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Andrew Whiteford Shreds Jackso Andrew Whiteford Shreds Jackson - Dub Tales Episode 1

From: line_skis
Description:

Shot in December, one of Andrew Whiteford's goals for this video was to show off the great conditions we had here in Jackson. It also shows a couple “firsts” for my ski year: first Saratoga lap (:13), First Tram (1:02), first Alta Chutes, (1:05), first pass lap (2:33), first tomahawk (3:23). Check it out.

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3 months ago
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Grand Targhee Resort to Open D Grand Targhee Resort to Open Dreamcatcher and Fred’s Mountain on Opening Day

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:

Alta, WY – Grand Targhee Resort will open for its 44th ski season on Friday, November 23 with top to bottom skiing on Fred’s Mountain and three out of five lifts running; Dreamcatcher, Shoshone and Papoose Magic Carpet, are scheduled to run conditions permitting. Lifts will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Grand Targhee has received over 73 inches of snow since the middle of October and additional lifts and terrain will open as soon as Grand Targhee receives additional snowfall and conditions allow.

Opening Weekend Ticket Pricing and Special benefitting the Teton Valley Food Bank:
Grand Targhee Resort will offer Adult lift tickets at $44 for opening weekend, Friday, November 23 through Sunday, November 25. Additionally, anyone wishing to donate two canned goods or non-perishable food items to the local Teton Valley Food Bank through the resort will receive $10 OFF their individual ticket purchase for opening weekend.

With the $10 OFF Teton Valley Food Bank donation tickets will be:
·         Adult and Senior tickets (13 & up) will be $34 for a full day
·         Junior tickets (6 – 12) will be $19 for a full day
·         Child tickets (5 & under) with paying adult will be FREE

Donations will be accepted at the Activities Center and at the Ticket Booth. The Teton Valley Food Bank will accept and needs the following items, through Grand Targhee Resort.

·         Canned foods
·         Pasta meals
·         Dried beans
·         Peanut butter
·         Chili/soups
·         Rice
·         Pasta

Season Pass Processing and Pick-up:
Season passes will be available for pick-up in the Activity Center, with the Activity Center opening at 8:00AM on Friday. All passholders will be receiving new passes this year. All passholders who have not previously picked-up their passes will need to go inside the Activity Center to get their pictures taken and passes processed. You will not be able to access the lifts or mountain without your new pass, make sure you stop-by the Activity Center to get your new pass.

Mountain & Nordic Operations:
The GTR Terrain Park will open with several features for all freeriders to get their jib on. Ski & Snowboard School, Mini-Moose Ski School and all retail and rental will operated on a normal schedule. Nordic track in Rick's Basin will open partially on Friday. Most of the track has good snow conditions but there will be some occasional thin spots. No classic track will be set, please check-in at the Activities Center or Ski & Snowboard School for the most up-to-date Nordic conditions and map.

Food &Beverage Operations:
Grand Targhee Resort restaurants will operate on the following schedule until further notice, all times are subject to change:
·         Snorkels                  7:00 am to 2:00 pm daily

·         Wild Bills                  11:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday, Sat. & Sun opening weekend then closed mid-week until Dec 13

·         Trap Bar                  11:00 am to 7:00 pm Sun – Thurs; 11:00 am to 8:30 pm Fri & Sat

·         Branding Iron          5:00 pm to 9:00 pm daily, Also, Open Thanksgiving Day from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

·         General Store          8:00 am to 5:30 pm daily

Lodging:
Grand Targhee lodging will be open as early as Thursday night for those ready to get a jump on first chair. Special lodging packages are available for Thanksgiving. Lodging reservations can be made by calling 800-827-4433 or on-line at GrandTarghee.com.

Targhee-Driggs Local Shuttle:
The Shuttle between Driggs and Grand Targhee will begin operations on Friday, November 23, for full shuttle schedule and rates visit GrandTarghee.com.

Additional Events for Opening Weekend:
Branding Iron Grill:
·         November 22 - Traditional Turkey Dinner. 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Reservations suggested.

Habitat:
·         The Black Friday sale at Habitat. We're turning Black Friday into the White Room Sale with the doors opening here at 7:00 am! Door prizes, Free wax all day with any purchase and get a Oakley or Smith goggle with any ski, board or boot purchase. Come on into the “White Room” this Black Friday and save!
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6 months ago
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En Route Cascadia En Route Cascadia

From: nimbusindependent
Description:

En Route Cascadia follows Andy Mahre, Bryce Phillips and Eric Pollard on a road trip through Washington's best ski resorts; Crystal Mountain, Alpental, Stevens Pass and White Pass.

Nimbus Independent was started in 2007 by Eric Pollard in collaboration with Pep Fujas, Andy Mahre, and Chris Benchetler. The four like minded skiers began Nimbus to bring a different perspective to skiing.

For more please subscribe on Vimeo and visit:

nimbusindependent.com/
facebook.com/nimbusindependent
7 months ago
Views: 30
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Sunny Trailer By Level 1 Produ Sunny Trailer By Level 1 Productions

From: media-75233
Description:

Available for pre-order in both DVD and BluRay formats with a free T-shirt from Under Armour. level1productions.com/shop/category/new-releases/

World Premiere scheduled for Saturday, September 8th in Denver, Colorado.

They say the lack of sunlight affects our mood - that the natural balance of the human mind state quickly shifts with presence of the giant solar fireball in the sky. But this isn’t about winter blues or summer depression. Sunny is a mental disposition, and not just one reserved for beaches and fun parks. Level 1 injected a positive mood into the ski season – giving a dose of light therapy to dark northern landscapes of Scandinavia, Alaska, Japan and British Columbia. So sit back and relax, put your shades on and soak up the rays - the future looks bright.

Featuring:
Parker White, Chris Logan, Mike Hornbeck, Tom Wallisch, Wiley Miller, Eric Pollard, Will Wesson, Torin Yater-Wallace, Tim McChesney, Ahmet Dadali, Alex Bellemare, Niklas Eriksson, Adam Delorme, Josh Bibby, LJ Strenio, Tanner Rainville, Logan Imlach, Spencer Milbocker, Sig Tveit, Lucas Stål-Madison
and Friends

Shot on Location in:
Sun Valley, ID - Portes Du Soleil, Switzerland - Flachauwinkl, Austria - Breckenridge, CO - Japan - Alaska - Denver, CO - British Columbia - Stevens Pass, WA - Crystal Mountain, WA 0 Mt Hood, OR - Arizona - Turkey - Finland - Sweden - Arctic Circle

Directed by Josh Berman and Kyle Decker
Produced by Josh Berman
Principal Cinematography By Josh Berman, Kyle Decker, Freedle Coty
Edited By Kyle Decker, Josh Berman, and Freedle Coty

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10 months ago
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A Quest For Powder With Eagle A Quest For Powder With Eagle Pass Heliskiing

From: shayjohnson
Description:

You've probably seen ski and snowboard films where the athletes get dropped off at the top of a mountain via helicopter and start their descents into a world of white fluffy powder engulfing them. But have you experienced it yourself? Felt your heartbeat race as the heli drops you off in swirling snow and leaves you at the top of a slope in the remote backcountry? It's a dream for many of us to have life changing powder turns but you don't have to be pro to make your dreams come true.

Just outside of Revelstoke, British Columbia, lies the Monashee Mountain range that collects an abundance of deep dry mountain snowfall perfect for any devoted skier or snowboarder. With over 270,000 acres of playground in the BC wilderness, Eagle Pass Heliskiing delivers a choice of runs that include open bowls, perfect trees and plenty of natural features from pillows to cliffs to the easiest rollers.

It's not a bad view to be in the middle of the BC wilderness with the Eagle Pass A-Star Helicopter coming in for a landing to take you to the next powder run. Photo by Shay Johnson.

Whether it's a half-day of four runs or a full-day with eight runs, the backcountry calls your name and a guide prepares you for the terrain you'll conquer. For safety and consistency, Eagle Pass Heliskiing supplies each guest with backcountry gear (beacon, shovel, probe) in a BCA Airbag Float 18 pack. A quick safety and equipment discussion starts the day before you even load the heli.

On the day we went out, Mother Nature teased us with stormy weather in the morning. Rather than calling it a day, the guides and pilots at Eagle Pass Heliskiing watched the weather and moved locations for the afternoon so we could make it on to the snow.

Nothing beats sitting in a helicopter wondering which line you'll be taking down the mountain. It's like being a kid in a candy shop, except we're adults with a field of powder and trees. Photo by Shay Johnson.

Each time the heli landed in the snow at the top of the run, there was a sigh of relief and the onslaught of excitement. The first runs were easy so you could get your powder feet back under you and the guide could see the skills of the guests. Gradually they built up to steeper and harder terrain. Since an avalanche warning was in effect, we stayed in the trees to get our powder turns. The guide Greg Franson, made sure to set the rules for staying safe, stay to the left, stay to the right, follow his line. A great guide is a communicator and a safe guest is someone who listens.

Lift off in the backcountry! Keep your hands close, your head tucked in and get ready for the wind rush! Photo by Shay Johnson.

"Having never been heli-skiing, I wasn't sure what to expect going out in the middle of a huge storm with a special avalanche warning issued for the weekend. Despite the conditions they were finally able to get us up into the mountains and get us down some fantastic burnouts, cutblocks and steep pillow lines," Calgary skier Josh Miller said. "Landing high up on a ridge we were able to scope out a fraction of the huge amount of terrain that awaits during times of higher stability — and after checking out the full size of their tenure it's safe to say I'll be back."

Luck was on the horizon for Josh Miller from Calgary. He was the winner of an Eagle Pass Heli-skiing trip for his first heli experience. Photo by Shay Johnson.

For many of us, it was the first time in a heli and a chance to really feed the addiction. The deep dry snow was no joke and the door to the white room was open the whole run down. It was difficult to keep your mouth closed when you couldn't stop laughing and smiling at the powder beneath each turn.

Beneath me was the Jones Hovercraft, a board designed by Jeremy Jones to ride the powder and deliver powder sprays with the slightest turn. It was effortless, it carved and it kept me afloat in some deep powder spots.

It's not very often the camera gets handed off on a powder day but Josh Miller sacrificed a couple turns to get a shot of Shay Johnson getting a powder slash in the backdrop of the burnt trees. Photo by Josh Miller.

There are those moments of skiing and snowboarding that change your life, some can be for the better and some can be for the worse. Hopefully we’ll continue to seek out powder days that end with the better, continue to laugh and smile at those powder moments and play like little kids in a field of powder.
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1 year ago
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Kootenay Mountain Culture - Si Kootenay Mountain Culture - Sidecountry Sessions Episode 4

From: outdoorresearch102344
Description:

When you find a place that’s good, stay there. The ski dream tells you that traveling from snowy destination to winter wonderland is the guaranteed way to find powder. Yes, you may see the world of ski areas and communities. Just make sure you’re there long enough to enjoy a few storm cycles. Once you’re out of the pattern it becomes more and more effortless to miss this storm or that one. For the tiny house and crew, driving away from Whitewater before a 70-centimeter cycle was our pattern mistake.

We may have not skied the best day in five years at Whitewater, but we did meet all the folks who would once we left. One of those folks was local patroller, Orry Grant, otherwise known as OG. A blonde hair, blue-eyed, hiking-machine, and unassuming bad-ass, Mr. Grant is without a doubt skiing powder at this very moment, regardless of what moment you are reading this. As a patroller and member of the avalanche control crew for Kootenay Pass, the Nelson native breathes ski-lifer.

Orry Grant embodies Kootenay mountain culture being born in Nelson, living in Revelstoke for years, and knowing the nooks and crannies of the best ski zones in the Koots. Coincidentally, one of our first impressions of the OG was in Kootenay Mountain Culture, a beautifully designed magazine that pays homage to the people, places, and centimeters that make BC a skier’s heaven. The Kootenays are a blessed place. For people like Orry Grant, that place is home.

Choosing Orry was really just another gift for the tiny house crew. We missed the major, epic storm, but we got to feel like we were helping make things happen for the Whitewater local. With a recent G3 sponsorship and a spot on the ambassador program for OR, Orry’s life just became that much more entrenched in the world of skiing. And for that, the skiing community should feel grateful.

A smile goes a long way. Orry’s kind demeanor and smiles (plus his assistance as a patroller) will undoubtedly keep many people out there skiing. It will definitely bring us back to Whitewater. That and the hopes of hitting the storm we missed.

Watch More Episodes Here.
1 year ago
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Winter Is Back: Things Get Dee Winter Is Back: Things Get Deep In The PNW

From: johnclarydavies
Description:

When it started snowing at Stevens Pass last Friday night, the first 15 inches came in at 5 percent. By Wednesday, 52 inches of snow had fallen on the ski area. Ski reports from Mount Hood Meadows to Mount Baker were white and deep. Twelve inches here, 31 inches there. Just like that, the winter faucet had been turned on.

Salomon skiers and Tahoe residents Elyse Saugstad and Amie Engerbretson made the trip to Stevens Pass to shoot with photographer Ian Coble.

“I’m out of my mind,” said Engerbretson. “It was full on blower pow over your head every single run. I haven’t skied that kind of light blower snow that often. It just kept snowing and snowing and snowing. ... It was nice to come up and be reminded that winter does exist.”

Tahoe resident Amie Engerbretson samples the Pacific North West powder at Stevens Pass. Photo by Ian Coble.

The storm came after weeks of high pressure throughout North America, with ski areas reeling from a decline in skier visits. Saugstad, who said the snow was waist deep, said this storm more than made up for fall-like conditions near her home.

“It’s been a rough year in Tahoe, but I don’t care,” said Saugstad. “Whenever you get a chance to ski this much snow, in general, it doesn’t matter if you‘ve been having it really good for a long time or not. It feels really good and awesome.”

While the initial Pacific Northwest storm tapered out, more snow is forecasted in the coming days throughout the west.

Stevens Pass Director of Marketing Chris Rudolph summed up the change in conditions.

“It’s gone from zero to hero in the matter of three days.”

The same storm wreaked havoc on Jackson Hole, dumping 37 inches of snow on the area to date. With up to 21 inches of snow forecasted to fall by Sunday, the skiing has finally gotten good. Below is a photo of TGR athlete Matt Philippi shralping the cowboy powder.

Matt Philippi coming up for air. Photo by Max Santeusanio .
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1 year ago
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Danny Davis, Elena Hight Ride Danny Davis, Elena Hight Ride Northstar California’s Superpipe

From: sethlightcap
Description:

At this point most Lake Tahoe skiers would trade their pinky finger for a pow turn or two but that hasn’t stopped locals from getting their shred on where they can. Tahoe skiers with their face on a Northstar or Heavenly pass have had the best opportunity to get rad as these two Vail Resorts-owned ski areas have by far the best collection of man-made runs open.

The 500-foot long Shaun White Signature Superpipe at Northstar. Photo by Seth Lightcap.

Northstar upped the snowmaking ante even further on Dec. 31 when they debuted not only the first halfpipe in Tahoe this winter, but the first 22-foot Superpipe in Tahoe history that will remain open to the public. Squaw opened a 22-footer to the public last spring for a hot minute, before shutting it down to let Red Bull skier Simon Dumont chop it up into his ‘cubed’ pipe.

The 500-foot long Shaun White Signature Superpipe at Northstar is the product of 700 hours of design and build work by the terrain park wizards at Snow Park Technologies and Northstar. It was built in a new halfpipe location for Northstar on the Cat’s Face trail accessed by the Vista Express chair. The out-of-the-way run on the far east side of the resort is ideal for it’s honorary designer, Shaun White, to hold private training sessions. White is spearheading the project thanks to a landmark deal he signed with Vail Resorts last summer that made Northstar his home mountain and primary training ground.

Two-time U.S. Olympian Elena Hight blasts a mean method at Northstar. Photo By Seth Lightcap.

While White has yet to come to Tahoe to ride his namesake superpipe, many other top halfpipe riders have. Heavyweight snowboarders such as Danny Davis, Hannah Teter and Elena Hight all trained in the pipe in it’s opening weeks.

“It was a tough job as we haven’t had any snow, so all the snow is super processed, but they did a really good job making this thing perfect,” said Davis about Northstar’s Superpipe. “It’s a damn good pipe.”

Hight echoed Davis’ thoughts on the new 22 foot walls.

“This is one of the best pipes I’ve ridden all year,” said Hight after a three hour non-stop session at Northstar. “Even despite the lack of snow, SPT and Northstar really pulled it together and came out with a good pipe.”

Northstar is no doubt pleased with the terrain feature, too, but there is room for improvement according to Northstar’s Terrain Park Manager Mike Schpani.

“Right now the pipe is sitting at just over 500 feet long,” said Schpani. “When we get a little natural snow we hope to increase the length by about 30-40 feet.”

Visiting and local skiers looking to slingshot out of Shaun’s superpipe should know that the pipe is open at 11 a.m. every day with the exception of days it’s closed for private training. If you do make it out for a superpipe sesh at Northstar, don’t forget to bring your helmet and sharpen your edges. The man-made walls are plenty fun and definitely rippable, but the fake snow is hard and unforgiving on all but the hottest wind-less January day. That all might change third week of January though, Tahoe is finally forecasted to get some snow.

For more info on Northstar’s Superpipe and temporary terrain feature closures check out the Northstar Terrain Park Report.

Yet another towering method by Tahoe loc Elena Hight. Watch out for Hight competing in the women’s superpipe competition at Winter X 2012. Photo by Seth Lightcap.
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1 year ago
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News: US Ski Mountaineering Na News: US Ski Mountaineering National Championship Saturday At JHMR

From: media-75233
Description:

The US Ski Mountaineering National Championship Race starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This year, the course has been altered slightly and racers will not bootpack up Corbet's Couloir, as they have in the past. Never the less, this is still a full-on spandex sufferfest on ice. Check out the course map and the course description below.

RACE COURSE

The start will be in front of the events tent, which is located just uphill from the tram dock. Racers will skin over the skier bridge, up Gros Ventre run, which is groomed. Follow GV up to South Pass Traverse (about 1400’), go left on the cat track, follow it through the “Z” turns, pass the bottom of Thunder Lift and continue to the bottom of Sublette Lift. Keep skinning straight ahead up Rendezvous trail, keeping on climber’s right. This is also groomed. Where Rendezvous trail goes left and gets steep, racers will continue straight ahead into Cheyenne Bowl. From there, the skin track will be off-piste, heading right and up Bird-in-the-Hand (or liquor cabinet) to a transition just below Laramie Traverse.

Racers will pull skins and ski down Flip Point, staying far skier’s right (there is a large rock outcropping to the left and racers must keep it on their left, staying off the groomed run of Laramie Bowl). Continue down the ungroomed section of Laramie Bowl until you pass the panel gates near the bottom of Alta 1 chute. From here you can get on the groomed run and ski almost to the bottom of Sublette Lift. Look for a transition on the left side of the run at the base of Grand Woods.

Put skins back on for an off-piste skin up Grand Woods until you see a cat track directly above. This is Grand Traverse and racers will take the switchback up and across the top of Grand run to a transition on Grand Traverse directly above the entrance to Tower 3 chute (which is closed). Pull skins here.

Ski down Grand Traverse about 100’ to the entrance to Paintbrush. Look for a course marshal here to direct you into the run as the entrance is quite rocky. Be wary of rocks but the skiing is quite good. As Paintbrush flattens out, racers will head right into Toilet Bowl. This entrance is a bit tricky, so, again, look for a marshal to direct you. Do not go left out onto Rag Run. Ski Toilet Bowl down to where it meets Amphitheater. Ski almost directly across the groomed Amphitheater run to a transition on skier’s left at the top of Dude’s Ditch. This is a deep ditch that is separated from Amphitheater by a rope. Put skins back on here.

Skin up climber’s right of Amphitheater until you get to a cat track. Follow this cat track to the right (called Lupine), through a couple switchbacks , to the building at the top of the Gondola. Skin around the building, keeping it to your right, until you are near the back. (There is an aid station here. This is also where the 11am time cut-off will be enforced) This is where the bootpack up the White Spider starts. Boot straight up through the trees, then follow the rope line to the top of the Headwall. There is a building there called the Jailhouse. Here it is “racer’s choice” as to the fastest way across the Headwall. You can boot, ski or skin to the large rock outcropping at the top of Pepi’s Bench bootpack. If you haven’t already, pull skins here and ski down Shot 10 (also called Coombs). Be careful on the entrance as the snow may be thin on the initial rollover. Ski down Shot 10 and traverse right across the bench, through the trees and out into the Cirque. Do not descend too far into the Cirque. Look for the panel gates indicating a transition. Put skins on.

Skin up and out of the Cirque, past the bottom of Pepi’s Bench bootpack. Follow the skier track and when it opens up, keep climber’s right as you climb up into Tensleep Bowl. Skin up into Tensleep (with Corbet’s Couloir looming directly above) and follow pin flags to the left, making a climbing traverse around the base of East Ridge. Skin along the summer road, under Sublette Lift (slight descent) then climb up toward Hanging Rock run. Skin across Hanging Rock, being careful to look for skiers descending from Sublette Lift. Transition to a boot pack after crossing the run and boot up climber’s right of Rendezvous Bowl, keeping East Ridge to your right. Skins will come back on to take you to the top of Rendezvous Peak. Pull skins in front of Corbet’s Cabin.

Ski down and right into Rendezvous Bowl. When it flattens and traffic is coming from your left, go straight to Central Chute. Do not go down groomed Rendezvous Trail. Central Chute pops you out onto a bench, traverse left about 50’ and ski down the second part of Central Chute down into Cheyenne Bowl. Ski down and out of Cheyenne Bowl onto Rendezvous Trail, which will flatten and become a wide cat track. When it rolls steeper, just before the base of Sublette Lift, go hard right onto Lower Sublette Ridge. There will be a marshal and fencing directing you where to go. Ski down, staying mainly on the ridge, or slightly right, all the way down to the bottom cat track. Go left here. Keep straight when skier traffic turns right to the base of Union Pass Lift. Just before the trail starts to climb, there is a transition to put skins on.

Skin up North Colter Ridge, following pin flags, to South Pass Traverse. Pull skins for the last time on the cat track. The marshal will direct you down Lander Bowl, angling left to meet up with Tram Line. Once in the gut of Tram Line, follow it down. It will open up onto a groomed run. Look for merging traffic from both directions as several runs join together. Follow the course marshal’s directions and signs to the base of the tram across the skier bridge to the finish in front of the events tent.

Rec. Course

In short, the rec. course has the same first climb up into Cheyenne Bowl. When the pro course goes up Bird-in-the-Hand, rec. racers will pull skins and ski down Cheyenne Bowl, merge with Rendezvous Trail and make the hard right onto Sublette Ridge. Ski the same descent as the pros down Sublette Ridge to Union Pass Traverse. Stay left and straight until at the base of North Colter Ridge. Skins on to climb North Colter to South Pass. Pull skins to descend Lander Bowl into Tram Line down to the finish at the events tent.

Want to race? You can sign up at jacksonrandoneerace.blogspot.com. However, you must register by the end of today.

Here are some important times:

7:00am:: Event tent is open, there is no day-of registration
7:00am - 7:30am :: Gear check. You MUST have a gear check before you will be allowed
on the start line. Gear check is in the event tent.
7:45am :: Begin to move toward the start line. Start line is in front of the Event Tent.
7:55am :: You must be at the start. First row will be seeded, remaining rows are self-seed.
8:00am :: Start time. The race MUST start at 8:00am SHARP. If you are not on the line and
ready, we will start without you. This is NOT a Le Mans start. You will start in your skis. In
the event that the start is delayed due to avalanche control, an announcement will be
made in the start area.
1:30pm :: Awards ceremony and raffle. You must be present to win a prize.
2:00pm-ish :: Beer and pizza
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1 year ago
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Video: Nimbus Independent Sess Video: Nimbus Independent Sessions Cascadia

From: media-75233
Description:

November 7, 2011

In this episode of Nimbus Independent's "En Route" web series Andy Mahre, Bryce Phillips and Eric Pollard hit up Crystal Mountain, Alpental, Stevens Pass and White Pass ski areas in March and April 2011. They shred to some classic 80s tunes like "Young Turks" by Rod Stewart, "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac, and two songs by Hall and Oats: "Out Of Touch" and "You Make My Dreams."

Watch Nimbus' last episode "En Route Alaska" here.
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2 years ago
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Review: The Top 5 Ski-Bum Cock Review: The Top 5 Ski-Bum Cocktails Of Argentina

From: media-75233
Description:

September 2, 2011

Tetongravity.com contributor Ryan Dunfee is in Argentina skiing, making cool video edits by day and cocktailing by night. Dunfee checks in with us often, and he recently wrote this ski-bum guide to boozing on the cheap in Argentina. Although we can't join him in celebrating this Labor Day Weekend, we'll be there in spirit, cracking PBRs on Monday while we tube the Snake River one last time. So pour yourself the cheapest glass of Malbec you can find, sit back and learn about Argentina's low-ball libations through the eyes of a global ski bum. Have a great long weekend.

YoBeat's Brooke Geery enjoys Argentina's answer to PBR: Quilmes.

Quilmes:  The workhorse of the ski-bum drinking stable, Quilmes owns 75 percent of the beer market share within Argentina. Visit any supermarket and the majority of what you’ll see in the beer section is Quilmes blue, silver and white one-liter bottles. While Quilmes has about as much taste as a Natural Light infused with Milwakee’s Best, the price is right: supermarket liters go for 6 to 7 pesos, and if you hold onto your receipt, you can return the bottle and get 4 pesos back, meaning you spend about .50 cents for a liter. In terms of affordability, this is South America’s answer to the ski-bum Cup-O-Soup.

Never Summer rider Tony Pavlantos waits out the rain with Malbec.

Malbec:  With almost no refrigerators in the entire country other than a snowbank, stocking your room full of room-temperature Quilmes might not compliment your hostel digs so well. However, wine is in overwhelming supply in Argentina. With vineyards surrounding Mendoza that pump out amazing Malbecs, don’t be surprised to pick up a good bottle of 2009 to 2010 vintage for under $4. For true bums, scan the aisle until you pass the Malbecs and Cavernets and find yourself staring at the vino tintos, or simply, “red wine.” With a half-water, half-wine consistency, it will give you a gnarly headache but gets the job done, no questions asked.

Bariloche freeskiing legend Chimango Martinez, club Mute manager Lucho Scarpinelli and SGT Argentina Head Guide Skylar Holgate get ready to drown the Argentine signature apres cocktail: Feret y coca.

Fernet y Coca:  The signature beverage of Argentina is a bitter spirit made from a number of herbs and spices including myrrh, rhubarb, aloe and saffron, and to add to the legend, is rumored to include codeine, mushrooms, fermented beets and coca leaf. With the natural taste of Fernet Branca, the signature brand, resembling black-licorice flavored Listerine, taking Fernet straight is so gnarly that it’s almost a ski-bum faux pas. Instead, Argentines will mix 70 percent coke in with only 30 percent fernet. Drunk, sweaty gringos returning from the hill will make obnoxious requests for a mitad y mitad — a half and half. Skylar Holgate, Head Guide for SGT Argentina, claims it doesn’t give you a headache. That statement is still up for debate. “Asado, mate, and Fernet,” said our hotel receptionist Manu Terrado. “That’s what all Argentines love.”

When your ski legs are crashing but the women are still dancing around you, it's time to reach for the artillery of the Argentine ski bum cocktail world: whiskey and Speed.

Whiskey con Speed:  The most violent and invigorating of all South American ski cocktails, a “whiskey con speed” comes in to play only in that 2 a.m. period of desperation when your ski legs and lack of sleep attempt to keep you from clubbing non-stop till dawn — again — among a bevy of Argentine beauties flocking around you. Combining the devastating effects of whiskey with hours of relentless aerobic activity with strobelights flashing in your face would destroy anyone. Now combine that with Speed Unlimited, Argentina’s toxic answer to Red Bull.

Proposals are already on board in a few states to ban the sale of Speed Unlimited due to its inordinately caffeine- and taurine-heavy chemistry. This is in Argentina, a country that could never be cited for its spearheading efforts in public health. So, you know this shit works.

“I don’t like Speed at all — it makes your heart go faster,” said Bariloche bartender Lucia Hertz. “But it tastes good.”

When it’s time to really get in the club game, there is no need to look elsewhere. Just be warned that with more than one of these down the gullet, you’ll be sitting in your bed, sleepless, heart pounding, soaking your mattress with cold sweats while coughing through your new-found cigarette throat.

— Ryan Dunfee
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2 years ago
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News: Loveland Ski Area Fires News: Loveland Ski Area Fires Up Snow Guns

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September 1, 2011

Sure, they might be blowing rain at the moment, but in a month Colorado's Loveland Ski Area will go from making double rainbows to creating a slick, white ribbon of death to kick off the 2011-12 season. Located 53 miles west of Denver at above 10,000 feet, Loveland is typically one of the first ski areas in the country to open with a strip of snow for skiers to slide on. Arapahoe Basin, located just over Loveland Pass, also opens earlier than most other ski resorts with one or two runs. A-Basin had a long 2010-11 season and closed just eight weeks ago on July 4. If these ski areas open in October, that makes for near year-round resort skiing. Here's to another mind-blowing winter.

The "double rainbow" video of skiing. The quality!:

A triple chairlift all the way. What does it mean?:
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2 years ago
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News: Northstar at Tahoe Shaun News: Northstar at Tahoe Shaun White's New Home Mountain

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Two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder and "Friends With Benefits" actor Shaun White has partnered with Vail Resorts, Inc. This winter, White will represent all six of Vail Resorts' ski areas including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar at Tahoe. The Rollingstone Magazine cover star will call Northstar at Tahoe his home mountain — something the resort promotes directly in its name on its website: "Northstar at Tahoe: Shaun White's New Home Mountain." Read an excerpt from the press release below.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Aug. 16, 2011 – Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced a worldwide multi-year partnership agreement with two-time Olympic gold medalist, professional snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White. White will represent all six of Vail Resorts' world-class mountain resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado and Heavenly and Northstar in California/Nevada), and Northstar at Lake Tahoe will become his home mountain and primary training resort, where he will also design his own 22-foot halfpipe for aspiring snowboarders to enjoy.

As part of the launch of the new relationship, Vail Resorts will donate $5 for each Epic Season Pass sold to White's chosen charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In addition, White will be designing a limited editiion Epic Season Pass, which will be available to Epic Season Pass holders this fall through a Facebook promotion.

"Shaun White is the ultimate personification of the new energy and vibrancy we see across the mountain resort industry. Shaun's creativity and innovation has led the way for the self-expression we see in the halfpipes and terrain parks at all six of our resorts. Shaun embodies the same leadership we aspire to at Vail Resorts, as we constantly look for ways to improve and re-invent the guest experience," said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "We are excited to partner with Shaun and are thrilled to start our collaboration with a promotion that allows us to celebrate his creativity and commitment to give back to those in need."

"This feels like a homecoming because I have spent so much time riding at most of Vail Resorts' mountains," said White. "With Northstar as my home mountain, I now have the ideal place to train and continue to grow as an athlete and I am looking forward to all the possibilities this partnership brings."

Click here to read the entire press release.
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2 years ago
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Cat Skiing Near Whistler Cat Skiing Near Whistler

From: ozzybattla
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Pre-cursor: I was amazed to find nothing on TGR about this cat skiing location, so I thought I would fill people in…

Everyone knows of Whistler. The place is a mecca for skiing and snowboarding during the canadian winter and the last couple of winters (including the Olympics), has added to the stature—it has been fantastic up here! Obviously with a tourism destination such as Whis. come all of the operations in and around the town. It is also obvious that with a town of this nature it will have many positive, and negative attributes—one of the biggest negatives is the shear amount of people and the rush for fresh tracks, while the positive is that there is just so much terrain to ride!

After 8 years snowboarding on Whistler & Blackcomb it has become somewhat difficult to motivate to get up there at times nowadays. Thankfully there are cat skiing operations of amazing quality around the area, of which generally receive more snow than the resort when the white gold flies! This is especially true if you head 1 hr north, just to the other side of Pemberton to the base of the Hurley—a sledding and backckountry skiing haven with so much terrain it's just insane (images and video filmed in the 'Whislter Backcountry' are often in this area and nearby). Up on the top of the Hurley Pass is a cat skiing operation called Backcountry Snowcats and for the last two winters we have saved our money for 2 and 3 day trips to this winter wonderland, rather than purchasing seasons passes for Whistler Blackcomb—perhaps we are crazy, but for us, less is more and quality beats out quantity of days skied.

The terrain at Backcountry Snowcats varies greatly and really has something for everyone, big, open, alpine bowls, steep tree skiing, mellow tree skiing, cliff lines, pillow lines, you name it, you can probably find it here. In fact, on our first trip to Snowcats big mountain snowboarder, Johnavon Moore, was there shooting with Arc'teryx and hit one of the craziest, pillow/cliff lines I have seen hit—just awesome! Our favourite days involved warming up on some big open bowls in the morning, ripping faceshots, slashing lips and popping of things all the way down then moving into the trees and getting on the hunt! Pillows, drops, tight lines into open sections just waiting to have a slash layed into, it's so good! The snow has been amazing on both occasions—light enough on top to flare up at the slightest hint of movement across it's surface and firm enough deeper down to prevent hitting any of the potential boney underlayers. It is confidence inspiring!

The Snowcats location is perfect. Far enough out of Whistler to prevent the ability of day trips, meaning that you have to commit, but once you do it is more than worth it! You really are out in the mountains with nothing but surrounding you, and only you and 12 of your friends (max), or new friends if you didn't fill the cat there for good times!

I really can't say enough how good the place is and highly recommend anyone that are looking into cat skiing consider hitting the Hurley Pass with the clan from Backcountry Snowcats! They have some great videos on their site that help me to relive the great times there and get me itching for more! All the boarders out there should check out this 'Tracking Eero' episode, which a lot of was shot at Snowcats, it's sick! Also take a look at one of my favourites below, really shows the good times!
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2 years ago
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Video: Approach - Nimbus Indep Video: Approach - Nimbus Independent's Approach Season 4

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En Route Approach follows Chris Benchetler, Andy Mahre, Blake Nyman Eric Pollard and friends on four separate trips. The crew documents life at 12,000 feet for three days in Colorado, a couple weeks of ski touring and european culture in Austria and Italy, and skiing at their home areas where they grew up in Utah, White Pass and Mammoth.
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2 years ago
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News: Shames Mountain Ski Area News: Shames Mountain Ski Area, Canada’s First Non-Profit Community Ski Co-Operative

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by Tania Millen

Imagine a town where you can buy a nice house for $200K then turn around and buy yourself a ski hill for $1.3 Million. Think it doesn’t exist? Think again. Terrace, BC, Canada has some of the cheapest homes in the province, and Shames Mountain Ski Area, located only 30 minutes west of town, is on the market for $1.3 M.

A steal? You bet. Especially considering this hill has the highest annual snowfall of any lift serviced Ski Area in North America. North America! Think it gets skied out? Nope, not with that much snow and season pass sales averaging 1,000 per year. Plus, the hill only covers 7% of the skiable area, so the backcountry is huge. It has a great bunch of bowls, chutes and tree runs, multi-day routes and a cabin just over the range. The best part? The backcountry is right off the T Bar.

Don’t have $1.3 M, but wanna buy the hill? You can. For $299, you can join Canada’s first non-profit community ski co-operative, My Mountain Co-op. A group of Terrace-based professionals and ski enthusiast have spent the last 2 years conducting feasibility studies and figuring out the best business model to purchase the hill. The Co-op is the result.

What’s a Co-op? Each member gets one vote, input on how the hill runs, member-priced season passes and more. A business plan including terrain expansion and development of on-hill cabins is ready to roll, but it’s Co-op members (you and me!) who will decide what happens. Your lifetime membership fee has no strings attached. There are no bills to pay, but no dividends either. It’s non-profit after all.

Here’s the deal. The Co-op has to raise $2 Million by April 30, 2011 to make an offer to the current owners. $2 Million includes the purchase price, necessary upgrades to the lodge and lifts, 5 years of planned capital improvements, plus some ‘cushion’. So if you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own Ski Area that’s blessed with some of the best white stuff on the planet, now you can. How many people do you know who own a ski hill?

Join at http://www.mymountaincoop.ca
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2 years ago
Views: 2655
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