Tai Robinson, Christian Overson, and Tansnowman journey to Denver in the natural gas powered "Intergalactic Space Cruiser" to join up with Icelantic Skis for the 2012 SIA trade show. Not only was the trade show a massive success for Panda Poles, but the entire 1500 mile round trip from SLC to Denver was done on less than $200 of natural gas.

 Take a ride atop the head of Panda Team Captain Oakley White-Allen as he soars into the 2nd place seat on the podium at the 2012 Canadian Freeskiing Championships in Revelstoke, B.C. Oakley placed 2nd behind Kye Petersen, with Panda athlete Drew Tabke following closely in 3rd. Oakley also took home the Sickbird award for his smooth skiing and flawless line in this event hosted by both the Freeskiing and Freeride World Tours.

After three days of heavy weather and delays, the skies cleared to a perfect blue in Revelstoke, B.C. yesterday, creating perfect conditions for the Finals of the 2012 Canadian Freeskiing Championships (freeskiingworldtour.com). With Panda Team Captain Oakley White-Allen leading the charge skiing an incredibly fast, dynamic, full throttle line, Panda Poles athletes found their way onto the podium in 2 of the top 3 spots. Scoring just a few hundredths short of Oakley's 2nd place score of 79.00 points was the "Flyin' Hawaiian" Drew Tabke, who made the 2,500 vertical ft. venue of "Mac Daddy" seem more like a playground than the monster of a slope that it is. New to the Panda Tribe, Cliff Bennett rounded out the top ten, skiing a fast, powerful, fluid line in the finals. Taking 1st in the men's category was The talented, young, Canadian superstar Kye Petersen, hailing from Whistler, B.C. who scored an impressive 83.03.

With no hesitation, Angel Collinson--member of the Panda Tribe--skied a daring close-out line, ending in a mandatory 30 footer. A line that was not only impressive to watch, but boosted her into the top seat for the women, scoring a 72.40 over Crystal Wright's 71.57 and Jess McMillan's 69.67 final score.

OW-A and Tabke flank the phenom Petersen

Men's Top 5

Women's Top 3

Finals coverage by Freeride World Tour (freerideworldtour.com). Video starts with Cliff Bennett and the last 5 men's runs

The action at the Canadian Freeskiing Championships was unsurpassed, with a venue that makes most mountain faces look like hillsides. Panda Poles sends its congratulations to all the athletes who made the podium at this jaw-dropping event and sends a special shout out to the athletes who support Panda Poles and help further legitimize our organization and what we're trying to achieve.  Many thanks to Revelstoke Mountain Resort, both Freeskiing and Freeride World Tours, and the event sponsors (The North Face, Black Diamond, Subaru, Sierra Nevada, Swatch, Powder Magazine, and Backcountry.com) who make these events possible.

Panda poles doesn't outsource its strap production to just anybody. Only the finest artisans make our straps what they are... Pieces of art... 

 Have you ever almost ripped your arm off snagging your massive powder baskets in some brush or trees? If so, we designed a basket just for you: The Zero-Drag Powder Cone... Flies through powder, trees, and crud, and IT JUST WON'T SNAG!

The Panda Samurai pits his bamboo slasher against an assortment of typical ski poles. Can the Pandas stand the test? WE PUT A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON IT! (Notice: Many poles were harmed in the making of this film. No trick photography was used in this destructive display of awesome fury.)

 Team Manager Oakley White-Allen spends some time with the Panda-Cam while in Chile for the Swatch Skier's Cup this last September.

 Tai Robinson, Christian Overson, Sander Hadley, and Tansnowman join Panda Poles at the Barrie's Rail Jam in Pocatello, Idaho to do some wheelin' and dealin'...

Panda Poles are hand-crafted in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah by freeskiers and mountain mystics. 

 By mountain bike and light rail, Tansnowman hauls a bunch of poles without fail. In the studio with Weston Hall, shootin' product shots and havin' a ball.

 FICE, Panda Poles, and The Solar Saucer Cosmonauts present the Cosmic Art Show in downtown Salt Lake City on November 11, 2011.

Tansnowman and the Solar Saucer Cosmonauts demonstrate the ability of bamboo as a water-born vessel. In order to rescue their friend C-Bot, the Solar Saucer Cosmonauts face treacherous waters on their hand built bamboo pirate ship. A furious sword fight ensues and the miserable fate of the pirate ship is left strewn about. All hands on deck!

 After one of the deepest, longest, best seasons in the history of the Wasatch, Panda Poles team manager Oakley White-Allen ("OW-A") and Panda Poles founder Tanner Rosenthal ("Tansnowman") had compiled an extensive archive of footage. This film documents the highlights from their days behind the camera, and exudes the spirit of what they're all about: Friendship, fun, excitement, adrenaline, and skiing switch down whatever comes their way. Also featuring Panda athlete and good friend Chopo Diaz.

Panda Poles athlete Chopo Diaz is not only one of the most talented skiers in South America, but he is genuinely one of the most humble, friendly people a person might ever meet.  He has tallied several 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and has become somewhat of a superstar in his home country of Chile.  With all his accolades, he is a driving force in the world of big mountain freeride skiing and generates more excitement than almost all bull riding competitions on the planet, combined.  It is an honor to have such an amazing athlete and personality riding with our ski poles, especially when he is shown with them in magazines and on billboards across his home country.

Here, Chopo stands proudly with a Subaru and his beloved Panda Poles.

Chopo gets some hang time in Washington this last season and doesn't think twice about snagging his poles in the trees

Another shot of Chopo doing what he does best: Finding transition...

Chopo will be competing alongside Panda team manager Oakley White-Allen in the first ever Swatch Skier's Cup this September and we expect nothing but the most impressive display of big mountain freeriding ability.

We wish both Oakley and Chopo wishes of safety and stoke in this upcoming competition.  Go get 'em boys.

Photos by Claudio Vicuna

Tansnowman takes us on a tour of his mother and step-father's sustainable positive energy home project in McCammon, Idaho.

 Reminiscent of his guerilla marketing days at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Winter Show, Tansnowman brings along Tai Robinson for a sneak attack on Day 3 of the 2011 O.R. Summer Show. Avoiding security, they make their way through the gauntlet of booths only to score a new camera and plenty of other swag.

Tansnowman finds his way to this year's hottest competition on day two at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Show. Panda Poles own Tai Robinson teams up with Taylor Richards to blow away the competition at this event.