To wrap up the weekend in Aspen, the sun decided to poke out for most of the day for another heavy pipe contest. This one was a little different than most this year. Bringing out a lot of new riders into a final with three runs. Giving them the chance to get the feeling of pulling out all their best moves. Showing who the new riders all of us will be seeing on more podiums in the very near future. The pipe is also the same 22 footer used for X Games just two weeks ago. JJ Thomas had the best runs right away. Not a big shock there, since he has been slaying every halfpipe this year. Brett Esser is going to be seen in a lot more finals if he lands more runs like he did. Spencer Shaw had sick runs all day boosting big airs landing the third spot on the podium. Joe Eddy came to defend his title from his win last year. His smooth runs did not do it for the judges, but his runs were sick and smooth. Dylan Bidez keeps putting down better runs at every contest. Brennan Swanson has got of the sickest tweaked grabs in the biz. Along with a sick double cork. For the girls, Kaityln Farrington took that one by a bit.

The Aspen Open is a sick contest. There is a good feel to it, and it gives kids the chance to really see where they stand with some of the best riders out there. It's also really cool to see what the new kids. That we will be seeing in the next couple years up there in more finals, and podiums with some crazy moves. It would be cool if more mountains could put more events like this one together. Only, it could do without all the ski stuff going on at the same time.

- X Games pipe still in prime shape

- Buttermilk has got a lot more than X games courses, hardboots, and race boards. Farnum locks in and comes off the end first run down

- Joe Eddy always wins the style award. Frontside air starting off practice

- Joe again smooth frontside seven during his first run of three

- Scotty Pike one of the many new kids sending it. Big Lien Air

- Brennan Swanson, this time only opting for a crippler, but he's got doubles on his trick list too

- Dylan Bidez does a good job finding the balance between style and power

- Oliver Bacharach might not be a name you hear to often. That's what makes these Open events sick

- Oliver again gets around a backside nine, and hangs with some of the best of them

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- Spencer Shaw starting out his run with a huge ally-oop, followed up by more massive airs

- Scotty Pike cruisin through with consistent runs all day long. Dude is good

- Didn't get this one's name. Sorry, but he was not afraid to blast huge Japan Airs first hit.
My email is joe@snowrev.com when someone wants to let me know who it is

- Ben Stewart cranks a nosegrab on a Mctwist first hit. Shit looked pretty sick

- Spencer Shaw fronside ten tail towards the bottom. Notice the Bud Light plug. Any Budweiser people out there reading this? Hook it up, I'm down for your product

- Tyler Anderson getting lofty

- Brennan Swanson has got sick moves. Solid tweaks on every grab

- Brett Esser going massive on a switch front ten. At 17 years old this kid is going to be a contest killer

- JJ has been another one the biggest suprises this year for me. Riding better than he ever has, as seen here blasting sick front ten tail grabs first hit

- JJ after getting a ton of hits in the pipe finishes up with an awesome Mctwist

- Kaitlyn Farrington, Madeline Schaffrick, Leslie Glenn

- JJ Thomas, Brett Esser, Spencer Shaw

- Tasters was one of the few places in Aspen that's got good pizza and more. Plus it's one of the few places in Aspen that won't drain your wallet.  

- I-70 views don't suck

- Solid end to a good contest weekend