2010.12.21 SKI SCENES FROM MOUNT HOOD

After making the decision to move to Oregon, I started looking into the skiing scene that would await in my new playground. Sure, Oregon has gigantic monoliths for mountains and Mount Hood alone has 5 ski resorts operating on its flanks, but I wasn't sure how I'd adapt after experiencing the immense possibilities (in both resort and backcountry access) available throughout the mountain ranges of Colorado. Based on the recommendations from friends, I decided on a season pass for Mount Hood Meadows this year while I research and become familiar with the surroundings. Here's some photos from a half-dozen days around Mount Hood so far:

Timing is a big part of the perfect season pass picture:

Devon is all smiles during a powder session on Meadows opening day Nov 20th:

During a rare break in the clouds, Mount Hood rises spectacularly above the resort:

Devon skinning on our lone semi-backcountry trip:

Devon enjoying Pacific Northwest powder:

Rob riding the soft stuff:

So far, so good. With the new year should also come some increased explorations of the backcountry areas around Hood and mountains of the southern Cascade range.

2010.03.27 BIRTHDAY TURNS

There's almost nothing that I enjoy more than skiing, so I feel fortunate each year when I can make some turns on my birthday in late March. Add in some fresh snow and the day becomes even more special. Last year in Utah was probably one of the better celebrations as two storms each dropped 15+ inches during a four-day weekend. This year, another storm lined up to hit Colorado on my birthday, and even though the snow totals were only 5-8", the skiing was still good. Devon and I ventured into the mountains to explore the Dry Gulch area, just east of the Continental Divide, not far removed from I-70.

Devon skinning up Dry Gulch:

Devon and I, taking a short rest while changing over to ski mode:

Devon carves smooth tele-turns in the powder:

Playing around with photo-editing software, sometimes makes for cool pictures like this one (Photo - Devon S.):

And sometimes, just one single turn can make your run, day, week, month, or even season worthwhile. Fortunately, on this day was able to experience such a turn. I came through a narrow corridor of trees a bit faster than expected and started to carve a left turn to control my speed over a small rollover. The southeast facing aspect on this roll had developed a slick surface underneath the new snow which caused me to get on edge a little more and hold my turn a little longer as I cut across the slope. The result was what I'll refer to as 'turn #29', since it occurred on my 29th birthday. It was one of those when you are suddenly submerged in white, unable to see through your goggles, causing you to hoot excitedly and smile ear-to-ear despite the snow crystals sweeping across your face. Its a moment that seems to last forever. Fortunately, Devon uniquely captured the moment on camera.

Turn #29 (Photo - Devon S.):

Unlike previous weeks where preparing for my thesis kept me away from the mountains too often that I am comfortable with, I was able to get out skiing on Sunday too. Spring weather appeared in the form of beautiful blue skies and sunshine as I enjoyed the leftover powder from the previous day's storm. I'm approaching (if this wasn't already) the last of my days at Vail, where I've been fortunate to ski so often the last few years. While I may complain sometimes about Vail for various reasons, its days like these, with great friends, that make me realize how fortunate I've been.

Ryan, Lizzie, and I in the heart of the Gore range (Photo - Joel G.):

2010.01.03 VAIL'S BLUE SKY BASIN

Last weekend, I celebrated the opening of Vail's back bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Despite some limited openings, the skiing was spectacular as friends and I layed the first tracks of the year down sections of Red Square, Iron Mask and Pete's Bowl. Although the pictures below are from a not-so-secret out-of-bounds stash at Vail they accurately reflect the weekend's conditions: Blue skies and blower snow!

(Photos - Joel G):

Today, January 6th, Vail celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Blue Sky Basin expansion. These north-facing slopes which require mutliple chairlifts and excessive traversing to reach have been the sight of many quality memories over the past few years including:

1) Big hits off the Lover's Leap cornice (Photo - Jesse H):

2) Megan and J's engagement in 2007:

and 3) one of the funnier stories of last year's ski season:

2009.12.22-23 WOLF CREEK

Powder Fever (pou-der fee-ver):

-noun

1. an affliction causing one to abandon all responsibility and possibly travel long distances to satisfy their desire for deep snow

With Wolf Creek ski resort already receiving 10+ feet of snow on the year and another storm on the way, Ryan and I headed to southern Colorado in hopes of escaping the subpar conditions of Eagle/Summit counties for a few days before the holidays. The storm didn't pan out as expected and a mere six inches was reported over the course of the two days we visited. However, plenty of deep, untracked snow was found in the trees that helped alleviate our powder fever for a few days.

Ryan teles down a spine off the ridge:

Who says Wolf Creek is flat? Finding a cure in Keith's glade (Photo - Ryan A):

Ryan's turn:

I left with a great impression of Wolf Creek after my first visit. Despite hearing complaints from others about the flatness or slow lifts, I thought there was plenty of challenging terrain to keep things interesting and the complete absence of lift lines makes up for any limits in uphill capacity. I found Wolf Creek a refreshing change of pace from the corporate-stuffiness often encountered at other resorts throughout Colorado. Some tips for anyone planning a trip in the future: 1) you'll need to refuel after hiking laps on the knife-edge ridge. So bring only two slices of bread for lunch and a fulfilling vegetarian sandwich can be made from the vast assortment of quality toppings at the condiment bar in the base lodge. And 2) arrive early on a powder day! Despite the advertised 8:30 am opening, we caught the day's first chair at 8:06 am on Wednesday.

2009.03.29-30 Utah - Part II

Another major snowstorm was scheduled to hit Utah on Sunday, so there was a decision to be made: 1) forego skiing and drive home early before the storm, or 2) call off work Monday and ski two more days. This was an easy decision so Devon and I joined Laura and Aaron as they showed us around Snowbird.

Devon and I on a snowy day at the 'Bird (Photo: Laura P): The snow started falling at 9 am and quickly filled in the crusty snow from previous warm days. I was incredibly excited to ski Snowbird but limited visibility, heavy snow, and fierce winds prevented access to more challenging terrain as the upper mountain remained closed for the majority of the day. Snow continued, falling at rates of 2-3 inches per hour for most of the morning. ~12 inches fell by early afternoon leaving me excited for the next day!

Nuking, puking, dumping. Whatever you may call it, the snow was coming down hard!:

Aaron takes a break to defrost:

Any break from the storm was welcomed, even a short trip through the tunnel to Mineral Basin:

Monday dawned with snow totals approaching two feet as Devon and I prepared to return to Snowbird. However, Little Cottonwood Canyon remained closed for avalanche work preventing access to the mountain. So, we headed back to Solitude with Laura's brother, Wally, to test 15 inches of fresh snow. Honeycomb Canyon remained closed this day, but Wally led us to his favorite stashes. Unfortunately, these pictures don't do justice to the faceshots and whiterooms we experienced all morning.

Wally and Devon ride the Summit chair to reach the goods:

Devon gets fresh tracks:

Wally tears through the powder:

Enjoying my last turns through Utah powder before heading home (Photo: Devon S):

2009.03.27-28 Birthday Weekend in Utah - Part I

Multiple storms tracked through the west last week providing a much welcomed change to the dry weather that had persisted for the past several weeks. With my birthday on Friday, Devon and I decided last-minute to travel to Utah where the snow totals were being measured in feet rather than inches. A snowstorm targeting the urban Denver/Boulder area arrived on Thursday morning which made travel out of the cities difficult, but allowed us to get an early start on the trip as most places of work shut down by mid-day. Devon's long-time friend, Laura, greeted us upon our arrival in Salt Lake City at 11 pm and was gracious enough to provide accomodations for the long(er than expected) weekend. Friday 3/27: Typically, I find plenty of joy and satisfaction in skiing no matter the conditions, so spending my birthday skiing powder was extra special. Devon and I traveled up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Solitude, where the gates to Honeycomb Canyon were opened for the first time after receiving 15 inches the previous day: Devon traverses into Honeycomb Canyon to reach the goods:

We did laps in this area, finding untracked powder on each occasion until we felt satisfied that we'd had enough on the day.

Celebrating my 28th birthday in the best imaginable way (Photos: Devon S):

Devon's turn below the cliffs:

Taking a lunch break on a spectacular day:

Devon is all smiles after another run through untracked powder:

I must be getting old because after dinner and ice cream cake, I wanted nothing more than to go to bed. However, Devon provided the last surprise of the day with a fantastic present: an Avalung backpack to keep me safe on my skiing adventures! (I'll have a more detailed review of the BD Anarchist Pack in coming weeks after its gets some use)

Saturday 3/28: Today was a calm between storms so the decision was made to forego skiing. While it felt like a lazy choice, the weekend trip was extended through Monday to catch another significant snow-producing storm. This worked out for the best as we enjoyed the warm weather with a short hike and rested the legs for upcoming ski days.

The Wasatch mountains overlooking the Salt Lake valley:

Stay tuned for Part II.....a whiteout at Snowbird and more powder at Solitude!