357 Search Results for "hiking"

• Whistler Blackcomb--The Wonder Whistler Blackcomb--The Wonder Of An Alpine Summer

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    Millions of years in the making, and you're just in time. From ancient peaks with their spectacular views and plethora of alpine hiking trails to the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Whistler Blackcomb takes summer to another level.

     

    The Wonder of an alpine summer is your window into summer at Whistler Blackcomb. Discover the wonders at whistlerblackcomb.com

  • 2 weeks ago
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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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  • 3 weeks ago
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• Trimmings: Episode 3 "Our Back Trimmings: Episode 3 "Our Backyard"

  • From: jahrig
  • Description:

    This episode follows Montana locals getting out and exploring the vast wilderness that is just outside our back door. Montana has so much terrain, and so few people to get out and ski it, so the choices are endless if you are willing to put on those skins and break a sweat. Hiking into a zone is a completely different experience then you would get from riding a chairlift and the satisfaction after working hard to get up something and then being rewarded by fresh, untouched turns down is a feeling unmatched. This is a story about real people earning their turns and enjoying every minute of it.
    Presented by
    Epic Planks epicplanks.com
    Backcountry Freeskier backcountryfreeskier.com
    Discrete Headwear Discreteheadwear.com
    Lost Trail Powder Mountain losttrail.com
    Char Poles charpoles.com
    ON3P Skis on3pskis.com
    Big Hip bighip-ent.com
    LB Snow lb-snow.com
    Check out our Facebook page for updates and extra Content facebook.com/MontanaTrimmings
    Music - Dust and Dirt by The Black Seeds
    House of the Rising Sun -Doc Watson

  • 4 weeks ago
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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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  • 1 month ago
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• Filming for The Co-Lab Filming for The Co-Lab

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

     

    Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, The Bridger Brigade’s Axel Peterson has been hard at work filming an edit for The Co-Lab. He and his crew have been hard at work skiing film worthy lines with speed and aggression for quite a while now and he thinks it’s his time to shine. TGR caught up with him on his attempt at $100,000 and The Co-Lab glory.

    TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH: What motivated you, besides the $100k, to enter The Co-Lab?

    Axel Peterson: I have been creating ski edits for four years now at a somewhat underground level, and I thought this competition would be a good way to get our name out there and see how we stack up against everyone else.  

    TGR: What do you think the most important aspect is, in a winning edit? (Music, Athlete, Location..etc.)

    AP: I think all play an important role in creating a quality and unique edit. Number one will be the athlete, not the 'Name', but rather the level of skiing.  A nice mix of burly lines and stomped tricks will make for the most enjoyable edit to watch.  Also, a mix of terrain such as pillows, gnarly lines, couloirs, natural features, etc. will be an important aspect for a winning edit.  I'm a big fan of using lesser known music rather than mainstream songs for an edit.  Personally, I love edits where I hear a song I've never heard.  A good song will be important in setting the mood, pace, and overall feel of the edit. 

    TGR: What’s the biggest obstacle you came across in creating your edit?

    AP: So far, the biggest obstacle has been timing.  On numerous occasions we have been hiking perfect pow lines in the sun, and by the time we reach the top it is socked in and puking snow.  So just getting unlucky with weather, and also me forgetting my memory cards for my camera (haha) have been the only issues that have cost us a few good shots.

    TGR: Who are you most excited to see enter the Contest?

    AP: Of course I'm stoked to see what the 'top dogs' come up with, but mostly I'm excited to see what the lesser know filmers and athletes create.  It's awesome when an unknown team blows everyone's mind. It is going to be a high level of competition, and I can't wait to see every edit that is entered!

    TGR: Who are you working with on the edit?

    AP:I've been skiing every day this season with Randy Evans. It's been super fun filming with Randy this year and watching him push himself.  He has really stepped it up this winter by stomping some technical lines and sweet tricks.  We already have a few quality shots in the bag so far, and we will be working hard through the end of May to produce an edit that hopefully stacks up with the other entries. Randy just won the 'Ticket to Tailgate' competition, so we are heading to AK next week to stack some more shots! I have also been filming a lot this season with Steve Popovich. I know he is planning on submitting an edit, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

     

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  • 1 month ago
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• Interview: Ralph Backstrom Interview: Ralph Backstrom

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    
    Ralph Backtsrom is no stranger to the podium on the Freeride World Tour circuit. The overall title has eluded him till this year when he dropped into the infamous Bac de Rosses face with aggression and not only won the day, but the overall title as well. We caught up with him to get his take on his first ever world championship.
    
    TGR: Ralph, after a few years of near misses, you’re the FWT World Champ. Has that set in yet?  How does it feel?
    
    Ralph Backstrom: It's been a long road of near misses, and yes, it has set in.  I'm super stoked.
    
    TGR: You dropped first and wound up staying on top.  Tell me about your line choice. Also tell us how nerve-wracking  it was to be in the hot seat for the entire competition.
    
    RB: I knew I was going to be dropping first 2-3 days before the comp; just had a really strong feeling.  The only thing was that I thought the skiers were going to be going first.  When we heard that the snowboarders were going to go first, I knew I still had the 1st bib.  It can be a bit nerve wracking going first, but most riders in AK prefer to go first, right?  I had been in Verbier for 5 days or so before the comp and had picked a line out.  After 2 bad line choices/falls in the prior comps, I picked the first line that spoke to me when I saw the face.  Then, the night before the comp, I kept having these micro dreams/thoughts that parts of my line were too tight for the amount of slough that would be moving, and kept having trouble visualizing individual turns.  So I woke up super tired, and the fog didn't help me feel any more awake.  I definitely wasn't in a state to ride a technical line.  I changed my line minutes before I left the judges tent to start hiking to something less technical and less exposed.  It wasn't until I saw my score that I knew how good my run was.  I had flown passed some features I'd planned to hit, so thought I'd be easy to beat.  I definitely dodged some bullets sitting there at the bottom watching the others come down!
    
    TGR: You were in third coming into the finals at Verbier. How did that affect your decision-making when you were picking your line?
    
    RB: I try not to let stuff like overall points get into my head for decision making, so I just tried to pick something I knew I could stomp most of, with some bigger airs that were maybe questionable.
    
    TGR: What was going through your head when you dropped into the Bec?
    
    RB: I was so rushed before we dropped I didn't have time to think at all.  A couple riders and myself were talking to Nicolas Hale-Woods on speaker phone about contingency plans if the fog didn't clear.  It cleared right then, and he said, “forerunner in 2 minutes!”  After he dropped, the starter said, “Ralph Backstrom 2 minutes!  No, 1 minute!”  I even forgot to put on my backpack up there.
    
    TGR: The tour lasts all winter. What do you do to stay on your game when you aren’t competing?
    
    RB: I try to stay in shape, have a good time riding, and stay healthy.
    
    TGR: You’ve had some pretty awesome film segments. What drives you to compete in the Tour?
    
    RB: Competition lines and film lines are pretty similar, and doing either of them is good practice for the other.  I do think comp lines generally tend to be a little more difficult due to conditions, tracks, etc, and are therefore good preparation for filming.  It's a good way to travel the world with cool people too.
    
    TGR: What venue is your favorite one to compete at?
    
    RB: Revelstoke, Mack Daddy Face.
    
    TGR: After finally getting the overall title, are you planning on competing next year?
    
    RB: That's hard to say at this point.  The tour is great, but I think there are still a few things that could use some polishing, and you never know what other opportunities will come up...
    
    TGR: What are you going to do with the rest of your winter?
    
    RB: I'm in Laax right now for the GoPro Snow Camp, heading back to Tahoe in a few days for the Pain McShlonkey, then up to Alaska.

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  • 2 months ago
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• Why You Should Ski In Afghanis Why You Should Ski In Afghanistan

  • From: kausarhussain
  • Description:

    

    Afghanistan.
    
    Just the mention of the word sends images into the mind. Military units driving through deserts, windswept mud brick villages and broken arid urban landscapes. When I mention the possibility of going skiing in Afghanistan it can get some strange responses. Forget about the risk, the first question is, “Is there any snow?”
    
    Whilst it is true that much of Afghanistan is desert or semi-desert and that it hardly ever rains, it does snow. In the mountains it snows a lot. The snow is the lifeblood of Afghanistan. As it melts, it flows through the rivers that fill the canals that irrigate the fields.  A good snowfall ensures that the people of small rural communities will have a good harvest and can feed their families and livestock. A poor snowfall often leads to a drought and a famine. However, the snow in Afghanistan is both a blessing and a curse. Heavy snow cuts off villages in the mountain and every winter people freeze to death or are crushed by avalanches.
    
    Families wait for the snow to melt hoping to survive the winter until they can reap the reward that the snow will bring in the summer. For thousands of years there has been nothing for the people to do in the winter except wait for the Spring....until now.
    
    This winter young men from the villages of Kushkak, Jawzari, Ali Baig, and of the valleys of Qazan and Dukani and Foladi will pull on home made skis, crafted from wooden planks, with edges made from flattened tin cans and with poles snapped from a nearby tree. Some will be selected for training to represent their valley in a competition to see which valley can produce the best skier. They will be given modern ski gear to use. They’ll be taught how to ski, and they’ll receive basic training in first aid and avalanche awareness — skills they can take back to their village and potentially use to save lives.
    
    A handful of young men from Bamian, in Central Afghanistan have already begun guiding foreign skiers - both ex-pats from Kabul and visitors from around the world who are trickling into the region to try out Afghan skiing first hand.
    
    
    
    So how did this happen?
    
    At the beginning of the winter of 2010 almost no-one had skied in the province of Bamian. The valley's chief claim to fame had been the giant Buddha statues carved into the cliffs overlooking the town of Bamian. Tragically the two statues – which were about 1400 years old – were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 robbing the world of two of its most important ancient Buddhist relics, and robbing the people of Bamian of one of their key sources of tourist income. For Afghans, Bamian province was also well known for the lakes of Band e Amir  – a series of five lakes formed by natural travertine dams, that appear like a mirage in this high, arid landscape. In the summer Kabuli families come here to picnic and to escape the dust and heat.
    
    Bamian is also home to the Hazara people. The Hazaras are recognisable by their Mongoloid features. They’re Shia Muslims, unlike most Afghans, who are Sunni. In popular tradition they are reputed to be the remnants of the Mongol armies who came to the region with Genghis Khan. Historically they have been looked down upon by the ethnic Pushtuns and Tajiks who make up most of Afghanistan’s population. Some radical Sunnis — such as the Taliban — have seen them as heretics because of their Shia faith. Modern Afghanistan has always been ruled by Pushtun kings or Pushtun dominated governments who have tended to overlook the Hazaras. However, there have been important changes in Bamian since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It is no Shangri-La —  there is little electricity, the province is one of the poorest in the country and by any standard it ranks as one of the least developed places on the planet. However, for the first time in decades there are signs of progress and positive change.
    
    Ten years ago, Bamian province had never had a hospital, a paved road, or a university. Now these all exist. There are still many problems, of course, but the Bamian valley is relatively secure and there is none of the anti-government fighting that plagues large parts of the rest of Afghanistan.
    
    An international development agency, the Aga Khan Foundation, saw the potential of promoting tourism in Bamian as a way of giving the people of the province an additional source of income. The Foundation has helped to develop guest houses, organise cultural festivals and provide information about the places of interest in and around Bamian.
    
    That’s fine in the summer when tourists come to the valley, but what about the winter, when guest houses lie empty? Well, the people of Bamian fall back on their timeless winter pastime of just surviving and waiting until the Spring.
    
    
    
    But taking their cue from other mountainous developing countries it was clear that any winter income was better than none so the Aga Khan Foundation began the Ski Bamian programme. With no infrastructure or lifts, the idea was to make the Koh-e-Baba mountains a new destination for ski-touring.
    
    In 2010 two American skiers were employed for the winter to map out potential routes. They brought only their own equipment so the Afghans had to get creative if they too wanted to ski along with them. Anyone with a small knowledge of Afghan military history will tell you that not having state of the art equipment never stopped the Afghans with competing with foreign powers.  Skiing with no ski equipment was not an insurmountable problem. Strips of wood with battered oil tins for edges were formed - - so, the bazaar ski was born.
    
    It quickly became clear that the mountains of Bamian were perfect for skiing and in 2011 a foreign ski trainer arrived to train the first batch of Afghan ski guides. It was early in 2011 that Ali Shah met Nando the Italian ski trainer at his village of Khushkak. Ali Shah was fit, young and spoke good English. Nando asked him what he wanted to be?
    
    “An engineer” said Ali Shah.
    
    “Why you wanna be an engineer? In Kabul there are a thousand engineers. You shoulda be a mountain guide. It's the best job in the world. You spend your whole life in the mountains with beautiful women.”
    
    It may not have been a textbook interview but Ali Shah is now Afghanistan’s best ski guide and Nando's singular teaching style set the basis for the success of the project.
    
    
    
    During 2011 and 2012 the annual Afghan Ski Challenge race (Rule number one — no weapons) was organised by a Swiss journalist and has became a focal point for the ski season (www.afghanskichallenge.com). With most Afghan Challengers having only one month’s ski training the Swiss organisers thought it an unfair challenge. They divided the race into Afghan and non-Afghan categories. The challenge is a classic ski touring route which includes skinning up as well as skiing down. They were right to divide the competition as most of the Afghans had finished before the foreigners had even got to the top.
    
    With donations from western organisations like gear4guides (www.gear4guides.com) there is now a well equipped ski rental shop in Bamian serving the local community and the ex-pat and international skiers that trickle in.
    
    My connection with skiing in Afghanistan began in 2009 when I bumped into a Scottish lad who worked for an Afghan aid agency. Ken was hiking with his girlfriend in the Wakhan region of Afghanistan in the far North East and I was leading a group of trekkers. The Wakhan region is the only other part of Afghanistan safe enough to consider these types of outdoor trips.
    
    He told me of a group of British and French skiers working in Afghanistan who regularly skied near Kabul in the winter and if I was serious about being an Afghan tour operator then I should be offering ski trips to Afghanistan. I said I'd join him on a trip that winter.
    
    On the first trip I made we took one of our regular drivers, Ali. For someone who has never skied it is quite hard to explain what we planned to do. Once we loaded up the poles and skis he had a rough idea of what we were up to and wanted to help. At the bottom of the Salang Pass, which crosses the spine of the Hindu Kush, Ali stopped at a small teahouse and ordered food for all of us. As any Afghan will tell you the best thing for breakfast if you are going to spend all day in the snow is Cow’s Foot. Boiled for hours, this gelatinous lump of bone, fat and gristle is never appealing to non Afghans and the French skiers particularly do not like it. We made a quick note that for the commercial trips, we wouldn’t let the drivers choose the dining options.
    
    But it was then that I saw how skiing was something that really appealed to all the Afghans who saw it. Standing next to Ali as we watched Ken fly down the slopes, he was awestruck. “He is a Djinn,” was Ali's response. Hazaras believe there are mountain spirits and clearly Ken was one.
    
    In the tea house where we stopped on the way back, Ali regaled the owners with the tale of Ken's exploits. Ken was described as a Djinn and I as a Boz (a goat). I hoped it was a way to describe my sure footedness in the mountains but I think it was more to do with my erratic skiing style.
    
    In keeping with Afghan tradition, the story was heavily exaggerated but it started a long discussion about skiing, mountains, snow conditions, avalanches and Afghanistan’s future.
    
    It was not only Ali who became a convert. I realised that, Cow’s Foot aside, this was an awesome way to experience Afghanistan in the winter. Skiing was something that was very foreign but the snow and the mountains was a common factor that could bring people together as it had done in that tea house. I also thought Bamian could be the perfect place for skiing.
    
    
    
    It has not always been smooth. A few elders in one or two villages are suspicious about the skiing fuss. They worry the young men will hurt themselves – preventing them from doing the hard farming work - or that skiing will be the thin end of the wedge and they'll get caught up in other foreign un-Islamic ways. This generally does not stop the young boys from hiking up the hills and skiing. “The only say it is bad because they don't know how to ski,” said one boy from Jawzari village.
    
    All the trailheads start from the villages and we have a code of conduct to help ensure that skiers behave properly. The Aga Khan programme representatives have discussed the skiing idea with all the local villages. We pay our respects to the village leaders and maybe take a cup of tea. There are many ways in which thoughtless skiers can cause offence, generally to do with women. In a country where the majority of people are illiterate and there is very limited access to the media, in these isolated rural communities, rumour is often taken as fact. If someone tells a man that the foreigners took a photo of his wife and put it on display in Kabul he will probably believe it. So Rule Number One is – Don’t take pictures of the women. Ever.
    
    Cultural sensitivity is key to the future of skiing in Afghanistan.
     
    When guiding a group of snowboarders last winter we spent a good hour discussing with the headman of one village what we wanted to do in their valley. The snowboarders were professional and were heading to a steep area that had not been ridden, so the villagers were suspicious. It took a great deal of persuasion until he agreed and let us pass around his village.
    
    As we walked around the village we were watched closely by the men on the rooftops, with no smiles or handshakes. We travelled far up the valley and soon the snowboarders were making jumps from the top of large cliffs. On the second attempt one of them failed to make his landing and crashed in a huge cloud of snow. Suddenly huge cheers rang out from the village below. All the village stood watching on the house rooftops. They liked all the action, but they liked the crashes best of all.
    
    On the way back down there was still staring and silence but we knew the ice had been broken.
    
    We went back to that area for three days and by the end we were inside drinking tea and joking with the local people.
    
    The key to a successful trip is that the Afghan villagers have  a positive experience as well as the visiting skiers.
    
    
    
    Afghanistan has always presented a contrast of lifestyles. An abiding memory of my first visit back after years away was of an old man and a young boy herding sheep down an unmade road. With his turban and billowing shalwar-kameez — a long, loose shirt and trousers, the man looked almost Biblical. A closer inspection revealed that his son was wearing a Megadeath t-shirt (presumably a charitable donation). The road they were walking along had a traffic calming feature – a half buried tank caterpillar track to stop cars speeding through the village. Introducing skiing to a small valley in the Hindu Kush seems to build on such contrasts.
    
    A typical night is spent in rooms heated by wood fire stoves called Bukharis. These are very efficient heaters. You fill them to the maximum before bedtime. It might be -25C outside but we would be sitting in our rooms in shorts and a t-shirt. As the night passes and the fire burns out the temperature plummets in the room and at dawn we'll be inside sleeping bags and the glass of water by the bed will have a layer of ice.
    
    Breakfast could be eggs or pancakes. Where we stay, the cook was trained at a US agency guesthouse. He knows exactly what hungry Westerners like to eat. Recently married, he returned to Bamian from working in Helmand province. The wages are much lower in Bamian but it is safer. In Helmand he always had to carry his ID card to get into the compound. However, if the Taliban stopped him and found this ID card he would be killed.
    
    On a very cold night the diesel will freeze in the vehicles used to take us to the mountains. We'll drink tea whilst a fire is built under the engine to defrost it, and perhaps watch the daily UN helicopter coming in to land at the Bamian military base, managed by the New Zealand army.
     
    Once in the villages at the top of the valleys, when we start to skin up we'll be invited in for tea by the village elders. Depending on the weather we'll either accept or continue uphill to make the most of the snow. I'll remind people that they should always remove their shoes when entering a house, never speak directly to the women -– and above all, no matter how serious their latest case of Kabul Belly, NEVER to fart in a room with their Afghan hosts. This is perhaps the greatest social faux pas of all.
    
    Often we'll be joined for all or part of the day by the local youths on their home-made skis. Making light work of skinning up and paying little or no attention to our avalanche warnings. they just laugh – “Inshallah” – if God wills it
    
    There is not much to do in the evenings. Alcohol is forbidden, but there is plenty of hearty traditional Afghan food and drink - kebabs, rice and hot drinks. With alcohol forbidden, we like to call this the Apres- tea scene.
    
    Skiing will not solve all the problems in Afghanistan. It won't solve the problems of Bamian but in a few small valleys in the Hindu Kush they are making a small positive impact to a handful of people and that is something worthwhile.
    
    Interested in traveling to Afghanistan, be smart and read up first.  Amazon.com has some grea books on travel and history throughout Afghanistan.
    
    
    •    Kausar Hussain is a guide and operations manager for Untamed Borders and arranges ski trips to Bamian every year. http://www.untamedborders.com www.facebook.com/untamedborders
    
    
    

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  • 3 months ago
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• Resort Review: Silverton Mount Resort Review: Silverton Mountain Colorado An Exhilarating, Unforgettable Experience

  • From: benkoelker
  • Description:

    

    You've heard of it.  If you haven't been for a visit and you finally smarten up and go there, these are a few things that may happen.  A four hour drive may turn into a seven hour drive.  The roads out there during a dump are no joke with AWD or even 4WD.  If you don't have either, find a friend who does.  You don't want to die on the way in…  On the way back home you may be OK with it…  $139 gets you a guided tour of the mountain.  With one chairlift Silverton Mountain is all hiker access off top.  After you park, you are directed to a yurt where you sign in.  First thing in the morning you will smell spilled carpet beer as you sign your life away and employees bellow simple instructions. If you don't own a beacon, a shovel and an avalanche probe, this is where you rent them. Behind this cozy little yurt they hide a helicopter in the woods.  It's just sitting there in the snow. 
    
    This is not Vail.  They offer guided trips as well as unguided depending on the day.  Check their website for all the updated information, They also offer heli-trips at $999/ day or $159 for a single lap.  A guide is highly recommended, and necessary during most of the season, to access all of the 1,819 acres of Silvertons terrain..  Outside the check-in yurt you will be herded into groups of eight plus a guide.  Most members of this group will have duct tape on some part of there gear.  Most likely they will all rip.  Your guide will also rip. This is not likely, this is a fact.  Your guide may say in a loud voice to your group, even before he or she introduces him or herself, “This mountain may kill you today.”  You will agree and immediately understand that this mountain is much more likely to kill you if you do not listen to your guide.  Your guide will make sure everyone can at the very least turn on their beacons and put a probe together, then assess the groups ability as far ask hiking speed and which terrain everyone is comfortable riding in.  Once at the top of the lift your hike may take ten to forty-five minutes.  You want people who can keep up with your group, the group being only as strong as its weakest hiker.
    
    Expect random explosions throughout the valley as the helicopter bombs for avalanches.  Expect the hike to have some scary in it.  Sometimes you will use a guide rope so that you don't fall to your death.  Your guide goes first.  Every single time, employee benefits.  On most runs you drop one at a time for safety.  The guide will say, for example, “count to ten after I disappear over that ridge and then the first person can drop.”  First?  Did he say whoevers first?  Who's first on the first run of the day??  Nervous shuffling...  No worries if you are courteous, there will be plenty of snow.  Runs at Silverton include wide open powder fields, cliff and cornice drops, tighter tree runs, chutes, gullies and pretty much anything your group can handle. 
    
    Your group, your guide and the snow conditions dictate what is skiable.  Avalanches are common, but to date no one has ever been fully buried.  We spoke to a skier in the lot who was partially buried that day.  He apparently didn't listen to his guide.  Listen to your guide.  It's possible some skier in your group may break out a bottle of breakfast champagne to pass around on the traverse back to the base, where Silverton's bus will shuttle you back to the lift.
    
    At another point you may find yourself in Two Smokes and use a rope to slowly side slip down rocks and logs jammed into a choke in an avy path.  With the right group expect four to six of the best runs of your life.  Regardless of how much you hike at your home mountain, this mountain eats up your legs.  Back at the yurt at the end of the day you will find all sorts of characters who feel the same way.  Tired, thirsty and satisfied.  You realize the employee who laughed about 'herding cats' as he tried to get your group set up in the morning is having a beer and laughing with friends next to you.  Your guide may slap you on the back as he rolls up to take a seat with your group (did i mention you're all fast friends at this point?) and have a beer or five.  Our guide on this trip, Pedro, was getting in his beers and veggies together with PBRV8's.  After the day you've just had, you'd probably be willing to give your guide a lift to middle-of-nowhere Montana if they asked you, pay for the gas yourself, and thank them when you got there.  
    
    Silverton Mountain is a truly a different, exhilarating, intimidating and most importantly, unforgettable experience.  According to Skyler Holgate, one of Silverton Mountain's guides, who's a guy who can be found guiding/ shredding the gnar from Silverton to Bariloche to Alaska, the best thing about Silverton Mountain is that with tons of terrain available, and only about 80 people a day there is never a threat, or crazy powder rush like you get at any other ski area.  You can just chill and enjoy the day and shred fresh lines alllll day.  On a side note, check out the Bonnie Belle cabin (www.bonniebellecabin.com).  It is the only backcountry cabin in CO or in the lower 48 that offers private heli skiing/ shuttles into the cabin, located at 12,000 feet above sea level in Picayune Gulch, overlooking the Animas River headwaters and the historic ghost town of Animas Forks.  It's 15 miles outside of the town of Silverton, and is owned by Skyler, mentioned above.  You can ride some of the San Juan's sweetest mountains with the best guides in the business! 
    
    Just book it, then you have to go.
    
    Written by Shane Santana and Ben Koelker
    Photo by Ben Koelker

    Book Silverton Mountain Discount Lift Tickets and Silverton Mountain Ski Deals Online

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• Hiking in the fog Hiking in the fog

  • From: twintiptele
  • Description:
  • 3 months ago
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• Tree Slaloming Tree Slaloming

  • From: frenchman
  • Description:
    Rider: Leon Chevalier Filmed By: Leon Chevalier Filmed in les Houches and in Val Cenis Vanoise, French Alps. Because it hadn't snowed in a long time, the only untouched snow we found was deep in the forest, or when hiking high and far enough.
  • 3 months ago
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• Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Sk Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Ski Products From SIA 2013

  • From: gregfitzsimmons
  • Description:

    The SIA Snow Show rolled through Denver last weekend like a carnival—it popped up quickly, took over for a few days, and disappeared overnight. There was some serious shoptalk and geeking-out that went down during the four-day ski and snowboard trade show. We were on the floor throughout, scouring the booths, talking with brands, and checking out the gear that’s on-tap for next season. There’s a lot for skiers to get excited about next year, from bindings and backpacks to skis and jackets. Here are ten pieces of gear that we were introduced to at SIA and think you need to know about.
    
    
    
    Kastle FX Skin
    
    Kastle has come up with the answer for the age-old problem of getting shit stuck to the glue of your climbing skins: make a skin without using glue. Like an octopus, the FX Skin uses thousands of tiny suction cups to stick to the ski, which means dirt, water, and dog hair are no longer a worry when slapping your skins on for the climb. For now, the FX Skin is only available cut to fit the Kastle FX line of skis, which are worth checking out, too.
    
    
    
    Völkl One & Two
    
    The One (blue) and Two (red) skis by Völkl are the perfect ski for jibbers looking “to take it the backcountry.” With “early” taper in the tip and tail and full rocker, this line will be the go-to quiver for guys looking to spin and stomp, get pitted and arc pow turns—like Dash and Dylan. A multi-layered wood core promises a poppy feel, the vertical sidewalls mean bomber quality, and the playful tail will allow for skiers to get creative in deep snow.
    
    
    
    
    
    K2 Shax
    
    We’re always psyched when we can consolidate gear and cut down on the equipment we have to schlep in packs during backcountry missions. So, people were talking at SIA when K2 unfurled their new “shax”—a combination of an ice ax and rescue shovel. This thing has many functions: rescue shovel, hoe, deadman anchor, flat surface for cooking, and, now, a removable handle with an interchangeable ice axe head. It all packs down into the size and weight of a normal shovel. The Shax is the go-to tool for booting up the couloir, building booters, and rescue situations.   
    
    
    
    Rossignol Soul 7
    
    The hype surrounding the Soul 7 (and Soul Series) is loud right now, and rightly so. The Soul 7 is 106mm underfoot with “Powder Turn Rocker” and boasts a new ultra‐lightweight core and new Air Tip technology that has reduced the ski weight by 20%. “At 106 underfoot, the Soul 7 is the new do‐it‐all, go‐to ski,” said Rossi pro Matty Richard. This ski is the bridge between backcountry, freeride, and freestyle; it’s super light for going uphill and spinning of features, but doesn’t compromise an ounce of performance when you’re clicked in. This one’s a blaster.
    
    
    
    Dalbello Krypton Lupo (Sean Pettit Pro Model) Boot
    
    Dalbello’s KR2 Series is building on the momentum it’s seen over the last few years, and unveiling a new pro model called the Lupo S.P. that looks and feels burly. Sean Pettit’s 98mm last pro model boot is geared for big mountain charging, and keeps the hiking and skinning in mind, too. With an ultra-burly cuff, high-traction mid sole rubber, and replaceable toe and heel, this 130 flex, three-buckle boot is legit.
    
    
    
    Smith Inspired Designs Helmet and Goggles
    
    The new Smith I/D Project has created a series integrated—as always with Smith—goggles and helmets based on colors and graphics that the athletes are clamoring for and inspired by. The end products are sweet. Sage’s Chakana I/O goggle and Vantage helmet boast a matte purple look and incorporates Incan mythology that Sage believes in and Bobby Brown’s Digital I/O goggle and Maze helmet are inspired by the London tube map when he was in the UK at the Olympics.
    
    
    
    Patagonia PowSlayer and Untracked
    
    The Patagonia PowSlayer kit has garnered a devout following in its first year on the market for its lightweight and durable design and freeride fit. The second iteration of PowSlayer is only getting better! With an articulated fit made for charging skiers, thoughtful design that allows for backpack straps, high-back bib with belt loops for après, and sick colors, the PowSlayer is a must-have kit. And, the Untracked pant and jacket blends a hardshell’s waterproofness with the breathability of a softshell. Look for awesome color combos like Yvonn’s favorite, army green with purple.
    
    
    
    Mammut Pro Protection Airbag Backpack
    
    Mammut has recently acquired Snowpulse which means that the airbag in all Mammut snow packs will be geared 100 percent toward snowsports. The new Pro Protection Airbag pack is the perfect example of an avalanche airbag pack that is designed for the serious skier. 35 liters of volume means there’s a ton of room for overnight hut trips, the back entry makes it easy to get into the pack’s main compartment, and the shape of the Snowpulse airbag aims at helping combat trauma in an avalanche in addition to helping flotation. Mammut is also working on a canister rental program with retailers to make sure that when you travel to BC or Europe from North America you don’t have to stress about your canister.
    
    
    
    
    BCA Tracker3 Beacon and BC Link Walkie
    
    The Tracker has been a go-to beacon for backcountry skiers for a long time because of the ease of use, and now the Tracker 3 comes in a smaller package. The T3 still boasts the industry’s fastest and most precise pinpointing with an instantaneous display, but it’s now 20% smaller and lighter than the Tracker2 and has three antennas. The BC Link walkie means that backcountry travel and communication aren’t mutually exclusive. Going one-at-a-time doesn’t have to compromise communication anymore. The real-time communication system is easy to use with gloves on and designed to be worn with all backpacks.
    
    
    
    Dynafit Beast Binding
    
    If you’ve been on a month-long hut trip or haven’t paid your internet bill for awhile, you might not know that Dynafit is unfurling The Beast. The 16 DIN binder has created a frenzy among charging backcountry skiers and for good reason. The Dynafit Beast 16 DIN binding is serious. The frameless touring binding is looking to change the entire binding category, blurring the once definitive line between an alpine binding and a touring setup.
    
    A Few Other Products to Note:
    
    Tyrolia, Elan, and Fischer will be producing a 16 DIN alpine binding called the Adrenaline that looks to be a solid competitor to the Jester, Driver, and others on the market. It’s lighweight design, low profile tow piece, and tight mounting pattern make it a binding to check out if you’re looking for a bomber alpine binder.
    
    Line will be unveiling the Sick Day Series of skis that athletes like Colter Hinchliffe, Andrew Whiteford, and Max Hammer had a major role in the development of the three-ski line—with widths of 125mm, 110mm, and 95mm underfoot. Line’s Sick Day Series are surfy, stable, and fun.
    
    Chris Davenport recently joined forces with Scarpa to create the Freedom SL Freeride Boot. It’s lightweight (3 pounds, 15 ounces per boot), durable (Pebax and carbon-fiber construction), strong (120 flex), and comes stock with an Intuition FR Speed liner.

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• Hucking In Hochfugen With Dyla Hucking In Hochfugen With Dylan Hood

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    Scoping natural features in Austria.
    
    Words by Dylan Hood
    Photos by Dutch Simpson
    
    We have arrived here at Hochfugen, our second location of our Austrian ski trip.  
    
    Yet again, another beautiful valley with large mountains rising in all directions, making for amazing views.  We are staying in the Bluebird Mountain Hostel, which is a dank little hostel located across the valley.  The winding, single-lane road up to the hostel has hair-raising turns. And there is no Internet there, forcing us off the matrix.  Most of the crew is fine with it, except for Durtschi, who is trying to pass Sage with the most followers on instagram. 
    
    The Hostel is cozy, quaint and now smelly because our crew of nine has taken it over.  Luckily, we have been able to wash our clothes, but have to dry them outside in the mountain air, due to no dryer, which I think is awesome.   The crew running the hostel is amazing, and have given us the best food and coffee we‘ve seen all trip.  To give you an idea of the vibe here, the crew is using the money they make from this hostel, to start a surf hostel. 
    
    We arrived to some clear skies, and steadily warming temperatures.  We have been able to get some cold snow on and off the resort.  The mountain has all types of terrain from lines, to mini golf to rollers, allowing us to get into all types of skiing, which we have.  We attacked the mountain as soon as possible knowing that warm weather was on the way.  We have shot some jumps and lines, but have come to a holding pattern due to warming and clouds. 
    
    The weather is calling for a good amount of snow, so now we wait for the flakes.
    
    Slashing a fin in the backcountry.
    
    Stomping out a natural quarter pipe with Sage.
    
    Booting lines.
    
    About to drop an Austrian spine line.
    
    Prepping to drop.
    
    Cork 5 off a backcountry booter.
    
    Visit the Bluebird Mountain Hostel Facebook Page
    

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• Dylan Hood in Austria hiking Dylan Hood in Austria hiking

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
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    Dylan Hood in Austria
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• So, You Want To Go To A Backco So, You Want To Go To A Backcountry Lodge In BC, Eh?

  • From: jeremybenson
  • Description:

    If you were at a lodge in BC, you would be crushing it.
    
    “All you focus on is waking up, skiing all day and getting ready to do it again the next day,” says James Heim, “With the skiing being so close to the lodge you literally roll out the door and can be skiing amazing lines in no time.” Heim, a BC resident and star of numerous films by MSP and Sherpa’s Cinema, has been on three film trips and numerous personal trips to backcountry lodges around BC. Matchstick Productions has filmed several segments at Golden Alpine Holidays’ Meadow Lodge with the likes of Heim, Eric Hjorleifson, and Mark Abma. Other film companies have followed suit, Candide Thovex and Sweetgrass Productions both made trips to Icefall Lodge to film last winter. Filming at a backcountry lodge is great because, “The whole crew is already out in the mountains and so close to great filming terrain,” says Heim, “You can't get caught up in day to day life, instead you focus solely on getting out there and shooting.”
    
    Sure, backcountry lodges are a great place to film a sick segment, but they are an equally great place to go shred with your friends for exactly the same reason. Here’s the basic idea: Get a group of like-minded friends together and rent a lodge for a week. Jump in a helicopter, get dropped off at the lodge. Wake up, eat, go skiing, eat, go skiing, eat, sauna, drink beer, sleep, repeat for one week (in roughly that order). Stephane Reindeau, a Revelstoke resident and owner of Tough Guy Productions, has spent time at various lodges around BC and says, “The backcountry lodge environment allows you to enjoy gourmet cuisine and fine camaraderie, in the middle of beautiful mountains, and the powder skiing is unparalleled. This is the dream, and the experience is unprecedented.” That’s weird, I’m pretty sure I’ve had that same dream…
    
    Look, it's BC powder!
    
    The Canadian Province of British Columbia is home to some of the most dramatic and remote mountains in North America. In addition to countless cat and heli-skiing operations, BC is home to roughly 30 commercial backcountry lodges. Backcountry lodges have played a part in BC’s rich mountain history and they continue to evolve with our modern backcountry skiing boom. From the Coast Range to the Rockies, there are lodges and huts littered throughout western Canada’s mountains.
    
    The Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association’s (BLBCA) website lists 27 commercial lodges that offer skiing. Most are privately owned and operated while the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) manages some. Countless other hike-to or sled-to lodges exist throughout the mountains of BC, but that’s another story entirely. Generally situated at or near treeline, these lodges provide an ideal base for mountain exploration. When it’s storming you can ski the trees and lower elevation terrain around the lodge. If it’s clear you can head up high and access alpine peaks, chutes, and glaciers. Most lodges are so remote that they are accessed exclusively by helicopter. Icefall Lodge, for example, is a 20-minute heli-ride away from the nearest heli-staging near Golden, BC. Twenty minutes in a helicopter is a damn long time, prohibitively far to walk, so you can rest assured that no one else will be out in your zone.
    
    The Icefall Lodge in British Columbia.
    
    Larry Dolecki, owner and head-guide of Icefall, started his lodge because, “there is so much terrain in BC, but you are limited by road access. The helicopter gets you out there, then there is no one else around.” With groups ranging between 12-16 people, depending on the lodge, there is plenty of snow and terrain for everyone. “You show up and ski right out the door, no driving, no racing for first tracks,” says Dolecki, “Atmosphere is a big reason lodges are becoming more popular, sharing powder with a group of friends.”
    
    Lodges are typically rustic, they are located in the middle of nowhere after all, but they do offer many of the creature comforts we’ve all become used to. Electricity is standard at pretty much every backcountry lodge, and in BC style this is usually from some sort of “green” energy source. Most lodges use hydroelectric or solar power to charge their batteries and when all else fails, they have a gas powered back-up generator. Wood stoves provide heat for the living areas and drying out skins, boots, and other soggy ski gear. Some lodges also feature a designated drying room where all the stinky ski gear can dry by propane heat and fester in its’ own stench. A few modern backcountry lodges have indoor toilets, but many still utilize the good ol’ frosty outhouse. Most lodges pull their drinking water from nearby fresh water sources, many have holding tanks and running water, while others rely on human power to bring water in buckets, either way it’s some of the best tasting water you’ll ever have. Wood fired saunas are common, and when coupled with a watering-can hot shower is the perfect way to wind down after a long day hiking for face shots. Some lodges even have satellite internet so you can maintain your status and give your friends the F.O.M.O.
    
    You could be skiing powder in Canada right now.
    
    All lodges are different, but most offer both guided and self-guided skiing. Some lodges require you to have a guide, and with avalanche paths longer than most ski areas it can be nice to have someone with terrain familiarity showing you around. Guides are often included in the price, or they typically run around 300-400 bucks a day, when divided among a group ends up being pretty cheap to have someone break trail for you all week. Depending on your group’s level of backcountry savvy you may be able to opt for guiding yourselves, a slightly less expensive option.
    
    As for food, the full spectrum of options is generally available, from catered gourmet to do-it-yourself. I love eating mac-n-cheese and quesadillas all week with my bros, but having someone cook for you is undoubtedly easier and way better, albeit slightly more expensive. Waking up to hot coffee and breakfast, and coming home to soup and snacks before a delicious dinner everyday is worth a couple hundred bucks in my book. There are catering companies in BC who specialize in lodge trips and will prepare your week’s worth of food, boxed up and with recipes, to take with you on a self-catered trip to save you the hassle of figuring it out for yourself.
    
    Skinning with your friends is the best.
    
    Plan ahead, lodges tend to book out early nowadays, so making your reservation up to a year in advance may be necessary. In fact, a couple of the ACC lodges, like Fairy Meadows and Kokanee Galcier, are so popular that they work on a lottery program for reservations. Group leaders can usually book an entire lodge, then fill it with their favorite shredding partners. Booking the whole lodge is the most cost effective approach and brings the price per person down significantly. You can often book just part of the lodge, or help to fill a partially booked week, in which case you’ll be sharing with other folks who are there for the same reasons you are, so they’re probably pretty damn cool. Expect a catered and guided week to cost around $1,800-$2,200, far cheaper than a week of heli skiing, and arguably as much or more fun.
    
    If you’re planning a trip to a backcountry lodge in BC, here’s a few helpful tips. Canada is not part of the United States, you’ll need identification to enter, I suggest a passport. Flying to Canada is expensive, and getting around once you’ve landed can be a pain. I recommend driving whenever possible, this saves on airport transfers, car rentals, baggage fees, and you can bring groceries and a small amount of alcoholic beverages with you.
    
    Things are more expensive in Canada, so bring the maximum amount of alcohol allowed, a case of beer, or 3 bottles of wine, or a 750 ml of liquor per person, they will probably check at the border. If you’ve had a DUI in the last 5 years, don’t even try to cross the border.
    
    Bring earplugs, one loud snorer can keep you up all night, every night, and the better you sleep the harder you can charge.
    
    Avalanche training and experience traveling and skiing in avalanche terrain are a must; hire a guide if you are the least bit uncertain of your skills. Know your gear and how to use it. A backcountry lodge trip isn’t the right place to try out your new backcountry boots for the first time because, as James Heim says, “There’s nothing worse than being in an amazing location for a short time and spending most of that time either fixing your gear or practicing avalanche rescue when you could have done that before hand.”
    
    Do some online research or talk with friends who’ve been to a lodge to find the one that best suits your needs, there are lots of options. Lodge operators are extremely helpful for planning and can assist with finding guides, catering, and details like lodging before and after and your trip.
    
    My backcountry lodge experiences have resulted in the best ski trips that I’ve ever been on. The stress free environment, comfortable lodging, and access to incredible terrain are without equal. In my opinion, there isn’t a better a way to spend your money on skiing and spend time in the backcountry.
    
    A few helpful online resources:
    http://www.backcountrylodgesofbc.com
    http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca
    
    Catering:
    http://www.mosmountaincuisine.com
    

    Going on a backcountry hut trip, be sure to load up on Avalanche Safety gear available at: backcountry.com

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• News: ESPN Introduces Music, S News: ESPN Introduces Music, Style and Film To The X Games Aspen 4 Day Weekend

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    

    If you’re a skier or snowboarder and you haven’t checked off going to see the X Games in Aspen, Colorado from your bucket list your doing it all wrong.  Watching the events from your couch can be nice if your lazy but hiking up the pipe, getting a prime spot and watching the invited athletes sore through the sky is truly amazing. 

    It almost always snows during the X Games, so bring your board or skis and take some runs. Like swag, who doesn’t?  Upon entering the X Games grounds everyone is given a bag full of sponsor freebies and giveaways.

    And to top that off now ESPN is showcasing music, film and art during this years X Games.

    X Games Aspen Kicks Off 2013 Global Expansion with Style, Film and Music
Major Lazer and Calvin Harris to Perform; Kevin Pearce and Green Day Present Their Films 


ESPN, the leading action sports content provider and creator of the X Games, is collaborating with artists, filmmakers and action sports icons to integrate cultural elements into the four days of action sports competition and festivities that is X Games. With relevance to contemporary youth around the world, X Games Aspen launches into 2013 and the six-event global expansion as a transformation from an action sports competition brand into an action sports lifestyle brand that will highlight new locations with enhanced cultural and digital elements around the world.

    X Games: FILM

    Premiering a few days prior at the Sundance Film Festival, HBO’s “The Crash Reel” is a jaw-dropping story of one unforgettable athlete, Kevin Pearce; one eye-popping sport, snowboarding; and one explosive issue, traumatic brain injury. Through 20 years of astounding action and verite footage, “The Crash Reel” chronicles the epic rivalry between Kevin and Shaun White which culminates in a life-changing crash and a comeback story with a difference.  The film is directed by Academy Award nominated Lucy Walker.


    Wednesday, January 23 at 8:15 p.m. - The Wheeler Opera House



    “¡Quatro!” pulls back the curtain and takes fans inside the world of Green Day, from the various spontaneous live performances in select cities across the U.S. to the chronicling of their creative process while conceptualizing and recording their current trilogy of albums: Green Day ¡Uno!, Green Day ¡Dos!, Green Day ¡Tré! ¡Quatro! is directed by Tim Wheeler and produced by Tim Lynch for Farm League X.

 

    Saturday, January 26 at 9:15 p.m. - The Wheeler Opera House.

    X Games: LIFT TICKETS

    
    Discounted lift ticket packages are available for the X Games  - 6 day Aspen/Snowmass lift access+ 6 - $20 dinning vouchers
    

    X Games: MUSIC



    While performances from top artists often have been part of the X Games experience, 2013 marks the debut of a special concert series dedicated to showcasing the best talent in each of the five countries set to host the events this coming year: the U.S., France, Brazil, Spain and Germany. X Games Aspen will launch the X Games: MUSIC series with headliners Calvin Harris and Major Lazer performing on the X Fest Stage and streamed live to XGames.com.

    Calvin Harris – Calvin Harris has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for “Best Dance Recording” for his hit single “Let’s Go” featuring Ne-Yo (Ultra Music) and “Best Short Form Music Video” for “We Found Love” by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris. Both tracks appear on HARRIS’18 MONTHS and these accolades mark his first Grammy nominations ever. Released in late October 2012, 18 MONTHS also includes songs with Kelis (“Bounce”), Example (“We’ll Be Coming Back”) and his smash radio track “Feel So Close,” as well as selections with guest vocals from the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Ellie Goulding, Tinie Tempah and Ayah, and collaborations with DJ/producers Nicky Romero and Dillon Francis.

    Major Lazer – Diplo (AKA Wesley Pentz) has risen through the ranks and has asserted himself as one of the most pioneering producers of his time. He is the Grammy nominated founder, owner and head honcho of Mad Decent records, which has not only garnered widespread critical and audience accolades since its inception, but has also deservedly earned a hefty reputation as a vanguard of groundbreaking releases. As Major Lazer, he continues to spearhead the current dancehall revival movement with the upcoming release, Free The Universe, dropping on February 19th, 2013.
 


    
    

    In addition to the venue concerts, X Games: MUSIC will also present four special shows at the Belly Up Aspen.

    Belly Up Aspen


    Bloc Party, Wednesday, January 23 at 8 p.m.


    Tyler the Creator, Friday, January 25 at 7 p.m.

     

    X Fest Stage


    Calvin Harris, Saturday, January 26 at 4:30 p.m.  


    Major Lazer, Sunday, January 27 at 4:15 p.m.

    
    

    X Games: STYLE

 

    Runway Shows – X Games Aspen 2013 will bring what's next in style with two presentations that demonstrate the connection between the action sports lifestyle and fashion. Some brands will be familiar, while others represent a growing trend now mashing up fashion, lifestyle and sports.
 January 23 at 7 p.m. prior to film showing at The Wheeler Opera House
 January 26 at 8 p.m. prior to film showing at The Wheeler Opera House.

     

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• Bootpackers by Tristan Greszko Bootpackers by Tristan Greszko

  • From: kimhavell
  • Description:
    Bootpackers by Tristan Greszko
  • 4 months ago
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• High Sierra Backcountry Season High Sierra Backcountry Season Opener

  • From: sethlightcap
  • Description:

    
    
    Story and Photos by Seth Lightcap
    
    The rumors had started to trickle in the previous week. “Crest looking solid. Maybe Negatives?,” said one text message from a Mammoth bro. “Still thin but could be good high, real high,” said another message.
    
    These were the magic words we had been waiting for. Finally our frantic calls to friends living in Mammoth, Calif. asking, “How’s the coverage? Can we ski in the backcountry yet?!” were met with a response other than, “ Ummm...Bring your climbing gear! Perfect bouldering weather in Bishop!”
    
    Snow has been stacking up in the Northern Sierra and the Tahoe Basin since late October but the early season storms didn’t hit the High Sierra peaks near Mammoth Mountain quite as hard. Back to back storms the first week of December changed all that, or at least helped the effort. The couloirs and aprons dropping off the crest got creamed enough to start looking tempting anyway.
    
    A glimmer of hope that we might slay alpine pow lines while our backyard peaks in Tahoe suffered through a nasty melt/freeze cycle was all it took to round-up the posse. Alpenglow Sport’s Jeff Dostie, Brennan Lagasse, Toby Schwindt, Allison Lightcap and I rallied down HWY 395 and went to have a look around near Mammoth in early December.
    
    This Eastern Sierra season opener trip turned out to offer the complete package - good weather, stable snow, sweet alpine pow shots and the distinct feeling that we weren’t in Tahoe anymore. Conditions weren’t epic everywhere and the coverage was still thin at best, but one thing was certain, it was definitely worthy of leaving the climbing shoes at home.
    
    
    One day we toured out of the recently closed June Mountain. It was an odd feeling being the only two cars in the parking lot on a sunny Saturday. The lower lodge was barren of any signs of life. It looked like no one had lifted a finger at the place since last spring. Starwood Capital Group, the owner of Mammoth Mountain and June, is obviously sticking to their plan to keep June closed this winter. Starwood’s tentative plans are to re-open the mountain next season. We weren’t sure if we were allowed to start hiking from within the resort boundaries but we saw no signs suggesting otherwise. There were also a few sled tracks on top of the first bench for those with braaa-p lapping on the mind.
    
    
    We toured way back beyond June Mountain’s boundaries and punched a staircase up a chute to the crest. Damn it felt good to get back in the bootpack.
    
    
    Yet again, Mammoth Mountain proves to be the snow magnet of the High Sierra. Mammoth’s upper mountain is caked with snow, seemingly more than any other peak in the region.
    
    
    Though it had rained to the top in Tahoe two days previous, the summits near Mammoth were spared the deluge. At 10,000 feet we found drifted panels of boot-top winter pow and a fair bit of wind buff snow. Jeff Dostie lapped it up in between long looks at Mono and June Lakes.
    
    
    Rippable passageways through the craggy Sierra granite are starting to fill in. Brennan Lagasse carved up this surf gully.
    
    
    We chased the sun as we best could but it’s warmth was fleeting. Coverage was way better on northern aspects which kept us hiking and riding cold north faces. Allison Lightcap broke out into the sun topping out for another lap.
    
    
    If you want to shred in the High Sierra you gotta love wind buff. This mission was no exception. Brennan Lagasse ripped into this tasty textured panel of the chalky stuff.
    
    
    I wish I could say the Sierra snowpack down by Mammoth was super fat. Sad but true, it was not. There are some sweet alpine lines that were ready to ride but a vast majority of the peaks needed more snow to be fully in-season. Toby Schwindt carved into a rock field soon after this shot.
    
    
    But where the snow was deep enough...Jeff Dostie found some High Sierra bliss opening it up down this alpine face.
    
    
    Slashing deep pow in the High Sierra is always extremely satisfying. Between the effort it takes to get there and the unfortunate reality that wind or warm temps often strip away the snow with a quickness, you gotta cherish every blower turn you can get in the Sierra. Brennan Lagasse made this turn count.
    
    
    It’s a distant second to shredding pow yourself but watching your buddy whoop it up takes home the silver everytime. Dostie and Lagasse approve a Toby turn with a hearty pole whack.

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• Allison Lightcap hiking Allison Lightcap hiking

  • From: sethlightcap
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    Allison Lightcap hiking
  • 5 months ago
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• Ski Camping In Valdez - Behind Ski Camping In Valdez - Behind the Line Season 5 Episode 6

  • From: TetonGravityResearch
  • Description:

    In Season 5 Episode 6 of Teton Gravity Research's web series Behind The Line, Ralph Backstrom, Todd Ligare, and Griffin Post take snowmachines deep into the crevasse riddled mountains surrounding Valdez, Alaska and set up camp for a couple of weeks. With the goal of hiking and descending some gnarly lines, the team encounters many challenges that may prevent them from completing their mission.
    
    Behind The Line is a series that features a unique line, jump, or session from the filming of Teton Gravity Research's 2012 ski and snowboard film, The Dream Factory. Watch as athletes take a look back at these insane moments and discuss them, providing an in-depth look Behind The Line of The Dream Factory.
    
    Watch More Episodes
    
    Order The Dream Factory
    
    Music:
    
    Tracks: “ Inception Beat ” & “ Fuzz Sound ”
    Music courtesy of: Jeff Cormack & Play Plus Record
    www.playplusrecord.com
    
    Artist: Kevin MacLeod
    Track: Prelude and Action
    www.incompetech.com

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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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