Last night was the awards ceremony for the King of the Hill 2010. Vera Janssen and Travis Rice took it to no one's surprise, with the awards going down at the Totem Inn in Valdez and an incredible group of shreds in attendance. Not held in a decade, the King of the Hill contest was the greatest contest to ever run, and I think it's safe to say that it's back in full effect. Thanks so so much to Nick Perata and Mark Sullivan for bringing this even back an extending an open invitation to us to come up and hang out with these guys. 

As someone who has been led down the crazy path of a shred life since I first step on a snowboard over 20 years ago, last night was literally the most surreal night of my life. Surrounded by the very people who literally changed and shaped my life growing up, at the most legitimate contest to ever run was truly an honor that I will cherish forever. 

Shred legend and contest organizer Nick Perata sits back and soaks in the festivities during the crowning ceremonies of the King of the Hill 2010. Without guys like this our sport sport would not be anything near what it is and couldn't continue to progress. It was truly an honor to be in attendance at such an amazing event, not only for the ridiculous level or riding but more for the sheer importance of it all. It's truly events like this that define our sport, not by the results but by the comraderie and love shown by all involved.

Even the smallest of events (in size not importance!) brings out the media circus in snowboarding…..

6th place was a tie between Mark Landvick and Shawn Farmer. To settle things the organizers decided to let them arm wrestle for the higher spot and Lando took it with no contest. Sorry Farmer… On the plus side, Travis Rice and Nate Holland bet a cool 1000 bucks on the outcome which led to an open bar tab courtesy of T Rizzle. 

The Queen and King of the Hill 2010. Vera Janssen and Travis Rice. Amazing line selection combined with incredible riding were rewarded, with Vera riding with an injured leg but still managing to rip harder than all the other ladies and throwing a ton of tricks on every available feature and Travis, well, being Travis and laying down three flawless runs, including possibly the first handplant in a big-mountain freeride contest.

I've had the great opportunity to get to know Vera this winter and to see her come up here and take this thing is beyond words. It's been a battle the whole way to get here but seeing her up there made it all worth it and Josh, Dave and I could not be prouder. She might be from Germany via the states but once you sign a lease in Creekside you're Creekside for life so I'm gonna go ahead and claim this one for the Creek... Once again proving that the Canadian factor can't be underestimated.

Luckily for those in attendace, when Rice wins a thousand dollar bet he heads straight to the bar and opens a tab. Evan cheers it up... Jesus, we're those triples?!?!

Vera and Perata with the awesome piece of glass art that was part of the prize package. Along with an entry into the New Zealand Heli Challenge and 12 heli runs in Valdez!

King and Queen.

On the way to the after party with the sword.

With a sore lack of Canadians in attendance, we'll have to settle for this photo of Brainfarm filmer and Whistler local Gabe Langlois holding Travis's sword.

Josh and Vera….

Check back soon for a full video feature on the contest right here on push.ca!