Seattle, WA ? Seattle?s Fremont district, known mostly for hippy sculpture, condos and naked bike rides played host to The Ski Journal?s local kickoff event sponsored by funny feelings LLC, Evo, K2, Orage, Full Sail, The Summit at Snoqualmie and attended by subscribers, friends, and alpine celebs.

With festivities getting going post-post happy hour, arrivals were greeted with comp beverage tickets, the progressive beats of dj Rad'em and an impressive K2 retrospective art show, documenting nearly 40 years of American ski history. With original artwork from ads featuring freestyle genius Wayne Wong, Lake Placid-era Mahre bros, and modern original graphics by contemporary K2 artist, Ryan Schmies, serious magic was in the air. Also included: Original proofs of the legendary ?Chew K2? barn sign photo ad campaign featured employees of The Seattle Splendid Sign Company looking like Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention proudly gesturing to the Stevens Pass landmark.

And the art wasn?t the only thing to feature both veteran and youngster with EVO and K2?s own Bryce Phillips, fellow alpine athletes Patrick McCarthy and Sean Genovese, funny feelings LLC edit crews: Gunderson, Laing, Kris Kaiyala and The Jerk, to the VIP guests of honor: Powder?s original founding publishers, David and Jake Moe blessing the event with their attendance. With his trademark beaming grin, David (AKA Captain Powder) reminisced about early Sun Valley days and made plans to ski with the TSKJ crew at a later date.

The evening?s highlight came when punk rock veteran and snowboard photographer Josh Thompson won a pair of Pep Fujas?s signature Fujitas skis in the evening?s drawing. Turning to the cheering crowd, he held a PBR in one hand, and his new sticks in the other declaring: ?I?m a skier now, bitches!!?