' out in the park and pipe is your thing here you go
Big Boulder, Lake Harmony, PA, Jan 9
Vail, CO, Jan 9-10
Mountain High, Wrightwood, CA, Jan 16
Tyrol Basin, Mount Horeb, WI, Jan 16-17
Killington, VT, Jan 23-24
Keystone, CO, Jan 23-24
Big Bear, CA, Jan 23-24
Loon, Lincoln, NH, Jan 30-31
Brighton, UT, Jan 30-31
Mammoth Lakes, CA, Jan 30-31
Mt. Snow, VT, Feb 5-7


I swear who is this red headed kid who keeps getting press. This go around it's the LA Times and Shaun White on his video game sequal and the obligatroy snowboarding questions. I tell you this snowboard thing is catchy even the Chicago Sun Times is gettin' on the band wagon. Smells like an Olympic year where non endemic media is smelling the cash that those crazy kids on a snowboad can bring.

Red Bull Project X (or Runway)

So the latest social media brandtastic firm to hit us up with the coolest interwebs bro-down in all of MyTwitFaceSpace was all about the RedBull project X that YoBeat and Boardistan were hyping over the weekend. It's worth checking out the video but you need to dig into Red Bull Project X to find some of the better stuff.



So, now the kitty is out of the bag in a big way with Red Bull Project X. I think the message board chatter last year was how the half pipe was in an avy zone and how spoiled Shaun was. Bottom line, lets be honest, maybe 10 people in the world can ride pipe at his level. So I'm sure all the haters can keep on hating while Shaun cashes the Target checks. There gets to be a point where you wonder: "OK, private half pipe but you are at Silverton..." So it was nice to see some powder lines, get the understanding of what that little hill is all about. I typically don't go for the whole "it's progression bro" thing with pipe jocks preferring the "ride the mountain" contest concept like Baker Banked Slalom or Quiksilver's Natural Selection but watching some of Shaun's tricks is kinda freakish. I have to admit there's progression going on in them hills.

With this being an Olympic year and all it makes sense they'd start preparing early so I hope it pays off for everybody who had to toss bombs, build pipes and construct foam pits. Shit, seems like snowboarding would be the easy part in that equation. However, I get the sense that with Shaun it's not about things that come easy but trying new things. I mean if Halloween is any indicator this year will be new an intersting forms of experimentation in everything he does.

Note: Red Bull didn't give us jack crap in exchange for posting this story. We've been known to buy Red Bull when working at our day jobs but we'd prefer to not admit enjoying it without a delicious version of Vodka. Just sayin'

KEN BLOCK'S TRAX STI CAR

Since SOTN is balling in all of our blogger endorsement cash these days I figure it's time to up the ante and get a new ride.

OK< seriously who the fuck has the money to do this? Well, strike that -- I guess if you own a major shoe company, a private mountain, have reinvented yourself as some kind of champion car racer, your company rents out swank hotels during the X Games and keeps stitching Danny Way back together ala' Colonel Steve Austin... you can do this. While I tend to ride a bicycle mostly everywhere and try to keep it kinda green the inner redneck in me is certainly smiling at going fast and hauling ass through snow. Looking forward to seeing more footage in the near future and for the record: I'm totally getting this car when my ford festiva dies!

How to be PRO snowboard blogger in 5 easy steps

Often (like may be once or twice) I get asked: "Hoon, how can I be a super kewl snowboard blogger like you?"

Well Joey, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, journalism school and a real passion for snowboarding. Okay, okay, okay. You got me. It really doesn't take any of that stuff, and I'll let you in on a little secret. It's super easy, easier than Facebook, and even your grandmother can be a super PRO snowboarder blogger with our step-by-step guide. Follow these five easy steps and watch the free schwag, lift tickets and pro-ho's rain down on you like you're at da club.

Step 1: Go to the interweb and find a domain name. Sites like godaddy.com will help you select an appropriate, open name for your super rad site-to-be. Make sure that your blog name includes words like snow, boarder, pro, shred, rad, snowboard slang, some weird strange name, your location or a snowboard trick. I suggest radsnowprobloggerfang.com

Step 2: Set up a PO Box in a cool, snowboard town like Breckenridge, Park City or Mountain Creek. You gotta make sure that the snowboard companies know you're the real deal. Begin to email and facespace snowboard and outdoor companies. Only call yourself by your blog name, Radsnowprobloggerfang, and demand free gear because you are the most bad-ass, super know-it-all with more snowboard techno-knowledge than Chris Doyle, Mike Olsen and Sherman Poppen combined! Important: if you don't know who Sherman Poppen is, just skip to step 4. Because these companies have warehouses of stuff, they will immediately comply with daily deliveries.

Step 3: Write a vapid, meaningless review (see below for a sample) which only offers glowing positives and only really explains how awesome Radsnowproblogger.com is. Consider including pictures of snowboard gear that won't be released for 3 years that you found on some other blogger's site.

Step 4: Promote yourself all over Facespace, Twitsquare, and all the other social networking, media, 2.0 websites. Friend everybody. Very important: Under no circumstances do you make physical contact with anyone who is not a Director of Marketing, Professional Snowboarder or CEO of a company. Make sure to bring three cameras to get the right shots.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 2 - 4 on a daily or weekly basis through the winter. Consider broadening your reach/depth with "reviews" on skate, surf and other action sport-related stuff.

Sample Article:
Instructions: Simply replace the italicized, bracketed text with your own words and repost to your super-awesome blog.
Yesterday, I received some super [snowboard slang superlative] [snowboard gear item] from [company name]. I was super [snowboard slang superlative] and honored that [company name] would send me something to try out.

I tried the [snowboard gear item] [triple-digits] times at [super kick-ass snowboard mountain] in [super hard-core] conditions. This was the most [snowboard slang superlative] [snowboard gear item] that I have ever tried. I really love the [snowboard slang superlative] [nonsensical snowboard technology term] and how it [snowboard trick slang] on [super stealth backcountry trail name].

Big props to [name drop company executive's name] for letting me try this truly [snowboard slang superlative] game-changing [snowboard gear item].

How We Doing: October Numbers

So, October has come and gone. A fun month for sure that saw a nice Indian Summer for a single day on the East Coast. Monsoon like rain for most days while our buddies in the rockies got drilled with Snow. I think Hoon did a bunch of surfing and I continued to ride my bike and skate. Ahhhhh - fun.

SouthoftheNorth.com is slowly crawling out of the cellar from our summer hiatus. Other bloggers went shredding, travelled picked fights with Burton or started getting on the road. We simply put up a few easy posts about stuff we like and ideas rambling around in our head. At the end of the day we pulled in about 17,130 visits and 31,760 page views which comes to about 1.85 pages per visit. So about 1,000 people comes to SOTN daily.

All in all, we still aren't soliciting advertising and continue to say what we want - when we want. Granted we mostly talk about the good stuff but it's a small operation what can I say but this: thanks for checking us out in October. November should be even more fun.