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  • How to make $100k with no budg How to make $100k with no budget

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Max Hammer
      The Co-Lab’s open-to-the-skiing-public status has sent an unknown number of pro and amateur athletes to spend their season creating the best edit possible. Only ten weeks are left before submissions are due, and the $100,000 prize purse has many athletes hungry. We caught up with Max Hammer, a Jackson Hole-based pro skier, to see what his edit is all about, and how he’s creating a zero budget attempt at a very large prize purse.

      How did you hear about the contest in the first place, and what do you think about the format?

      I read about it on the Internet, and I saw there was a huge cash prize. So I thought, shoot, I like making videos. Right now, a lot of ski movies are pretty patterned, so I think letting people do what they want and be creative is awesome. 

      What’s the process of putting an edit together like?

      I spent some time trying to figure out the best approach, and trying to get help from people I know. I thought a one run edit [at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort] would be different, just about why I like to ski there so much. I had to figure out what run I wanted to do. It was surprisingly easy to get JHMR on board to let me film the line, and then I had to find people to lend equipment, and help film.

      It’s been pretty cool, actually. I had eight people helping me film: four friends from growing up here in Jackson, and my old race coach [photographer Jonathan Selkowitz], who was one of my first influences in skiing, and a few other filmers helped me out as well. The editing is a group effort between a few of us.

      How do you feel about putting together something on no budget?

      I’m not that worried about it. It’d be really cool to win, but I also like that I’ll still have something out there that a lot of people will see. I don’t know how it will live up to other edits. We did my segment so far in like, an hour. My ski footage is just from one morning at JHMR. 

      There probably are pros with budgets making stuff for this, but there are a lot of people who are really good, using okay equipment too.

      What does this new realm of video contests mean for to you, and for skiers?

      It’s a really cool opportunity. It’s a platform to put your stuff out there. You can do YouTube, and try to push your edit, but a contest like this can really maximize what the internet can do for you now. I did one freeski comp, and it just didn’t seem like my scene at all. I like making videos, I like the concept, I’ve no issues with it.

      What else do you have going on this winter?

      I’ve been filming a lot with TGR; so hopefully I’ll have a more normal segment next year. I had two airs into Corbets in last year’s movie, but this time we’ve had the whole season to work on it. One of my main goals would be to go Alaska with TGR , but I have to go back to school [at Dartmouth College] on April 10th. I just have to finish my senior fellowship, which is an animation project.

      Line skis and poles are on sale through Backcountry.com at 20-40% Off

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    • 2 months ago
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  • Shit Jobs Part 6: Miniskirt-ed Shit Jobs Part 6: Miniskirt-ed Cocktail Waitress

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      This series attempts to profile some of the best and worst shit jobs in a ski town. Don’t get us wrong, in no way do we intend to bash professions like these, they are a means to an end, the axis upon which our mountain lives spin. Without jobs like these, how would you ski over 100 days a season and still be employed?

      Oktoberfest girl

      It sounds wrong, and it more or less is, according to the current, accepted norms of our society.

      “You can wear whatever you want, as long as it is a skirt. A short one.” The manager states this, and then gauges your reaction. You might look around, fairly unenthused, as a potential co-worker - with a tiny circle of fabric passing as a skirt - ferries a tray of beer past you. Yes, when the manager of a job tells you this, you should probably run away, unless you are pursuing a career path unrelated to skiing. 

      But, in this case, it is already December, this place is somehow still hiring, and you just moved to this mountain town for one and only one reason: ski all the time. And this job, cocktail waitress at a busy base-area apres-ski spot, starts at 3:00 p.m.

      Sure, you may have tried to be more upstanding. But everything good (i.e, night) is gone, and the local paper has options like: barista (serving coffee on powder mornings? Hahahaha!), hotel concierge (calmly assisting guests on powder mornings? I really don’t think so), retail clerk (standing forlornly among trinkets/tee shirts on powder morning? Sorry. Can’t. Do. That.), or babysitting (watch tiny non-verbal people at hotel while parents ski? No.). These are all the very definition of blowing it. Even if starvation is a concern, keep your eye on the ball: no day jobs. 

      So while the short skirts rule may seem wrong, all you can think about is the start time and base area location. What’s the big deal, really? You might get a little cranky for a minute thinking of your guy ski friends and their cool, night ski-tech, beer-drinking, no skirt wearing jobs, but you find yourself wondering if you still have that really cute little plaid skirt.  And that little black V-neck? And there it is: This is the only remotely acceptable schedule for skiing, and priorities are priorities. No commuting, very little ski day disruption? Ciao, standards! Miniskirt it is! 

      There are some interesting scenes to be immediately discovered on both the patron and co-worker sides. You may learn that only some of your co-workers view this as the only way to get an amazing ski schedule and pay bills. A few of the other waitresses will always take the cocktailing, mini-skirting scene rather seriously. They will look at the helmet-haired crew disapprovingly, but no one will care (we skied pow all day!). If the others skied, they’ve gone home on time, showered, curled hair, and some, you come to find out, have little trick like stuff their bras.  (According to some sources, it can get your five extra dollars a table. This skier did not test that one out. The line really did have to be drawn somewhere.)

      What I did test is that you can come skiing up to the door with five minutes to spare, run to the locker room, strip to ski socks (yes, unknowing drunk guys will totally see these as sexy knee socks!), tight ski shirt (a deep zip necks work well, actually) throw on said cute mini-skirt, madly fluff helmet hair, grab a little makeup, and clock in. Woo! I made about $150 on average an afternoon this way. Would it have been $200 if I went home and showered and curled my hair? Who cares! For another hour and half or so of skiing every day, $150 works great!

      Of course, you will also learn the finer points of serving hundreds of beers in an afternoon to hundreds of drunk guys who think they are all pros or are on ‘boy’s trips’ from fill-in-the-blank city. They may point out your abundantly visible quads (thanks, mini-skirt) say, “Woah, looks you ski a lot!” You might be tempted to say something sarcastic, but better yet is to just act all enthused about how rad their ski trip must be:  ‘Oh yeah, whatever, but what did you guys ski today?! You don’t have to listen to them because you’ve already brought them six pitchers and they have no idea what is going on now, or earlier in the day.  “We were over at, uh, what was it, hey Jeff, what was the name of that lift we skied today?”  “Oh yes, that lift is cool. I am sure you guys skied some amazing blues –er, super rad lines.”

      You will be asked to do a lot of shots, because every group you wait on will have decided that the boy’s trip actually sucks without girls. They will want to flirt with you, even though you are clearly in the weeds, have spilled beer on yourself, are possibly on the verge of tears, and have nine other tables of drunk guys who all want you to hang out at their table and do shots with them. The trick, if you want to oblige –  and you probably should, as people get stoked and leave bigger tips when they think they’re expanding the party - is to have the bartenders, who are always on your side, give you something non-alcoholic.

      Skirt and leering guys or not, the bottom line is that you ski all day, and since apres peters out around 6 or 7, you get to go home early, so you can be up early. Sure, it at least four hours of rushing drinks through extremely maniacal, chaotic celebrating, and you feel like you’ve run a very confused marathon everyday.  But when you stuff the skirt back in the locker, pocket your cash, and leave the feeling of being a stereotype hustling beers at the bar and head home, things don’t look so bad anymore.  Because it’s dumping outside, and you don’t have to be back at work until three.

      Chase waterfalls this spring, women's clothing is on sale at Backcountry.com

      Read Shit Jobs Part 5: Beginner Ski Instructor

      Read Shit Jobs Part 4: Waiter

      Read Shit Jobs Part 3: Unemployment Collecting Seasonal Worker

      Read Shit Jobs Part 2: Ski Tech

      Read Shit Jobs Part 1: Line Cook

    • Blog post
    • 3 months ago
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  • Rachael Burks Is Forming A Wol Rachael Burks Is Forming A Wolfpack

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:



      For the last two years pro skier Rachael Burks, one of free skiing’s most visible female personalities, has been laying relatively low. Burks has not been resting, however, instead she has been busy creating a new action sports website, femalewolfpack.com.

      The website will feature video content of female action sports athletes, ranging from dirt-biking, surfing, slack-lining, to BASE and mountaineering. The goal, according to an announcement from the website, is to “specifically increase female visibility in action sports.”

      A soft launch, which will have about ten videos on it, will be followed by an official launch on January 1, 2013, and a video of the week moving forward.

      Burks’ ability to out-ski, and out-party, and out-backflip many men in the industry has earned her magazine appearances, profiles, and film segments ranging from Warren Miller Films, TGR, and the Levitation Project, and Powder Magazine reader’s polls, among others. 

      Burks says she decided to create the website after recognizing that to gain recognition in action sports is tough, but it is often even tougher for females.

      “I got to a point in my ski career where it felt like my progress depended on how much money I could get together, which didn’t make sense to me. So I decided to give women a platform where they can get visibility without being reliant on financial alliances,” Burks said.

      “In action sports, it is difficult to have progression for anyone. Hopefully this will give girls from all over the world an opportunity to showcase their skills, maybe pick up a sponsor, and pursue being a pro athlete,” she said.

      Rachael Burks

      One of the website’s goals is to collect female content in one easy-to-find viewing location. Burks also hopes that a consolidated arena where female athletes are showcased pushing the limits will influence women’s action sports as a whole.

      “The best way is to lead by example. Sometimes all it takes is one person showing everyone else what is possible,” she said. “The idea is to let women be inspired once they are able to see what other women are doing, what is possible, and to up the ante.”

      The target audience of the site is everyone ranging for sponsors looking for new talent, to people sitting at a desk looking for a cool way to kill some time.

      “I don’t want this to be only for women, either. I think guys are interested in what the girls are doing, too,” Burks said.

      Burks will personally select the videos chosen to go up on the site. Edits sent for submission can be new or existing video, pro or amateur, and should be sent to femalewolfpack@gmail.com for the rest of the month. After the January launch, videos submitted for consideration can be uploaded directly to the site. According to Burks, there will be no commentary, no editorials, no thumbs up or thumbs down, just visual content.


      Rachael Burks of femalewolfpack.com

      Athletes are already getting on board with the project.

      “I think it is awesome! It’ll be a cool place to express ourselves, have fun, and put up rad content,” said Nat Segal, a Jackson Hole-based pro skier and competitor on the Freeride World Tour. “It’s going to give up and comers a place to showcase their abilities and get exposure, which sometimes girls really have to fight for. And it will give younger girls a place to see what other women are doing. I’m stoked. I already sent her some edits.”

      Female Wolfpack

    • Blog post
    • 5 months ago
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  • Where To Ski Right Now - Or Re Where To Ski Right Now - Or Really Soon

  • Riders, Artist, Musicians, Pro Riders, Artist, Musicians, Projects - RAMP Sports Ramps Up

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      RAMP Sports

      In 2010, a new player – RAMP Sports – stepped into a ski production arena full of small, athlete-driven boutique brands like Armada and 4FRNT, not to mention traditional industry powerhouses. The founding dreamer of RAMP (Riders Artists Musicians Project) was not an X-Games star, but 32-year veteran of the ski industry, Mike Kilchenstein.  And apparently, it hasn’t taken long for RAMP’s literally bulletproof skis to start stealing some of the spotlight.

      Filling a Park City, Utah, factory with domestically-sourced and produced skis and strict green business practices, RAMP has incorporated aeronautics technology to help make a better board by employing the same technique as composite helicopter blade production.

      Kilchenstein’s plan was to create an innovative company that leads by example with a business model that people can be proud of – as well as make boards that the best in the world can shred on. Now not yet two years old, RAMP sports a roster decorated with names like Charles Gagnier, Lindsey Jacobellis, Jess Cumming and Micah Black, as well as a few rock stars and Hollywood names lending support. It’s not a bad showing for an under-the-radar newcomer.

      While RAMP’s athletes and team say the skis are incredible to ride, it just may be not only its use of aeronautics engineering, but the commitment to domestic sourcing, made in the USA ethics, and adhering to professed values on green business that has caught a lot of attention. We decided to let Kilchenstein have the platform, to clear the air and explain his company and its product.

      RAMP Sports founder Mike Kilchenstein.

      We’ve employed vacuum molding technology at our factory, and the new process cleaner and more efficient. But we use more expensive components to make our product better – so we sell direct in order to get the margin we need. Our cores cost three times as much as the standard, Kevlar is seven times the costs of fiberglass, and we use higher quality, US-sourced pine resins, not petrochemical-based ones.

      A full-layer of Kevlar is being used on the boards this season. We tested many US-made composites; Kevlar resists stretching much more than fiberglass, and provides much more energy and rebound, and absorbs vibration 8 times better than fiberglass.

      We use Forest Stewardship Council-certified, domestic bamboo cores, which are nearly four times as hard as the industry standard of poplar.  The cores are expensive, but enhance performance – they have that rock solid feel you get from metal GS skis, but ours will still bend while freeskiing.

      In traditional press molding, the layers of the ski are squashed down at four atmospheres of pressure against a camber plate, in unnatural shapes. The vacuum molding process [that RAMP uses] seems to give the product a dramatically bigger sweet spot. What we do uses a quarter of that pressure, but evenly in every direction, not just down, and retains the natural shape. We found the skis are much easier to use, even our very high-performance boards, as they have a much bigger sweet spot.

      We went from zero in sales to $135,000 in our first season, which we considered very good, since nobody had ever heard of us and it was all through our website. Last year it didn’t snow much and the industry plummeted, but we still tripled our business. This season, we plan to triple again, and are so far 600 percent ahead to date on consumer orders. People seem really excited about our new product, our factory, and what we stand for.

      RAMP Sports

    • Blog post
    • 7 months ago
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  • Norway: Shredding Fjords And F Norway: Shredding Fjords And Fjells With Molly Baker

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Molly Baker On A Boat In NorwayMolly Baker enjoys apres skiing on yachts in Norway.

      Words and photos by Brigid Mander.

      We put skins on in the drizzle on the side of the road, between the mountain and the fjord in Tromsø. Thick fog was above us; more than anything, I did not want to go skiing. There were no excuses, though — on a trip to Norway to ski with Molly Baker, we were going skiing.  

      Having seen the pictures and the edits and the movie segments over the last few years, we still didn’t know exactly what to expect when we first arrived in the Lyngen Alps. We were on our own program using topographic maps to find lines, climb mountains and ski. 

      Tromso NorwayIf you lived in Tromsø, Norway, you'd ski that mountain after work. Five bucks if you know how to pronounce the ø in Tromsø. ... Alright, it sounds a lot like saying Tromso, except say it like you're getting punched in the stomach by a viking.

      Norway’s continued appearance in ski and snowboard media over the last few years highlights its powder, pillows, AK-style descents and universe of accessible big mountain lines jutting up from the fjords. Here, in the land of ski touring and 24-hour sunlight, we learned you get what you give.

      What you get might be the unexpected. A few hours after our rain soaked start, Molly and I were sitting in an apres-ski bar in Tromsø, relishing $12 beers 200 miles north of the Arctic circle, new friends, and were utterly stoked: our gamble in the rain turned out be a unforgettable descent in powder, under pink light at nearly 11 p.m.

      On the summit at midnight in NorwaySkiing off summits around midnight is pretty standard in Norway.

      Of course, despite surging skier interest in the country, skiing is not so much a pastime in Norway as an intrinsic part of life and heritage — this is, after all, where people have been skiing for thousands of years and modern skiing originated. Every day we were blown away by the ski tracks slathered, up, down, all over so many peaks, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, there are many,easy to reach peaks to get after it on, and always fresh lines. 

      With no resorts to speak of nearby, and heli-skiing not allowed (unless by special permit), fitness and motivation are the keys to getting the goods.  If you have a good crew, you can just slay peaks and couloirs, as many as you have energy for — one reason why Molly, fresh off a busy couple trips touring in BC for some magazine stories and filming at Icefall Lodge with Sweetgrass, was a perfect trip partner.

      Skiing in NorwayThe ski route down to $12 beers.

      We had spent the first week crammed into a cabin on a 46-foot sailboat by Boreal Yachting, which dropped us at icy beaches under peaks we wanted to ski. Access by boat can be key — the fjords reach in and snake around so much spectacular terrain. It explains the growing popularity of the ski/sail trip, by companies like Boreal in the Lyngen region or Ice Axe Expeditions on Norway’s Svalbard Island.

      After the boat, we hit the road, driving to our starting points. Near the end of our trip, we found ourselves on top of a quintessential peak, Storstalpan, with an ethereal blue sea stretching north, spiky white peaks to the sides, and, under us technical summit descent followed by a couple thousand feet of fresh powder to a beachy finish.

      In Norway, Life's A BeachIn Norway, life's a beach.

      “When you get a good day, the way the terrain is set up, and the views, a bluebird powder day is almost better than anything else – it’s so unique,” observed Molly, as we discussed a return trip before we even left.

      You get what you put into it in Norway, indeed.

      Dried fish for apres skiGetting embedded in the local culture, Molly Baker enjoys a dried fish stick in Norway.

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
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  • Interview: Angel Collinson On Interview: Angel Collinson On Filming With TGR In Alaska

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Angel Collinson In Alaska's Northen Chugach MountainsAngel Collinson hangs out at the Northern Chugach Mountains while filming with Teton Gravity Research for its newest movie, The Dream Factory. Photo by Adam Clark.

      Angel Collinson has been on the rise ever since she came on the big-mountain ski scene a few years ago. At 21 years old, she has won the Freeskiing World Tour in 2010, 2011 and came in second overall this past season. The industry has taken note, including the Teton Gravity Research production team. This year, TGR took Angel up to the biggest venue of all – Alaska – to film for our newest movie, The Dream Factory.

      We caught up with her to find out how it was to shred with skiers she grew up admiring, what she has planned for women’s freeskiing, and why she may forgo a ski trip to South America to bang nails at home in Utah.

      On the opportunity to film with TGR in Alaska:

      I got the call from TGR this January asking if I'd like to film with them. I was already committed to a full season of big mountain competitions, but filming with TGR has always been a dream of mine and I wanted to make both agendas work. The first trip was with Erik Roner up to Haines, Alaska. It was cool to have a small group, and Erik was really great with tips and advice to help me feel more comfortable in the new situation of heli-skiing and filming. Because of my busy comp schedule, I could only be up there for a week. I still learned a lot.

      On Alaska, round II:

      The other trip I took with TGR was up in the Northern Chugach, flying out of the Knik River Lodge, with Dana [Flahr], Seth [Morrison] and Sage [Cattabriga-Alosa]. By the time Dana and I got up there in mid-April, a lot of the snow was good, [but] it wasn't good enough to be filmable. It has to be almost perfect. It was frustrating, and we didn't ski that gnarly of lines. That being said, we still got to ski some sick lines, and the last day we were up there were the biggest lines we had skied yet.

      On showing up ready to charge on a new stage:

      My racing background has laid out a really good foundation for strong technique, so when I'm on top of something gnarly, I'm excited and confident, ready to fire it up.

      Looking at all the [AK] terrain, I thought to myself: "I know I can ski that, and ski it fast and well too, if the conditions were right," and knowing that definitely made me recognize where I've come to in my skiing, looking up at huge lines knowing they are definitely within my ability. I feel like I have been training my whole life for Alaska lines.

      Angel Collinson rips a line in Alaska's Northern Chugach MountainsAngel Collinson rips a line in Alaska's Northern Chugach Mountains. Photo by Adam Clark.

      On stepping it up to the next level:

      I am going to transition into other travel and film projects [instead of competition]. It's hard to improve your skiing when you are traveling and competing all the time — you don't have a lot of training time. I can't wait to actually have time to improve, and my focus is on working on tricks and bigger airs. Once I feel like I can confidently throws tricks off of most cliffs and consistently stomp big airs, I might do a comp here and there — those are the things that I want to bring into the competition field.

      On moving out of the parents house:
      Well, my brother John and I are still living in Little Cottonwood Canyon with the fam, spending every day building a house as a family at the mouth of Little Cottonwood. Our goal is to have the house done by the fall, and then John and I will move in together. I can't wait to share a house with just him. He's always been my best bud and favorite person to ski with.

      Yesterday I was taking down ski posters and magazine cutouts from the room I lived in since I was little, and there were all these pics of Sage, Seth, and Dana. It was crazy to be like, I was looking at these pics when I was 10 years old and getting fired up, and now I just got done with an AK trip filming with them! A dream come true.

      On appreciating - and accomplishing - life:

      While it's cool to have a lot of distinguished accomplishments, if you didn't have fun while doing them, to me they are not as meaningful. And on the flipside, maybe you didn't really accomplish anything but look back on the time period and it brings warmth to your heart and you feel like you are really ALIVE. To me, that's a success, and something to be proud of — to look back at accomplishments, or lack of, and say, "Yeah. I'm doing it! I'm living, I'm happy, and I appreciate everything I got." To come out of a season feeling like that is what I'm the proudest of.

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    • 1 year ago
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  • A Phone Call With FWT Champion A Phone Call With FWT Champion Crystal Wright

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Crystal Wright Wins FWTCrystal Wright and the McConkey Cup. Photo courtesy of Crystal Wright.

      This year’s Freeskiing World Tour was full of ups and downs, cancelled and rescheduled competitions, and as always, indefatigable shredders. Topping off the season with a dramatic bang last weekend was the dead-heat on the women’s side of two very strong, but very different skiers, Crystal Wright and Angel Collinson.

      Tied for the overall lead of the tour with no other competitor even close, the 2012 tour champion would be whoever came out on top at Kirkwood–making it a high-stakes contest indeed, with all eyes on Collinson and Wright. In second place to Collinson entering her final run on day two, Wright skied a fast, solid line with numerous smaller features, a technical air into a ravine, and eked out a two point lead for the win, the McConkey Cup, and the 2012 tour title. 

      Wright immediately headed back to France, where she had interrupted a ski mountaineering trip to fly to California and compete. We caught up with her on the tarmac, and she gave TGR the inside story until the flight attendants made her get off the phone for take-off.

      Crystal Wright Wins FWTWright on the podium beside Nat Segal and Angel Collinson. Photo courtesy of Crystal Wright.

      I’m on my way back to Chamonix, I had planned on spending the whole month there. I’m getting more experience in glacier travel, couloirs, crevasses, and doing some alpine climbing as well. 

      But then whole thing with the tour happened, Kirkwood was delayed until now, and I was tied with Angel for the tour title. So I’m glad I came to compete, it was definitely worth it. Now I’m heading back to Chamonix to finish my trip–I had been planning this for a year! 

      When I came over here, I competed in Verbier, and then we did a hut trip, and then went to La Grave for three days before Kirkwood. La Grave has a powerful effect on me – the people, the mountains, it was really good for my head before the competition.  

      The first day of the comp, I was really, really, jetlagged. But then second day, I found my fire and my energy. I knew I had to step it up. I just really wanted to showcase my strengths, going fast and straight-lining down chutes. 

      There was a lot of pressure. The media and the cameras on us made it hard; everyone was focused on me and Angel. We both safetyed our lines a little on day 1, so we’d have a shot at day 2. 

      I was so nervous at the start on the final day. I was just listening to music, I had to calm myself down. I had a lot of jittery nerves. But as soon as I got in the start gate I calmed down. I knew my line really well, so that helped. I was a lot happier to be down at the finish though–I am not going to lie about that! 

      It was so cool to win the event! It was a dream come true. I’ve gotten a ton of second places, but I haven’t won a lot. My hard work finally paid off!

      The McConkey Cup is a big silver cup. It is a pretty amazing honor to have it. To me it is about all the amazing skiers we’ve lost, all these inspiring people who have helped us.

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    • 1 year ago
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  • A Lift-Free Ski Area: BC's Han A Lift-Free Ski Area: BC's Hankin Evelyn

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Words and photos by Brigid Mander

      There is a new, under the radar, ski area in North America, in a seldom-traveled place that receives deep, deep snowfall. It boasts constantly refreshed powder, cut, gladed tree runs, towering alpine terrain, trail maps, warming hut, and facilities. What it is missing, however, are ski lifts. Intentionally, that is.

      The ski area, called Hankin Evelyn Recreation Area, is located on the east slope of the Coast Range in Northern BC. Claiming fame as North America’s sole lift-free, ski-touring only recreation area, it was begun in 2008, and brought from concept to reality with almost no controversy-a rarity these days.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaAvalanche warnings and signage with First Nations historical connection to the area.

      The peaks above the area, just outside of the town of Smithers, look like a small Alaska, with steep alpine faces, fluted lines, and features. The backcountry options are endless – for motivated and advanced backcountry travelers. 

      The inception of Hankin as an official area was the brainchild of Smithers resident Brian Hall. Despite the amazing backcountry opportunities around the town, Hall felt the community needed a place where skiers could tour safely in unsafe avalanche conditions, and where beginners could learn without getting over their skill level.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaThe entrance to the first uptrack.

      “I wanted to create an area for all levels for backcountry skiers, where people can learn and gain confidence, but also where advanced skiers can access more terrain,” says Hall.

      Hall specifically searched an area that would provide good skiing, and access to big terrain, but that was not terrain that was already in use by other backcountry groups such as snowmobilers. He drew up a plan and submitted it to the Canadian government, explaining the benefits, both and short and long term that Hankin would supply to the region.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaLeah Evans and Molly Baker following Hankin locals up a skin track.

      The government responded, awarding Hall’s project $612,000 to begin clearing runs. The funds put displaced forestry workers to work cutting 11 runs through impenetrable forests. Two uptracks were cut, and warming hut built at the treeline.  An outhouse and parking lot was built at the base, and a composting outhouse for the upper warming hut. 

      The community also responded, with a massive amount of volunteer effort put in by local backcountry enthusiasts. “It is time consuming, says Hall. “We are all volunteers.” Yet the community keeps giving back, in money, time, and then heading out to enjoy their work in powder laps.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaBrian Hall skins up to the warming hut.

      "Maps with signage, avalanche terrain ratings from the Canadian Avalanche Centre, as well as “Are You Beeping” transceiver signal detectors are at the base and the hut.  More runs and another hut for overnights are planned," says Hall, who has raised another several hundred thousand dollars for these improvements, to keep the road to the base plowed, for insurance, and to maintain the hut and other structures. 

      Guides and avalanche professionals have begun conducting courses on Hankin terrain. Skier visits are on track for 3,000 in 2012, up from 2,000 in 2011, an average of 17 users per day.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaAlpine terrain above Hankin.

      The interest is more widespread than your stereotypical ski tourer or snowshoer as well. “Some kids from Quebec were here recently, and they said to me that we should pile up some of these felled trees and leave them on the ground,” said Hall. They wanted him to create features to jib in the area, backcountry style. And Hall says he is going to look into it - he just wants a playground that offers something to everyone.

      Hankin Evelyn Backcountry Ski AreaMolly Baker inspects terrain above the warming hut.

      Save big on ski touring gear through our partner - http://backcountry.com where 10% off all Sales go back to TGR!

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  • Jumbo Glacier To Be British Co Jumbo Glacier To Be British Columbia's Newest Ski Resort

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Words by Brigid Mander.

      Photos courtesy of Ktunaxa Nation.

      Twenty-one years after the initial proposal, the provincial government of British Columbia has given its approval to develop Jumbo Glacier into a year-round ski area. The site is located about 55 km west of Invermere, in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. 

      The decision, made public on March 20, 2012, met with continued opposition by the Ktunaxa Nation and the New Democratic political party, as well as environmental groups. Supporters in the government and business community expressed relief at the long-delayed decision.

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectThe future site of Jumbo Glacier Resort.

      Once complete, the glacier would have 23 lifts and 6,000 housing units, at an estimated cost of about $950 million dollars. The project is expected to generate about 750 permanent jobs. The group behind the idea, Jumbo Glacier Resorts Ltd. (JGR), is currently working to raise a first round of investor funding in light of the government approval.

      “After more than 20 years of comprehensive and exhaustive reviews, it was time to make a decision,” said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations in British Columbia in a government release. The government met with both proponents and opponents before its decision. 

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectKtunaxa territory map displaying the location of the to be ski resort.

      JGR faces an uphill battle despite government approval. The group has yet to secure funding and opposition shows no sign of abatement.

      The Ktunaxa nation contends the land has been considered a sacred area for thousands of years. Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese told TGR that “[The Ktunaxa] continue to oppose the project and permanent structures in that area,” and will seek accountability from the proponents. “We will be following up. This is definitely not a closed door from our point of view,” said Teneese. 

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectOne of many scenic ridges in Jumbo Valley.

      According to Ktunaxa legend, the area is the home of the grizzly bear spirit, and the nation-along with environmental groups-fears the impact a year round resort would have on the grizzlies and other species that live in the area.

      According to the CBC, a 2008 poll found that the project lacked public support but that proponents welcomed jobs and tourists that Jumbo Glacier Resort would bring to the area. Former NHL star and local resident Scott Neidemayer has given the opposition fight greater visibility, after voicing strong opposition to the project and aligning with the Ktunaxa nation.

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectA closer look at the Jumbo Glacier Resort site.

      Norm MacDonald, the NDP representative for the Columbia Valley – Revelstoke in the BC Legislature, stated in a legislative session on March 27th that local opposition overall to the environmental impacts on the Jumbo wilderness ran as high as 91%.

      Jumbo Glacier was first identified as a possible ski resort in a study commissioned to develop an ideal, year-round ski area in North America in 1990. The location, access, climate, prior use and presence of glaciers were cited as ideal factors for development, according to Pheidias Project Management Corporation, the Canadian company that conducted the study.

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectJumbo Valley.

      The reaction from the Canadian ski industry has been mixed. Stagnant skier visit numbers point to a redistribution of ski tourist dollars in British Columbia and not overall industry growth. 

      "In terms of destination resorts, resorts that attract tourists themselves, which have accommodation on mountain, there are 13 in the province of British Columbia. There is significant excess capacity and I think some people at these resorts would question increasing that capacity," said David Lynn, President and CEO of the Canada West Ski Areas Association. 

      Jumbo Glacier ProjectSki tourers at Jumbo Glacier will soon be joined by tourists on newly lift accessed terrain.

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  • Ski Media Gathers At Red Mount Ski Media Gathers At Red Mountain, BC

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Once a year for the past four years, an eclectic mix of ski world characters has been gathering at Red Mountain in Rossland, BC. Actually named the Gathering, it involves a little catching up with old friends, new introductions, inspiring presentations, your occasional all night party, and skiing pow.

      The Gathering’s most impressive attribute is the seamless melding of the industry’s current stars, newcomers, and those that broke ground using the sport as a way to make a living and travel the world. 

      The Gathering 2012Mitchell Scott and Mark Shapiro at The Gathering.

      Hosted by writer, editor and stand-up comedian Mitchell Scott, the presentations varied enormously. Pete Velesik and Leah Evans presented from the athlete viewpoint, on the lighter side of skiing (such as naked pillow lines) and on using skiing to give back, respectively.

      Canadian freestyler John Eaves, gave a spectacular show on his extremely successful ski career – as a stuntman for James Bond movies and basically, anyone else who asked – and paid. Eaves’s narration before each segment consisted of  “I was really scared for this one, too, but, they paid me well.” The footage – despite the fact it is on skinny straight skis, redefines your definition of bad-ass in about 60 seconds.


      The Gathering 2012Blake Jorgensen.

      Some of today’s most celebrated photographers and filmmakers – such as Blake Jorgensen, Re Wikstrom, Dave Heath, Scotty Carlson, Steve Ogle, Garret Grove and Bruno Long overloaded the senses with stunning shows, talks and presentations.

      But the most special part, perhaps even the central part of the Gathering was another reunion of the legendary, Verbier-based Team Clambin. The Clambin crew gelled in the ’80s in some cabins on an Alp named Clambin, outside of Verbier. Photographers Ace Kvale, Marko Shapiro, and mountain guide and adventurer John Falkiner got together, skied, shot photos, traveled, and pushed ski culture toward what we know as the ski world today.
       
      The Gathering 2012Bruno Long speaks at The Gathering.

      The Clambin kids opened the door not only to being skiers for their business, but inspired generations of skiers to come. Iconic ski writer Leslie Anthony says in his book “White Planet” that Team Clambin showed “that skiing could take you to distant lands was a revelation that changed many lives, including my own.” 

      “The Clambin kids are the reason I became a ski photographer,” emphasized Re Wikstrom.

      The Gathering 2012Mark Gallup.

      The crew showcased their current projects: Ace Kvale has involved himself in projects giving back to the places they’ve traveled, such as the Himalayan Cataract Project and earthquake relief, and photography for National Geographic. Mark Shapiro still shoots skiing and adventure, and John Falkiner still lives it in remote ranges across the world.

      All in all, Red Mountain’s effort to bring the diversity of skiing and achievements into one room – open to the public no less - made for an incredible, unique event. It is well worth a trip – ski Red, meet legends, be inspired, and make ski dreams happen. See you next year.

      The Gathering 2012Ace Kvale and Mark Shapiro converse at The Gathering 2012.

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  • Riders Go Huge At Kicking Hors Riders Go Huge At Kicking Horse’s Wrangle The Chute

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Four years ago, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, British Columbia, launched a three-part big mountain competition unlike any other. Wrangle the Chute, a competition with serious lines and a finish that requires riding a mechanical bucking bronc — animated by your fellow competitors. 

      The comp went off last weekend in 30 inches of fresh snow with a stoked crew of competitors and spectators. The brainchild of former KHMR employee Jordan Petrovics and Trevor Gavura, the event is invite-only, with male, female, ski and snowboard categories.  Each season, the line-up runs the gamut from pro, to sponsored, to unknown shredders “who just send it,” said Brian Coles, one of the event organizers and judges.

      The skiing takes place between Hairy Cliffs and Suckers Go Left, off CPR ridge, which has an insane amount of terrain features to choose from, ranging from 60-foot cliffs, to exposed snow ledges and billy-goat lines. One line is skied each day and the scores are combined for the final results.

      Logan Pehota and Julie Thomas took the top scores in skiing this year, and Claudia LaFlamme and Davis Fultz won in snowboarding.

      Logan Pehota Logan Pehota sends it in the Wrangle the Chute competition at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

      One of this year’s highlights and a testament to fun and unpredictable nature of the event, was a line skied by local Tim Collins. Collins billy-goated through an area where, in fact, misguided and stranded skiers had been airlifted off in past seasons.

      “Tim has barely been the hill at all this season, and goes sled-skiing all the time. He just showed up and skied this death-defying line. He potentially would have won – but he lost a ski in the middle. He put it back on, but he was out according to the rules,” Coles said.

      Ben Evely at Wrangle the ChuteBen Evely rides it out.
       
      The event has won acclaim among competitors.

      “It is a fun, light hearted comp, where pros and up-and-comers can get together and throw down. There is no start list, you just show up when you feel like dropping in,” said pro skier Zoya Lynch, who took third place last year in the women’s skiing. 

      Daryl Treadway, who has competed in traditional big mountain events as well as the Red Bull Cold Rush, concurred.

      “What sets Wrangle the Chute apart is the fun atmosphere surrounding the event – there is a lot of energy,” Treadway said.

      This year, per usual, all the competitors were stoked to see each other up the ante, and to cap it off, there was a 52-person dog-pile on the podium at the end, and competitor dance party at the finish.

      INFO: The event is capped at 50-60 competitors, and the resort accepts applications with a proven resume for consideration each season, and the competition continues to evolve. The jump has been eliminated due to new owners RCR (Resorts of the Canadian Rockies) no-jumps safety policy. Additionally, this year riding the bronc was the equivalent of crossing the ultimate finish line — to score, competitors had to ride it but were not scored on it.  Previously, bronc riding counted for one quarter of the score. 

      For information or to apply for next season’s event, contact events@kickinghorseresort.com

      Wrangle The Chute Results

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  • Revelstoke Rising Revelstoke Rising

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      The iconic and long-standing centers of skiing’s pro athlete and limit-pushing scene are a pretty static group. But when the local, one-lift ski hill in Revelstoke, British Columbia, was bought by the Gilardi family and reopened in 2007 with new lifts and a total of 5,620 feet of vertical, it was a game-changer in the ski world. 

      Just off the TransCanada highway on the west side of Rogers Pass, Revelstoke Mountain Resort has hit mainstream fame for massive amounts of snowfall, endless stashes of pillow lines, and huge side and backcountry. Ski mountaineers and guides have called it home for decades, but the freeskiing and pro athlete scene is just beginning to come into its own.

      Leah Evans In RevelstokeLeah Evans blasts through powder in Revelstoke, BC. Photo courtesy Leah Evans.

      Hosting a stop on the Freeskiing and Freeride World Tour for the last few years has helped put Revelstoke on the map for freeskiers. In addition to the inbounds opportunities, just up the road, Rogers Pass offers options in the direction the industry is trending – serious backcountry, big lines, ski mountaineering, and exploration for skiers and up and coming pros.

      “There is a core group of people there that have been here from the start,” said Leah Evans, a pro skier on the Rossignol and North Face teams. While hopping around BC three years ago, Evans picked Revelstoke over Whistler for the burgeoning scene and the potential for growth. “The terrain speaks for itself — since I’ve moved there I’ve been more into ski mountaineering and big terrain,” she said.

      Leah Evans In RevelstokeSlicing and dicing. Photo courtesy Leah Evans.

      The assets aren’t lost on the myriad pro skiers who have been converging on the mountain since its expansion. Lynsey Dyer, in town for a photo shoot recently, is one of many Revy coverts.

      “It's always deep when I make it up here. The locals are great, the mountain is all time — it’s gotten so popular in the few short years it’s been open,” she said.

      While people are calling Revy the new Whistler, locals are quick to point out some differences.

      Leah Evans In RevelstokeJust skiin' 'round Revy. No big deal. Photo courtesy Leah Evans.

      “There is less attitude, it is still small and an industry town, with a really good community of local pro skiers,” said Evans. “We’re all concentrated here and we are all really motivated. We are surrounded by an environment of people getting things done. … You see all the possibilities here instead of barriers.”

      “The girls I've had a chance to rip around with, like Leah Evans and Izzy Lynch, are huge inspirations to me.  They charge but they're also really great people — I feel honored to chase them around this huge mountain,” said Dyer.  The local pros, however, still highlight the many other factors they are proud of that affect Revelstoke’s increasing influence on the ski scene.

      “It is not even the pro scene that is so prominent,” said Lynch, who also rides for Rossignol and The North Face. “There are just so many badasses, there is a ton of traffic making this town a sustainable place to live, and so much energy and excitement. And there’s just so much snow.”

      Leah Evans In RevelstokeAbove the clouds and the hype. Photo courtesy Leah Evans.

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  • Interview: Marc Andre Bellivea Interview: Marc Andre Belliveau Talks EPs And Sit-Skis

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Marc Andre Belliveau

      Marc Andre Belliveau is making popcorn in Quebec’s Chic Choc Mountains, speaking to passers-by and juggling the phone at the same time.  It’s almost the end of the ski day, but he wasn’t out skiing. His sit-ski, he explains, is being repaired. 

      In the meantime, Belliveau has been keeping busy working, playing his guitar, writing music, and getting it done: He recently released a 5 song EP titled "Sideshow" that is now available on iTunes and Amazon.com. We caught up with him to chat, find out what he uses for inspiration, musical goals, and what he thinks of the new direction of sit-skiing.

      Teton Gravity Research: How long did you work on the songs on your new EP? 

      Marc Andre Belliveau: For the last four or five years I have been writing the songs for that album. I started recording these five songs for 2 or 3 months, in Quebec with my good friend, a guitarist.  I do still have about 10-15 more songs I want to record. I want to make a whole album.

      TGR: Where do you plan on taking your music?

      MAB: I am still working on signing with a record company, but I kind of like the way I am doing it myself now. But it is hard to reach people this way.  It is just like one friend telling another friend, and then they buy the songs.  So – I’d like some help with promotion, and so if I get a deal that’d be nice.

      TGR: What is the inspiration for the songs?

      MAB: Inspiration is pretty simple, it is just day to day. Sometimes I sing about my accident but not always. Sometimes I just throw some shit out there and see what happens.  My songs are pretty personal, I think people won’t be interested, but then I find they can relate. 

      TGR: What happened to your sit-ski?

      MAB: I tried to modify it, and it didn’t work.  So this year one of my friends, who is a good metal worker, modified it for me.  We put in a motocross shock and changed the whole suspension system.  I hope it is going to work!

      TGR: Sounds burly.

      MAB: Well, the last year I went shooting with TGR, I hurt myself.  I had a big tomahawk off a cliff. The sit-ski could not handle that much speed and bump, so that is why I have been modifying it. It is going to be back here this week, so I’m pretty excited.

      TGR: What do you think about Josh Dueck and the first ever backflip on a sit-ski?

      MAB: I’m pretty impressed by Josh Dueck. He came to visit me in the hospital when I got hurt; he was hurt one year before me. He was so good already on his sit-ski, and jumping the biggest jumps in the park. I’m not surprised — I’m so impressed. He’s definitely a big inspiration. I’d like to get to that level, but for now I’d just like to get back on a good machine.

      TGR: What else is going on? How’s the rest of life?

      MAB: Right now I’m working at the ChicChac [a hostel that provides snowmobile-skiing and catskiing] in eastern Canada, by the Chic Choc Mountains.  My brother — he is a forester here — talked to me about this place; I feel right at home here. There is a big freeskiing community, and I like the way people are promoting freeskiing here. I never would have thought I’d be stoked on here, but it’s really good. It doesn’t beat out West, but it is pretty legit.

      Watch a clip of Marc Andre in TGR's 2006 feature film Anomaly.

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  • 5 Sweet Valentine's Day Ski Re 5 Sweet Valentine's Day Ski Resort Deals

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Wedding on Skis
      Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day has arrived. And thanks to movies like "Hot Dog" to "Aspen Extreme," and even John Cusack flicks, romance on the hill is ingrained in the public consciousness. After all, ski bunnies and hot instructors in front of cozy fires looking for love is the norm at ski resorts, right?

      Maybe not, but it doesn’t mean you can’t try – or least get a sweet deal to get out on the slopes today. Amid the Valentine’s couple’s specials, there are some that anyone can participate in, like getting cheap ski tickets and ripping around with friends all day long. 

      Whatever your take on the day, it’s here, so we’ve rounded up a couple of promotions to help skiers take advantage of the day. You may just find yourself cuddling on that furry fireside rug.

      1.  Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, CA, are offering tickets bought online for the 14th  at a mere cost of $14. The best part? There’s no stipulation to buy more than one – so you can shred solo or not. Either way, there’ll be plenty of extra cash left over for apres in case you do find a new date on the hill.

      2. Snowbird, UT, presents the most interesting lift ride in North America this Valentine’s Day. The singles line at the Peruvian Express is offers commitment-free, speed-dating on the chair for skiers and snowboarders. This way, you can find out right away whether or not your prospective partner can keep up. But if you like them anyway, there’s an apres ski singles party at El Chanate in the Cliff Lodge. Best of all, lift tickets for the day are a discounted $40 for everyone.

      3. Sugarbush, VT is representing the East Coast love, with $14 all mountain lift tickets for all skiers and riders. Apres-ski will be hosted by Ballantine Ale, and if it goes really well, romantic dinner specials are to be had at the resort’s Timbers Restaurant.

      4. Hunter Mountain, just north of NYC, is offering ‘cheap date’ skiing on the 14th, with a $14 lift ticket after you buy a full-price $58 dollar pass. Sounds like as good a reason as any to skip work and go skiing with someone.

      5. This one can’t be left out — you get to ski for free — but you have to get married. Colorado’s Loveland Ski Area, taking pride in its name, hosts its 41st annual mass, on-mountain, wedding ceremony. Skiers can renew their vows or actually get married for the first time in a mountain-top ceremony. Just something to think about for the future, you know, in case your date goes well this year. 

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  • SheJumps Gets The Girls Out At SheJumps Gets The Girls Out At North American Ski Resorts

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      SheJumps Get The Girls Out

      From Alyeska, Alaska, to Whistler, B.C., and Squaw Valley, California, to Sugarbush, Vermont, last Saturday was all about the ladies as SheJumps held its inaugural international women's event “Get The Girls Out." The day was all about, well, just skiing around, and highlighted packs of women shredding at North America ski resorts.

      An informal, somewhat impromptu event at most ski areas, the goal was to help ramp up the SheJumps mission to build a bigger, more connected, and more prominent community of women on the snow. The enthusiastic showing of skiers and snowboarders getting together to shred was held at 20 different resorts around North America.

      Alta, Utah-based skier and executive director of SheJumps, Claire Smallwood, described the event as a “costumes encouraged but not required” theme, making for some noticeable on-hill groups.

      SheJumps Get The Girls Out

      Professional skier Lynsey Dyer, who co-founded the organization with journalist and pilot Vanessa Piece, was in Vail over the weekend for the event. Dyer led her group, along with big mountain competitor and pro skier Rebecca Selig, around the mountain to have fun…and check out some features. No pressure, of course, from the girl who has gone huge – just maybe a few examples.

      “We want mentorship on all levels of skiing,” Dyer said of the overall goal. “But we also want to make it more acceptable in a fun and safe environment to push yourself. Everybody stepped it up, and we went to hit a bunch of cliffs.  It’s been so rad,” Dyer said on Saturday.

      Well-dressed crews slayed powder at Alyeska, and hordes of comically pink and glittery skiers hit booters and high-speed, classic inbounds lines at Aspen, Snowbird, and beyond, with a goal of having fun for the day, but finding some serious ski partners at the same time.

      SheJumps Get The Girls Out

      “The reason I came out is because I ski with a lot of guys, and that’s ok, but I figured Get The Girls Out would be a great way to find some like minded girls who rip,” said Liza Sarytchev, a participant in the Jackson Hole event.

      The response was very positive, according to Smallwood.  Although the final numbers are not in yet, she estimated a couple hundred participants, and that each month it will be bigger.

      “We announced three or four resorts for Feb. 11, but then people at a bunch of areas contacted us and wanted to host one. Women were psyched to be a part of a national event — it’s a tangible thing that anybody can be a part of,” Smallwood said.  

      “What we’d like to see happen with this is to show what happens with a community movement, and the next step is to work in partnership with some of these resorts,” Smallwood said.  “At the end of day for SheJumps, its an opportunity to offer more programs and opportunity for any kind of marginalized demographic.”

      The organization is planning to continue with once a month Get The Girls Out events, which will translate over the summer into mountain biking and climbing days. Information on future dates and locations will posted on SheJumps.org.

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  • So Far, 2011-’12 Ski Season Ma So Far, 2011-’12 Ski Season Marked By Avalanches In The West

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      So far, the hallmark of the 2011-’12 ski season is the avalanche. Releasing large and small, snow slides have been ripping all over the intermountain west due to one of the most sensitive snowpacks experts have ever seen in the region. While some of the human-triggered slides have had tragic results — there have been 11 U.S. avalanche fatalities since November — some have resulted in no injuries. With more avalanche footage on the Internet than ever before, the debate on what, exactly, is proper behavior in the backcountry has reached an all-time high.

      Pucker Face Avalanche Jan. 2, 2012A slide rips down Pucker Face on Jan. 2, 2012, just outside the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boundary.

      The Teton Range has been host to two of the most explosive avalanche incidents — one outside of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Pucker Face, and another on Taylor Mountain on Teton Pass. A heated debate followed each, both on and off the Internet.  

      For people to get so angry at each other for triggering activity in a known unstable environment, potentially endangering others who have also chosen to put themselves in the same environment, what they may really be upset about is the awesome power and unpredictability of snow.  This reminder may be one of the most important lessons — and there are many — from these slides.

      When the entire Pucker Face slid into notoriety on Jan. 2, many people wondered what anyone would be doing on Pucker at that time. It’s a level of risk not many would be willing to assume.


       
      Travis McAlpine, the Jackson Hole snowboarder who cut the slope loose that day, maintains there was plenty of thought and deliberate action that morning.

      “I had no real intention of skiing Pucker that day,” McAlpine said. “We went up to check it out, we stayed up there for a while. We dug a pit. I had been throwing rocks on it, like 200 pounds of rocks.  [The skier] who dropped before us, ski cut it hard, and then skied it fast in about four turns.  We didn’t want to leave it like that, just a set of sucker tracks for everyone to follow.  So I decided to just do a cut, right up on the ridge, to see if I could get anything to go, and the whole thing went,” he said.  “I had no idea it would go so huge.  I’ve never moved that much snow in my life.”

      “What you can’t see in the footage is that the first ski cut was still there intact, in the hangfire,” McAlpine said, pointing out that trigger points can vary on any given slope.

      On Jan. 24 experienced backcountry skier and guide Greg Collins set off a massive, full-track avalanche on Mount Taylor that unleashed even more fury and judgment. The slide ran into Coal Creek, one of the biggest terrain traps on the pass. Despite being a terrain trap, the drainage is a popular exit for Taylor descents and for mellow runs off Mount Glory. No one was caught in the slide.

      Lisa VanSciver, a Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski patroller and guide at Jackson Hole Mountain Guides weighed in on the two incidents.

      “You can say those guys on Pucker were dumbasses, or the guy on Taylor was a jerk, but when people focus on that, they are missing the true point — that nature is so big, and so humbling.  Snow isn’t really a science.  There are just too many constantly changing factors,” Van Sciver said.

      While Collins has apologized and said that the size of the slide was far larger than he was expecting, that hasn’t dimmed the controversy.  

      It may not have happened in the way Collins would have liked, but the dialogue the slide opened has heightened awareness of personal risk, the risk of other skiers, and terrain traps in the backcountry.  

      Revelstoke-based ski mountaineer Greg Hill, who made news last year by skiing 2 million vertical feet in the backcountry, notes that a similar dilemma is being encountered in Canada, on Rogers Pass. There, much of the skiing is accessed through terrain traps that dwarf Coal Creek.

      “There are a few lines that I do not ski on Roger’s Pass now,” Hill said. “We could get away with it before, but now there may be people skiing out below. [Higher traffic] does change the way things should be approached, but regardless of the trigger, we should always travel through the mountains as if avalanches are going to tumble down at any given moment. So perhaps people have been getting a little too comfortable skiing through that terrain and this is a bit of a wake up call.”

      Yet skiers will continue to head out, despite the potentially severe consequences, and expose themselves to all the variables associated.

      VanSciver summed it up.

      “Shit happens,” Van Sciver said. “As a skier, I can’t point fingers. I don’t know anyone who has never made a bad decision.”

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  • Rocker@Squaw Bar Opens With Lo Rocker@Squaw Bar Opens With Lots Of Bros In Attendance

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Ski bars have never claimed to be tame, but Squaw Valley hopes its brand-new Rocker@Squaw may just be a one-week old legend in the making. Considering Squaw local JT Holmes and two other members of the Red Bull Air Force parachuted in to kick off the grand opening party on Friday night — well, it could be business as usual at Squaw. But since so many of the Squaw crew are a little nuts, no one really knows what that means.  So, we can just go with the assumption that Rocker will be setting a pretty high bar for post-shred debauchery.

      Rocker@SquawThe scene at Rocker@Squaw. Photo by Gary "Kiwi" Moore / Squaw Valley.

      The grand opening mayhem on Friday night saw many skiers from the community as well as Squaw’s ski celebrities in attendance. The bar was built as a celebration of the athletes that call Squaw home.  Huge posters and ski shots of the likes of Jonny Moseley, Shane McConkey, and Julia Mancuso, to name a few, adorn the walls.  Rocker is also going to be providing an avenue to support the Shane McConkey Foundation.

      Celebrity bartendersCelebrity bartenders Daron Rahlves, JT Holmes and Scott Gaffney. Photo by Gary "Kiwi" Moore / Squaw Valley.

      The foundation donates to philanthropic causes in Shane’s name and works to keep skiing ridiculous by holding events such as the Pain McSchlonkey Classic.

      “The name 'Rocker@Squaw' is itself is a tribute to Shane and the rocker technology for skis and snowboards that he helped to pioneer,” said Amelia Richardson, PR manager for Squaw Valley.

      But the point is not to be all about the official pros, Richmond said. In a techie new twist, anyone will be able to upload helmet cam footage right at the bar to Rocker’s iMacs. It’s a brave new world for the classic apres spraying session. So if you’re proclaiming your awesomeness, you might have to back that up with some footage, bro.

      JT Homes parachutes inJT Holmes parachutes in to his bartending gig. Photo by Gary "Kiwi" Moore / Squaw Valley.

      There’s the five pound, $50 GNAR burger and 38 beers on tap, but since it is a full-on apres-ski bar, it also has cocktails — with a purpose. For five extra dollars, imbibers get a commemorative Shane McConkey glass donated by Rocker and Red Bull.  One hundred percent of glass sales will be given to the Shane McConkey Foundation.

      “Squaw has been amazing — they miss Shane, too. It’s been a hard loss for everyone. He was such a legacy here,” Sherry McConkey said, when speaking on the decision by Squaw to partner with the foundation.

      The bar, which is owned by Squaw Valley, was originally slated to be named “McConkey’s” but the resort decided to expand the focus to all its athletes instead, Sherry said. Plans are also underway to partner with HighFives Foundation, a nonprofit that helps severely injured athletes, Richardson said.

      It isn’t often that a bar is kind enough to donate the proceeds from your headache to a good cause. So go ahead and get after it, after you get after it, on your next trip to Squaw. After all, as Sherry McConkey predicts, Rocker is going to be “insane.”

      Shane McConkey commemorative glassesShane McConkey commemorative glasses. Photo by Gary "Kiwi" Moore / Squaw Valley.

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  • News: Avalanche Transceiver Ch News: Avalanche Transceiver Checkpoints Gain Traction

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      The next time a rider slips through a backcountry access gate at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort without an avalanche transceiver, they won’t only experience the nagging feeling of being unprepared. Powder seekers unequipped with a transceiver will be staring down a red X on a device at the gate, thanks to a joint effort between Outer Local and Backcountry Access.

      Beacon Checkpoint at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
      A snowboarder exits the Lower Rock Springs backcountry gate at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The rider has a functioning beacon, as indicated by the green circle on the beacon checkpoint. Photo courtesy Outer Local. 

      BCA says it has placed over 100 avalanche beacon checkers at trailheads and gates around the ski world. The company says the main goal of the program is to re-iterate with a green light for the those who are prepared that their equipment is working, or warn them if no signal is detected. That is where the red X comes in — in the case of a shut-off, malfunctioning, or absent unit.

      The devices are part of the “Are You Beeping” campaign that BCA has been working on for about three years, BCA’s director of sales Steve Christie said. Beacon checkers only check for a signal, and do not prevent anyone from continuing on.

      The increasing popularity of backcountry skiing has led to increasing numbers of people heading out into avalanche terrain unprepared. Beacon checkers are yet another reminder that to go out with no beacon is to head out with no potential lifesaving equipment. After all, an avalanche beacon is just one piece of the puzzle in backcountry safety and survival, but when all else has gone wrong, it is the piece you will depend on for your life.

      BCA, along with the Jackson ski community, is excited about the development.

      “Jackson is an important area for our business because of the numbers of people skiing outside the resorts there. It is basically the hotbed of backcountry skiing in the US,” Christie said.  “We want to keep users safe by making sure their equipment is working properly, but in the worst case scenario — not having a beacon — it can help people be more aware of safety equipment.”

      PowMow/Lightning Ridge becon checkpoint in Utah
      A beacon checkpoint in Utah. Photo courtesy Utah Avalanche Center.

      Those experienced with beacons do occasionally forget to turn them on, as was the case with Christian Beckwith, founder of Outer Local and the force behind bringing the campaign to the Tetons. Last season, at the end of a big day in the Tetons and a technical descent of Teewinot, he realized — perhaps due to the predawn start — he never turned his beacon on during the outing.

      The campaign expansion has brought 12 BCA Beacon Checkers in the Tetons, devices situated at popular trailheads and at Grand Targhee and at JHMR backcountry gates. Beckwith said efforts are underway to place several more throughout the Tetons.

      “Anything we can do to help make the backcountry experience safer is a positive evolution,” Beckwith said. “And if this program helps save even one life, it will have been worthwhile.”

      It is worth noting that so far this season, across the western US, the snowpack has shown notable weaknesses and the continued high pressure does not bode well for good long-term stability or significant strengthening of the snowpack.  Many avalanche experts expect that with the next big snowfall, there may be a widespread avalanche cycle. These are the situations in which powder-starved riders get in trouble, by being too eager to get after it following weeks of mediocre snow conditions.  Knowledge about avalanche conditions, the proper gear and knowing how to use it is extremely important.

      BCA Avalanche safety gear

      From the car, to the gnar, to the bar — always pack your beacon, shovel and probe! Photo courtesy BCA.

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    • 2 years ago
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  • Interview: Going Big With Matt Interview: Going Big With Matt Annetts

    • From: brigidmander
    • Description:

      Matt Annetts

      Gas explosions aren’t your normal impetus for jumpstarting a pro snowboard career, but the beaten path doesn’t hold much interest for pro rider Matt Annetts in general. Charging the big mountain competition scene, Annetts has become a force to be reckoned with on the elite Europe-based Freeride World Tour, repping the USA-often as the sole American snowboard invitee for the last four years.  

      Hanging strong in the top three in 2011, Annetts’ season was cut short last March by a broken patella on the Sochi, Russia, stop of the tour. After some bone healing and a little jaunt to Argentina to test things out, he’s gearing up for the first stop of the 2012 tour in Chamonix, filming, and another season of pushing the limits. 

      Tetongravity.com caught up with Annetts at his home stomping grounds in Jackson, Wyoming, where he semi-reluctantly agreed to open up — but it is clear he’d rather let his riding do the speaking. 

      Teton Gravity Research: Big mountain competition is a tough game. You have filming and travel opportunities coming up as well — what keeps you going back?  

      Matt Annetts: I told myself I was done competing after a couple bad competitions, including losing my helmet while rag dolling down the Bec de Rosses [in Verbier, Switzerland]. It was not enjoyable pushing myself in mediocre conditions just for a little prize money.

      TGR: But? …

      MA: The retirement didn’t last long. The restaurant where I made my living had a gas leak, resulting in a little explosion, closing it for good. Running short on cash, I made the gamble to do The North Face Masters in Snowbird and try to win a little money. I ended up winning there, and competing has kind have been my thing since.  

      Now I actually enjoy the competitions. Competing on the FWT, there is a large window for the event day resulting in good snow most the time. There is no reason to stop if I am still having fun and doing well.   

      TGR: You’ve had some pretty impressive results besides your FWT finishes. As in, how did it feel to beat Travis Rice, Rob Kingwill and Ralph Backstrom all at once in The North Face comp two years ago? 

      MA: It always feels great to win a competition. It is pretty nice to say I beat Travis Rice, though. In my opinion, he is the best rider out there, but it worked out in my favor that he was having an off day. 

      TGR: Your chosen discipline of big mountain doesn’t have the visibility of park and pipe, especially in the US. Do you think that is changing?  

      MA: The comps are helping with visibility — in Europe mostly. I think that Travis Rice is helping push it here, and others. But it still seems the park is the place to be. I did that for a while but I’d much rather ride in powder. It is always more fun to be riding on a clean palette. And I am happy to film whenever the chance arises.

      TGR: You’ve been filming with Nuit de la Glisse — a major European action sports production company based in France. How did that come about? 

      MA: It was a dream come true to meet up with NDG. I was riding the backcountry in Argentina when I met Thierry Donard, the owner. He was skinning toward the peak that I was riding.  He happened to look up as I was on my way down. Through a mutual friend he found out who I was and asked me to start filming with him. That was in 2004, I think, and I have been in all their films since. 

      This year’s movie, I have a small part. Because of my injury last season, I missed a dream trip to Iceland. But, they were kind enough to send me to Argentina this summer to test out my knee and do some filming.

      TGR: What did you take away from your injury last year? 

      MA: I re-learned that I love snowboarding, and it sucks to be hurt. It is my passion and I am happy to be doing what I am doing. My only goal in snowboarding is to continue having fun.

    • Blog post
    • 2 years ago
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