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rock rzr.jpg rock rzr.jpg
- From: westoxified
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- 5 days ago
- Views: 103
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Hit List: Kimmy Fasani Hit List: Kimmy Fasani
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Kimmy Fasani shreds harder than you. It's a simple fact. Whether she's in the backcountry or the park, this Mammoth native gets after it. But instead of begrudging Ms. Fasani for her awesome talent, we sought to get the inside scoop on makes her so damn good. For this week’s edition of Hit List we went straight to the source and asked Kimmy a bunch of hard-hitting questions, along with some random, unnecessary queries. Read on for all of Kimmy's unadulterated answers.
Five Fun Facts about Kimmy Fasani:
1. I have a three-pound Yorkshire Terrier named Reese
2. I have a college degree in business marketing
3. I am married to a professional skier—Chris Benchetler
4. I was a gymnast
5. I love sushi and Thai food
What's the weirdest thing that's happened to you while snowboarding?
Walking out of the bathroom at the main lodge at Mammoth Mountain and straight into the rapper, The Game. He was at the hill snowboarding and I am a super fan.
If you could pick your favorite TGR Film of all time, what would it be?
One for the Road, because my husband (Chris Benchetler) had a really cool segment.
What are the top three things you do to stay sane in the summer?
Bike, Yoga, Rock Climbing. Done and done.
Favorite places to shred your bike in Mammoth?
On the mountain I love the MTB trails Paper Route and Twilight. On the road, my go-to is the Benton Crossing Road.
What is the absolute best thing about being on Burton?
How involved all the riders are in product development!!!
Olympics. What are your thoughts on them?
I was going to give slopestyle a solid effort, but unfortunately had a big knee injury in December. I really respect the athletes who are pushing the sport in a positive way.
What is one song you can always listen to and never get sick of?
Anything by Bob Marley.
What is the most creative costume you've donned for Halloween?
Chris and I dressed up as the main characters from Grease. We were Sandy and Danny.
What's one gig you could never do?
Something where I had to be around spiders. Couldn't handle that.
You spent your honeymoon in Africa, what was the most memorable moment from your trip?
Seeing all the massive animals just ten feet away. Lions, Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes. It was surreal.
What are your favorite boards these days?
The new Burton Day Trader is an incredible women's powder board. I also love the Anti-Social, Burton's splitboard for women.
What was the first concert you went to?
LL Cool J and Sir Mix A Lot! Holler!
Most obscure place you've snowboarded?
In the backcountry of Interior BC. Totally off the grid.
What's a better training food: Skittles or Sour Patch kids?
Sour patch kids and/or Swedish Fish. I try not to eat them at all, but if I eat candy, those are my splurges.
Voila. There you have it, Kimmy Fasani in a nutshell.
Photo credits: Blotto, Andy Mahre, Chris Benchetler
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
- Views: 135
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TGR Explores the Kootenay Rock TGR Explores the Kootenay Rockies, BC - Almost Live Season 5 Episode 8
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Follow the TGR team through the Kootenay Rockies, as they work their way north from the eclectic ski town of Rossland, BC. Along the way, their stops include the powder caked slopes of Red Mountain, the steep lines of Stellar Heli Skiing and the endless pillow lines at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing. Living in the mountains in this region of British Columbia truly defines a Way of Life.
Music: Jeff Cormack & Play PLus Record playplusrecord.com
Watch Almost Live episodes HERE
Shop TGR Merchandise as seen in this episode of Almost Live HERE
Check out Red Mountain HERE
- 2 months ago
- Views: 105
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News: Backcountry.com Signs TG News: Backcountry.com Signs TGR Athlete Ian McIntosh To Pro Team
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Canadian pro freeskier Ian McIntosh is a hard-charging specimen of brute strength, raw talent, and pure style. Today, Backcountry.com, online specialty retailer of premium outdoor gear, welcomes McIntosh to their 34-member Pro Team. No slouch to slashing turns on steep powder faces, electrifying crowds at comps, or bringing his A-game for the camera, McIntosh joins an elite athlete roster that includes some of the most talented professionals in skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
“We are super excited about having Ian join our program,” said Jonny Atencio, Sports Marketing Manager at Backcountry.com. “I've known Ian since he was competing on the Freeride Tour – the guy is a beast. His ability to seek out and ski unique lines is uncanny. We look forward to Ian's contributions to our community, as he will be providing product reviews, answering questions, and uploading photos and video to the Backcountry.com site.”
Growing up in the Kootenays in interior British Columbia, Canada, McIntosh has had skis strapped to his feet since he was two-years-old. As part of a family that was crazy about skiing – his grandfather is still an instructor at age 85 – McIntosh honed his love for speed and technique as a ski racer during his early years. But, as he got older, the big mountains were calling McIntosh’s name – which prompted a move to Whistler in 2004.
“Having an avid skiing family, it was natural for me to gain a huge love for the mountains,” said McIntosh. “I was ski touring with my family from age 10. But, my love for powder quickly overtook my love for racing and I found myself completely addicted to skiing and over the years became a successful ski bum. Many things helped me hone my skills over the years from racing to the Freeski Tour, but I attribute everything to those early years as a kid where my passion for the mountains was born.”
After a few years on the freeride comp circuit, where he took second-place overall on the Freeski World Tour in 2004 and won the North American crown the same year, McIntosh was invited to shoot with leading ski-film company Teton Gravity Research (TGR) – a dream of his. This opportunity opened the door to McIntosh’s ski career as he has become a leading athlete in not only TGR’s annual ski films, but many others including Warren Miller and Red Bull productions. In 2007, McIntosh won the Powder Magazine Awards “Breakthrough Performance” honor.
“My skiing today is evolving as I become more and more focused on going places where not many have ever been and skiing mountains and lines that have never been ridden,” said McIntosh. “Bigger challenges and bigger rewards are waiting. Joining Backcountry.com is super exciting for me because I think that I embody the backcountry spirit as strong as most.”
Consisting of some of the most experienced and respected athletes in the world, Backcountry.com’s Pro Team members are ambassadors – and affiliates – for the site. Through adding product reviews, updating their personal profile pages, and sharing news across their social media channels, Backcountry.com athletes are an extension of the brand helping connect and engage customers and the Backcountry.com community.
For more about Backcountry.com - Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 294
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Video: Dirty Pebbles - Spring Video: Dirty Pebbles - Spring Shreddin at The Rock
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Some dirty skiing on terrain that is rarely skied at Pebble Creek Ski Area during the last week of the season at the South East Idaho ski hill.
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 162
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Cherry Picking – Points North Cherry Picking – Points North Heli “Buddy Love”, the Worm Glacier
- From: kimhavell
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Description:
Photo: Grant Kaye
Remote, bold, and mostly unknown, some of the dream, big mountain lines lie deep in Alaska's mountains and are accessible only by helicopter. Over the season, we will cherry pick the modern gems of ski descents from one of the greatest places on the planet for big mountain powder skiing: Alaska, The Dream Factory. It will be a display of mind-blowing, inspiring, and intense moments as we ask the heli-guides and owners to cherry pick a run from each of their permit areas. This is a look into what is possible by some of the best operators in the world and their talented guides, clients and athletes.
Buddy Love - Cherry Picking No. 2 - Points North Heli
The Worm Glacier is a Points North Heli (PNH) treasure. Sitting at the Southern entrance of the Chugach mountain range just north of Cordova, Alaska, the Worm zone offers a vast number of options off the peaks lining its valley. Terrain ranges from the 3,000ft warm-up run “Guilt Trip” to spines galore. The stand-out, however, is a peak named “Buddy Love” that, according to PNH Chef and tail guide Nathan Stone, “is undoubtedly the brains and beauty of the Worm Glacier. Flying in, if you can make it past the temptations viewed on approach, your eyes become fixated on this lone peak at the head of the valley.”
The prominent peak of Buddy Love is roughly 2800 vertical feet and a consistent 50-degree angle pitch. It is named after one of Cordova's most respected citizens and good friend of PNH, Bud Jansen, AKA “Buddy Love”. A third generation Inuit tribesmen, Bud is a central figure of the land-locked community. PNH photographer and friend Keoki Flagg explains, “Like most who were born and raised in Cordova, Buddy has made his living as a commercial fisherman. This giant of a man has a gentle, easy-going manner and he is engaged and committed to supporting any and all activities that help the community thrive.” Janson also owns the famous “Pro Shop” in Cordova, and the Worm Glacier and many of its runs are named in honor of him.
When Kent Kreitler put the first descent down Buddy Love it was pre-PNH as well as pre-most heli operations in AK. Kreitler was based off the Maritime Maid boat in Prince William Sound, close to the current Points North base. The first descent was documented in TGR’s film, “Harvest”. The segment opens with Kent charging from the top, airing over a rock outcropping, and then sending it to the bottom effortlessly in about eight turns.
Countless pros and film companies have visited the area over the years and superstar big mountain skier Wendy Fisher calls it the best heli run of her life. Pro snowboarders Mitch Toelder, Flo Orley and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott have also charged multiple routes off its face.
As Guide and Co-Owner, Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn shares, “Buddy Love used to be a peak I often skied with Kevin (Quinn – husband, guide, & co-owner). The landing zone is small and the adrenaline I would feel on the toe-in would stay with me for the first three turns skiing down. It’s exciting! Dropping onto the massive spine is intimidating, but as soon as you’re a quarter of the way down the run appears, the rollover fades away, and you are skiing a beautiful, consistently steep slope to the bottom.”
Sobolowski-Quinn adds, “It was a special moment when one of our guests, KC, skied it. She is a mom of three and in her forties. I was overcome with pride and awe. It's not often you see a lady just ripping the you-know-what out of a line like Buddy Love and doing it just for the sheer joy of doing it.”
Photo: Court Leve
PNH company man Stone describes the run:
“On the west aspect there are fluted spines, top to bottom. The apron is littered with gaping crevasses that catch your eye like an S.O.S distress signal from a pocket mirror. Due to its sun exposure, this aspect is rarely skied. But in the right conditions, it will be what you dream about.
Panning around to the northwest aspect, Buddy Love proper, is a beautiful A-framed layout. The tip of the peak is rarely landed on by helis as it occasionally can have wind scoured rock formations and a miniscule landing area; so about fifty percent of the landings are in the saddle just below the summit. This is where I set out for the quick climb to the top.
Once on the summit, as I double check my gear, the bass drum in my chest is increasing in velocity and depth. Peering over the tip of my board, the view is peppered rock and small cliffs scattered about the entrance. Beyond that, the only visual is the valley floor 3,000 feet below. Classic AK roll.
There are safe points. But if you are caught in the wrong area, it's taking you top to bottom in a hurry.
With a consistent 50-degree pitch, I have no problem finding the accelerator in the first turn. From there it offers several routes—my personal favorite being fall line. I work the mountain from right to left. A third of the way down, a distinct rib just calls for turns. Shedding snow forms rivers on both sides of me, and yet more concentrated on either side of the spine. I make a few surf-style turns, whipping the tail while scrubbing speed in the same motion. A smooth lip. Take off!
Airing a small cliff band, I am now in the gut. The belly of the beast. I have two choices at this point: wait out the slough train, or, my choice, hammer down, working left toward the shoulder, letting the snow fall away from me.
Getting to the bottom third, the thought of pointing to the finish line comes to mind. But keeping one step ahead, I lock onto the open seracs and depressions on the left side of the apron. All of the snow I've been avoiding is now catching me and its destination is the danger zone. Smashing the pedal to the floor, I exit right, just before the slough nips at my heels to pull me back fall line. Arms raised, yelling in ecstasy, I realize that I made it. And I rode it how I wanted.”
Be safe in the field, shop for all your avalanche saftey gear online at Backcountry.comPhotos by
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 188
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Go Now: Selkirk Wilderness Ski Go Now: Selkirk Wilderness Skiing
- From: SamPetri
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Description:
“I don’t fuck around.” Dr. Powder says. “This is my 30th week up here. I only get two weeks each year to really ski, and I’m not going to blow it. I come here. I am not fucking around."
It’s hard to look directly into Dr. Powder’s intense, near-purple eyes as we chug uphill in one of Selkirk Wilderness Skiing’s bright-yellow snow cats on a bluebird Monday morning. Instead, I look outside in awe of Canada’s pillow-packed mountains. Dr. Powder is actually a heart doctor from California, and he’s serious about skiing. A quivering passion shows on his face when he talks about the sport, and he spends his precious little skiing time here. But he’s not alone.
Fanaticism runs deep in the clientele at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing, the first cat skiing operation in the world located in Meadow Creek, British Columbia, just two hours north of Nelson. It’s not a mystery why. The cats access more skiable terrain than Whistler/Blackcomb and Vail combined, and only see about 24 skiers per day. They’ve been quietly delivering stellar powder since 1975, when founders Allan and Brenda Drury literally changed the ski world by inventing a new way to ski.
It snowed 25 centimeters up high last night. In Freedom Units, that’s 10 inches. SWS lead guide and 20-year veteran Jason Remple, has seen fatter days, but he wasn’t complaining as we ended our first cat-assisted assent.
Ecstatic chatter cracks over the radios: “25 centimeters of new! Whoo Ha!”
Our crew of 12 applauds.
The cat stops and we file out into knee-deep snow. I just grin while looking the snow-caked, spine-filled mountains with pillow clusters and steep glades. There’s every type of skiing feature imaginable here. I search for my skis. Ian, our cat driver, has already laid them out on the snow for me, as he has with everyone else’s skis. How nice. I click in.
Remple, who also owns a business called Stellar Heli-Skiing, rallies the crew.
“Follow me.”
We’re off. We ski 12-deep in a mob, like some sort of Canadian cat skiing advertisement. “We really are skiing Canadian,” I chuckle to myself. We keep it up until we reach a convex rollover, the top of our main line. We stop.
Remple explains the layout of the run, and where people of different abilities need to go. Throughout the trip, Remple, Jeff Gostlin, and Carla Aldinger consistently guide us to the gnar. Every run has features to jump off of, leaving us repeating phrases like: “So sick!”
“You’ve got to understand this is a diverse group,” says Remple. “On any given run though, there are a lot of options and we can get into almost anything. There’s something for everyone.”
That might be the best thing about SWS—you can go there with your old man and have a blast. In fact, two guys in our cat were a father-son duo from San Francisco. While dad would ski the open powder field, his son, who we nicknamed “Big Air Blair,” would shred pillow lines. Both were fired up at the bottom of every run, ready for more. That’s quality family time.
It goes on all day. We ride up, blast down, each time linking back up with the cat. Rarely do you see the other cat out there. Each run from start to finish takes about 40 minutes or so, including time spent in the cat. Depending on the group, it’s possible to ski anywhere from eight to twelve runs in a day. Depending on the group, it's possible to get six to twelve runs per day. Most runs are about 2,000 to 3,000 vertical feet.
Helicopter flights jack you up for the next run, while traveling in a snow cat is like a relaxing bus ride through a powder forest. If heli skiing is a stimulant, then cat skiing is an opiate.
SWS serves lunch in the snow cat, and it’s one of the best things about the experience. It even comes with tea and cookies. This daily ritual happens every day at SWS. It’s amazing. Skiing needs more tea and cookies.
The lodge, located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, has a cool, community-style vibe where guests hangout together and eat together. There’s a pool table, ping-pong table, hot tub, sauna, and a serve-yourself bar stocked full of chronic Canadian microbrews that don’t show up in America. Oh yeah, there’s WiFi, but you’re here to unplug. Just ski. Don’t forget to eat though. The food is healthy, hearty, and delicious. Dinners are served family style, adding to the overall camaraderie one feels while at SWS.
The snow in interior BC, while feather-light, has a bit more moisture content than in the Rocky Mountains. This lets mini-AK-style spines, flutes, and pillow features form almost everywhere, allowing for playful bonks off terrain features without fear of dry-docking. I go all day without hitting a rock or crossing a track.
Back at the lodge we melt into the cushy chairs, kick our feet up by the fire, pop beers, thumb through Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine, play ping-pong, and soak in the tub. This is the place. Tomorrow, we’ll get on a snow cat at 8:15 a.m., and ski the best powder of our lives all over again. It’s no wonder Dr. Powder comes twice a year—he’s in on the Selkirk’s secret.
Book Now
Selkirk Wilderness Skiing TGR Special
March 24 to March 30. Both 3 and 5 day package are available at 20% off right now.
3 day – normal price/discounted price = $2580/$2150.
5 day – normal price/discounted price = $4300/$3440.
Photos by Steve Shannon - Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 223
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rock story rock story
- From: slaagmaster
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Description:
- 3 months ago
- Views: 67
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Waterville - Park and Pipe Ope Waterville - Park and Pipe Open Series 2013 - The North Face
- From: thenorthface
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Description:
Highlights from the rail jam and big air competition at The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series at Waterville Valley Resort. Edit by Stept Productions and team athlete Nick Martini.
Music:
Black Rock Coming Soon
The Black Eyed Keys
Watch More Videos By The North Face - 3 months ago
- Views: 5
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Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, And Rozies Win FWT In Kirkwood
- From: gregfitzsimmons
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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) 3435.00Staying at Kirkwood is the way to go, sure beats driving from South Lake Tahoe. Book your next Kirkwood vacation pacakge at: http://mountainreservations.com
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Views: 176
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News: Aspen/Snowmass Free Conc News: Aspen/Snowmass Free Concert Series Dates Announced Sponsored By Bud Light
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Aspen/Snowmass is once again bringing music to the mountains this winter with major acts heading to the valley including The Easy Star All-Stars, Brett Dennen, Grouplove, The Infamous Stringdusters, Donavan Frankenreiter and the Toubab Crewe.
Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., January 9, 2013 – Aspen/Snowmass is celebrating the 10th season of the Bud Light Hi-Fi concert series with a top-notch line-up including Mutemath, Easy Star All-Stars, Brett Dennen, MarchFourth Marching Band and Grouplove. These acts will rock various locations around Aspen/Snowmass this winter as a part of the ongoing free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series and CORE Party concert, now expanded into two-nights. The Bud Light Hi-Fi concert series kicked off with a performance by Reverend Horton Heat on November 24. Aspen/Snowmass has presented over 60 free outdoor concerts since the Bud Light Hi-Fi Series began in 2003 with a different band taking the stage for each event. The bands have been booked in partnership with Belly Up Aspen since 2006.
“Live music is a vital component of the Aspen/Snowmass event calendar and this year’s Bud Light Hi-Fi Series line-up raises the bar on providing a fun, entertaining experience for guests and locals of Aspen/Snowmass," says John Rigney, VP of Sales & Events for Aspen Skiing Company.
X GAMES ASPEN WEEKENDBud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Mutemath – Friday, January, 25, 5:30 p.m. – Gondola Plaza, Aspen Mountain
Mutemath makes their Aspen debut reigning from New Orleans as an American alternative rock band that formed in 2003. The band melds hip-hop, moments of grandeur, and vocals that are reminiscent of classic rock to create a sound that is inherently their own.
X Games week kicks off at Belly Up Aspen with electro-fusion act Kung Fu on Monday, January 21. Tuesday, January 22 Belly Up is headlining California roots-reggae act Tribal Seeds. Wednesday, January 23 the club kicks into high gear with British indie rock band Bloc Party, presented by X Games Music. Friday, January 25, X Games Music Presents Odd Future's lead rapper, Tyler The Creator performing at 7 p.m. and a late night show with Scottish producer-DJ Calvin Harris (this show is SOLD OUT). Sunday, January 27, Belly Up Aspen closes out X Games weekend with dup-step artist Datsik with special guest Sex Panther.
PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKENDBud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Easy Star All-Stars: Dub Side Of The Moon – Saturday, February 16, 3:00 p.m. – Snowmass Base Village
Internationally renowned reggae act, Easy Star All-Stars brings their superb rhythm with the Dub Side Of The Moon to Snowmass Base Village on Saturday, February 16 for the third free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert of the season. The show will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a soon to be announced act and Easy Star All-Stars will take the stage at 4:00 p.m. Since their debut in 2003 with their cover album of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon entitled "Dub Side of the Moon," the reggae collective has built an ever-growing, international fan base.
For President's Day weekend, the Belly Up Aspen brings Grammy nominated Bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters on February 14 and New Orleans funk jam band Galactic on President's Day, February 18.
SPRING EVENT
13th Annual Bud Light Spring Jam – March 21-3 1
The 13th annual Bud Light Spring Jam – the premier spring festival in the Rocky Mountains – brings two weekends of competitions, concerts and parties to Aspen/Snowmass. Brett Dennen kicks off the live music on Friday, March 22 in Snowmass Base Village to celebrate the NASTAR National Championships. This youthful folk/pop singer first won the heart of his loyal fans in 2004 with his soulful lyrics, easy groove and the hit single "Desert Sunrise." The show will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a soon to be announced act and Brett Dennen will take the stage at 5:00 p.m.
The eagerly anticipated Bud Light Spring Jam Core Party is expanded into two nights for the first time and will feature a beer garden. The event will kick off with MarchFourth Marching Band playing a street concert in downtown Aspen on Friday, March 29. M4, as their devotees call them, throws itself and the audience into a swirling volcano of high-energy music and spectacle. Grouplove will take to the same downtown Aspen stage on Saturday, March 30. Their live shows sweep up the audience with an energetic blend of upbeat indie-pop, rock and folk. Their shows are kinetic and engaging. DJ Naka G will be performing at 8:00 p.m. each night while the crowd enjoys giveaways from sponsors. MarchFourth Marching Band and Grouplove will take the stage at 9:00 p.m. on their respective nights.
At Belly Up, Hunky surfer, singer-songwriter Donavan Frankenreiter will take the stage March 23. On March 24, See-I & Toubab Crewe will co-headline a fun night of worldly sounds. Music festival darlings, The Dunwells also return to the Belly Up on March 26. The Colorado based folk group Elephant Revival will perform on March 29. On March 31, Belly Up brings back their favorite Talking Heads tribute act, THIS MUST BE THE BAND. This show will include a full band performing the album Stop Making Sense in its entirety.
Click Here for Aspen/Snowmass slopeside lodging deals. - Blog post
- 5 months ago
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High Sierra Backcountry Season High Sierra Backcountry Season Opener
- From: sethlightcap
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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. - Blog post
- 6 months ago
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Vote For The King Of The Hill Vote For The King Of The Hill
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Vote On 32 Skiers To See Who Is The Best Skier On The Mountain
We selected eight prominent ski athletes from four of the dominant ski film production companies and pitted them against each other in a “March Madness” style bracket. We want to let you pick the King Of The Hill, so go to our Facebook page and vote for your favorite ski movie rock star.
Two sets of ski athletes will be pitted against each other every 48 hours until a winner is reached.Currently:
JP Auclair VS Pep Fujas
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa VS Seth Morrison
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
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The Dirty Needle - Cherry Pick The Dirty Needle - Cherry Picking The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
- From: kimhavell
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Description:
Remote, bold, and mostly unknown, some of the dream, big mountain lines lie deep in Alaska's mountains and are accessible only by helicopter. Over the season, we will cherry pick the modern gems of ski descents from one of the greatest places on the planet for big mountain powder skiing: Alaska, The Dream Factory. It will be a display of mind-blowing, inspiring, and intense moments as we ask the heli-guides and owners to cherry pick a run from each of their permit areas. This is a look into what is possible by some of the best operators in the world and their talented guides, clients and athletes.
The Dirty Needle - Cherry Picking No. 1 - Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Words by Kim Havell
Photos by Greg Harms
In February 2012, deep in the Tordrillos of western Alaska, guides Greg Harms, Mike Overcast, and Lel Tone set up clients for the run of a lifetime. The group was based out of the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge (TML) and the clients were ex-pro snowboarders from the Czech Republic. With a private heli, stable conditions, filled-in bergschrunds, and strong riders, it was the window of opportunity to drop into some big first descents.
The team was lined up with one of the best periods of operation in Alaska in the last 10 years. Over the week, the crew managed an astounding 118 heli-drops as they worked into more aggressive terrain in deliberate progression.
When the crew reached a target area of possibility, 20 miles from the lodge, it got named, “The Czech Palace.” Some of the biggest lines yet discovered in the Tordrillo range are in the Palace, dropping off of near 10,000-foot peaks with roughly 4,800-foot couloirs. Nearby also sits the “Priority One” sector, with a stack of 3,500-foot spine walls, as seen in a few big mountain ski films.
Harms, an heli-guide with 18 years of experience, had spotted The Czech Palace five years back, taken some photos, and was waiting patiently for the right time. Joining TML when it opened for winter operations eight years ago, Harms was invited in by Overcast to help map out and establish descents in TML’s 1.2 million acres of permit area. Harms personally recorded 20 first descents in 2012 in Alaska, in addition to another 20 guiding near Valle Nevado, Chile.
“The Dirty Needle” is the most distinct and dramatic run within The Czech Palace with huge relief and incredible views. Besides the natural flow of the line, the views from the top include hanging ice off the steep sides of nearby peaks, including Mt. Gerdine. There is also spectacular rock color and formations unique to the area. David Horváth, 43, of the Czech group, was the first rider down the line. He had tears of joy at the bottom.
”The Palace is filled with gold and red granite that has a stunning contrast to the white, cold powder." Overcast said, "There was a line for everyone down different couloirs, with mind-blowing gendarmes, into the common basin below. Everyone got their own first descent.”
TML has put in for additional permits to extend their operating areas. First descents for clients will be the norm for the next twenty years. There is much to explore in the Tordrillos; it is the Wild West of Alaska.
Find Out More About The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Compare Heli-Skiing Operations
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
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News: Rail Destroyer Frank Apr News: Rail Destroyer Frank April Joins The NOW Bindings Team
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Frank April’s urban style is a perfect match for the innovative design of NOW Bindings
WHISTLER, BC – Canada’s “la belle province” of Quebec has been at the forefront of the snowboard scene for the better part of three decades turning out a consistent flow of amazing riders and some of the most entertaining urban snowboarding ever seen. The current crew of riders everyone is watching are the French-Canadian urban riders behind the Déjà Vu Movie project, a snowboard movie featuring eight of the most progressive street riders in the industry today; among them, 25 year-old Frank April.
An urban rider constantly pushing the limits of what can be done in the streets, Frank April is among the elite of snowboarding’s who’s who of urban snowboarding. With his recent selection to this year’s X-Games Real Snow video contest and winner of “Jib part of the year” at this year's Reels Festival in Annecy France, Frank has the reputation for creative and unprecedented urban skills on some of the most unusual features. NOW Bindings is very excited to welcome Frank to its’ growing team of the most innovative rider’s in the sport today.
“I am very stoked to have Frank join the team and push the street scene with our NOW bindings. He is an amazing snowboarder and an awesome person. Frank adds creativity and uniqueness to our pro team and we are very excited to have him rock our bindings. Welcome Frank and have an amazing winter., ” says JF Pelchat, founder of NOW.
The world’s first skate-influenced binding, NOW bindings are built for the street with the Skate-tech technology, NOW provides unmatched performance, comfort and response. It is no wonder that NOW is finding its way on the urban scene from coast-to-coast. With the no-back built into NOW’s revolutionary binding design, street rider’s can now get the skate feel and mobility of no-back’s without loosing binding functionality.
“Hands down the best binding i have ever ridden, so comfortable and precise,” Frank April said.With the NOW IPO in stores, on the mountain, and in the street across Canada and the US, the revolution being forged by NOW Bindings has just begun. The future of street riding is NOW.
Make sure to check out Frank April and friends in the Déjà Vu teasers and vote for Frank in ESPN’s Real Snow video contest beginning January 6, 2013.
About NOW Bindings:
NOW is a revolutionary binding company focused on creating innovative, relevant technologies for today’s snowboarder’s. We are a rider-owned company dedicated to improving snowboarding through our products and beliefs. As the Overall Winner of the prestigious 2012 ISPO Award celebrating technology and innovation, NOW Bindings is a game changer in binding design and function. The Future is NOW.Connect with us:
Web – www.now-snowboarding.com
Twitter - @nowbindings #rethinkyourride #futureisnow
Facebook - www.facebook.com/nowsnowboarding
Instagram - @nowbindings - Blog post
- 6 months ago
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Deadly Winter - A Look At A Ye Deadly Winter - A Look At A Yearlong Avalanche Cycle In Montana
- From: patclayton
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Description:
The prevailing southwesterly winds begin to load The Barrels during the 2011-'12 winter in Montana.
Words and photos by Pat Clayton
Standing at the bottom, eyes gazing upward, mouth position - donut hole. It was the state many of us found ourselves in more than once during the 2011-12 winter, as the snowpack around southwest Montana seemed to be in the valley floor rather than on the mountainsides. An impressive display of anger from an utterly upside-down snowpack, like wet scabs, these deep slabs slipped off their precarious perches roaring again and again to the end of their historical run outs. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center did yeoman's work to inform the public that this was no ordinary snowpack, while the Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol worked it hard to keep the mountain safe.
Forest service avalanche scientist Karl Birkeland summed it up this way:
“The 2011-12 season started with a thin snowpack. In fact, in the Bridger Range the snowpack was less than two feet deep for more than two and a half months. This resulted in an extremely weak base that was loaded up by snowfall in February and March. The big excitement came as we shifted from dry-snow to wet-snow avalanches toward the end of March. Warm weather saturated the snowpack with melt water, and then a storm dropped almost two inches of snow water equivalent. This set the stage for numerous full depth wet slab avalanches both inside and outside the ski area. The ski area did an excellent job of managing the hazard and keeping people out of the way of these monster slides.”
Eric Knoff, full time forecaster for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center adds:
“During 2011-12 season, the GNFAC saw the second highest number of avalanche incidents in its 22 years of operation. A total of 51 incidents were reported throughout the season, three resulting in fatalities. This number represents southwest Montana; the total number of avalanche incidents throughout the state was much higher. In fact, Montana (tied with Colorado) had the highest number of fatalities out of any state in the nation with seven fatalities. This high number of incidents can be directly attributed to a shallow and weak snowpack that plagued our area the entire winter. Early season snow followed by prolonged periods of cold, dry weather formed a thick layer of depth hoar near the ground. This layer remained weak throughout the season, producing avalanches from November to April. Whether it was half-mile long crowns in Teepee Basin or unprecedented wet slabs in the Bridgers, the season of 2011-2012 was one to remember."
The first one, it peeked through the clouds one morning. A shallow snowpack and a 1- to 3-foot fracture. The instability clearly evident on the ground, the canary in the mine to what would end up an impressive yearlong avalanche cycle.
Patrol worked this one loose in Mundy's bowl.
Bridger Peak went as well, it was nearly a mile long fracture, wrapping around to the unseen south face as well. Photo: Richard Griffen.
Saddle went fairly early, triggering off it's wind loaded northeast shoulder along the sugary rock band.
More snow resulted in deeper slabs, the ground rot neither crushed nor flushed.
Just beyond the boundaries, the football field erases many tracks.
Patrol working it hard to keep the in bounds safe.
Deep hard slab. This one was skied on thousands of times before an overnight load tipped the scales.
Erik Knoff investigating an impressive crown line. Lucky high marker. Photo: GNFAC
South saddle was kind on this day. Photo: T Thesing
Doug Chabot displaying what the areas snow pits were showing. He pulled that 6-foot column out in one piece, all of it sitting on sugar.
The morning it all came down. B gully to the ground.
Powerful slides filled numerous gullies. Photo: GNAFC
A dicey situation managed expertly by the patrol.
An icy mogul field is rooted out by weight from above.
Early season is when conditions like this can form. Every season and snowpack is different. Take only what she gives and always ride it with a smile!Thanks.
Co-snow safety director at Bridger Bowl, Richard Griffen, was on the front lines and in closing adds:
"This was the worst snowpack year in my 17 years patrolling Bridger Bowl. Some years you just say, 'No - it isn't worth it.' If basic knowledge states signs of local activity, stay off avalanche terrain. Honor the storm; respect the mountains, live to ski another year." - Blog post
- 7 months ago
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Shit Jobs Part 2: Ski Tech Shit Jobs Part 2: Ski Tech
- From: jeremybenson
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Description:
I never thought I’d be so obsessed with skiing that I would base my entire life around having the freedom to ski absolutely everyday, but that’s what happened. I never would have thought I’d be a waiter, caterer, part-time landscaper, and half-assed freelance writer all at the same time, but that’s what I do. My college degree isn’t doing me much good, but I haven’t missed a powder day for 11 years and counting. Shit jobs have given me the freedom to ski as much as I can, live in an incredible place, and still make a living, sort of.
This series will attempt to profile some of the best and worst shit jobs in a ski town. Don’t get me wrong, in no way do I intend to bash professions like these, they are a means to an end, the axis upon which our mountain lives spin. Without jobs like these, how would you ski over 100 days a season and still be employed?
Part 2: Ski Tech
When I moved out west in 2001, I was a fresh-faced college graduate with stars in my eyes. I moved to Tahoe for “a year to ski before I get a real job.” I had a pickup truck full of everything I owned, no job lined up, hell, we didn’t even have a place to live. Fortunately, I had some experience mounting and tuning skis at a shop in my hometown in Connecticut and my connection in the Tahoe area recommended me for a job at a local ski shop working as a night ski tech.
In hindsight, I realize it was a pretty coveted position that I was lucky to just waltz right into. I was working in a high volume ski shop, my shift didn’t start until 4 p.m., and I didn’t have to work retail or rentals. As a mountain town newbie, this job helped define my experience as I started merrily down the path of ski-bumhood.Ski shops offer a plethora of shit jobs for mountain town residents. Working the night tuning shift is ideal because you can ski all day, everyday, and still get to work on time. Many ski shops offer flexible hours or ski breaks for their daytime employees, working retail or rentals, however, puts you into close and frequent contact with the general public. Gapers, Joeys, Beaters, Cods, call them what you will, but families on ski vacations can be frightening beasts. Working in the back shop of most ski shops allows you very limited contact with these crazed and confused vacationing animals, especially when you work at night since the shop is closed half the time you’re there.
Working in the back is also nice because you can show up looking like you just skied all day, because you did, and nobody is likely to notice how you smell over the stench of ski boots, p-tex, and wax.
Taking care of your equipment is a no-brainer, and your skis should generally be running faster than your bros’. Everyone in town will eventually ask you for favors, mounting, basework, tuning, you name it, people in ski towns need your services and are willing to trade for them. A nearly unlimited supply of beer will be available, which is nice since you only make around 11 bucks an hour. When you already have so much beer you don’t know what to do with it, you can arrange for other things you need like food or weed. In some cases you might even get to help out local pros. Eleven years ago I got to work on prototype Spatulas and a number of other ridiculous projects for my hero, the late, great, Shane McConkey.
As a shop employee you’re entitled to discounts and deals on equipment. The “shop deal” is generally the highest level of discount, besides getting something for free, and helps a broke-ass ski bum look pro out on the hill. You may also have the opportunity to get to know local ski reps, maybe wrench for them at demos in trade for some hot new gear. Not to mention the nearly unlimited random skis that are left behind at the shop, you’ll have rock skis for life, or be able to build that ski fence or Adirondack chair you’ve always dreamed of.
Check out TGR's Deal's section of the website: http://tetongravity.com/deals
So, you’re everyone’s friend, you’ve got all the beer you can drink, you’ve got the perfect ski schedule, and your skis are in excellent condition all the time, best job ever, right? Well, the story doesn’t end there. The obvious awesomeness of being a night ski tech is balanced pretty equally by some not so awesome stuff, like acids to bases.
First, being a ski tech doesn’t pay incredibly well. Back in ‘01, I made 9 bucks an hour for an entire winter, my boss didn’t even consider giving me a raise even though the back shop made him many tens of thousands of dollars of profit. Years of experience later, and I was nearly topping out the ski tech pay scale at 14 bucks an hour, better, but still barely getting by. The likelihood of working 40 hours a week is pretty low, except for holiday weeks when you’d pay to get out by midnight.
You may also find yourself working with jaded, crusty locals. The kind of guy who’s pissed at everything for no reason, doesn’t go more than a minute without a chew in his mouth, and has a breathalizer in his car because he’s had so many DUI’s. The kind of person who’ll bring you down no matter how good of a day you had on the hill, or throw a ski across a room because his base-weld didn’t hold.
Potential for injury is pretty darn high while working with grinding machines and sharp metal edges. The slightest mistake while working with a belt or stone grinder could permanently disfigure your hand, one slip while hand-edging that “race tune” and you’re on your way to the hospital. Even if you never seriously injure yourself while tuning you’ll probably be plucking metal shavings from your fingertips almost everyday. On the bright side, your thumbs will never be stronger from the constant scraping of p-tex and wax. The ventilation system in your shop is also probably terribly inadequate. Sure there’s a vent hood, but you’re still breathing noxious wax, p-tex, and epoxy fumes on the daily.
The generally low-stress environment of the back shop will occasionally be shattered by the retail guy who promises his customers everything to be done immediately. You’ll show up to work to find five “now mounts” that have to be done in the first hour of work, or have your Zen tuning flow interrupted by something that needs to be done “right now.”
All the free beer in the world is great, until you find yourself on the fast track to becoming yet another ski town alcoholic. Three to six beers a day is one thing, but that’s before you leave work, the last thing you need is a DUI to end up like the jaded local that you hate working with.
Oh, and did I mention the monotony. Believe it or not, doing exactly the same mind-numbing work day after day could drive you a little crazy. It’s exactly the kind of work that could drive a person to drink, at least you’ve already got all that beer. …
Low pay and monotony aside, being a ski tech is among the more enjoyable ski town jobs I’ve had. Starting my time in a mountain town with a night job, however, is likely one of the main factors that doomed me to a life of working shit jobs just to ski pow. Once you get used to skiing everyday, there may be no going back. So, consider yourself warned, and if you’ve got an unquenchable thirst for skiing and beer, then this might just be the shit job for you.
Click Here For Part 1: Line Cook - Blog post
- 7 months ago
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Shit Jobs Part 1: Line Cook Shit Jobs Part 1: Line Cook
- From: jeremybenson
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Description:
The song playing during Aaron McGovern’s segment in MSP’s Ski Movie 2 had a line that went something like, “You may think this life is glamorous but it’s not / Workin’ shit jobs just to play rock.”
I’ve never been a musician, nor do I aspire to be, but I’ve been a ski bum for over a decade and something about that song has resonated with me over the years. I might change the lyrics to say “Workin’ shit jobs just to ski pow,” but you get the idea. Living in a ski town and spending everyday on the hill often requires significant sacrifice, in many cases that means working a job, or jobs, you never imagined you’d have.
I never thought I’d be so obsessed with skiing that I would base my entire life around having the freedom to ski absolutely everyday, but that’s what happened. I never would have thought I’d be a waiter, caterer, part-time landscaper, and half-assed freelance writer all at the same time, but that’s what I do. My college degree isn’t doing me much good, but I haven’t missed a powder day for 11 years and counting. Shit jobs have given me the freedom to ski as much as I can, live in an incredible place, and still make a living, sort of.
This series will attempt to profile some of the best and worst shit jobs in a ski town. Don’t get me wrong, in no way do I intend to bash professions like these, they are a means to an end, the axis upon which our mountain lives spin. Without jobs like these, how would you ski over 100 days a season and still be employed?
Part 1: Line Cook
Restaurants offer one of the highest concentrations of shit jobs in any mountain town. The least glamorous job at a restaurant is the dishwasher, hands down. Since I’ve never met a dishwasher that speaks English, or skis, I’m starting this series with the second least glamorous restaurant job: line cook. Like any job, there are pros and cons, good and bad, strikes and gutters.
One of the finer points of working in a kitchen is the schedule, as long as you work the dinner shift. If you work breakfast or lunch you are blowing it and probably don’t get to ski that much so this doesn’t really apply. Depending on the restaurant you work at, your shift probably starts between 2 and 4 p.m. This leaves plenty of time to ski at Mt. Gnarnia before it’s tracked out, or session laps in the local backcountry.Once at work, there is a nearly unlimited supply of food and beverages to consume. Free lunch, dinner, and drinks of any kind are a godsend for broke-ass ski bums, and as a line cook the food is at your fingertips, literally. Eating one or two meals a day at work can save you heaps of money, especially when you are forced to shop at absurdly overpriced ski town grocery stores. You can also drink iced tea, coffee, and Coca-Cola until you’re blue in the face or develop heart palpitations. Alcoholic beverages might also be part of the program, but if frowned upon by upper management, you can probably sneak a few beers in the walk-in or bribe one of the waiters with food in trade for some red wine.
As a member of the kitchen staff you don’t have to associate with the customers and therefore you can farm your goggle tan to the point of total ridiculousness. Showing up to work with helmet hair and 5 day growth because the skiing has been epic is generally no big deal. Your appearance may hurt your chances with that hot waitress, bartender, or busser, but at least you get to check them out all night at work, and sometimes they actually have to talk to you.
Working on the line, however, can be somewhat hazardous. Burns from the oven, hot pans, and fryer oil are nearly impossible to avoid and the scars on your forearms may tell the story for years. One slip with a super-sharp kitchen knife and you’re stuck wearing a finger condom or heading to the hospital for a few stitches. Your mental health may also be in jeopardy listening to the gratuitous use of words like fire, all day, and dragging. Prepping for and making the same 30 dishes day after day could be enough to drive any person insane.
Working in a confined space next to an oven, stove, and deep fat fryer isn’t for the weak at heart, it is often really, really hot. You’ll also smell like food, or a fryer, and be covered in airborne grease particles until you take a shower, and sometimes longer. Most of the free food you consume at work is terrible for you and combined with your work environment may cause you to break out like a prepubescent teen. Oh, and that waitress, the one you hit on everyday, isn’t interested because you’re broke and you constantly smell like french fries. Not to mention the fact that anytime anything goes wrong in the restaurant it’s your fault and the uppity wait staff and front-house management are constantly staring at you and asking where the food for table 12 is.That being said, working the line allows you to ski everyday, sleep in if you want, and party like a rock star. No one knows you make 11 bucks an hour when you’re rubbing elbows with local pros in the lift line or smiling ear to ear with a powder mustache. And that guy with three screaming kids, a nagging wife, a $500,000 ski condo, and an $80,000 SUV, whose dinner you made last night is jealous of you. Not because he wishes he was broke, but because he wishes he could live a responsibility free life where skiing is the priority. Because after all, in the end he who has the most fun wins, and at least you’re not washing dishes.
The author, uppity waiter Jeremy Benson, crushing pow October 25.
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
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angelcollinson
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Riders, Artist, Musicians, Pro Riders, Artist, Musicians, Projects - RAMP Sports Ramps Up
- From: brigidmander
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Description:
In 2010, a new player – RAMP Sports – stepped into a ski production arena full of small, athlete-driven boutique brands like Armada and 4FRNT, not to mention traditional industry powerhouses. The founding dreamer of RAMP (Riders Artists Musicians Project) was not an X-Games star, but 32-year veteran of the ski industry, Mike Kilchenstein. And apparently, it hasn’t taken long for RAMP’s literally bulletproof skis to start stealing some of the spotlight.
Filling a Park City, Utah, factory with domestically-sourced and produced skis and strict green business practices, RAMP has incorporated aeronautics technology to help make a better board by employing the same technique as composite helicopter blade production.
Kilchenstein’s plan was to create an innovative company that leads by example with a business model that people can be proud of – as well as make boards that the best in the world can shred on. Now not yet two years old, RAMP sports a roster decorated with names like Charles Gagnier, Lindsey Jacobellis, Jess Cumming and Micah Black, as well as a few rock stars and Hollywood names lending support. It’s not a bad showing for an under-the-radar newcomer.
While RAMP’s athletes and team say the skis are incredible to ride, it just may be not only its use of aeronautics engineering, but the commitment to domestic sourcing, made in the USA ethics, and adhering to professed values on green business that has caught a lot of attention. We decided to let Kilchenstein have the platform, to clear the air and explain his company and its product.
RAMP Sports founder Mike Kilchenstein.
We’ve employed vacuum molding technology at our factory, and the new process cleaner and more efficient. But we use more expensive components to make our product better – so we sell direct in order to get the margin we need. Our cores cost three times as much as the standard, Kevlar is seven times the costs of fiberglass, and we use higher quality, US-sourced pine resins, not petrochemical-based ones.
A full-layer of Kevlar is being used on the boards this season. We tested many US-made composites; Kevlar resists stretching much more than fiberglass, and provides much more energy and rebound, and absorbs vibration 8 times better than fiberglass.
We use Forest Stewardship Council-certified, domestic bamboo cores, which are nearly four times as hard as the industry standard of poplar. The cores are expensive, but enhance performance – they have that rock solid feel you get from metal GS skis, but ours will still bend while freeskiing.
In traditional press molding, the layers of the ski are squashed down at four atmospheres of pressure against a camber plate, in unnatural shapes. The vacuum molding process [that RAMP uses] seems to give the product a dramatically bigger sweet spot. What we do uses a quarter of that pressure, but evenly in every direction, not just down, and retains the natural shape. We found the skis are much easier to use, even our very high-performance boards, as they have a much bigger sweet spot.
We went from zero in sales to $135,000 in our first season, which we considered very good, since nobody had ever heard of us and it was all through our website. Last year it didn’t snow much and the industry plummeted, but we still tripled our business. This season, we plan to triple again, and are so far 600 percent ahead to date on consumer orders. People seem really excited about our new product, our factory, and what we stand for.
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- 8 months ago
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