The Houghton collection

Getting Old!

2010-11-25T18:17:00.000+11:00

Last week I celebrated my 21 years on this planet in somewhat relative comfort. (see pictures below)
Finally I have unlimited access to booze, sex toys and other adult products from every corner of the globe, not that I would partake in the latter two. However something interesting dawned on me during the weekend, Im not a kid anymore, the days of skateboarding, being a smartass and other teenage hobbies really should be left behind me. In relation to skiing im now that older guy who shows up to competitions hoping to cash in on a win.
So heres to now being "in" my twentys.....

For more photos nip over to Ramone Coopers third website http://everydaysomethingokay.tumblr.com/ He's so alternative and creative.

Day At Deutsche Bank

2010-11-03T21:13:00.000+11:00

View from the 35th Floor.

The Style Entry

2010-10-27T18:54:00.000+11:00

"Fashion forward" Rachel dons her latest summer accessorie

Star trek Boots...Loves her life as a dickhead

Misc..

2010-09-27T10:46:00.005+10:00

Competitions for 2010 are done and dusted. Jindabyne's winter population halves in almost a week, locals seek to take refuge and escape from a season plagued with Seazo's, weekend warriors and full time mountain experts. Literally one hour after completion of the final freeride series event I was in a car heading north at breakneck speed, happily smiling as I saw the lake disappear behind me. Time flew aided by our in car dance party and six hours of Rachel's beautiful harmonic singing to the likes of Kate Perry "teenage dream" and every other top 20 smash hit. Also learnt some new dance moves, the hitchhiker and elbow finger twirl were among the favourites. A dance floor necessity I was later told. Within 5 days our itinerary looked something like this:
Jindabyne > Mona Vale > Port Maquarie > Forster > Pacific Palms > Newcastle > Mona Vale > Jindabyne.

Overall it was an epic week, I layed on the beach, got super "arty" with help from my "dickhead Hipstamatic app" on my Iphone, got back in salt water and bust hangs with Rachel. Some photos from my trip up north....

Now back in Jindabyne for a week or two, dwindling on thoughts of summer and potential overseas projects.

Still some snow around so I'll probably have my last ski of the season within the next few days. Just quickly if noone has seen the video to relate to my "dickhead" remark earlier this is it...I'm now offically one of them. Shit!!

P.s Jump onto onehitwonderevent.com and vote for me, check the prizes available for some motivation..

Jordan Houghton from One Hit Wonder Event on Vimeo.

Thredbo series Grand Final

2010-09-22T20:21:00.003+10:00

The postponement of the original September date left the grand final to be re-scheduled to the day after the One Hit Wonder. Physically drained would be the word to describe my feelings driving up to compete in the last stop of the series. Having skied harder than usual the previous afternoon, it was the last place I wanted to be. During practice I got the idea of throwing my newly learnt double 10 mute. My last hit in practice I committed to the 2nd flip, came around easy enough but slid out on the landing. I didnt think much of it until I skied down to the tent, I was literally out of breath, on landing I had managed to pull/stretch my back, probably the single worst back pain I have experienced. I sidelined myself for the first twenty minutes in attempt to regain some breath and stretch it out....Didn't work. I thought "oh well screw it" last competition of the season, so marched myself to the top to give it another go, surprisingly it didn't hurt while jumping. Running on adrenalin I kept at it until roughly the 5th go I tried the double 12 mute, which did work out. I found the 12 easier than 10 on that particular jump as the landing was a tad flat. Pretty pleased with myself to have landed the hardest trick I have done while being partially injured, maybe i'm not a pussy?

Jesse killed it as he had done all week, with a beautiful flat 10 to help him secure 2nd place, never been 1st and 2nd with my brother before....Mother and Father would be proud i'd hope. Jesse is going be a threat come big air time I have realised. In the end the results were

1st: Jordan Houghton

2nd: Jesse Houghton

3rd: Sam Forster

I ended up winning the overall which turns out gives me two VIP tickets to a Red Bull event in Sydney where people with plenty of time on their hands jump makeshift aeroplanes into water. Might have to take someone special?

Toyota One Hit Wonder Recap!

2010-09-22T19:38:00.005+10:00

Someone long ago once said that "fortune favours the bold", that exact statement was proven during the inaugural Toyota one hit wonder down under event held at Thredbo last week. With pitiful weather predicted all week, the idea of hitting Charles Beckinsales dream jump in crappy weather was becoming a frightful reality for all the local and international talent involved. Day one of competition was blessed with a perfect bluebird, surprising us all. After a quick inspection of the 90ft monster that lay before us ( Charles's bold desire for a perfect jump certainly paid off ), a competitor briefing was held informing us all that "Today is the day"...No pressure. Bobby and Russ got straight to work, with a 3rd hit double 10 train, amazing. Other noticeable riders were the Kiwi sensation Byron Wells and Park Citys export McRae Williams, both stomping their own tweaks on a switch double 10. Day one claimed more than a few key riders, Clint Allan tragically broke both his ankles on impact after going for a front double 10 and Andrew Roth came unstuck and broke his collarbone. Wish them both a speedy recovery. To say I was scared to re-attempt my switch double would be a massive understatement, I felt literally sick. After a few try's and a helpful hint from Bobby, i landed on about the 3rd attempt. Pleased and relieved to say the least. The biggest annoyance all week would of had to of been the wind, day two and three were both cursed with above average wind gusts, with the jump location being exposed in the higher merits bowl it grounded a few of the less brave athletes from jumping, I was one of them. McRae held it down however, impressing everyone with some textbook jumps including switch double 10, 12's and even a 14.

(Luke Kneller photo)

On the final day the wind had died down to a relatively mellow gusty breeze, so I found myself scrambling to land a trick I was happy with to use as my "one hit". Most of the riders by this time had their tricks dialled. Charlie with double cork/tilt 12, McRae with switch double 12, 14's and a right double 9, Byron with switch double 9 and 10, Johnny landed his long awaited switch double 10, Bine switch tilt 12 and Jesse with a flatspin 12. Unfortunately Johnny twisted his ankle on his last attempt of his double, hope he gets better soon. Finally after 5 days of opportunity and procrastination it was my 2nd last hit of the week which sealed the deal on my one hit, a double 10 mute. So happy to have got this trick, been in my head for a long long time. My personal thanks to Tim Myers and everyone else involved, even bigger and better than last year. Congrats....

( Chaz fucking sending it )

Make sure to jump online and vote for your chance to win a bunch of epic prizes. Also while you're at it, may as well vote for Jordan Houghton. Why not?

One Hit Wonder Invited Riders

2010-09-06T11:32:00.000+10:00

1. Bobby Brown USA
2. McRae Williams USA
3. Byron Wells NZ
4. Charlie Timmins AUS
5. Jordan Houghton AUS
6. Johnny Lipzer AUS
7. Jesse Houghton AUS
8. Bine Zalohar SLO

SoO

2010-09-05T18:47:00.003+10:00

SoO airtime 2010 is done and dusted. Firstly I'd like to thank Oscar, Watkin and everyone else involved in bringing this event to life. You created something very unique and special.
Day 1 kicked off with the hope of clear skies and sunshine ( which the previous day was blessed with ) however fog and poor visibility prevailed for the better part of the morning, clearing partially in the afternoon. Our first feature was a chair lift station ironically named "Burnt Hut" as it had recently been struck by lightning leaving the front half charcoaled which made for some artistic angles i.e.....

( NSW rider Doodle smacking the crap out of the drum)

(VIC rider Nick Breheny handplants the bar)

After we all stuffed our faces with the delicious burgers provided by BURGER HAUS it was over to Chamois to launch an assault on the aerial site. Several features trimmed the knoll of the landing, one being the big daddy park/aerial jump which sent you to a ridiculous height. Only downside being the quality of snow on the landing, Australia's best however were still not afraid to huck their meat.

( Myself on the Hip feature/ Parko)

( Charlie Timmins mid 7/ Parko)

Day 2 & 3 were basically write offs so both teams scouted the town and lower mountain for features to separate their final edits. From urban to creative formations on the mountain the riders creativity shone through in some of these shots....

( Myself on Julia De Campo's expensive rock wall)

(Doodle getting ghetto)

(Luke Kneller takes after his old man and heads to the nearby construction site)

Until next year were even bigger and better things are expected, I know I'll be counting down the days....

SoO Airtime.

2010-08-28T14:47:00.000+10:00

This coming week a large majority of the top Australian freeskiers will descend upon Mt Buller for the SoO Airtime competition. Brainchild of Watkin and Oscar Mclennan, SoO is a film competition similar to that of Jon Olsson super sessions. Playing off the (healthy) rivalry between NSW and VIC a concept forged from the State of origin football NSW vs QLD battle, only the athletes at airtime will have three days to obtain footage from features built and created around Mt Buller, an edit will then be submitted online for internet users to vote on their favourite one.....

Here is a link to the list of invited skiers...... http://www.sooairtime.com/category/riders/

You're all going to vote team NSW right? I thought so......

Xoxo

New Snow!

2010-08-27T09:22:00.003+10:00

Yesterday I headed up to Perisher to meet up with Harro to get some shots in the bag for mountainwatch and Chillfactor. Didn't have to venture to far off the beaten track to find some good little spots and untouched snow. Here are a few shots from yesterday.....

Have a few more photos to do over the next couple of days before I'm down in Mt Buller for SoOAirtime.
xoxo ( All photos by Tony Harrington )

Ripcurl Pro

2010-08-22T20:20:00.000+10:00

I have been pretty slack with the updates recently, however I will blame the busy week. To more important news, the Ripcurl Freeride pro kicked off on Tuesday this week in near perfect conditions. Some of Australia's best grommets and opens carved up the bluff, with some bigger names such as Andy Finch and Chris Booth joining the list of invited riders. The course was pretty similar to previous years with the top cliff drop followed by the hip/jump. Several riders amateur and pro alike were being claimed on the hip with the punchy/soft snow pack, myself included. A bit of experience is always handy when negotiating cliffs, rocks and various lines, the higher skilled riders were noticed early on. My (landed) run included a 360 of the top cliff then straight off the hip, trying to keep upright on the landing, then hit a rock cut out into the open bowl. After all the crashes and near misses the skiers who expressed creativity and fluidity were the chosen top 3.
1st: Watkin Mclennan
2nd: Jono Lipzer
3rd: Scott Kneller

Torrential rain and wind accompanied the annual Throwdown evening, where the top 16 skiers and boarders jibbed and jumped there way to impress their fellow riders. Charles Beckinsale's creations are getting better and better and may I say scarier year after year. A decent size gap to down box, Pole jib to gap and Transfer gap were the main features of the Throwdown. The one and only Russ Henshaw signed himself up and showed everyone there why he is one of the worlds best, other riders worth a mention are Watkin Mclennan with a ridiculous cork 630 off the Pole ( crazy) and Sam Foster putting his body on the line once again. In the end it was Russ who's stomped 810 to down box and consistently landed rodeo 450s on the pole secured him the top spot.......

( Luke and Myself, side by side Fronties )

1st: Russ Henshaw
2nd: Jordan Houghton
3rd: Watkin Mclennan

Tube My Ride

2010-08-15T20:06:00.000+10:00

So it's that time again where everyone begs every facebook friend they have to vote for their Tube My Ride edit. So........ http://www.perisher.com.au/winter/tubemyride/tmr_show.php?id_entry=38

Also make sure to make your vote count by verifying through the link in your email inbox.

XOXO

Silkworm

2010-08-10T20:29:00.005+10:00

Last Saturday was one of the better days I have had on snow this year, apart from a few crashes I did get some great shots provided by Luke for my Tube My Ride edit. I thought id post these epic shots from amateur photographer Julian Condon ( AKA Silkworm ). Julian has been honing his photography skills in Perishers park and pipe over the past two years, as well as accompanying me in Japan along with my uncle and cousin this February. Silkworm's newly acquired fisheye lens has helped him produce some banger shots.

(Luke and Myself )

( Jesse )

(Jesse)

(Myself)

I have to say that I don't think that I have ever seen anyone who froths on taking photos as much as Julian, rain, hail or shine you can count on him to be close by ( camera in hand ). His passion for photography is definitely paying off..........( All photos Julian Condon )

Punished Myself

2010-08-07T21:23:00.002+10:00

Today I headed up to Perisher with the one and only Luke Kneller to film a little edit for Tube My Ride. Luke bitched out of skiing today and dedicated himself to being my personal filmer, which turned out sweet because we got a decent amount of usable shots. Started off pretty mellow in the morning then I decided to give a switch double cork 10 a crack later in the day. The rotation was coming around easily enough ( getting my feet under me each go) but I was putting a little too much spin on the last flip, causing me to land over balanced on some occasions. In the end I had about 5 attempts of trying to ride away properly, however after the 5th spin out my body was tired and I called it a day. Feeling confident that with a slight bit of fine tuning of the second flip it should come around alot better......

One of the attempts.....Little too big! ( All footage/pics Luke Kneller )

Toyota One Hit Wonder

2010-08-05T19:42:00.002+10:00

After the success of One Hit Wonder 2009, the newest and may I say best Australian competition returns to Thredbo in roughly 6 weeks time. Some very impressive auditions have already been cast, especially from North America and Europe....The international interest in this event is awesome, I feel it gives Australia credibility and legitimizes our small industry. Mastermind behind the event Tim Myers has definitely created something special.

Here is an interview I did for the event a few weeks back.

Spotlight - Jordan Houghton from One Hit Wonder Event on Vimeo.

Tuesday

2010-08-03T15:32:00.000+10:00

Today was supposed to play host to the third stop of the Thredbo Freeride series ( The Skiercross ). However, recent heavy snowfall topped with a decent amount of rain last night created less than favourable snow conditions, causing the event to be postponed. After we left Thredbo the weather improved enough for me find motivation to drive up to Perisher. The park has had a massive rebuild since I was there last, features include a somewhat fun "cliff drop" and the bottom jump is the biggest I have ever seen it. After I figured out it was only a matter of time until i'd rip my knee off in the sticky/punchy snow I bailed home after 4 runs, Only to arrive home to a house completely flooded....FML....

In the mean time here's a cool little edit which i stole from Russ's blog. Wish I was in Snowpark....http://nzskier.com/videos/308/propark_nzskiertv_at_snowpark

Ranting.

2010-08-01T23:55:00.000+10:00

I know what your probably thinking. We have all come across these speedy spandex wearing individuals on the road at some point in our driving lives. The very sight of a mass huddle pedalling is enough to make certain peoples blood boil. I'll let you know I'm all for fitness and being outside doing something productive, however its a fine line between saving the planet and becoming the most hated person on the street. The way these individuals cleverly position themselves 5m from the curb in 3 lanes of busy traffic, while cranking their ipod at full volume so not a sound from the outside world can be heard and still manage to make it home unscathed is a feat within itself.....The photograph above illustrates who wins when it comes to the battle between man and machine. Cyclists be warned...Do not fuck with us!!

Yes i did too

2010-08-01T16:04:00.000+10:00

Hey Guys, So after months of contemplating whether or not to create a blog i finally gave into temptation and joined the rest of you. These posts will consist of random as well as "entertaining" events, ski related or otherwise......