Opening day at Stevens was epic! Over a foot of fresh hit the ground before first chair and we all went out to sample the goods. Everyone I talked to (or hollered at) was super-stoked on the day, and the beginning of the season in general. The only complaints: being outta shape and a little off-balance! It was deep, it was soft, and there were beaucoup smiles all around!
-Jules
We headed out to Sunshine Village for the first turns of the season. It was GREAT. We brought along the cameras just to have a little bit of fun. We weren't setting out to win an oscar with the days footage, but this is what I came up with.
The BCA Avalanche Recue series is a 7 part training course. Lesson 1 gives a general overview of avalanches and the importance of preparing yourself for the backcountry.
The second sneak peek into the new documentary ski film Swift.Silent.Deep. Jackson Hole Air Force member and Alaska Heli-Ski Guide, Dave Miller, talks about watching his brother, Ron, jump into S&M Coulior on top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the first time.
Learn more about the film. Buy the DVD. Enter to win a trip to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
In the this episode of On The Couch Seth Morrison and Todd Jones reminisce about the pioneering days in Alaska. Seth talks about his fate and how key opportunities, such as his first world extreme skiing contest, opened doors for him to become the free-skiing icon he is today.
My dog just can't get enough of the snow!
November 12, 2009 Mt. Baker opened up with a 67" base and over 7 feet of new snow in the past week. This isn't the first time a storm has slammed the PNW and taken hippies and dogs alike by surprise. 3 years ago we had "Snow-vember" and everybody in the industry flocked to Baker to ski early season pow and get major film segments on lock down. Living in Bellingham for the past 6 years has given me the oppurtunity to never miss out on these early season storm cycles. Going from railing fireroads and single track on my bike to launching pillows and cliffs and skiing neck deep pow has never been a hard transition. Year after year we wait, some years more, some less but it always comes in right on time. When it starts snowing it's on, and if you aren't ready, or not here you don't get it.
In the spirit of Mt. Baker this past Opening day was "the best opening day ever!", quoted one local. Another, "best day in 20 years", "Biggest, deepest snowpack in the history of Mt. Baker." And it is only November 12. As we pulled into the parking lot at 7:00 AM the sun was rising over Mt. Shuksan and it was a bluebird pow day, the lifts were blanketed in 24" in the last 48. Being really, really early never hurts, earning us first chair ahead of the crowds.
"We had to do a lot of scrambling, opening day with a mid-season snow-pack. We sort of got caught with our pants down." This coming from Aaron Wilson pro patroller for the past 7 years. "It is pretty unreal, it's never happened before."
From my end patrol had things dialed from proper rope lines to checking beacons at backcountry gates. I have always appreciated the hard work Baker patrol does, without them we wouldn't be able to ski half of the terrain that we do on a daily basis. Early morning control work, long days, and a commitement to being wet they always come through with powder grins as they "test slopes" and "ski cut" areas.
In classic opening day fashion I lost everyone I was riding with and spun laps on my favorite lines. I hooked up with Eli Lee and Paul Kimbrough to put down the first lines on the "Beast" area. As ski friends go, there doesnt have to be much in common, you don't even have to talk, actions speak the loudest. Pounds, High fives, and hugs were given as we proceded to stop thinking, start living again and start skiing. A good friend proclaimed at the end of the day "Happy Winter!" and I joined him in celebrating with a beer and a smile, it's back!
If you ever asked me whether I would be sitting backstage with WarrenMiller in the green room at a venue where Kurt and Jimi used to hang out, I would say not a chance. But sure enough Warren Miller came out to the double feature of SWIFT.SILENT.DEEP. and REFRESH. Here's what a few of the attendees had to say about our documentary ski film after hours at the King Cat Theater in Seattle.
-JK
I took this video today of the 1st time I strapped in for the season. It was 2"-6" of dust on a solid crust left over from a previous dump. Seth Lightcap and I hiked for 45 minutes to drop in on this line. It was really icy underneath so we opted for some mellow tree runs, it was good to be back.
On the Couch continues with an inspirational interview with legendary skier Seth Morrison. In this episode Todd Jones and Seth Morrison sit down to discuss his progression into the sport in part one of this double episode. Check back soon for part two with Seth Morrison.
Swift.Silent.Deep Websidoe 1 - The first in a series of behind-the-scenes looks at the new documentary ski film Swift.Silent.Deep. Here, Bob Woodall, of Focus Productions, talks about the early years of the Jackson Hole Air Force posse and Powder Magazine.
Learn more about the film. Buy the DVD. Enter to win a trip to Jackson Hole.
Early season teaser from the Nelson BC area.
rolling down the roller coaster of dirt in virgin Utah near the redbull rampage venue. following my friend Brian
Jack H and Joel brings you their company, Double J Productions, hope you can come check us at http://www.youtube.com/user/DoubleJProductions08
Self propelled snow surfing with a split board. Bindings get used for the hike up, then they go in the back pack and a set of traction pads are attached to surf powder down the mountain. No Helicopter, no snowmobile, no cat, no lift, and no snowshoes. this is the "greenest" and fastest way to pursue the powder without bindings. If the powder turns to hard pack or terrain gets too challenging just throw the bindings back on. Can also be adapted to a standard 4x4 snowboard. Contact info@snowsurf.ca for general inquiries. Ride the white wave.
Riding above mt Musala (8875 ft) Bulgaria