277 Search Results for "further"

• Laying Down Lines and Saving L Laying Down Lines and Saving Lives in Cooke City

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:
    Words by Michael Sudmeier
    Images by Sam Pope
    
    
    Some things in life are subject to change. And this is especially true for those who spend time in the backcountry. While recently filming near Cooke City, Montana for Way of Life, TGR athletes and filmers had to continually adapt to new challenges—including saving a man’s life. The plans for the trip had been simple enough—film some late spring ski descents at the end of April. The start of the trip, however, was filled with pow days, cold temperatures, and assisting with a rescue.
    
    
    
    Before heading into the backcountry, the crew convened in Cooke City and geared up for the trip.
    
    
    “I thought it was going to be mainly mountaineering missions—skiing couloirs and things like that,” explained Todd Ligare. He was joined by TGR athletes John Spriggs and Griffin Post, as well as a production and support team that included Dan Gibeau, Sam Pope, Hennie van Jaarsveld, Corey Seeman, and Steve Popovich. Despite anticipating spring conditions, “It felt like a mid-winter trip in late April, which was awesome,” offered Spriggs. He and the group named the project Nightmare Camp—a play on TGR’s Fantasy Camp, which had wrapped up a few weeks prior in Alaska.
    
    
    After members of the crew skied a few lines on their first day, a snowmobiler approached them, searching for assistance and a means to contact rescue and medical personnel. “You could tell he was dealing with a heavy situation, but he seemed calm and was dealing with it appropriately,” explained Ligare. “He basically asked if we had a way to contact help.”
    
    
    The man’s friend had stopped breathing after his vest became tangled in his sled. “Basically, the [patient] had a protective vest on, and he was hill climbing,” explained Post. “Through an unfortunate series of events, his handlebars went through his protective vest and hung him.” The man had rushed to aid his friend, but his response time was delayed due to the steep slope on which the injured snowmobiler was perched. Initially, the snowmobiler was not breathing. Once freed from his sled, however, he resumed breathing but remained unconscious.
    
    
    
    Whether exploring new zones or assisting with a rescue, the group relied heavily on its sleds.
    
    
    Tapping into rescue and medical training they receive at the start of each season, the crew from TGR sprung into action. Ligare sought out the crew’s satellite phone and medical equipment while Pope traveled to the injured sledder. Once at site of the incident, Pope and a snowboarder who was also in the area provided initial care for the patient. According to Pope, they “created a flat spot for [the patient], cleared his airway, stabilized his head, and put some layers under and on him to provide insulation from the snow.”
    
    
    After retrieving the group’s satellite phone, Ligare—now joined by Post—sought out higher ground in order to contact Park County Search and Rescue. Post remained in contact with rescuers while Ligare, Gibeau, and Spriggs brought the group’s medical kit and sked, a collapsible rescue stretcher, to the scene. The group helped Pope further stabilize the patient and initiated a high angle rescue to lower him down the slope. They also took turns traveling to Post, relaying updates to rescuers. Seeman, who had been in town servicing a snowmobile, led rescue personnel Ben Zavora and Jan Gaertner, President of the Cooke City EMS, to the patient.
    
    
    By the time Gaertner and Zavora arrived, the team had not only lowered the patient down the slope, but also prepared a landing zone for a helicopter. Gaertner and the team provided additional care and readied the patient for transport. “We packaged him, got him on some oxygen, and cleared his airway,” she explained. “I also put an AED on him [in the event his heart stopped]. He had quit breathing twice.” Fortunately, the weather briefly cooperated with rescuers. “We got there and the sky opened up and the sun came out. We got a helicopter in and when the helicopter left, the clouds came over and it started snowing again,” explained Gaertner.
    
    
    “I’ll tell you what, it was not his time to die,” offered Gaertner. She credits the team from TGR with ensuring this was the case. “The guys did an awesome job,” she explained. “They were so excited to use their skills and equipment. I would work with those guys any day.”
    
    
    
    In a letter to TGR, Jan Gaertner—President of the Cooke City EMS—thanked the crew for its assistance.
    
    
    For the team, the incident provided an opportunity to put into practice the skills they had cultivated through TGR’s annual safety summit, the International Pro Riders Workshop (IPRW). Although the curriculum is continually evolving, IPRW aims to help attendees successfully negotiate the challenges inevitable in backcountry travel. The course typically addresses assessing avalanche terrain, initiating first aid in a wilderness context, and leading rescue efforts.
    
    
    According to Cofounder Todd Jones, TGR developed its IPRW program because “we recognized that we’re out in a really dangerous and inhospitable environment that demands high levels of training and expertise. That training can make the difference between a fairly standard rescue and a really bad situation.”
    
    
    
    IPRW ensures TGR's team is prepared for backcountry emergencies.  Luckily, no emergencies resulted from the crew killing this line.
    
    
    The rescue in Cooke City served as a testament to the training’s success. In a thank you letter to TGR, Gaertner wrote, “Your skiers were the first responders on the scene, and because of their training and communications [they] saved this man’s life.” According to Spriggs, the high angle rescue that the team performed was “exactly what we learned at IPRW.” Gaertner noted that the team was especially successful in executing the skills it had developed at the workshop. “It’s one thing to get the training,” she explained. “It’s another thing to be able to act on it—and all those guys were able to act calmly and efficiently and do what they were taught to do.”
    
    
    During its time in the Cooke City area, the TGR crew checked in with Gaertner to receive updates on the patient’s status. After several days in a coma, the man was released from the hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery. This, according to Ligare, “is a miracle—or at least not typical.” After all, the man had stopped breathing twice throughout the incident.
    
    
    The rescue with which the team assisted provided an unusual prelude to the trip—and the adventures only continued. At the start of their filming, “it snowed two feet so we just skied pow for days,” revealed Post. “It was unseasonably cold for the first four days and we had some of the best snow of the year.” 
    
    
    For the ten day trip, the crew established a base camp from which they began sledding and touring each morning. “We basically had a little village out in the woods and camped there and didn’t come back to town,” explained Post. “We were really much more immersed in the mountains than trips where you just go out for the day.” 
    
    
    
    The crew was better at skiing than cooking, as evidenced by its reliance on precooked dinners.
    
    
    Although the group had a large dome tent, plenty of food, and a propane stove and heater, being immersed in the mountains was not especially luxurious. Temperatures one evening hovered near twenty below. For dinner, the crew had “two different options of precooked meals that we would heat up: Mexican or Thai. The big joke every night was ‘what do you guys want for dinner?’” explained Pope. As the days progressed, the crew also established a second camp from which it could access more remote zones.
    
    
    
    There's nothing like the smell of a campfire--especially one accompanied by the smell of wet socks and boots.
    
    
    According to the team, its base camp provided quick access to terrain but was not without its challenges. “The camping adds a whole new layer of logistics to deal with—drying clothes, charging batteries, and dumping footage,” Pope explained. The group’s proximity to its target terrain helped fuel the intensity of the experience. “The trip was probably the most full throttle trip I have ever been on,” revealed Post. “We were just so busy—we would get up at six pretty much every morning, put our ski boots on by seven-thirty or eight, and we’d pretty much be skiing and in our ski boots until eight at night.”
    
    
    As the temperatures warmed up towards the end of the trip, the crew was also able to ski several couloirs. After being shut down on one couloir due to rapidly softening snow and wet slides, the team was able to ski the couloir on its final day. “The snow conditions were super variable,” revealed Pope. “But to me, that’s the impressive thing about professional skiers—they make it look easy no matter what the conditions.” But this should come as no surprise. After all, they can even make saving a life look easy.
    
    
    
    The crew kicked back in Cooke City at the trip's conclusion.
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• Aspen Obscene Aspen Obscene

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    Photos: Digi Dave

    
    

    Nobody is concerned that Than is missing. We haven’t been in Aspen for 12 hours, and we’re already a man down. Breakfast at Aspen’s Jour de Fete is just too damn good. The genuine Frenchman in charge of whipping up espresso drinks and croissant concoctions could make me forget my grandmother going missing in Chicago’s Southside with a bag full of cash and a slow pace. The sun is shining, and Than’s empty seat at the table makes it easy for us to spread out—keeping our hangovers from combining into the perfect storm… For now.

    The plan was simple enough—get to Aspen for the extra bonus closing at Highlands. Late winter in the Southern Rockies is making up for a lackluster early season. Colorado’s inbounds terrain is the best it’s been all year, and the lifts at Jackson Hole hadn’t been spinning for nearly a month.

    

    Aspen, contrary to the Bogner and Bentley façade, is a dirtbag’s delight. So, to get in touch with Aspen’s seedier side, Than, Cook, and myself jumped into a car and decided to see for ourselves. 

    We arrive late Friday night after a whirlwind of snus tins and malt beverages. The Limelight hotel is surprisingly cheap during the off-season and their breakfast is way above average. They also allow dogs, so pick up a puppy on the way over as a conversation starter.

    After stocking the fridge and then promptly trying to empty it, we wander over to Little Annie’s. Seventeen dollars later we have a pitcher of Budweiser and five shots of Early Times whiskey. Repeat. Repeat. Everything begins to taste like band-aid and herpes. Repeat. Two repeats later and I’m drinking out of a shoe.

    

    By the time breakfast rolls around, Than is missing. We’re not worried. You will meet the girl/guy of your dreams in Aspen. It’s what happens when the entire population of the town, and all of its visitors are there for the soul purpose of having fun. You might even throw up on said dream girl’s porch. Than shows up as we wrap up our meal with a smirk.

    After a few more breakfast beers, it’s ski time. We arrive greeted by none other than Klaus Obermeyer. He yodels for us and announces the skiing is “Eleven out of ten!”

    

    He’s right. All of Aspen Highlands’ 3,635 vertical feet have achieved a miraculously good corn cycle and the snow is nothing short of heroic. Snow fuels celebration, which in turn fuels skiing. Somehow we don’t get removed from the ski area, the bus ride home, or the hotel.

    As Aspen becomes a blur of laughter, empty glasses, and haphazard street crossings, I start learning all sorts of lessons. The most important ones are these:

    1.Tables comprised of the same sex are always looking for trouble.

    2.Colorado’s new views on certain controlled substances don’t suck.

    3.Getting forcibly removed from the staff bathroom at Escobar with a new friend is totally worth it.

    4.If you’re trying to get away with skinny-dipping after-hours, claim that you’re a lifeguard.

    5.If all else fails, go to New York Pizza. If everything is failing, you probably need to eat anyways.

    

    Suddenly the sun is out again and we’re hiking up to the top of Highlands Bowl for the last run of the season. A crowd of locals is gathered to take in the Maroon Bells, sip champagne, and shred the shit out of an incredible late season snowpack one last time. For all the glamour associated with Aspen, the group taking the season’s last run down the bowl shows none of it. It’s just skiers and smiles. Every turn puts us further from the season. Despite the fact that I haven’t slept in two days the snow is so good and the runs are so steep I have one of my best runs of the season.

    I slide sideways into the base area in a spray of snow, thoroughly used up, totally worn out. Ski season—what a ride.

    

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• Stevens Pass: More Snow Than H Stevens Pass: More Snow Than Hype

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    Words and Images by Joey Mara

    The Cascades are loaded with underrated gems—and Stevens Pass is definitely one of them. Not only is the resort peppered with steep terrain, it also enjoys massive storms that make the mountain a freerider’s dream. Only eighty miles from downtown Seattle, Stevens Pass has been slinging lift tickets for seventy-five years. In that time, it’s been responsible for more than a few people calling in sick to sample the latest storm. With ten lifts serving 1,125 acres spread between the mountain’s front and backside, the resort accommodates skiers and riders of all ability levels. Nonetheless, the mountain is best known for its expert terrain.

    

    No one disputes that the snow in the Pacific Northwest is deep, yet its quality is often up for debate. A few locals will come clean, however, and reveal that labels like “cascade concrete” are misnomers designed to keep tourists away. The snow at Stevens is premium—and thanks to receiving over 450 inches of snow annually, there’s plenty of pow to go around. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the mountain to see upwards of 650 inches in a season.  

    

    After a storm, however, the snow at Stevens is typically measured in feet thanks to a unique weather phenomenon known as the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. West of Seattle, the Olympic Mountains split incoming storm tracks, forcing their wind and moisture to divide to the north and south and collide again when they converge at the Cascades. This concentrates precipitation in the vicinity of Stevens Pass. Consequently, storms may hammer the mountain while other resorts in the state receive only a fraction of this snowfall. Needless to say, the storms at Stevens make dreams come true—just come prepared with a snorkel. In December of 2012, for example, a storm dropped 39 inches at the base of Stevens and sixty inches at its summit in just a twenty-four hour period.

    

    Stevens Pass lacks the glamour (and excessive amenities) of a mega resort—and that’s fine with those who call the mountain home. For the courageous, Stevens has plenty of steep lines—perfect for those who like to push limits and occasionally piss their pants. Pillows, chutes, steeps, cliffs, and spines all litter the mountain, while the tree skiing is also world class. It might be worth befriending a local when you come to Stevens, as much of this terrain can be elusive to the uninitiated. To further maximize your time at Stevens, be ready for some serious storm riding. Locals revel in the free refills provided by Steven’s heavy snowfall. The mountain’s night skiing can also add a new dimension to chasing powder. And if you’re fortunate enough to catch a bluebird day, Cowboy and Rooster Ridges provide an ample canvas for laying down creative lines. It should come as no surprise that skiers and riders can explore Stevens season after season and continue to find new zones.

    Stevens Past to Present Celebrating 75 Years! from Joey mara on Vimeo.

    For those prepared to venture outside the access gates, the backcountry at Stevens Pass is the real deal. Due to the high amount of snow and steep terrain, avalanches occur frequently. Adding to the danger, visibility can change rapidly. That being said, a wealth of ridges, back bowls, and peaks can be accessed via the lifts or by touring from the highway or nordic trails. Much of Steven’s backcountry dumps skiers at the highway, enabling them to easily hitch a ride back to the resort.

    

    In addition to its natural terrain, Stevens Pass boasts a solid park. The Top Phlight park crew spends its days prepping dozens of rails and kickers of all sizes. Stevens also has one of the few halfpipes in the state of Washington. Thanks to the diversity of its terrain, the mountain is a breeding ground for well-rounded rippers.

    

    Stevens has remained under the radar thanks, in part, to a lack of accommodations at its base. For those wishing to stay close to the slopes, a variety of rental cabins are available on both sides of the pass. Most visitors, however, stay in or around the town of Leavenworth on the east side of the pass. Located forty-five minutes from Stevens, Leavenworth sports a Bavarian theme and offers plenty of entertainment for those looking to kick back and slip off their boots. During the winter months, the town is lit up with Christmas lights and the streets are packed with Seattleites hoping to escape the city, shop, and enjoy some food and drinks at German pubs. For those looking for no-frills lodging, the small towns of Skykomish and Gold Bar on the Seattle side of the pass offer affordable options.

    

    Stevens will never be a Whistler or an Aspen—and it does not want to be such a resort. And while the scene is mellow, the mountain is not. Needless to say, Stevens has no shortage of challenging terrain—and good company with whom to explore it. The people are friendly and the snow is deep. If you measure your seasons in faceshots and high fives, Stevens might be your soulmate.

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• Announcing The Further and Dre Announcing The Further and Dream Factory Tour Winners

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    

    The dust has finally settled from the 2012 film tour, and the grand prize winners have been drawn. Both films this year provided a whole slew of amazing giveaways, and hopefully you walked away with something fresh from our sponsors. 

    And the winners are…

    Jeremy Jones’ Further, presented by O’Neill 

    Grand Prize: John from Bellingham, WA won the trip for two to ride at Squaw Valley. We connected with John just after his trip, and it sounds like it was a pretty epic adventure.  “The bluebird conditions, variety of terrain and size of Squaw Valley were incredible!  The mountain is so large that we were having trouble keeping track of which chair went where for the first two days!  We're already planning a return trip for next year and will be bringing our friends from our home mountain, Mt. Baker.  A big thanks from Belinda and I to Squaw Valley and TGR for making this amazing trip possible!”

    Runner up: Karta from Boulder, CO is headed to Japan to shred powder courtesy of Cloudline Tours.  After seeing the Japan segments from Further, she couldn’t have been happier, and we can’t wait to see the pictures.

    Second Place: Last but far from least, the head-to-toe O’Neill outerwear and a new board from Jones Snowboards goes to Jennifer in Boston, MA. 

    The Dream Factory

    Grand Prize: A heli-skiing trip for two courtesy of Alaska Heliskiing goes to Garrett from Colorado.  Pretty sure we heard his screams of excitement all the way up in Jackson Hole.  Garrett has yet to take the trip but we look forward to his report and some pictures.

    Runner Up: Caroline from Kentucky scored the trip for two to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.  Unfortunately she is fresh off an ACL tear but Jackson Hole has been awesome in working with her to shift the prize to a summer filled with mountain biking and hiking rehab…Her dream of skiing Jackson’s legendary terrain is going to have to wait another year.

    Second Place: Ben in Colorado is getting hooked up with head-to-toe outerwear from The North Face and a pair of skis from Atomic.

    From all of us at Teton Gravity Research, THANK YOU for making the 2012 tour a memorable one.  The tours reached close to 300 cities combined across the globe, and without your amazing support every year, it simply would not be possible. Enjoy the rest of your season, and see you next fall!

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• Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, And Rozies Win FWT In Kirkwood

  • From: gregfitzsimmons
  • Description:

    
    
    3 Americans and 1 Frenchie take the top spots at the fourth stop of the FWT, TGR's Ryland Bell posts the highest score of the day.
    
    By Greg Fitzsimmons
    
    “Variable” was the word of the day at the fourth stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face at Kirkwood. Variable snow conditions underfoot made the challenging Cirque venue — the permanently closed terrain at Kirkwood — heavier than normal. There were a lot of high-speed crashes and tooth-rattling backslaps during the only stateside comp of the season. In the end, the winners of the male and female ski and snowboard fields displayed solid fundamentals en route to earning their titles.
    
    Mad River Glen’s Lars Chickering-Ayers took home the win in the men’s ski field, showing total control in the difficult conditions. Chickering-Ayers has found a home on big-mountain contest podiums in recent years, but he excelled on the variable snow in Kirkwood, linking a technical line in his typical full-throttle assault that fans of big-mountain competitive skiing have come to expect. Without any hesitation, Lars billy-goated through volcanic rock, pioneered a mandatory air into a chute, and laced clean GS-turns through the venue, making exposed and difficult terrain look fun.
    
    
    “I wasn't really planning to win here,” said Chickering-Ayers. “I just came out to spend time with family and have fun. I have skied these types conditions in competition in the past and knew how to deal with them. The skiing was my favorite part of the day.”
    
    Chickering-Ayers was awarded a score of 75.33 to take the top spot at Kirkwood. The “Flying Frenchman” Julien Lopez and Kiwi FWT rookie Charlie Lyons rounded out the podium in second and third place, respectively.
    
    
    Tahoe local Jaclyn Paaso won on the women’s ski side with a score of 71.67. Paaso had a difficult first half of the season on the FWT, but skied a fluid line en route to winning the comp. The Squaw Valley female skier known for sending huge cliffs skied a smart comp line. Paaso stomped a cool air off the ridge over exposed rock, cleanly navigated a tight s-turn chute, and skied out of a bottom air on the venue to take the top spot in Kirkwood.
    
    “I have had a number of crashes this season and really needed a win. It feels great to come out on top,” said Paaso. “I took my run down a notch this time because I needed to stay on my feet. Making it to the finish line was the best part for me.”
    
    Paaso’s win made her the first female skier to dethrone Sweden’s Christine Hargin this year. Hargin was perfect so far on the FWT with wins in Revy and Cham (the women didn’t compete in Italy this year), but Hargin took a hard fall during her run in Kirkwood. Pia Nic Gunderson of Norway took second and the third place spot went to American Ashley Maxfield.
    
    
    Squaw Valley’s Ryland Bell parlayed a wildcard entry into a win in men’s snowboarding. Bell, one of the stars of the Further movies, spun a backside 360 off the ridge and a frontside 360 into a chute during his line. His score of 87.67 was the highest score awarded by the judges to any competitor throughout the day. American Sammy Luebke took second and Swiss rider Emilien Badoux rounded out the men’s snowboard podium.
    
    “This was my first win ever,” said Bell. “My stoke level is really high. I wanted to do tricks, try to flow, and have fun.”
    
    
    After consecutive second-place finishes on the FWT, French rider Margot Rozies finally won in Kirkwood. Her consistent riding throughout the season meant that Rozies was the overall tour leader going into Kirkwood. After her fast and fluid winning line, Rozies has a firm grasp on the tour title with two stops left. Elodie Mouthon and Shannon Yates finished in second and third, respectively.
    
    Now, the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face heads back to Europe for the last two comps of the year. Fieberbrunn, Austria is on-deck before all attention will focus on Verbier’s famed Bec de Rosses venue for the FWT finale.
    
    Overall Ski Men Standings
    
    1 Tabke, Drew     (USA) 6500.00
    2 Heitz, Jérémie (SUI) 6200.00
    3 Lopez, Julien (FRA) 5820.00
    4 Lyons, Charlie (NZL) 4900.00
    5 Barkered, Reine (SWE) 4595.00
    6 Studer, Fabio (AUT) 4340.00
    7 Gauthier, Laurent (CAN) 4180.00
    8 Eder, Markus (ITA) 4048.00
    9 Lindberg, Wille (SWE) 3900.00
    10 White-Allen, Oakley (USA) 3885.00
    11 Ducroz, Aurelien (FRA) 3685.00
    12 Guri, Kevin (FRA) 3470.00
    13 Post, Griffin (USA) 3445.00
    14 Chickering-Ayers, Lars (USA) 3395.00
    15 Collin, Sean (USA) 3070.00
    
    Overall Ski Women Standings
    
    1 Wallner, Nadine (AUT) 6025.00
    2 Gundersen, Pia Nic (NOR) 5980.00
    3 Hargin, Christine (SWE) 5975.00
    4 Maxfield, Ashley (USA) 4895.00
    5 Paaso, Jacklyn (USA) 4630.00
    6 Wright, Crystal (USA) 4265.00
    7 Slinning, Anne May (NOR) 4200.00
    8 Huber, Lorraine (AUT) 3255.00
    9 Segal, Natalie (AUS) 2955.00
    10 McMillan, Jess (USA) 2260.00
    
    Overall Snowboard Men Standings
    
    1 Backstrom, Ralph (USA) 6325.00
    2 Luebke, Sammy (USA) 5980.00
    3 Badoux, Emilien (SUI) 5585.00
    4 Guillot-Diat, Ludovic (FRA) 5290.00
    5 Routens, Aurelien (FRA) 5200.00
    6 Charlet, Jonathan (FRA) 4095.00
    7 Carlson, Tim (USA) 4060.00
    8 Rodosky, John (USA) 3870.00
    9 Orley, Flo (AUT) 3730.00
    10 Van Helfteren, Irian (NED) 3615.00
    11 Rizzuto, Jamie (CAN) 3220.00
    12 Rouge, Joel (SUI) 3215.00
    13 Annetts, Matt (USA) 2715.00
    14 Bell, Ryland (USA) 2500.00
    15 De Le Rue, Xavier (FRA) 2130.00
    
    Overall Snowboard Women Standings
    
    1 Rozies, Margot (FRA) 6900.00
    2 Mouthon, Elodie (FRA) 5805.00
    3 Dewey, Laura (USA) 5415.00
    4 Lucas, Casey (USA) 5400.00
    5 Yates, Shannan (USA) 4480.00
    6 Lazzareschi, Iris (USA) 4205.00
    7 Mouthon, Anouck (FRA) 4040.00
    8 Bock, Aline (GER) 3435.00

    Staying at Kirkwood is the way to go, sure beats driving from South Lake Tahoe.  Book your next Kirkwood vacation pacakge at: http://mountainreservations.com

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• Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of F Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of Freeride World Tour

  • From: gregfitzsimmons
  • Description:

    
    
    CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in.
    
    The FWT comes stateside to kickoff the second half of the season
    
    By Greg Fitzsimmons

    The fourth stop of the newly unified Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face goes down stateside today at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. We’re halfway through the FWT, with stops in Revelstoke, Courmayeur, and Chamonix in the rearview mirror, and Fieberbrunn and Verbier coming up after the sole comp of the season in the United States.
    
    Today’s action will take place on Kirkwood’s famed Cirque, a permanently closed rock-littered zone that introduces a new type of terrain into the FWT mix this season. The Cirque is almost 1,500 vertical feet of exposed terrain, with tight chutes, big cliffs, scattered trees, and open bowls for arching turns. Unlike Mac Face in Revy and the venues on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc, Kirkwood’s Cirque is a wide, venue with a mix of steep aspects and bench-like sections that will require some navigation from the competitors if they’re going to ski the Cirque fluidly from top to bottom.
    
    Per usual, the athletes are working off of a visual inspection only, and the consensus is divided amongst athletes. Fall-line chargers will be tasked with finding terrain that suits their style, while freestyle jibbers might have an advantage with the abundance of natural features that are primed for a playful approach.
    
    
    
    
    “The Cirque at Kirkwood is a powerful place in the history of freeride, and I take riding it very seriously. It’s a pretty big face, so solid runs definitely have to be high speed and powerful so you don't spend multiple minutes up there,” said current tour leader Drew Tabke. “But there are lots of airs with good takeoffs and steep landings, so there is definitely a place for freestyle as well.”
    
    Tabke’s blend of full-tilt and playful charging has earned him the overall tear leader spot going into the fourth stop of the FWT. With wins in Revelstoke and Chamonix, Tabke’s approach has been rewarded so far on the tour, and rightly so.
     
    Other athletes, like last year’s overall FWT Champion Reine Barkered, aren’t super psyched on the Cirque’s prospects. “I don’t believe [the venue] suits me that well,” said Sweden’s Barkered. “On the top part you can go pretty fast, but in the middle and bottom sections you will have to slow down since there are a lot of airs to flat landings. I like to send my cliffs with speed so it might be better for the more freestyle influenced riding as there are a few transfers and kickers.”
    
    It’s ladies first on the venue today, with the ski women kicking things off. There was a storm last week that dropped a few inches of fresh snow on the venue, but temps have gotten warm the last few days and there’s a spring break vibe in the Sierra Nevadas.
    
    “The venue is in rough shape, but still has a ton of fun potential,” said Jackson Hole’s Crystal Wright, who has had solid showings in Kirkwood in the past. “I am looking at the same line as last year but hoping to ski it better if I can. It is fast and fluid and it makes me happy! [That line] is the only thing that is jumping out at me when I look at the venue.”
    
    
    
    With Kirkwood’s Cirque possibly favoring a more playful approach to skiing and riding, there are a few names in the start list to take note of. Last year’s North American-based Freeskiing World Tour Champion Josh Diaek is a longtime Kirkwood local, and Diaek has won the last two comps on his home turf. Look for Diaek to blast a fast, creative line through the Cirque that mixes trickery with fall-line skiing. If big-mountain jibbing is the predicted approach for Kirkwood, Euros Fabio Studer and Markus Eder and Americans Johnny Collinson and Colter Hinchliffe are names to watch, too. But, don’t sleep on Tabke, Barkered, Oakley White-Allen, and Jérémie Heitz—who is sitting in second place overall behind Tabke—to put on full-throttle show.
    
    On the women’s ski side, Sweden’s Christine Hargin is riding a lot of momentum into today’s comp after sweeping the first two stops of the FWT in Revy and Cham. Jess McMillan and Crystal Wright, both from Jackson Hole, have a lot of experience on the Cirque and are due for strong showings.

    Save Big on Kirkwood Mountain Resort discount lift tickets through Liftopia.com
    
    The men’s snowboard field should be interesting to watch as Squaw Valley’s Ralph Backstrom will don the yellow bib, which denotes the overall tour leader. Another Squaw rider, Ryland Bell, who has been sending it on Jeremy Jones’s Further project, will slide into the FWT start gate for the first time this season. Frenchmen Jonathan Charlet got his 2013 season going in the right direction with a win in Chamonix, and Sammy Luebke always brings a fresh approach to riding; both will be throwing down in Kirkwood.
    
    Tahoe locals Casey Lucas (from Kirkwood) and Iris Lazzareschi (from Squaw) will be looking to represent in front of their hometown fans as they take on overall tour leader Margot Rozies, Snowbird’s Laura Dewey, and the rest of the snowboard women field.
    
    Some competitors are in good shape going into the Kirkwood stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face. Tabke and Hargin sit atop the men’s and women’s ski fields thanks to two wins by each athlete so far this year. Ralph Backstrom has ridden consistently en route to being the tour leader of the snowboard men at the halfway point of the FTW, and French rider Margot Rozies is on top of snowboard women after her win in front of her home crowd in Chamonix.
    
    Other competitors are feeling the pressure, however. There are no guaranteed spots for the final in Verbier, and everyone is vying for a bib to compete on the renowned Bec de Roses venue in Switzerland. So, look for a high level of skiing and riding today in Kirkwood, and at the subsequent stop in Fieberbrunn, Austria in early March, as competitors are working to solidify invites to Verbier.
    
    CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in.

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• News: Vote For Further And The News: Vote For Further And The Dream Factory For People's Choice Coldsmoke Award

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    
    Vote online for the Coldsmoke People’s Choice Video Award and be automatically entered to win a cat-skiing trip to Powder Mountain, near Whistler, B.C.
    
    The People’s Choice Award is given to the film with the largest audience support and is determined by the film receiving the most online votes. The winning film is announced live at The Coldsmoke Awards on March 16th in Bozeman, MT and the filmmakers are awarded a $500 cash prize.
    
    The Coldsmoke Awards celebrates winter culture by creating a space for innovative artists, dedicated athletes, and those inspired by life in the mountains. The festival is committed to fostering up and coming talent, as well as showcasing some of winter’s biggest names.
    
    Most importantly, the Coldsmoke Awards could not exist without the support of the winter community and their willingness to celebrate the unique culture associated with playing in the cold. THANK YOU from the bottom of the trenches and the tops of the mountains.
    
    Vote Now For TGR's Further And The Dream Factory

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  • 3 months ago
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• Couloir Day In The Dolomites W Couloir Day In The Dolomites With Mitch Toelderer And Bibi Toelderer-Pekarek

  • From: mitchtolderer
  • Description:

    Check out some raw POV impressions of a full day climbing and riding couloirs in the Dolomites with Further snowboarders Mitch Toelderer and Bibi Toelderer-Pekarek.
    
    Watch More Mitch Toelderer Videos

    For More Go To goprofitnesstraining.com

     

  • 3 months ago
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• News: Arapahoe Basin Ski Area News: Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Backcountry Avalanche Training And Annual Beacon Bowl

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

     

    
    (A-Basin) will host two days of backcountry and avalanche rescue training and education. A-Basin’s Backcountry Preparedness Days will take place February 8 and 9, 2013, and feature the Companion Rescue Workshop and the 11th Annual Beacon Bowl. All proceeds from both days benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).
     
    “Although our daily focus is on our in-bounds terrain, we’re aware of the growing popularity of backcountry touring,” said Alan Henceroth, A-Basin’s Chief Operating Officer. “We want to provide our guests with the resources to ski and ride safely. It is important for people to understand the differences between in-bounds and backcountry skiing.”
    
    
    Save big on A-Basin lift tickets through Liftopia.com
    The Companion Rescue Workshop, a day-long seminar on search and rescue techniques, will be held Friday, February 8, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Facilitated by local experts from the CAIC, Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol and patrollers from neighboring ski areas, the workshop features both classroom instruction and on-mountain scenarios including tutorials on modern search and rescue technologies, emergency care, and extraction and evacuation. The workshop costs $50 and is limited to 50 participants with previous backcountry experience.
     
    Following the workshop, A-Basin will host a spaghetti dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. with beer courtesy of New Belgium. The cost is $15 and the dinner is open to the public.
     
    On Saturday, February 9, 2013, A-Basin will host the 11th Annual Beacon Bowl and Après Ski Party to benefit the CAIC. During the Beacon Bowl, participants race on-mountain to find beacons buried in the snow, simulating an avalanche search and rescue. The contest is divided into two divisions – recreational and professional – and features prizes from Spyder. Registration and check-in begin at 8:00 a.m. in the A-Frame. The $25 Beacon Bowl registration fee includes entry to the competition, a raffle entry, a slice of pizza and a beer during the Après Ski Party. There is a discounted Beacon Bowl entry fee for those who participate in the Companion Rescue Workshop.
     
    Open to both the public as well as Beacon Bowl competitors is the Après Ski Party, starting at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Après Ski Party includes a raffle, silent auction and live auction with prizes from brands like Black Diamond, BCA, Dakine, SkiLogik and more, with all proceeds going toward the CAIC.
     
    Online registration for all events is recommended; you can also register by calling 888-ARAPAHOE (272-7246) or onsite, day-of if spaces remain. Further information about the Companion Rescue Workshop and the Beacon Bowl can be found at ArapahoeBasin.com.
    
    Save big on A-Basin lift tickets through Liftopia.com

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• Couloir Day In The Dolomites W Couloir Day In The Dolomites With Mitch Toelderer And Bibi Toelderer-Pekarek

  • From: mitchtolderer
  • Description:

    Check out some raw POV impressions of a full day climbing and riding couloirs in the Italian Dolomites with Further Snowboarders Mitch Toelderer and Bibi Toelderer-Pekarek.
    
    Watch More Mitch Toelderer Videos

    For More Go To goprofitnesstraining.com

     

  • 3 months ago
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• Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Sn Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Snowboard Products From SIA 2013

  • From: ericodlin
  • Description:

    The SnowSports Industries America snow show just finished up in Denver, where attendees had the pleasure of scoping out all the latest and greatest goods from nearly every brand under the sun. At SIA, industry people from all over the world come get a look at next year’s gear and see what kind of new technology has been cooked up for our shredding pleasure. It’s quite the spectacle, and for gear gurus, it’s a little slice of heaven.
    
    This year, there was an endless amount of new goodies to be found around every corner, but here is a list of 10 of the most interesting or innovative snowboarding products we came across.
    
    
    
    Union Factory Travis Rice Signature Model
    
    Union is on top of the binding game, and this pro model binder is proof. Building from the Charger and Atlas models, Union and Travis came up with the Factory. It features a beefed up highback, killer heel padding, an uber-cush’ ankle strap, and three-degree canting in the foot bed. This looks like a real powerhouse binding, matching superior comfort with next-level response.
    
    
    
    Anon M2 Goggle
    
    Quick change lenses are the latest tech from the goggle world, and Anon’s new M2 really stood out. The lens attaches to the outside of the frame via high-powered mini magnets for fast, on-the-fly lens swaps and convenient snow clearing. We saw a guy actually throw the lens into place. Anon tests the lense's ability to stay put with the same machine Burton uses to test its binding ratchet strength, so you need not worry about loosing a lens during a wreck. With a nice-fitting, mid-sized frame and tons of color way and tint options, the M2 definitely stands out.
    
    
    
    Burton AK Freebird Jacket
    
    This lightweight 3L GORE-TEX piece has a clean look and a cut built for shredding. A great feature unique to the Freebird jacket is that is has two mesh pockets on the inside designed to hold your splitboard skins when not in use. The legendary Dave Downing brought this jacket to our attention, pointing out the value of keeping your skins dry and warm for faster touring set ups. That means more laps, more pow, more fun.
    
    
    
    Jones Aviator
    
    This is the newest offing from Jones Snowboards. The Aviator is a cambered, directional, all-mountain banger, ideal for hard carving and getting jiggy with the whole mountain. Its 3D power camber has a light two-degree bevel at all four contact points, which gives a loose, less catchy feel to the time honored pop and control of camber. I’m willing to bet we see a bunch of Jones’ freestyle riders ripping on this deck next season.
    
    
    
    Capita Black Snowboard Of Death
    
    Don’t let the dark name scare you away from this amazing snowboard.  Capita’s flagship model got a little re-designing for the upcoming season. By setting back the cam-rock and lengthening the shovel and tail, the B.S.O.D. is even more of a do-all freestyle/freeride deck. With its new profile, killer shape, and psychedelic graphics, this board is simply rad.

    
    
    K2 Snowboarding Speedlink Touring Poles
    
    Sure, they’re just poles. But, K2 has produced some of the finest splitboarding poles we’ve ever seen. With just one quick lock lever, they’ve reduced the collapsed length by 6 inches, making it only 13-inches long broken down. They’re small enough to fit into almost any pack with out sticking out the top. When you’ve reached your summit, you just flip the one-lock lever, and just kind of smash the pole straight down and it collapses all the way down in one motion. That’s smart.
    
    
    
    Lib Tech Speedodeeps By Travis Rice
    
    Lib’s got a new pow shape that looks like it’ll be soooooo much fun on those deep days. Designed with Travis, this twin features a short running length, a jumbo tip and tail, and BTX banana tech to make for one heck of a floating powpow machine. Available in 162, this replaces the infamous “banana hammock”, and will offer the user the option to turn their snowboard should they find themselves on non-powder type snow.
    
    
    
    Jones 30L R.A.S. Ready Pack
    
    Here’s a great example of a rider’s needs pushing design. This 30L pack comes ready to hold Snowpulse’s removable airbag system. That means you can use the pack with or without the airbag. Add an internal wire frame for support, color coded buckles for additional load options, and that it weighs only 6lbs 7oz with the R.A.S installed, and you have the recipe for a terrifically designed backcountry pack.
    
    
    
    K2 Kwicker Split System
    
    Remember clickers? Well, in case you forgot, K2 has brought them back for our backcountry pleasure. This system gives you a lighter set up, and quicker change over times than your traditional split kit. As A.J. from K2 explained, the boot/binding has been engineered to feel and flex just like a boot in a strap binding would move. With over two years of R&D, and many backcountry seekers not afraid to have a separate A/T set up, this could be the next big thing in splitboarding. In the words of A.J., “It’s the balls.”

    
    
    DC Travis Rice Signature Boot
    
    OK, we realize that we have included Travis Rice’s whole set up in this top 10 list. This was not intentional. It just goes to show that not only is he a fine shredder, but that he is pushing product design forward as well. DC’s redesigned Rice signautre boot is bomb proof. They put the upper boa dial back on the outside of the boot, got rid of the wrap design for the lower, designed the outsole with sledding in mind, and wrapped the whole toe box in ballistic Superfabric. The result is a boot that comes very close to being un-blow-up-able. It also comes stock with Remind insoles for happy feet. And Torstien just won the X Games big air wearing these. I think the proof is in the pudding.
    
    Do you see a trend here? We are pleased to see that backcountry riding and splitboarding are the catalyst for most new ideas and designs this year. The demands of those two elements of snowboarding are bringing more fun new things to the table to further enhance our enjoyment of the mountains. Cheers to you, innovative shred engineers! Hope this gets everyone fired up to get out and do what we all love to do: RIDE!

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• News: POW Gloves And Spacecraf News: POW Gloves And Spacecraft Collective To Join Forces

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    
     
    POW Inc. CEO Greg Danielson announced today that Seattle based brands POW Gloves and Spacecraft Collective will be joining forces.
     
    Danielson, recently appointed CEO of POW INC., commented, “We are extremely excited to unite the assets and energy of POW and Spacecraft.  With both companies being Pacific Northwest based, having very similar heritage, strong brand strength and complementary products, the ability to bring them together should create significant opportunities for growth and profitability.” 
    
    POW Gloves, celebrating its 10 Year anniversary is energized to continue that momentum into its second decade of manufacturing “Built to Last” handwear. The merger of these two companies supports POW’s growth strategy to build both organically and through acquisition where economies of scale offer solid opportunity for increased revenue, profit, and return on shareholder investment.
    
    POW Gloves President and Founder, Dustin Goss said, “It has been a privilege to grow up alongside brands like Spacecraft. I’ve known both Sarah and Stefan for years and have admired their ability to grow the Spacecraft brand with intensity and creativity not limited to the snow sports industry.”
     
    Spacecraft Collective, also celebrating a decade in business, started as an art project culminated from midnight photography missions, Bali surf trips, and one iconic photo of the infamous Alpental snowcat. Spacecraft evolved into an established artist-collective with a focus on making unique headwear and innovative accessories.
     
    “I am extremely excited to be working with Greg and Dustin and the amazing team they have put together at POW”, stated Sarah Parker, President and Co-Founder of Spacecraft. “This merger will allow Spacecraft to further its mission to bring creative and interesting products to customers by combing our resources for distribution, sales and customer service.”
    
    The collaboration of these two grass root breakout brands will illuminate the Pacific North West already strong reputation for high functionality and top quality winter sport products.
     
    About Spacecraft
    Headquartered in Seattle, Spacecraft is an artist-collective that focuses on making unique headwear and innovative accessories using progressive imagery. Spacecraft participates in gallery shows and artist collaborations around the world, which facilitate the production and distribution of Spacecraft products.  Spacecraft Collective is focused on art, communicating through art, and investing back in to the product they create for the good of all involved.  www.spacecraftcollective.com
     
    About POW Gloves
    Since 2002, POW Gloves has remained committed to producing the finest performing hand-wear for the activities we love. Based in Seattle, Washington, POW is a global glove-specific brand with products for winter sports. POW is one of the fastest growing glove brands with distribution in over 37 countries worldwide. POW Gloves are “Built to Last”. For more information on POW Gloves, visit powgloves.com or call (888)POWGLVS.

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• Xavier De Le Rue - From The Al Xavier De Le Rue - From The Alps to AK to Antarctica and back to the Alps

  • From: freerideworldtour
  • Description:

    While some athletes are content with reaching a personal goal or winning a competition within their sport, for French snowboarder Xavier de Le Rue, there seems to be no limit to his hunger for further snowboard accomplishments. A multiple X-Games gold medalist, three-time Freeride World Tour champion, repeat world boardercross champion, and standout in numerous snowboard films, now de Le Rue has added “Antarctic explorer” to his resume.
    
    Watch More Freeride World Tour TV Videos

     

  • 4 months ago
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• Shop Drives Binding Screw thru Shop Drives Binding Screw thru Base

  • From: alpine2013
  • Description:
    This REALLY sucks, right? Brand New Gear RAMP Chickadees still in packaging. Tyrolia PEAK 12 Binding still in box with instructions. I have checked with RAMP. There is nothing peculiar or unusual about this ski or the binding. It is a very typical set up. (This is the binding RAMP recommends and sells with this ski.) Does the shop owe me new skis? What's the bottom line here? (Anywhere else I could post for further opinion?)
  • 4 months ago
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• Dynafit Debuts DIN 16 Tech Bin Dynafit Debuts DIN 16 Tech Binding - The Beast

  • From: leelau
  • Description:

    

    The rumors have been flying fast and furious. It might not be one of the worst kept secrets of next year's ski gear, but it has to rank among the top failed skunkworks. A tip of the hat first to Marius Schwager for pictures that fed Internet frenzy and piqued interest of drooling Eric Hjorleifson wannabes worldwide.
    
    Perhaps Dynafit doesn't keep secrets particularly well, but they sure design pretty stuff. The Beast 16 binding is designed for aggressive downhill performance, yet still has a reasonable weight at 935 grams per binding; which compares favorably to other bindings of its class and intended use. The Beast 16 is also frameless and is supposed to retain Dynafit's touring characteristics.
    
    It's worth noting that in a pique of marketing gobbledygook consistent with with the Free Touring moniker coined for boots, the Beast 16 is targeted to “Free Tourers.” Its attractive black and green colors are sure to complement your snazzy Dynafit Vulcan boots and Huascaran skis.
    
    The full set-up: Dynafit Huascaran skis, Vulcan boots, and The Beast 16 binding.
    
    The Beast 16 toepiece. Note that the toe pincers pivot out and in to clamp the boot from the side.
    
    A closer look at the toe piece. Note that the hole patterns will be different.
    
    The center piece in this shot is what you step on with your boot to engage the toe.
    
    First, I'll present some general features of the binding, then follow up with details courtesy of Drew Saunders, director of operations at Dynafit.
    
    General
    
    Some of this general information is further outlined in Dynafit's press release, while some is courtesy of Dynafit.
    
    Sales and accessories details
    
    - Expected price is $1000. Release date is Oct 2013
    
    - Brakes are provided in 105 mm, 120 mm, and 135 mm sizes
    
    - Crampons are in the works
    
    - Limited initial production run of 2,500 units
    
    General gear nerd talk
    
    - The binding mount pattern is unfortunately totally new. Basically, the binding pattern is designed to be wider underfoot. This makes sense given the intended target market that will be mounting this binding on wide skis (the minimum central width for the mount pattern is 80 mm).
    
    - The rear heel fitting is different. Boot retrofit kits can be purchased for any boot where the heel fitting is affixed with screws (I believe this means BD boots are SOL, feel free to point out in the comments any other boots that can't be retrofitted)
    
    - Frameless system – that means no frame is attached to the boot as it lifts in tour mode. This is worth mentioning, as it is a product differentiator from the competition.
    
    - Beast 16 will have 6 mm ramp angle (compared with Vertical/Comfort/Radical ST/FT 17mm ramp, Speed Radical 15mm and Speed Superlight 3mm). At 23 mm (heel) and 17 mm (toe) above the ski, the Beast is designed to have a low binding height.
    
    The Beast 16 heel piece in ski mode, brakes deployed and binding forward on track.
    
    The Beast with heel in tour mode. Such a chunk of metal should impress all the gnar bros.
    
    Close up of the boot-binding engagement point. The metal fangs should contact the boot bail (unknown if that improves retention).
    
    Closeup of the teardrop shaped heel pins.
    
    Closeup of the new heel fittings. Unknown how this will work as a retrofit. Sure hope no dremelling of fancy carbon/Grilamid is involved.
    
    Detailed gear nerd discussion:
    
    Thank you to Dynafit for patience and time answering all these questions.
    
    DIN:

    - The Beast is DIN 16. While all Dynafit binders are developed to ISO 11088 there is not an actual DIN standard for bindings past DIN 12, so that 16 measurement is from Dynafit.

    - DIN Adjustment is only via the heel. The toe release is not adjustable. As with the previous generation tech bindings, vertical and lateral release is adjusted via different screws (see picture 11 and picture above).
    
    Step-In System:
    
    Dynafit touts in the marketing material that the Beast is step-in. It's not quite what one would expect, as one might commonly view as step-in (think Marker, Fritschi or Salomon mechanisms, to cite some examples). You will step into the Beast's toe piece the same way as you step into the previous generation’s toe piece. In other words, there will still be the marrying toe fitting to toe pins fiddle factor, especially in deep snow. Where there is some purported improvement is in the heel, where less entry force is required for the heel. (see picture 5 below). The boot will contact the grey metal jaw and as it does so, depressing the gray metal jaw causes the entire heel unit to slide back on a binding track away from the boot. Once you clear the gray metal jaw, the heel unit slides back into place.
    
    
    
    Toe:
    
    The toe is on a spring mechanism, with a return to centre and rotates/pivots approx 10 -15 deg (see picture 2). While this mechanism lends to elasticity (in the sense of theoretically having some small bump absorption and return-to-center character), there is no adjustment mechanism for the toe.
    
    The toe pin attachment point is angled from the side in contrast to the previous generation Dynafits, where the toe pincers come at the boot tech fittings from the bottom and side. As you step into the center of the toe piece, the toe fittings are on two levers that swing in and engage the boot pins from the side. Theoretically, that side-loaded attachment point, coupled with the fact that the toe can rotate, should add to binding elasticity characteristics.
    
    Heel:
    
    There is forward pressure in the heel. I couldn't see if there was an adjustment mechanism to dial in forward pressure (perhaps that's inherent to the mechanism to adjust for boot sole length?) This should aid elasticity.
    
    Heel and toe attachment points are the same as in previous generation bindings. The heel pins are spring loaded and are guided into the heel insert track, then the spring load forces them back in to the center of the heel insert track (see picture 9). The heel slots are quite a bit wider than the previous generation of Dynafit bindings. Perhaps that, too, aids elasticity in that there is more latitude for the heel to move from side to side — but that's speculation on my part.
    
    One big issue with the previous generation of bindings was over reliance on heel pin strength, in that the entire boot rested on the binding with only incidental contact on the brake pad. With the Beast, the boot now rests on both the pins, plus the brake pad (see picture 8).
    
    Another change is the ovalization of the heel pins (see pictures 3 and 4). Previous generations of Dynafits had round pins, which by their nature only contacted the heel insert at one point. The ovalized pins contact the heel inserts with more surface areas. Better mechanical contact theoretically should result in more solid contact, which should then improve strength and retention, all things being equal.
    
    

    At this point in time, there are only a few athletes on the binding in BC including Hoji, Trevor Hunt and a few of Dynafits reps and marketing people. Skiing and performance impressions accordingly will have to wait.
    
    Shop for you next pair of Dynafit bindings at Backcountry.com

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• News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thu News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thule Lodge In AK Through Protect Our Winters

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    
    
    PACIFIC PALISADES, CA –Protect Our Winters, the global climate change nonprofit and Alaska’s premier wilderness lodge, Ultima Thule, have launched the Jeremy Jones Ultima Thule Adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two to snowboard and adventure with pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones in Alaska’s Wrangell/St. Elias mountains, hosted by the Ultima Thule Lodge.
    
    The all inclusive, four-day package includes being able to snowboard with Jeremy Jones, the star of Further, the snowboard adventure epic currently in theaters. Jones filmed some of the segments near Ultima Thule in the Wrangells and called the mountain range the “steepest, most unexplored terrain he’s ever seen.”
    
    Ultima Thule Lodge is a luxury wilderness adventure outpost located deep in the 13.2 million acre Wrangell St-Elias National Park; part of the largest protected land mass on earth. The Lodge sits 100 miles from the nearest road and is only accessible by bush plane. Remote, yet refined the Lodge was named in the “BEST PLACES TO VISIT” by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
    
    All-inclusive packages feature gourmet Alaskan fare, first-class bush lodging and highlight exclusive airplane safari adventures. The lodge also boasts a family of internationally acclaimed pilots and a small fleet of specialized bush aircraft that can land on and off the snow covered glaciers and alpine tundra.
    
    “We’re just thrilled that Ultima Thule came to us with this idea. With the stoke level of Further as high as it can be now, we’re so excited to bring it to life and offer an opportunity to the snow sports community to win this dream trip. 100% of every contribution will be directly placed towards our efforts to protect places like the Wrangells from climate change”, said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director at Protect Our Winters.
    
    In addition to the Ultima Thule Lodge package, the winner will receive a Jones snowboard, Vans Cirro snowboard boots, Jeremy’s backcountry gear from Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd and $500 travel credit to Valdez, AK, where the adventure begins.
    
    To enter, donate $5 to Protect Our Winters at: http://www.protectourwinters.org/ultima_thule/

    
    To keep the chances of winning exciting, they are limiting the number of contributions at 5,000 total. The contest runs though February 15th, 2013.
    
    Ultima Thule Lodge: A remote paradise lies deep in the Alaskan Wilderness, accessible only by bush plane. Immersed in extreme nature, you will discover an outpost designed for adventure and enhanced by comfort, 100 miles from the nearest road. Three generations of family have called this pristine wilderness home and strive to protect and preserve it for the ones yet to come. For more information, visit: http:// www.ultimathulelodge.com & www.farfargnargnar.com

    Protect Our Winters (POW) is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united together towards a common goal of reducing climate change's effects on our sport and mountain economies.  Founded in 2007, POW re-invests contributions in educational initiatives, activism and supporting community-based initiatives.  For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org.  Stay in touch on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/protectourwinters.

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• Further TV series Further TV series

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:
    Further TV series
  • 5 months ago
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• News: Jeremy Jones' Further Se News: Jeremy Jones' Further Series Premieres On Outside Television December 13

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    

    (Teton Village, Wyo.) - The award-winning producers from multimedia action sports brand Teton Gravity Research (TGR) have produced a ten-episode original series giving viewers an intense look at the personalities, adventure, drama, and excitement from two years of filming Further with Jeremy Jones. Showcasing some of the greatest snowboarding adventures on the planet, the original TV series will air exclusively on Outside Television, premiering Thursday, December 13 at 9:30pm EST with new episodes each Thursday. Outside will also provide Further fans with dual encore episodes every weekend.
    
    The second installment in the Jeremy Jones trilogy that began with Outside Television's popular series Jeremy Jones' Deeper last year, Further explores some of the world's most remote mountain terrain while continuing Jones' mission to camp deep in the backcountry and on the summits of unridden lines to access near-vertical spines and wide-open powder fields. Join Jeremy and his crew as they push their minds and bodies Further.
    
    “We've always thought this type of riding is perfect for a television series, which allows us to go more in-depth and show viewers more of these trips to tell the full story,” says Jeremy Jones. “We learned what's possible working on Deeper, and we've been able to build upon that experience with Further, both in terms of riding and the overall production.”
    
    “This is exactly the sort of flagship programming we want people to identify with Outside Television,” echoes Rob Faris, senior vice president of programming and production for Outside Television, which has been expanding rapidly through Comcast Xfinity and other systems since June. “The true success of the Jeremy Jones trilogy is the overall quality of story development, characters and production rather than devising action just for the thrill of it. We look forward to continuing this franchise even beyond Deeper and Further and are fortunate to have attracted such world-class partners as Teton Gravity Research and Jeremy Jones.”
    
    About Teton Gravity Research
    
    One of the world's leading action sports brands, TGR has produced 30 award-winning feature-length films, numerous television series, and national television commercial spots. Known for its cutting edge media and lifestyle product, TGR works with the top athletes in their respective disciplines, capturing, celebrating, and bringing to life the passion and enthusiasm associated with action sports. TGR is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and strongly believes in protecting the environment in which the team works and plays. For more information on TGR, please visit tetongravity.com, one of the leading online destinations and communities in the action sports industry.
    
    About Outside Television
    
    Outside Television is the only national programming network dedicated to the active outside lifestyle and the more than 141 million Americans who regularly participate. Based on Outside Magazine and its critically acclaimed brand, Outside Television embraces running, biking, skiing, hiking, sailing, surfing, kayaking, snowshoeing and any other adventures involving wind, water, snow and terrain; as well as the full spectrum of the people’s lives who engage in them. Offering exclusively high-definition programs, Outside Television is fast becoming a fixture among leading cable, satellite, telco and broadband providers’ sports and entertainment offerings. To learn more about Outside Television, visit www.outsidetelevision.com.

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• TGR Safety Meeting: Internatio TGR Safety Meeting: International Pro Riders Workshop At Snowbird

  • From: brodyleven
  • Description:

     

    
    Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center speaks during Teton Gravity Research's International Pro Riders Workshop at Snowbird. The class brings together the TGR roster of ski and snowboard athletes to go over safety protocols before the filming season gets underway.
    
    — Photos and words by Brody Leven
    
    His broken rib may or may not have punctured his lung, causing veteran TGR athlete, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, to scream in agony. Hovering over him, my partner and I stare blankly for a moment, trying to recall the proper medical procedures that we learned two hours before. I hear screaming from the patients scattered across the bowl. Sage stutters his breaths, reminding us to reevaluate his vital signs. When I finally remember to put my hand up the back of his shirt to check for spinal fractures, our patient remains frighteningly in character. The three-time Powder Awards Rider of the Year pretends to wince as I touch a central vertebrate, cueing an inquiry into pertinent past injuries and, ultimately, saving his life.
    
    The Teton Gravity Research International Pro Riders Workshop (IPRW), held at Snowbird on December 4-6, brought together 35 of the world’s best skiers, snowboarders, and cinematographers.
    
    “As a high-profile company in consequential situations, we consider the influence we have and how important it is to be safe and to set a good example,” TGR co-founder Steve Jones said.
    
    “In a real mountain scenario, you improvise to handle all of the variables you didn’t think of in the classroom,” Sage said. “Until you’re practicing in the field, you don’t realize the implications of the challenges you’ll encounter.”
    
    Sage Cattabriga-alosa acts as a 'victim' during a training scenario at the International Pro Riders Workshop at Snowbird.
    
    The clinic, featuring wilderness first aid, snow safety, and rope work, exists in contrast to recent press about the carelessness and risk in professional freesking. Risk assessment and management was the week’s theme. Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center finished an avalanche presentation saying how it was “great to be associated with all of the awesome talent and professionalism in this room.” That statement rang true throughout the class, proving once again that TGR’s focus on efficiency and safety is paramount to the success of its films.
    
    Denali lead medic and IPRW instructor Dave Weber emphasized practicality throughout the clinic.
    
    “This crew is at the upper echelon of skiing and riding,” Weber said, “and what is expected of them would be daunting for anyone without such extensive skills. Their professionalism sets them apart in how much information they can process. These skills are perishable, and we’re here to refresh them. We tailor this training to what they see in their unique work environment.”
    
    Angel Collinson, TGR co-founder Steve Jones, and TGR"s Brian Wulf, Dan Gibeau, Pete O'Brien and Dustin Handley learn knots at IPRW at Snowbird.
    
    Todd Ligare agrees with Weber’s teaching approach.
    
    “If this course was being taught to the general public, it would be done under the assumption that they always have the right tools,” Ligare said. “But to keep it real, they teach us to improvise with what we have. Building the makeshift rescue sled was a perfect example of that.”
    
    So, what does a film crew and its athletes discuss during the first meeting of the year?
    
    “Sluff management, radio communications, helicopter protocol, summer fun, and winter plans,” TGR supervising producer and IPRW organizer Greg Epstein said. “We put the athletes and filmers back into the training grounds. Everybody is taking it seriously and doing a good job, probably because they’re working with their winter crews. Bringing the team together is equally important as the skills they’re learning.”
    
    Not all participants are snow science geeks, though. When former TGR lead guide, Jim “Sarge” Conway, asked Tim Durtschi if he’d ever dug a snowpit, Tim casually replied, “I’ve dug jumps?”
    
    This self-proclaimed novice went on to prove his sarcasm, earning the week’s fastest time of 1:41 in the mandatory finding of two buried avalanche beacons in under three minutes.
    
    Tim Durtschi and John Collinson dig snowpits at IPRW at snowbird.
    
    “If you take longer than three minutes, you fail. You don’t fail the class; you fail at knowing you can find two of your buried friends in three minutes,” TGR lead guide, Kent Scheler, said in the first five minutes of the first day. “When we help each other in training, we can help each other in the real situation. And if everybody is on the same page, it’s amazing how quickly it comes together.”
    
    Catering to athletes across the TGR spectrum, IPRW bequeathed different nuggets of knowledge to each attendee. The “Deeper, Further, Higher” crew of TGR snowboarders found medical-specific class details particularly pertinent.
    
    “The first aid mock scenarios were most relevant,” Forrest Shearer said. “Learning to be medically self-sufficient is important when we’re stuck in the field for days following an injury.”
    
    Dash Longe ties a make-shift sling to TGR co-founder Todd Jones during first-aid training at IPRW.
    
    Simultaneously, 14-year-old Daniel Tisi’s focus is far from glacier camps on other continents.
    
    “I film with TGR in Jackson. This class is like going to school with all of your idols. No one cares how old I am because I need to learn this stuff, too,” Tisi said.
    
    Comparing the clinic to his 8th-grade classroom, Tisi, the youngest athlete on the TGR roster said, “I have notes on every single thing they’ve said so far.”
    
    John Collinson practices searching for multiple burials during avalanche training at IPRW.
    
    Tim Durtschi explains why IPRW is germane to his skiing, “Jump landings in the backcountry are 35-45 degrees — the perfect avalanche pitch — and often lead into terrain traps. We come down hard on the snowpack, and we want to avoid digging pits in, ski cutting on, or otherwise damaging a pristine landing. If you’re jumping into a pitch you haven’t yet skied, you want to be as confident as you can that it won’t slide.”
    
    Each year, the reputable clinic has built on previous sessions.
    
    “The curriculum is a lot different than last year. Way more stuff outdoors and hands-on. The review of last year’s Wilderness First Aid certification is great,” Dash Longe said, who has attended IPRW four times. “You’re only as safe as the people you’re out with. If you’re more advanced than your other dudes and you get hurt, you’re the one that gets hosed. It’s good to know your crew has a similar training background.”
    
    Daron Rahlves chimes in: “If something does happen, I know I’m in good hands.”
    
    Rappelling from lift towers at IPRW at Snowbird.
    
    The author of this post, Brody Leven, gets "rescued."
    
    Early morning classroom sessions led to packed training days in Snowbird’s closed Mineral Basin. Between rappelling from lift towers and rigging crevasse rescue pulleys, the participants reveled in the scenery and absorbed knowledge, sitting far above the clouds over Salt Lake City.
    
    Kent Scheler’s closing words said it best: “You guys are super dialed and ready for the season now. Let’s make it a good, happy, and healthy one.”
    
    Angel Collinson, Sage Cattabriga-alosa, Jill Garreffi and John Collinson on the tram at Snowbird.

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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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