tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52629956172778341522024-03-20T20:24:54.958-04:00Ski = MC SquaredOne man's journey to turn an office & weekend skiing life into a full time skiing life . . .Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-28796237786138011492020-01-21T08:39:00.001-05:002020-01-21T08:39:28.731-05:002020 PSIA National Team VideoAs part of the PSIA National Team tryout, all of the applicants were required to submit a video answering some questions about the team. Unfortunately, I haven't taken a lot of video in the past couple of years, so mine had a lot of stuff from my previous videos (and Yosef's spring skiing edit in my last post). If I make the team, I'm going to invest in a new GoPro and do some seriously fun videos over the next few years. If I don't, I'm going to spend the money on tile for my bathroom & kitchen.
<br><br>
Anyway, I hope I make the team because I'd much rather make videos than set tile. Anywho, here's my 2020 PSIA National Team Application Video:
<br><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Z4zfInOvtI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-12473022013902111422019-04-11T09:26:00.000-04:002019-04-11T09:26:40.464-04:00Spring Skiing Telemark VideoWell, it's been a long time since I've posted on the old blog. I'll give an update later, but if you go to some of these older posts, you'll see that I tried out for the PSIA National Team 3 years ago around this time. I'll be trying out again next year so, again, I'll use this blog to write thoughts on skiing, ski instructing, and life.<br />
<br />
For now, here's a video that my friend Yosef made on a sweet spring skiing day at Plattekill:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wCuf2tTZ9wY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-43063026698177640522016-02-24T22:04:00.000-05:002016-02-25T13:57:53.753-05:00Busy Busy BusyThis is my busy time of year when I'm working like crazy at my 4 jobs. And Ace is feeling the crunch, too, working all over the place for PSIA. Here's our current week:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saturday, 2/20</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Teaching Skiing at Plattekill Mountain, taught morning lessons, then skied up on a people struggling in afternoon, gave them a couple of tips, and they booked me for a private lesson in the coming weeks. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: Examiner for Level I Exam at Thunder Ridge Ski Area.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sunday, 2/21</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Attended Kåre Andersen Memorial Telemark Event at Bromley Mountain, did the Tele Race in the morning, and Taught Tele Clinics in the afternoon. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: Day Two, as an Examiner of Level I at Thunder Ridge. Everyone passed, we have new members and good course evaluations for her.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Monday, 2/22</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Understudy a Telemark Bump Event at Belleayre Mountain, teach all day, and drive back home at night. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: Back to work at "regular" job, 8:30-4:30.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tuesday, 2/23</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Continue to understudy Telemark Bump Event at Belleayre, certify a new 20 something year old instructor as Telemark Level I (again, good course evaluations). From there, drive up to West Mountain, where I teach a Community College skiing class on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Taught skiing from 8:30-2:30 and 5:45-7:45, with lots of driving in between. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: worked regular job from 8:30-2ish, then drove to Mount Snow, where she's understudying another event for the next two days.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wednesday (today)</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Finally back at "real" job, working 7:00-4:30 (I work extended hours to get every other Monday off). Stock club meeting with some buddies after work, then home to do laundry. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: Understudying and Teaching at Mount Snow.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thursday, 2/25</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Working at "real" job from 7:00-3:40, then going up to West to teach the skiing class (unless they don't open, in which case, I'll be teaching a ski tuning clinic at the college). I'll be doing that from 5:45 to 7:45, and probably getting home around 8:30. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: Day Two of Teaching and understudying at Mount Snow, then driving home.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Friday, 2/26</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: I'm taking another day off of work for a Plattekill Telemark Festival, and probably teaching telemark skiing all day. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: back at "real" job for her crazy busy day on Friday.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saturday, 2/27</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Back to work as a regular "Part Time" Instructor at Plattekill, where I have a group of kids who telemark in the morning, and private lessons in the afternoon. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: joining me at Plattekill, where she has private lessons booked all day.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sunday, 2/28</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Both</strong> of us at Gore Mountain, where we thought we might take a day off from teaching and just ski, but a guy I met at the Bromley thing wants to ski with me and work on some stuff, so I'm going to help him out, and maybe a few other Telemark people I know from various places. Hopefully I don't get too sucked into this (because I'll desperately need a day "off" at this point), but once I start teaching, it's hard for me to shut myself down. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Monday, 2/29</em>: <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Me</strong>: Adirondack Backcountry telemark event for the Community College. Hopefully being able to coach some telemark skiers up to Level 1 status to get more people involved in PSIA. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ace</strong>: back at "real" job, 8:30-4:30.</div>
So there's a little taste of our lives. Currently, it is POURING rain outside, so I don't know how much longer the season is going to last here in the east. I'm still looking forward to more skiing, though. Here's a taste of that Monday/Tuesday event at Belleayre:
</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCMUaQCr7km/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Little bit of video from the #PSIA Telemark Clinic the other day. Full Video here: https://vimeo.com/156499768</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A video posted by Matt (@mattchuck2) on <time datetime="2016-02-25T02:28:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 24, 2016 at 6:28pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-25529362065330262792016-02-16T21:23:00.001-05:002016-02-16T21:26:20.896-05:00I'm going to Breckenridge!I made the tryout for the <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2015/11/psia-national-team-tryout-video.html">PSIA National Team</a>! If you're interested in the details, click here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thesnowpros.org/NewsInformation/NewsAnnouncements/tabid/117/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/902/85-PSIA-AASI-Members-Vie-for-a-Spot-on-the-2016-2020-PSIA-AASI-National-Team.aspx">http://www.thesnowpros.org/NewsInformation/NewsAnnouncements/tabid/117/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/902/85-PSIA-AASI-Members-Vie-for-a-Spot-on-the-2016-2020-PSIA-AASI-National-Team.aspx</a><br />
<br />
Here's the gist:<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Round two of the 2016 PSIA-AASI National Team Selection process is complete and congratulations are in order for the dedicated, select group of ski and snowboard educators, and PSIA-AASI members who have been invited to the final on-snow interview in April, in Breckenridge, CO.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the PSIA-AASI Team and how are Team members chosen?</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The PSIA-AASI Teams are formed every four years following a rigorous selection process that </span>enables PSIA-AASI to select the nation’s best instructors to represent the association at the highest level. The outcome of the 2016 selection will be a team that embodies three attributes outlined by the Teams Taskforce:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 5px 35px; padding: 1px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;">Inspirational educators</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lifelong learners</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3px; vertical-align: baseline;">Inspirational athletes</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Currently, the PSIA-AASI Team comprises 30 men and women selected from among the best instructors in the country. They represent the full breadth of the ski and snowboard disciplines: adaptive, alpine, alpine freestyle, cross country, telemark, and snowboard.<br />
<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />
Once chosen, Team members are responsible for promoting, supporting, and assisting with the development of PSIA-AASI education programs and activities at all levels. They set the standard for U.S. snowsports instruction!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
_______________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There will be an on snow part, with skiing and teaching segments, and an off snow evening presentation that I'll have to prepare. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I'm excited about all of it. I'm not really sure what kind of skier they're looking for, but I'm going to ski my way, teach my way, and hopefully come out of it with the greatest job in Ski Instructing. I'm stoked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHh7AlFODTY/VsPZbhQRbTI/AAAAAAAACSA/SantzAhkhUQ/s1600/matt%2B-%2B1%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHh7AlFODTY/VsPZbhQRbTI/AAAAAAAACSA/SantzAhkhUQ/s640/matt%2B-%2B1%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-12579660123150631182016-02-05T08:12:00.000-05:002016-02-05T08:25:34.470-05:00Football and FootworkJust in time for the Super Bowl, I have another instructing article for you. I wrote this one earlier in the year, thinking that I might use it for my <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2015/11/psia-national-team-tryout-video.html?_sm_au_=iVVrZf9T49TS7SP5">National Team application</a>, but it ended up being too long, and I don't feel like it really dove into the technical details enough. I explained the things that you should do, but I didn't explain "how?" or "why?", and those things are pretty crucial to ski instruction. But I feel as though it works pretty well in this space. Enjoy!<br />
_______________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Telemark "Footwork"</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before the ski season starts, I watch a lot of football
games, and I watch a lot of football analysis. One of the favorite topics is
“footwork”. They’ll talk about whether a quarterback is using a three step drop
or a five step drop and what each movement entails. They’ll argue over an
offensive lineman’s starting position, and whether it will allow him to move
his feet to block that defensive end. Footwork, it seems, is very important in
the NFL.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In skiing, footwork separates telemark skiers from the rest
of the people at the mountain. While alpine skiers have limits in the fore/aft
direction and snowboarders are locked into a constant stance width, tele skiers
have more freedom to put their feet wherever they want as they slide down the
hill. But great freedom comes with great
responsibility. If tele skiers aren’t practiced, positive, and precise in their
footwork, the risk of calamity and catastrophe grows. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHtD-uRGWM8/VrSfPmMpUNI/AAAAAAAACRs/XUaSmwPKT4k/s1600/Mattchuck-Tahawas_-_1_%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHtD-uRGWM8/VrSfPmMpUNI/AAAAAAAACRs/XUaSmwPKT4k/s400/Mattchuck-Tahawas_-_1_%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b>photo courtesy of <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Gore-Mountain-NY-1-31-16-tp4070971.html">Harvey Road</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Practice is essential, in both skiing and football. By the
time they reach the pros, quarterbacks have been doing 3 step drops for years,
and know exactly how long the first step should be, how far the second step
crosses over the rear leg, and where the last step has to be so that they can
plant their foot and make a powerful throw. These ingrained movements take a
long time to learn, and every time a quarterback moves his feet and legs in
that specific way, he learns a little bit more, either consciously or
subconsciously. We do the same thing in telemark skiing. With every turn, our
bodies relay little notes to our brain: “That worked.” “That didn’t work.”
“What are you trying to do now?” “Ouch.” The trick to filling your brain with
useful notes is to make both great turns and bad turns. Make turns with a wider
than normal stance, or with more fore/aft separation between your feet. Notice
any footwork changes in variable snow conditions. What works best when you’re
on something steep? Think about the duration, rate, and timing of your
footwork, and how that affects the turn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With practice comes positivity. If your brain absorbed all (or
most) of the messages the body sent it, you start to develop a little
confidence in where you place your feet. You know what works, and you can
repeat those moves on demand. Now you can start to change little things in the
footwork that will add to performance. You might find that tipping the new
trailing foot when you pull it back aids in the development of your edging
skills. You might realize that subtle moves in your feet and ankles allow you
to adjust your balance in new and interesting ways. You might discover that
sometimes, the best footwork is to leave your feet exactly where they are and
do 3 monomark turns in a tight spot between trees. Like the NFL, other parts of
the game open up to you when you gain confidence in the basics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As you develop your telemark skills, the final hurdle to
great skiing is precision. Plenty of quarterbacks never achieve greatness
because they just aren’t precise enough. It’s similar with skiing, where a
small change in edge angle, foot placement, or ankle flexion can make a big
difference in a turn. In skiing, precision is the hardest thing to achieve, and
even if you have it in one turn, it might be gone in the next. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Adjustment and adaptability are important in both skiing and
football. Even the best pros make mistakes sometimes. And not every turn will
be perfect. But if your footwork movements are developed with practice,
enhanced with positivity, and refined with precision, it will allow you to make
the next turn better than the one you just made. And that sounds like a solid
goal for everyone. </span>Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-32926162977216861662016-01-20T16:52:00.000-05:002016-02-05T08:32:54.665-05:00How to Get Better at Doing ThingsBetween this blog, PSIA, and random posts on forums, I've written a lot of words about skiing. But there are a lot of things that I've written that have never seen the light of day. Sometimes it's for the best, like the Party Ski screenplay I'm writing that never gets finished. But sometimes, I just feel like my writing doesn't really fit in any kind of outlet. As an example, here's an article that I was going to submit to the Eastern Division PSIA newsletter, but it didn't really come out the way I wanted it to. It's not <i>bad</i>, but I just felt that it wouldn't help people that much (maybe I'm wrong, I don't know). It's written to boost up people who are going for PSIA exams, so I apologize if it seems irrelevant to some, but I think everyone can benefit from the message: To get better at something, you gotta work hard on that thing.<br />
<div>
<b>_______________________________________________________________</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Want to Pass Exams? Get Better</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Exams are stressful. They’re arduous, draining, sometimes humiliating, and always intrusive. You’ve been honing your craft, skiing hard, teaching regularly, and you’ve come up with a bunch of dynamic moves, learning progressions and teaching methods that work great for you. And now those people are going to JUDGE you for those things? And their decisions have an impact on your pay, your standing in your ski school, and your life? The pressure can be extraordinary, so the most important thing to realize is that your fate is not determined by “those people”, it’s determined by you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There’s no secret to success. The way to getter better at anything is to do that thing. As a young comedian, Jerry Seinfeld made sure that he spent at least some time every day writing jokes. He’d put in an hour or two hours of solid, no interruption, joke writing every single day, try to come up with some funny material, and he would put a big X on his calendar when he was done for the day. After a few weeks, he’d have a chain of X-es on his calendar and his job would then be to “never break the chain”, or, put differently, to keep working at what he wanted to achieve. And this was not a new, original idea. Benjamin Franklin had a similar system for a harder to quantify checklist that included “Frugality”, “Cleanliness” and “Humility”, things that all ski instructors should try to work harder on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, if you’re struggling with exams (or any goals you might have), I recommend using the checkmark method to make yourself better. When you wake up in the morning, even in the dead of summer, you should ask yourself two questions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. What am I doing today to make myself a better skier?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. What am I doing today to make myself a better instructor?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you’re trying to make yourself a better skier, then ski. Ski before morning lineup, ski after your last lesson. Ski at night. Take a day off and ski at a mountain you’re not familiar with. Ski with people better than you. Ski terrain that scares you a little. Ski terrain that scares you a lot. Use natural terrain features in a creative way. Use both sides of a berm to work on flexion/extension movements. Ski on one ski to work on balance. See how many turns you can make in a short section of trail. See how fast you can go, how many angles you can create, and what your upper limits are. Do skiing things that are out of your comfort zone like backcountry skiing, park skiing, and pond skimming. Ski, then cross off the day on your calendar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you can’t ski, do something skiing related. Exercise to work your skiing muscles. Break out the rollerskis and get an XC workout. Don’t have rollerskis? Simulate tree skiing by riding your bike through the woods on some singletrack. It helps your quads, your balance, and your vision. Water ski to work on some edge angles. Kayak to develop core strength. Do Yoga. Watch ski videos. Watch more ski videos. Watch ALL THE SKI VIDEOS (that’s a big part of my training regimen). Do something and cross it off on your calendar. You earned it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If you’re trying to make yourself a better instructor, it’s not about just accumulating knowledge. Yes, you should know all of the basics, a few of your favorite “stepping stones” and some </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">technical terms that come up a lot, but great teaching is about more than pulling facts out of the air. Watch videos of random people skiing. Listen to other instructors describe that skiing. Work on your eye. Work on movement analysis. Develop plans for fictional clients. Come up with some creative ways to say and do things. Write an article or five. Teach kids? Watch some kids’ movies. Learn what kids are into so you can relate to them.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Even if you have the teaching concepts down, maybe you need to work on other parts of the instructor life. Get better at public speaking. Get more comfortable speaking to strangers. Try to develop a more sunny disposition (easier for some of us than others). Learn about things other than skiing so you can engage with your clients. LEARN something new. Get taught something. Ask yourself: what did the teacher do that was helpful? Ask yourself about the unhelpful parts too. How could they be improved? Cross the day off! You’re helping yourself be a better teacher.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Next ski season, instead of dreading the exam at the end of the year, embrace it. Look at the chain of X-es that you developed and realize that you’ve been working hard at this goal for a long time. You’ve made yourself a better skier, a better instructor, and a better person. You’re coming in more prepared than you ever have, and you are in charge of how this thing plays out. You’re ready. Just do what you’ve been doing for months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">____________________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<br />
I've been trying to live that mantra this year. My goal is to make the <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2015/11/psia-national-team-tryout-video.html">Telemark National Team</a> and I'm trying to get as much Telemark skiing in as I can. I have about 20 days in so far, and I'm itching for more. Also, I need to be in phenomenal shape (because of the elevation at Breckenridge and the long tryout days), so I skinned up about 1,200 vertical feet on Monday after skiing Gore all morning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ctbrbi-eso/VqAA5OZqDpI/AAAAAAAACRg/CuK4UBIW06c/s1600/IMG_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ctbrbi-eso/VqAA5OZqDpI/AAAAAAAACRg/CuK4UBIW06c/s640/IMG_6695.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Finally, I'd like to get better at Park riding, so I spent 2 hours in the cold on Monday night sessioning one flat rail in the West Mountain Terrain Park until I was confident that I could nail it. Next time I'm there, I'll spend 2 hours coming in switch until I have that move down. This might not help my tryout <i>that much</i>, but I'm kinda doing that for my own personal motivation - I want to be better, and that means I gotta work at it.
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-7609644921082222242016-01-08T17:27:00.000-05:002016-01-09T20:22:15.212-05:00Power, Versatility, SimplicityI just got back from PSIA Eastern Telemark Team training at Killington, and I wanted to write this down before I forget. I was asked to teach a segment, and it didn't really go well. I started out with too broad of a topic, threw out too wide of a net, and had a hard time reeling everything in at the end. I need to refocus and figure out what I want my skiing and teaching segments to be like.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNjxtOSUY1I/VpA3iZ1Ve0I/AAAAAAAACRI/Z_RZ9Kp0YCY/s1600/12508938_10153524681909086_2524115791279844743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNjxtOSUY1I/VpA3iZ1Ve0I/AAAAAAAACRI/Z_RZ9Kp0YCY/s400/12508938_10153524681909086_2524115791279844743_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So, to that end, I wanted to come up with some things that I want to be known for - some things that I can put into every teaching segment that will represent what skiing means to me. I've come up with 3 little points that I want to keep in mind when brainstorming ideas for drills and tasks: Power, Versatility, and Simplicity.<br />
<br />
Power is good for me because I like to ski strong. I have this idea that the Telemark position is a position of strength, and I want to move from position of strength to position of strength. Power means that I'll be able to overcome obstacles, and I won't be thrown aside when something unexpected happens (and something unexpected always happens).<br />
<br />
Versatility means that I want everything that I teach to be applicable everywhere on the hill. We did a lot of race/groomer/carving focuses during training, and it was great to visit, but I don't want to live there. I want to have a style that is useful on groomers, useful on bumps, useful in the trees, and useful in the terrain park. I want to be able to transfer between those zones using the same general movements (but tweaking slightly to add a little more dynamism for carving, a little more pivot for bumps, etc.).<br />
<br />
Finally, I want my moves, drills, and explanations to be simple. I've found that in golf, the simplest swings are the most effective, and I feel like skiing (and teaching) is similar. There shouldn't be a lot of extraneous movements or unnecessary words. I feel like I need to polish all of my stuff so that I can describe the specific movements in a few precise sentences. And I want those movements to be easy to accomplish for anyone.<br />
<br />
So that's what'll be going through my head for the next couple of months. I'm probably going to use this space to expound on these ideas in a little more detail. I have a nice idea of power, and I wrote about it in the <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2015/08/articleandblognews.html">Eastern division newsletter</a>, but I need to come up with a couple of other drills and precision descriptions of movements so that I can be ready to teach my style of skiing right on the spot, to a group of really amazing skiers.
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-5740835282885745802015-11-23T22:53:00.000-05:002015-11-24T09:36:17.352-05:00PSIA National Team Tryout VideoI mentioned a <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2014/06/psia-success.html">little while ago</a> that my next skiing goal was to make the PSIA National Telemark Team. They have tryouts every 4 years, and the next tryout is in . . . 2016. So I'm submitting an application to tryout. As part of the application, they want a video that explains my background, my vision for the organization, and what I would bring to the team. If you're interested in my skiing life, I think I managed to explain it pretty well:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="382.16" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/146499353" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="680"></iframe>
<br>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/146499353">PSIA Telemark National Team Application Video</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user1267066">Matt Charles</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, just submitting the application doesn't mean that I'll get a chance to try out. There are only 9 tryout spots for the whole country. And there are 3 people already on the team who might be trying out again. And there are a lot of great tele skiers all over the country that will be submitting applications, too. So there is no guarantee that I'll be invited to try out in Breckenridge this April. I'm hoping the video above will help lay the groundwork.<br />
<br />
Also, good news for the blog: PSIA wants candidates that are able to ski and teach, but they also want candidates that are well versed in social networking, writing, and visual media. So, in order to show that I can (still) do those things, the blog will probably have a lot of action this winter. There will be more Trip Reports, more pictures, and maybe even a couple of instruction articles, So if you like telemark skiing, backcountry touring, and pictures & videos of eastern skiing, stick around.Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-60505361921660668972015-08-13T17:22:00.001-04:002015-08-13T17:22:39.927-04:00New Article About Tele Skiing and Blog Stuff It's been over one year since I've posted anything on this blog, which probably means that it's dying a slow death in the way many blogs do. I have been up to some stuff, which you can follow on my <a href="http://twitter.com/mattchuck2">twitter</a>, my <a href="http://instagram.com/mattchuck2/">Instagram</a>, and my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/truestro">Facebook</a>. I just don't really like posting Trip Reports of places that I've been to before (<a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2010/10/adventures-vs-sessions.html">never did</a>) and I never seem to find the time to write posts about new places I visit.<br />
<br />
Also, I like my posts about life the most, but I don't know if I feel the need to hash things out on the internet the way I used to. Now that I have somewhat of a plan (involving a <a href="http://www.gocurrycracker.com/how-to-retire-in-your-30s/">little of this kind of thing</a>, mixed with a <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/02/22/getting-rich-from-zero-to-hero-in-one-blog-post/">little bit of this</a>, and a <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/08/04/frugalwoods-early-retirement/">little bit of this</a> - obviously not on the same timeline and as aggressive as those people, but using the same maths), I feel like I just need to put in the time and everything will turn out fine in the end. So I'm not really stressed or worried about much. Maybe <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/08/16/what-it-feels-like-to-become-rich/">I am already rich</a>. Actually, I've been enjoying the Miller High Life commercials that pretty much make that argument:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CgTXJrDCJfQ" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
It's something I've been wondering about. We need a feeling of scarcity to be driven to accomplish things. We need to <i>want</i> things (achievements, money, accolades). As Ben Franklin said:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Who is Rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.</blockquote>
<br />
But if we don't want too many more things? What if I am actually pretty content with what I've got and where I am in life?<br />
<br />
Luckily, life has a way of throwing up obstacles just as the road starts to smooth out. So even if I get momentary periods of calm and happiness, something will come up soon. My car is being held together by zip ties and prayers, so I might have to worry about that soon. And winter is coming, which means I'll have a busy winter of going skiing and teaching skiing.<br />
<br />
And speaking of teaching skiing, I wrote another article for the PSIA Eastern division newsletter. It's in the <a href="http://www.psia-e.org/ms/eastern-benefits/newsletter/">Summer 2015 issue at this link</a> and it's on page 18 if you're interested in reading about the advantages of a powerful stance in telemark skiing.<br />
<br />
I'm at a crossroads with the blog. I'll probably keep it around to write periodic thoughts, but I'd also like to branch out with my writing, photography, and video stuff. Not sure what direction I'll take it or if I'll develop a new blog with a different focus (and maybe an actual dot com domain name). I might try to develop a telemark instructional website, which seems to be an underserved niche on the internet, or maybe try building a frugal ski bum blog that I can monetize and use as a "retirement" job in 10 years or so.<br />
<br />
Whatever happens, I'm going to keep moving forward and take whatever opportunities I get. Life's too short to not do the things you want to do.<br />
<br />Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-53882378533221337022014-08-04T21:08:00.001-04:002014-08-04T21:08:40.659-04:00Ski Movies. They should be better.<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nice GoPro, JONG”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody says that, but I always get the feeling that it’s on
the tip of every “bro’s” lips whenever I strap on the box shaped camera and its
overly elaborate mounting hardware. I guess I’m a little overly concerned about
my image, but a lot of good footage is never recorded because I feel weird
about tele-tubbying my way around ski resorts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have gotten some comments; wry, insult-between-the lines
comments like “that’ll be a good trail to take your pictures on” or “what are
you filming here?” The worst part about remarks like these: I do it too! I see
some tool on a blue square with a GoPro light flashing away and I say to people
around me “wow, that guy is getting really good footage of a groomed ski trail
with nobody on it.” I see some dude taking a picture of a view I’ve seen a
million times (“it doesn’t even look that good today!”), and I push by him in a
huff, anxious to get to wherever it is that I’m going, completely pissed that
he would slightly inconvenience me by having the audacity to try to capture a
cool moment for his family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ugh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think the underlying problem is the continuing battles
that have always existed: “Locals” vs. tourists, bros vs. families, hardcore
vs. fair-weather. I might have seen the view a million times, but that guy I
rudely pushed past is seeing it for the first time (and may have struggled
mightily to even get up this high on the mountain). Me and my buddies might
laugh at the guy with the footage of an empty groomer, but maybe I didn’t
notice his kid skiing in front of him. Who am I to tell other people what
memories to capture? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pnfAlBJDXM/U-AomWbBADI/AAAAAAAACOE/FeTTlRgvRhg/s1600/vlcsnap-2013-03-03-21h45m06s255.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pnfAlBJDXM/U-AomWbBADI/AAAAAAAACOE/FeTTlRgvRhg/s1600/vlcsnap-2013-03-03-21h45m06s255.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of photographs taken in the year 2014 will
approach 1 trillion. More photos are taken <i>each
day</i> than in the first 100 years that photography existed. One hundred hours
of video are uploaded to YouTube <i>every
minute</i>. I’ve done my fair share of picture taking, video uploading,
editing, etc. And I’ve watched a lot of stuff, too. Most pictures and video on
the internet are pure crap. Most of my stuff is crap! The best edits are from
pros or semi pros that just shred hard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a lot of people, I’m growing increasingly bored with
the mass market ski porn. I don’t know if it’s the ADD society we’ve created,
but these days, I like videos that just show pure fun, like the Candide Thovex
edits that have hit big the last couple of years. My edits aren’t nearly that
good, but they remind me of fun days I had, and that’s cool for me. I hope that
other people get the same general feeling from their videos (although I can’t
imagine how that’s possible in some cases). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe that’s what’s missing: the “fun” factor has to be
really big. The thing about “The Blizzard of Ahhhs” or “Sick Sense” or, more
recently, “Claim” was that it looked like everyone in the movie was having an
amazing time. I saw this the other day:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/f-ZE7UVAWvA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s an insane trick, but the best part about it is the
jubilation the guy feels after he rides it out. What an amazing feeling that
must have been. The fear at the top, the anticipation, the inrun, then,
finally, the success. That’s the feeling that I miss when I’m watching these
ski movies. Runs that are absolutely insane just look normal when you don’t
show the celebration at the end and immediately cut to another crazy line.
Triple corked spins were unheard of 5 years ago, but now they are just stomped
and edited in as if it’s just a normal thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I think that’s the root of the problem with the GoPro: I
get the feeling that I’m just not rad enough to even show up. The condescension
from locals, bros, and hardcores isn’t because I have a camera and I’m taking
pictures. It’s because I have a camera and aren’t sufficiently awesome enough
to warrant the megabyte usage. Pros are doing this, locals are doing this, and
anybody doing less than that is just not worth watching.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oddly, though, just being completely rad isn’t enough.
Compare these two trailers from this year’s crop of ski porn. First, here is
the fun-filled coolness of Matchstick Productions latest:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W-QbHRVOfcM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Then, here is the way too serious, bro-boosting, death
cheating, over performance of TGR’s film:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/036S6vboR_M" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The fun in the first one is so great. It shows that you can
enjoy yourself just screwing around on jumps, in a backyard, or on a short
little hill. The second video implies that you have to be an amazing skier,
have balls of steel, go a million miles an hour, and <i>only then</i> do you get to experience the fun of skiing, which it
seems to define as the overcoming of the impossible line. They keep saying how "gnarly" they are, how crazy every line is, and how rad they all are at skiing. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that’s really only one aspect of skiing. For every
flashed Alaska line, there are 2,000 kids smiling after their first straight
run down the bunny hill. For every quadruple kinked handrail cleaned, there are
2,000 snaky tight tree lines in unknown stashes skied with your buddies. The
fun of skiing isn’t narrowly defined. So give the guy filming a break- he’s
just capturing his idea of fun. And when you make videos, make sure to include
the cool people you’re with, the fist bumps and congratulations at the end of a
sweet line, and the smiles that you create along the way. That’s the kind of video
that you’ll want to replay over and over. Hell, I might even want to watch it. </div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-21862113695314473772014-06-27T20:11:00.000-04:002014-06-27T20:41:23.396-04:00PSIA SuccessIf I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd retire from my real job, buy a house in an awesome ski town (Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Stowe, Park City - <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58090471-78/pcmr-eviction-talisker-park.html.csp">although that one looks iffy right now</a>), and teach skiing for the rest of my life. I love skiing and I love teaching it - being outside in the fresh air, bullshitting on the chairlift, talking about ski technology, hearing people's stories, talking with other instructors, solving the puzzles, and just ripping around having fun.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, this ain't Europe, and you can't make a living as a mere ski instructor. In fact, especially in the east, ski instructors are ridiculously underpaid. <a href="http://skiing.about.com/od/skiingtip1/qt/How-Much-Do-Ski-Instructors-Make.htm">This site</a> says that the average instructor makes $5,000-$10,000 a year. I've never even seen close to that amount of money. I work 25-30 days a year at my home mountain and 14 days a year as an "adjunct professor", teaching a community college ski class and I make a little over $1000 at each job. Including tips, I'd say that I make about $3,000-$3,200 a year from teaching skiing, putting in over 300 hours of driving and working time. I'm obviously not teaching skiing for the money.<br />
<br />
But I'm not complaining. If I wanted to make more money, I suppose I could. I could hustle more for private lessons, I could scrounge for more tips, I could take a supervisory job that would bump me up to about $4,000-$6,000 a year. But I don't really want that. I work a regular job for money, ski instructing is supposed to be my fun job. I just want to go to work, teach some awesome lessons, and do a little freeskiing with my extra time. And it's been that way for the last 13 years.<br />
<br />
But I've also dipped my toe into the "Professional" ski instructing ranks. And if you're talking about professional ski instructing, you're talking about <a href="http://www.thesnowpros.org/">PSIA</a>. I climbed the <a href="http://www.psia-e.org/download/ed/alpine-ed/AlpineCertLadder.pdf">PSIA ladder</a> to the point where I was a Level III in both Alpine and Telemark skiing. And after you reach Level III, what do you do next? Let's look at that part of the ladder:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9xtiWG4EF4/U633sH11tVI/AAAAAAAACM8/mnbLSz6WH_g/s1600/Screenshot+2014-06-27+18.57.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9xtiWG4EF4/U633sH11tVI/AAAAAAAACM8/mnbLSz6WH_g/s1600/Screenshot+2014-06-27+18.57.45.jpg" height="387" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Starting from the bottom, you can see that the next step is the "Alpine Educational Staff", where I have the option of Divisional Clinic Leader (DCL), ACE Team ("Advanced Children's Educator"), or Dev Team ("Development Team"), which has a further ladder to ETS and then to Examiner.<br />
<br />
I actually tried out for Dev Team on the Alpine side in 2009. In fact, I <a href="http://www.epicski.com/t/52347/psia-dev-team-tryout-and-preparation-for-it/30#post_1082190">wrote about the experience</a> on the Epicski forum:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fdfcfa; color: #181818; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So I put together a sick run (heli in the middle, huge GS turns with my body way outside the skis, slalom turns with wicked rebound) until I got to the very end, where I hit some soft snow, somersaulted over the front of my skis, ripped my toepiece in half (the plastic itself), and bent my brand new skis. </span></blockquote>
So, that didn't go so well for me. I wasn't really bummed that I messed that run up, though. I was more upset because the people who did make it weren't really the greatest skiers I'd ever seen. Ace (who had also tried out) thought the same. We couldn't really figure out why we didn't get higher scores, but we chalked it up to youth (I was 28 and she was 27), imprecise skiing, and not really knowing anybody (all of the other candidates seemed very close with the examiners).<br />
<br />
After that experience, I took a break from the Alpine ladder. <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2011/03/sugarbush-psia-exam-day-2.html">I got my level III on the Telemark side in 2011</a>, and it was an awesome experience. I didn't really know if the Telemark side was "better" (I've since realized that it is :-)), but I knew that I felt a lot more proud of my Telemark accomplishments than I ever felt about my Alpine accomplishments. After a couple of years of <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2013/10/telemark-ski-bindings-trials-and.html">equipment dialing</a>, I decided to try for the Dev Team on the Telemark side this past March at Killington.<br />
<br />
The Telemark exams are different than the Alpine exams in general. Alpine exams are very strictly regimented and task based. For every task (short turns, GS turns through bumps, etc.), the examiner stands at the bottom with notecards and calls the candidates down one by one. The people trying out are evaluated and the examiner writes some stuff down and you move on to the next task. The Telemark exams are just better: more relaxed, more teaching focused, more group participation and cooperation, more skiing, more fun, and more Norwegian tele feasts:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZZPdJ_rw58/U64B6XTtZ1I/AAAAAAAACNM/b_UJvThPGWg/s1600/photo+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZZPdJ_rw58/U64B6XTtZ1I/AAAAAAAACNM/b_UJvThPGWg/s1600/photo+(29).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was the feast in a sidecountry cabin near Killington after Day 1 of this year's exam. I won't bore you with the details of skiing and teaching, but it's always stressful when you're in it. You never really KNOW you passed until they announce your name after everything is all over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When they announced my name, I got pretty emotional. I don't know what it is when I pass the tele exams, but when the final scores come in, I really feel like I've accomplished something. The standards are ridiculously high. Great skiers and teachers didn't pass the Level III exam, just because they couldn't put it all together at the same time. I feel incredibly honored and humbled to make the Dev team, and the fact that I'm on track to be an examiner is still pretty unbelievable to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When you're climbing the ladder, you're always looking up to the people above you - people who have been there and have been doing this stuff for years and years. They've probably forgotten more about ski instructing than I ever knew. I am eternally grateful to the people who helped me along the way, and I wouldn't have gotten the warm feeling of accomplishing something difficult without them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm still not going to make much money ski instructing, but it's nice to know that I have a little bit more flexibility and freedom in how I make that money in the future. It will be nice to travel around to different resorts, attend events with awesome tele skiers, and maybe sneak my way into a western trip or two. The next goal is a super longshot: making the <a href="http://www.thesnowpros.org/NewsInformation/ThePSIA-AASITeams/PSIANordicTeam.aspx">PSIA National Telemark Team</a>. Since there appear to be only 2 people in the whole country on the team right now, this is probably not likely. But, hey, this is my fun job. Might as well keep doing it.</div>
<br />Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-91324503161095275862014-04-09T10:16:00.000-04:002014-04-09T10:16:11.687-04:00March Instagram DumpI've been doing some stuff, I just haven't been posting. Here's an update:<br />
<br />
I finished up the community college skiing class that I teach:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRnhsIljLKk/U0VKb1310HI/AAAAAAAACHM/045PpHU9y8k/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRnhsIljLKk/U0VKb1310HI/AAAAAAAACHM/045PpHU9y8k/s1600/image.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then had a ski weekend at Gore:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DHIDLtK6uVs/U0VKqom9QHI/AAAAAAAACHU/q32WF1VUDJM/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DHIDLtK6uVs/U0VKqom9QHI/AAAAAAAACHU/q32WF1VUDJM/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Followed by a sweet trip to Mad River Glen for a 2-day PSIA clinic before my big exam. They had gotten 3-4" inches of snow when we arrived, and they had another 2-3" the next night. It made for awesome conditions for bumps and trees. I wish I had taken more pictures, but we skied pretty hard. Here's a couple of shots:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bx90-yuY7Fc/U0VK4UjE0WI/AAAAAAAACHc/Taleu-eVPqE/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bx90-yuY7Fc/U0VK4UjE0WI/AAAAAAAACHc/Taleu-eVPqE/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-K2sSFmiMM/U0VK6BD_PMI/AAAAAAAACHk/LskuTIPTI9M/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-K2sSFmiMM/U0VK6BD_PMI/AAAAAAAACHk/LskuTIPTI9M/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The following weekend was the PSIA exam at Killington. I was too busy being stressed, so not many pics from there either. We did have a phenomenal Norwegian tele feast at a backcountry hut on the Long Trail:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXZeBSn2pwM/U0VM0mcOFKI/AAAAAAAACHw/bSVno5C38I0/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXZeBSn2pwM/U0VM0mcOFKI/AAAAAAAACHw/bSVno5C38I0/s1600/image.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we had a beer in the umbrella bar while waiting for the results to be tabulated:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhgElFPSo2I/U0VNRx3CGNI/AAAAAAAACIE/KsyhlSspOXc/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhgElFPSo2I/U0VNRx3CGNI/AAAAAAAACIE/KsyhlSspOXc/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And a celebration beer after the success:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i877f2ZQ-jM/U0VNRdPSw2I/AAAAAAAACIA/7DKS9wEoAqY/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i877f2ZQ-jM/U0VNRdPSw2I/AAAAAAAACIA/7DKS9wEoAqY/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am now an official member of the Eastern Division Telemark Development Team. I realize that doesn't mean anything to a lot of people. I'll probably write up a post later explaining everything about it, but for now, I guess you can just think about it as Level 3+, where level 3 is the highest certification most people get.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that, we returned to Gore for a weekend, but went off piste and did the Rabbit Pond trail from the Wood Out entrance:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y139C5ZSdSY/U0VNQd1clCI/AAAAAAAACH4/wCyhnPkoXpc/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y139C5ZSdSY/U0VNQd1clCI/AAAAAAAACH4/wCyhnPkoXpc/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HI_FC1Jtl0A/U0VQhoLKrYI/AAAAAAAACJA/ixhPnBkMqy8/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HI_FC1Jtl0A/U0VQhoLKrYI/AAAAAAAACJA/ixhPnBkMqy8/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was fun on Tele skis, but if I did it again, I'd use the fishscaled BC skis for it. Lots of up and down on the way down to the Ski Bowl.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4QryXikko/U0VQgqTv7WI/AAAAAAAACI4/tpZHD-sPZ_I/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4QryXikko/U0VQgqTv7WI/AAAAAAAACI4/tpZHD-sPZ_I/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(2).jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYjvoGuKGa4/U0VOqqhIarI/AAAAAAAACIU/Js8O3S72W0Q/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYjvoGuKGa4/U0VOqqhIarI/AAAAAAAACIU/Js8O3S72W0Q/s1600/image.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It took us about 1.5-2 hours at a slow, relaxed pace, but it can probably be done faster. It was a great way to get away from the crowds at Gore and it was fun to do some exploring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of exploring, the following week, We were at Jay Peak:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIR2s_DzulQ/U0VOta9i90I/AAAAAAAACIs/0tkRvEUrgqY/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIR2s_DzulQ/U0VOta9i90I/AAAAAAAACIs/0tkRvEUrgqY/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was phenomenal. Pow, trees, chutes, and fun skiing (well, Ace snowboarded the first day):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zb1HmeKRSY/U0VOsJo75VI/AAAAAAAACIk/b8whRx0J5yg/s1600/image%255B3%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5zb1HmeKRSY/U0VOsJo75VI/AAAAAAAACIk/b8whRx0J5yg/s1600/image%255B3%255D.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-bqYnTCATk/U0VTIhLPe3I/AAAAAAAACJo/WYR6ggYzEbo/s1600/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-bqYnTCATk/U0VTIhLPe3I/AAAAAAAACJo/WYR6ggYzEbo/s1600/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eaTm9W0CQ/U0VThe2-HqI/AAAAAAAACJ8/1pQ2HdFTZ3c/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eaTm9W0CQ/U0VThe2-HqI/AAAAAAAACJ8/1pQ2HdFTZ3c/s1600/image.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFlH--DxSps/U0VTJgs6gAI/AAAAAAAACJw/WGhqPH_jNGM/s1600/image%255B2%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFlH--DxSps/U0VTJgs6gAI/AAAAAAAACJw/WGhqPH_jNGM/s1600/image%255B2%255D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a lot of pictures of Ace making left turns for ya (I have no idea why it worked out that way). We spent three days skiing Jay Peak Resort, then we did some backcountry across the street:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ciNd0LMM8/U0VTKvnBpEI/AAAAAAAACJ4/zRmxAlyYo2g/s1600/image%255B3%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ciNd0LMM8/U0VTKvnBpEI/AAAAAAAACJ4/zRmxAlyYo2g/s1600/image%255B3%255D.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eIH71uoVOg/U0VTjJve45I/AAAAAAAACKI/HSyZKPvicEE/s1600/bc2+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eIH71uoVOg/U0VTjJve45I/AAAAAAAACKI/HSyZKPvicEE/s1600/bc2+%25282%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx-wdZKcmz0/U0VTHczbzCI/AAAAAAAACJg/AwKG2ID2arE/s1600/bc2+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx-wdZKcmz0/U0VTHczbzCI/AAAAAAAACJg/AwKG2ID2arE/s1600/bc2+%25281%2529.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aI4dqwhV-V4/U0VTGma7QcI/AAAAAAAACJc/3jVOH5HQ1eM/s1600/bc3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aI4dqwhV-V4/U0VTGma7QcI/AAAAAAAACJc/3jVOH5HQ1eM/s1600/bc3.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Really nice snow conditions, and a really fun, relaxed time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that, I understudied a Tele event at Whiteface, where 7 inches of wet snow made all the glades awesome:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csS8DNoE0Jg/U0VTDr5-_EI/AAAAAAAACJQ/dq6AqKV8z94/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csS8DNoE0Jg/U0VTDr5-_EI/AAAAAAAACJQ/dq6AqKV8z94/s1600/image4.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I started riding my bike (I'm trying to do <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/">#30daysofbiking</a> again this year):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNX3bR-C7Wk/U0VU8TU2NKI/AAAAAAAACKQ/e12DgCWgns8/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNX3bR-C7Wk/U0VU8TU2NKI/AAAAAAAACKQ/e12DgCWgns8/s1600/image.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But I haven't forgot about skiing. Great day last Sunday, and it looks like this coming weekend will be sweet, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfTxoLsQzA8/U0VU_7sr8XI/AAAAAAAACKg/oH61SAA7nWM/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfTxoLsQzA8/U0VU_7sr8XI/AAAAAAAACKg/oH61SAA7nWM/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now you're all caught up.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfHxmQS5I4M/U0VU9PKTWmI/AAAAAAAACKY/durxpO3_34Y/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfHxmQS5I4M/U0VU9PKTWmI/AAAAAAAACKY/durxpO3_34Y/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-83924880167957394392014-02-24T12:34:00.000-05:002014-02-24T12:34:32.897-05:00Merck Forest Backcountry Skiing - 2/22/14Usually, I try not to expose backcountry "stashes", but since the <a href="http://www.merckforest.org/">Merck Forest</a>, outside of <a href="http://visitmanchestervt.com/">Manchester Vermont</a>, is pretty well known, I figured I'd just say where we were. Since the recent rain/freeze, we figured we'd give the coral reef snow conditions a little time to warm up, so we flew sideways up the icy access road around 11:00. The parking lot and main road were completely iced over, making the walk to the visitor's center super treacherous. But we made it and, after a little planning session, we decided on a route up 2,600' Antone Mountain. We went back to the (actually pretty crowded) parking area and put on our skins, which made walking on the icy ground much more enjoyable.<br />
<br />
We started hiking and tried to get off the main drag as soon as possible. We found ourselves on the empty McCormick Trail;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47KW9TvqrEk/Uwt8wuYdRQI/AAAAAAAACFY/_DQ5ssVh7Tw/s1600/photo+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47KW9TvqrEk/Uwt8wuYdRQI/AAAAAAAACFY/_DQ5ssVh7Tw/s1600/photo+(29).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-or_2lAKVrlg/Uwt88lqQZ7I/AAAAAAAACFo/JzKSRq6qxcU/s1600/image+(51).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-or_2lAKVrlg/Uwt88lqQZ7I/AAAAAAAACFo/JzKSRq6qxcU/s1600/image+(51).jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tC6t4G-g02o/Uwt86M7p6sI/AAAAAAAACFk/Q6R7zvRu4OQ/s1600/image+%252852%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tC6t4G-g02o/Uwt86M7p6sI/AAAAAAAACFk/Q6R7zvRu4OQ/s1600/image+%252852%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got off the McCormick trail, took Antone Road to the "Ski Trail" (mellow, but a nice skin track in place), and got back on Antone road for the final push up. After about 2.5 hours, we made it to the summit. It was treed, but there was still a pretty good view.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qa3iFkp4aDo/Uwt89KvhVEI/AAAAAAAACFw/IFO22fbckmg/s1600/image+%252853%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qa3iFkp4aDo/Uwt89KvhVEI/AAAAAAAACFw/IFO22fbckmg/s1600/image+%252853%2529.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ski down was really tough. The snow never softened as much as we needed it to, so there was about 2" of crust that made everything really hard to turn through. We mostly had to stick with the tried and true backcountry technique of skiing our skin track, going too fast, panicking, leaving the track, and trying not to fall in the weird crusty snow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IzHhMcDsHc/Uwt9J1LgxXI/AAAAAAAACG0/XHAoQz3op-M/s1600/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IzHhMcDsHc/Uwt9J1LgxXI/AAAAAAAACG0/XHAoQz3op-M/s1600/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIMwVGYLUQ0/Uwt9CR8dhMI/AAAAAAAACGI/XaairT-ZJzE/s1600/image+%252856%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIMwVGYLUQ0/Uwt9CR8dhMI/AAAAAAAACGI/XaairT-ZJzE/s1600/image+%252856%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eventually, the trail widened and softened enough that we could make turns:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6FgdoCeel4/Uwt9DnahGeI/AAAAAAAACGU/6y_W-xZGQUU/s1600/image+%252855%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6FgdoCeel4/Uwt9DnahGeI/AAAAAAAACGU/6y_W-xZGQUU/s1600/image+%252855%2529.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And we came out of the woods into full view of the farm:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPqG2a-jwaU/Uwt9DeKhv6I/AAAAAAAACGQ/-4Oj1oKv_AI/s1600/image+%252857%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPqG2a-jwaU/Uwt9DeKhv6I/AAAAAAAACGQ/-4Oj1oKv_AI/s1600/image+%252857%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were some really fun horses:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOpsrcqq3iY/Uwt9HZhq24I/AAAAAAAACGs/I04umIudwjY/s1600/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOpsrcqq3iY/Uwt9HZhq24I/AAAAAAAACGs/I04umIudwjY/s1600/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This guy was just running around under this windmill, playing around in the snow - just like we were!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FvSr2SWlVY/Uwt9FFUVKMI/AAAAAAAACGg/9o2tAbJ_ms8/s1600/image+%252859%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FvSr2SWlVY/Uwt9FFUVKMI/AAAAAAAACGg/9o2tAbJ_ms8/s1600/image+%252859%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a great day to get away from the crowds of President's Week. Around this time of year, I always get <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2011/02/burnout.html">burnt out</a> on teaching and resort skiing. Days like this remind me why I love just being outside in the winter time.</div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-53818464689694945812014-01-21T16:11:00.003-05:002014-01-21T16:11:55.669-05:00Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, WY - 1/10-1/13/14It's a new year. 2014 means I'll be 34 years old in May. Wow. I guess I might as well just keep living an awesome life.<br />
<br />
While everyone back here in the east was wallowing through a warm, rainy weekend, I headed out to Driggs, Idaho for a few days of adventure at some places I'd never been before. Unfortunately, there aren't too many pictures because I was too busy skiing and having fun the whole time.<br />
<br />
The first two days we hit Grand Targhee. Friday was great. About 8 inches of fresh pow with a nice base:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vUWBcrxmeA/UtmYxrLrBQI/AAAAAAAACD4/S2QjCtzOL8w/s1600/image+(32).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vUWBcrxmeA/UtmYxrLrBQI/AAAAAAAACD4/S2QjCtzOL8w/s1600/image+(32).jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Msy1sEyFmow/UtmYzEF80PI/AAAAAAAACEA/m-ljov2Ahgw/s1600/photo+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Msy1sEyFmow/UtmYzEF80PI/AAAAAAAACEA/m-ljov2Ahgw/s1600/photo+(22).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day, there was another 4 inches of snow, but it must have rained briefly the night before because there was a crusty layer under the fresh snow. It made the ungroomed terrain pretty hard work, but everything that had been groomed was in great shape: Powder on top of hardpack. We stuck to those trails and some lower mountain glades that had been relatively sheltered from the rain. We skied at a more relaxed pace, quit a little early to watch football, and petted this avalanche dog:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uqGNSmmQLY/UtmaN2g3K0I/AAAAAAAACEk/-p-BminDLNk/s1600/image+(33).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uqGNSmmQLY/UtmaN2g3K0I/AAAAAAAACEk/-p-BminDLNk/s1600/image+(33).jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday at Jackson Hole was awesome. About a foot of new snow and just a great day to ski. Enormous crowds, and everyone was just charging all over the mountain, looking for powder stashes. We found our best pow off the Gondola and out in the Hobacks. No great pics, but there are a couple shots of us having fun:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdTTdCz0BFM/UtmaK3Y5UaI/AAAAAAAACEg/AZd2s61dJSw/s1600/image+%252834%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdTTdCz0BFM/UtmaK3Y5UaI/AAAAAAAACEg/AZd2s61dJSw/s1600/image+%252834%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ARaTq_9SgoU/UtmbjLaGJfI/AAAAAAAACFE/cDPW4g9XNTU/s1600/photo+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ARaTq_9SgoU/UtmbjLaGJfI/AAAAAAAACFE/cDPW4g9XNTU/s1600/photo+%252823%2529.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And one to give you an idea of the snow conditions:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQxGDxKR9Jo/UtmbeDDzh-I/AAAAAAAACE8/UMOILcj43LM/s1600/image+%252838%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQxGDxKR9Jo/UtmbeDDzh-I/AAAAAAAACE8/UMOILcj43LM/s1600/image+%252838%2529.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After skiing, we hung out at the Mangy Moose, which deserves its reputation as one of the best ski bars in the country. Then we went into the town of Jackson, ate at an amazing restaurant, then went to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (where the barstools are saddles) for more drinks. Great times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nKCiYKVwTw/Utmc7rjD4bI/AAAAAAAACFM/2JaoLeYvvjw/s1600/image+(30).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nKCiYKVwTw/Utmc7rjD4bI/AAAAAAAACFM/2JaoLeYvvjw/s1600/image+(30).jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day, we got another 6 or 7 inches of snow. Originally, we had planned a backcountry day in Teton Pass, but with the avalanche danger listed as "considerable", we decided to pass on the Pass. So we headed back to Jackson Hole for another day at the resort. The crowds were significantly smaller on the weekday, so we were able to do 2 quick Gondy laps before we jumped on the Tram:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkkHckt8dQ0/UtmaIkFVFpI/AAAAAAAACEY/owWEe1Bc-fA/s1600/image+%252837%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkkHckt8dQ0/UtmaIkFVFpI/AAAAAAAACEY/owWEe1Bc-fA/s1600/image+%252837%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was absolutely no visibility in the Rendezvous Bowl, which was too bad, because the snow was awesome. Back in the Hobacks, though, everything was clear and powdery. Tons of good skiing. We also did a couple of laps on the Casper lift, which seemed to be overlooked by a lot of people there and had really nice tree lines.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Like a lot of mountains, the whole Tram thing seems overrated at Jackson Hole. There is just so much terrain off of the Gondola, the Casper Lift, the Thunder Quad and the Sublette, it's hard to imagine doing more than one Tram ride per day. Also, you'd need a good week to really explore Jackson, and at least a couple of seasons to ski all the good lines on the mountain. It is just that big and fantastic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only downside to the trip is that Corbet's Couloir wasn't open on Sunday (Saturday, the Tram line was too long all day to attempt a run at it). Corbet's has been on my skiing bucket list since I was a kid, so I guess I'll just have to make a return trip to Jackson at some point to rip it up. Let's hope it doesn't take another 34 years. The 15' cliff drop at the entrance might be pretty difficult at 68.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What's that you say? You want a GoPro edit? Well, here you go:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/84427313" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/84427313">Grand Targhee/Jackson Hole, WY</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1267066">Matt Charles</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-83820613279403615212014-01-05T20:35:00.002-05:002014-01-05T20:53:37.804-05:00Adirondack Backcountry Skiing - 1/4/14After the most recent snowstorm, Ace and I had been itching to get out into the <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/search/label/Backcountry">backcountry</a>. We started the day at Gore, sat in a gondola full of a-holes, and met a -20 degree windchill at the top of Bear Mountain. After one run down Twister, we had had enough. The day that followed was way better.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We dropped a car at the Ski Bowl and headed to the <a href="http://www.garnet-hill.com/">Garnet Hill Lodge</a>. Some friends of ours rented some tele equipment, and we were on our way. Originally, we were just going to take the <a href="http://www.offonadventure.com/2013/01/raymond-brook-ski-trail-1113.html">Raymond Brook Ski Trail</a> from Barton Mines road, but we decided to lengthen the trip. <a href="http://saratogaskier.blogspot.com/2013/01/skiing-historic-1930s-trails-of-north.html">Here's a good description of the trails</a> around the area. And here's a map (available at Garnet Hill, or in town at the <a href="http://www.hudsonrivertradingco.com/">Hudson River Trading Company</a>):</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qB9FXJg05s/Usn2Q5fSZPI/AAAAAAAACAI/IjsNdZhhnOY/s1600/Backcountry+ski+trails+map+13th+Lake+to+North+Creek+9-12+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qB9FXJg05s/Usn2Q5fSZPI/AAAAAAAACAI/IjsNdZhhnOY/s1600/Backcountry+ski+trails+map+13th+Lake+to+North+Creek+9-12+(4).jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We started out in high spirits on the Halfway Brook Trail towards William Blake Pond and The Vly:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e5pyOC2-Jk/Usn7YlG-CsI/AAAAAAAACAY/SLUnunHowdQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e5pyOC2-Jk/Usn7YlG-CsI/AAAAAAAACAY/SLUnunHowdQ/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtNCu2EqHq8/Usn7Z203giI/AAAAAAAACAc/eEyffuuJd4s/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtNCu2EqHq8/Usn7Z203giI/AAAAAAAACAc/eEyffuuJd4s/s1600/image.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a few rolling hills, we reached William Blake Pond (remember, you can click on the pictures to enbiggen them):</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6ni8wtiRew/Usn79fvLE7I/AAAAAAAACA0/cZgbVpRI0q0/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6ni8wtiRew/Usn79fvLE7I/AAAAAAAACA0/cZgbVpRI0q0/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was a little bit of uphill to get to the next wetland:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpPkiiRDHRM/Usn9J8t0WxI/AAAAAAAACBE/ZLI5ixNE0pM/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpPkiiRDHRM/Usn9J8t0WxI/AAAAAAAACBE/ZLI5ixNE0pM/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BP02RGp-iI/Usn9Ll5dvTI/AAAAAAAACBM/UnmliEdkq-I/s1600/1601274_10152110791581774_1211892889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BP02RGp-iI/Usn9Ll5dvTI/AAAAAAAACBM/UnmliEdkq-I/s1600/1601274_10152110791581774_1211892889_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We kept hiking for a while, a gradual up, then a gradual down towards the Vly:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kl_Fs2Xdl0/Usn_F_2S3JI/AAAAAAAACBo/Uq5Obuk1dz0/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kl_Fs2Xdl0/Usn_F_2S3JI/AAAAAAAACBo/Uq5Obuk1dz0/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY_qxfCyXrU/Usn_HgG3cnI/AAAAAAAACBw/I55GC1aCjNw/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY_qxfCyXrU/Usn_HgG3cnI/AAAAAAAACBw/I55GC1aCjNw/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(2).jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fishscaled, metal edged backcountry skis are the tool of choice. The tele setup does take a little getting used to, though, for the uninitiated (look out below!):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHaYqHfqsSc/Usn_7KvI4OI/AAAAAAAACB4/AQnX2Iwmf20/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHaYqHfqsSc/Usn_7KvI4OI/AAAAAAAACB4/AQnX2Iwmf20/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(2).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After climbing up from the Vly, crossing Barton Mines Road, and climbing up about 200 vertical feet from the start of the Raymond Brook Trail, we finally got some legitimate downhills in:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vigtCOE8WWA/UsoA-XJDmaI/AAAAAAAACCE/0RNBVcJzyqs/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vigtCOE8WWA/UsoA-XJDmaI/AAAAAAAACCE/0RNBVcJzyqs/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOeIqIFBDyw/UsoBAJOmhkI/AAAAAAAACCM/mClqAz4sBpk/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOeIqIFBDyw/UsoBAJOmhkI/AAAAAAAACCM/mClqAz4sBpk/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qWe7wD-TK4/UsoBYOxFyfI/AAAAAAAACCU/yHpCMoMxiw4/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qWe7wD-TK4/UsoBYOxFyfI/AAAAAAAACCU/yHpCMoMxiw4/s1600/image%5B1%5D+(3).jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was some history:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3X2HODGlE/UsoBv7HYv5I/AAAAAAAACCc/ldJBQJ6XeYg/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi3X2HODGlE/UsoBv7HYv5I/AAAAAAAACCc/ldJBQJ6XeYg/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And a pretty nice downhill/traversing exit (with a couple of small uphills, too):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49SxFXh6F_Y/UsoDmfrh7dI/AAAAAAAACC0/G8YNNd92oPQ/s1600/photo+(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49SxFXh6F_Y/UsoDmfrh7dI/AAAAAAAACC0/G8YNNd92oPQ/s1600/photo+(20).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HQ9KNJMlzU/UsoCU8iBYmI/AAAAAAAACCk/tKjreh2BYq8/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HQ9KNJMlzU/UsoCU8iBYmI/AAAAAAAACCk/tKjreh2BYq8/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(3).jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We started at Garnet Hill around 12:15 or so and came out at the Ski Bowl at 4:15. It took a little longer than anticipated (lots of photo breaks and a relaxed pace), but we still had a good amount of daylight to work with. This picture was taken as we left to begin the drive back up to Garnet Hill:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DEELB7oNMU/UsoFfT81wFI/AAAAAAAACDA/c46xTyhc05Y/s1600/1509922_10202210208510507_348657177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DEELB7oNMU/UsoFfT81wFI/AAAAAAAACDA/c46xTyhc05Y/s1600/1509922_10202210208510507_348657177_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, it was a pretty great day. Definitely a lot better than braving the crowds at the mountain. These are the kind of days that make me want to break out of the ski instructing grind and recapture winter weekends for myself - Good friends, great snow, empty trails, and freedom. Recipe for fun.</div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-67022068950797772932013-11-15T07:06:00.003-05:002013-11-15T07:07:59.815-05:00Jay Peak - 11/12/13 VideoJay Peak had gotten over 2 feet of snow from the Jay Cloud, so Ted and I made a trip up. His <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Training-for-Utah-Part-Deux-Jay-Peak-VT-tp4032191.html">Trip Report is here</a>, if you're interested. I had the GoPro running and made an edit of some of the shenanigans. Then, Ted took the GoPro for another trip to Jay the following day:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wPU9x1-RxkE" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
Fun Times. I want to get up there again this weekend, but I don't know if that's in the cards.Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-69166985368664321602013-11-15T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-15T07:00:03.319-05:00Big Tupper VideoI've made a couple of GoPro edits over the past few days that have a pitifully low view count. So I'm posting them to this here blog in hopes that more people will see them. I was pretty happy with this one - skiing Big Tupper last year when it wasn't open. If you have a touring setup and a defunct ski area within driving distance, there's no reason not to sprinkle a few of these days in throughout the ski season. They're always fun, it's a novel experience, and you don't have to deal with typical resort crowds. Usually it's just some friends and their dogs:<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gM_sB-1eguk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-91347477691353098282013-11-08T20:39:00.001-05:002013-11-08T20:43:03.312-05:00Silverton VideoIt may be 8 months after the fact, but I made a video for my <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2013/03/silverton-mountain-colorado-3172013.html">Silverton</a> day last year. Usual GoPro caveats apply - the slope was actually a lot steeper than it looks, sorry about the solo GoPro-ing with no other angles, blah blah blah. Sometimes you don't want to get too creative, you just want to ski. And we definitely did that:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/78954555?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/78954555">Silverton</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1267066">Matt Charles</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
Working on a Big Tupper Video now, and it looks pretty cool, too.Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-77502135533279251442013-10-30T20:44:00.000-04:002013-10-30T20:52:21.783-04:00Telemark Ski Bindings - Trials and Tribulations with NTN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year was a mess for me, gear wise. My alpine boots packed out, I ripped the bases off of one pair of skis, tore up the sidewalls of another (more on that in a later post), and I had problem after problem after problem with my telemark setups. I've been posting some of the issues on various <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/NTN-tp3911179p4023953.html">forums</a>, but I thought I'd tell the whole story here, just to give some information to people thinking about <a href="http://www.earnyourturns.com/13589/on-the-fence-with-ntn-for-201213/">Telemark, NTN, and Alpine Touring options</a>.</div>
<br />
I sold 4 pairs of skis at the beginning of last year to fund the switch to <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/NTN-tp3911179.html">NTN</a> - a 78mm waisted Tele setup, a 80mm waisted park ski, a 70mm waisted tuned down race ski, and a 78mm waisted midfat that was broken and battered. Most of this was due to my love of the <a href="http://store.libertyskis.com/p/morphic?pp=24">Liberty Morphic</a> alpine skis that I got the previous year. I realized that 94mm at the waist is perfectly fine, and there's really no need to go under 85mm, except for rock hard ice days, and I have a pair of slalom skis for that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_XXQ0NLjFA/UnF2-JOWFdI/AAAAAAAAB-4/z6kZvGEnDPI/s1600/PicShells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_XXQ0NLjFA/UnF2-JOWFdI/AAAAAAAAB-4/z6kZvGEnDPI/s400/PicShells.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skis sold to make room in my basement and wallet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I bought <a href="http://www.scarpa.com/tx-pro">Scarpa TX Pro</a> boots. This seemed like an obvious choice - more power, plus the ability to ski AT with tech inserts. And I have to say, this was the one part of my setup that I loved and continue to love to this day. Super comfortable (the most comfortable ski boot I've ever worn), awesome power transfer, and excellent walkability. It's amazing how you become used to clomping around the lodge in your alpine boots, or doing the tele shuffle with huge rockered duckbills, but then when you put on a bellowed NTN boot, you feel so much better just walking through the lunch line. The only downside with these boots is that they don't perform very well for AT uses. I haven't skied them <a href="http://www.dynafit.com/en">with Dynafits</a>, but they fit into my alpine bindings, and the few times I skied them weren't phenomenal. They basically ski like a 60 or 70 flex alpine boot, which means that you can't get too aggressive with them out over the front, they're not too precise on ice, and they're not really great for manky conditions. They work if you stay really centered and don't try to get too crazy with them, but I probably wouldn't want to use them on anything that scared me (again). When you ski them the way they were designed to be skied, however, they really work well:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1z6K_r_H82M/UnF0wJy3sWI/AAAAAAAAB-s/DbzDzci051I/s1600/IMGP4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1z6K_r_H82M/UnF0wJy3sWI/AAAAAAAAB-s/DbzDzci051I/s640/IMGP4259.JPG" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarpa TX Pro boots in action in Silverton, CO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To go with the boots, I chose <a href="http://www.atomic.com/en-US/Products/Alpine/Ski/Touring/CHARTER/AA0024998.aspx">Atomic Charter</a> skis. With a 100mm waist, my thinking was that by going for a more "touring" oriented ski, I could use them at the resort on powder days, I could use them for BC around the ADKs and I could take them out west for trips. They were okay, I just found them to be a little . . . weak. They weren't "flimsy" per se, but there just wasn't much "there" there. The profile was really thin, and they just didn't charge like the skis that I'm used to skiing. Not enough to disqualify them from consideration for pure touring purposes, but enough to make me look elsewhere when I buy my next set of boards (I already sold the Charters). I'll go lightweight with my next pair, but I also need more "oomph", and I'll sacrifice a few grams for a stronger stick.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDiDvx-V7zI/UnGL4fOTc0I/AAAAAAAAB_I/QkVOZHkXwdk/s1600/IMGP4402+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDiDvx-V7zI/UnGL4fOTc0I/AAAAAAAAB_I/QkVOZHkXwdk/s400/IMGP4402+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atomic Charters in the air in Durango. You can sort of see the low profile for weight savings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And now to the most annoying part of the story: the bindings. I started off with the <a href="http://burntmtn.com/00NTtour/ntindex.html">Burnt Mountain Spike NT</a>. I had read some positive reviews of this binding and its predecessor, the TeleBulldog. But I never really felt comfortable with the binding. The step in capability was okay, but took a little doing to set up, the touring mode was fantastic (this was my first free pivot binding, and I wondered why I hadn't made the switch years ago), but the brakes were kind of wimpy. I thought that the traditional latch point behind the boot would be more familiar to me, but even after a bunch of fiddling, I never could get the springs dialed in the way I wanted. That wasn't the biggest issue, though. My main problem was that I felt really tippy-toed when I was skiing. I could never get in a super bomber tele stance, and I definitely didn't feel like I was solid on my planks. I was very tentative, and it came across in the way I skied. What used to be smooth before the switch was now herky jerky and stunted. Not good. I was still getting used to the setup and deciding whether I wanted to go a different direction when the decision was made for me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIW3oIsxLDc/UnGTTo5QIfI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/swINt05Ffk0/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIW3oIsxLDc/UnGTTo5QIfI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/swINt05Ffk0/s400/photo+(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That piece of metal is supposed to be attached to that other piece of metal. And when I looked on the other binding, the same thing was about to happen there:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0KZVs0Zqwo/UnGT2kNeDQI/AAAAAAAAB_g/Yz_nXzSOcTo/s1600/image+(8).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0KZVs0Zqwo/UnGT2kNeDQI/AAAAAAAAB_g/Yz_nXzSOcTo/s400/image+(8).jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that crack forming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Burnt Mountain (which is really just one guy) was great about the warranty. I sent the bindings back and he gave a full refund. I think if you don't go crazy on your skis like I tend to do, these bindings would be fine. In fact, talking to the guy from Burnt Mountain, he said that I'd probably break the Rottefella bindings too, which turned out to be exactly correct.<br />
<br />
First, though, let me back up. Since I was in the middle of teaching when these bindings broke, I rushed into town to see if <a href="http://nyskiblog.com/gear-source-north-creek/">the shop in town</a> had any solutions for me. They just happened to have last years version of the same binding, so they swapped the bindings out really quick and sent me back to the mountain (I later realized that while making the switch, he drilled through the bases when he didn't account for the couple millimeter difference in the binding depth. Doh!). Undeterred, I ordered the <a href="http://www.scarpa.com/ntn-freedom-binding-large-medium-110-brake">Rottefella Freedom</a> bindings the next day.<br />
<br />
When I finally got the bindings in (and after a few false starts with not having the correct brakes), Jeff put them on the skis and sent me on my way. The difference was amazing. Power, control, precision - I was able to get everything that I was missing with the Burnt Mountain offering. I guess I should have assumed this would be the case. The NTN system was designed to attach at the second heel (the "<a href="http://www.newtelemarkguide.com/wiki/NTN_Pros_and_Cons">duckbutt</a>" in forum talk). And doing that, using the "<a href="http://www.scarpa.com/ntn-freedom-powerbox-medium-blue">powerbox</a>", the binding transfers energy to the ski, and gives you a predictable flex through the whole turn. Also, the breaks are burly, and I can put my skis together like Alpine skis, which is awesome. No more messing around with ski straps. Technically, I feel awesome - strong and accurate. Other people have reported a difficulty with the slow drag - the gradual lead change that you need to make smooth long turns, but I haven't really noticed. I got back from Colorado, feeling awesome about the setup, and I was just starting to get used to the bindings when this happened:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElTOG8F86n4/UnGeJuCTEyI/AAAAAAAAB_4/6m1Wlxaprok/s1600/image+(27).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElTOG8F86n4/UnGeJuCTEyI/AAAAAAAAB_4/6m1Wlxaprok/s640/image+(27).jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those cracks aren't supposed to be there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-An90M5LZ-N4/UnGdzZ-8DUI/AAAAAAAAB_0/QySq4tVJ1GY/s1600/image+%252826%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-An90M5LZ-N4/UnGdzZ-8DUI/AAAAAAAAB_0/QySq4tVJ1GY/s400/image+%252826%2529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's not supposed to be like that</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So the guy from Burnt Mountain was right. I broke the Rottefellas. I haven't given up on these bindings, though. I like the power and control too much. I have a hunch that they failed because of the skis they were on (and maybe because of a faulty mount). There was a layer of metal in the Charters, and I feel like the skis might not have been tapped in the right way before the bindings were screwed in, possibly due to the thin profile, possibly due to a certain shop messing up again (a shop that is now out of business). After getting a warranty replacement, the Freedoms are going on a brand new set of skis.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What skis? Well, the <a href="http://store.libertyskis.com/p/morphic?pp=24">Liberty Morphics</a> that I mentioned in the very beginning of this post failed me. I somehow managed to rip off the base material which was a weird plastic material and not P-Tex like a normal ski. I sent them back to the company and they sent me a nice pair of bluish purple ones with a P-Tex base. The boots and bindings are in the shop now getting mounted up. This is the last chance. If this combo doesn't work for me (a ski I like for Alpine, a binding I loved before it broke, and the most comfortable boots I've ever owned), then I'm done with the NTN experiment. I'm pretty hopeful, though. I'm looking forward to a full season with one pair of Tele skis that I know I'll be able to rip on. Let's just hope they don't explode.</div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-76651203146854215392013-10-27T20:00:00.000-04:002013-10-27T20:02:14.836-04:00Whiteface Auto Road: 10/27/13I didn't want to throw myself into the crazy Killington early season shitshow, and I wanted to extend my streak to <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2010/10/tr-whiteface-101610.html">four</a> <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2011/10/tr-pico-103011.html">straight</a> <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2012/11/skiing-sandy-timberline-whitegrass-west.html">years</a> of skiing on natural snow in October.<br />
<br />
So I picked up a couple of girls who just wanted to go for a hike and I hit the <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/TR-Whiteface-Toll-Road-10-16-10-tp1722273.html">Auto Road at Whiteface</a> for a little low angle fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1390646_10151954924984904_1312781979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1390646_10151954924984904_1312781979_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There wasn't a lot of snow at the toll house, but we started to see snow on the sides of the road pretty quickly. After about a mile or so, there was probably enough snow to ski on. I waited a little longer to put my skis on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVP7TTDabmE/Um2iy8Fwh6I/AAAAAAAAB8o/mXrZrBYfHrY/s1600/100MEDIA36IMAG5898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVP7TTDabmE/Um2iy8Fwh6I/AAAAAAAAB8o/mXrZrBYfHrY/s400/100MEDIA36IMAG5898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The snow started to look pretty damn good:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70CnkBECuTI/Um2jJ6ORqJI/AAAAAAAAB8w/ge_zagpztS8/s1600/IMGP4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70CnkBECuTI/Um2jJ6ORqJI/AAAAAAAAB8w/ge_zagpztS8/s400/IMGP4773.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And it got better and deeper:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTojuXt1zGw/Um2jzd8oSXI/AAAAAAAAB9A/udMCikDWYZw/s1600/IMGP4777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTojuXt1zGw/Um2jzd8oSXI/AAAAAAAAB9A/udMCikDWYZw/s400/IMGP4777.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CkyUzF8Emuk/Um2j1GkpBTI/AAAAAAAAB9I/9xk4MewGlN8/s1600/IMGP4786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CkyUzF8Emuk/Um2j1GkpBTI/AAAAAAAAB9I/9xk4MewGlN8/s400/IMGP4786.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went up to just above the Lake Placid turn before we turned around. The view was slightly better than <a href="http://forum.nyskiblog.com/TR-Whiteface-Toll-Road-10-16-10-tp1722273p1729820.html">the last time</a> I was up here, but still not great (loving the snow, though):</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqvoTbgVWE/Um2jv_frAjI/AAAAAAAAB84/PFRGPAFSbQg/s1600/IMGP4789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqvoTbgVWE/Um2jv_frAjI/AAAAAAAAB84/PFRGPAFSbQg/s400/IMGP4789.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh the way down, I was just psyched to be skiing. Ace took some pics for me:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvtEwLMOp-Q/Um2lNZ84zCI/AAAAAAAAB9g/1oBjicAGLDc/s1600/IMGP4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvtEwLMOp-Q/Um2lNZ84zCI/AAAAAAAAB9g/1oBjicAGLDc/s400/IMGP4801.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdk2xV3CGtk/Um2lJlYSUoI/AAAAAAAAB9U/YmAuarU__Zc/s1600/IMGP4802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdk2xV3CGtk/Um2lJlYSUoI/AAAAAAAAB9U/YmAuarU__Zc/s640/IMGP4802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgSThpb0nCU/Um2lMIn34PI/AAAAAAAAB9c/d1JAkUgleyQ/s1600/IMGP4803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgSThpb0nCU/Um2lMIn34PI/AAAAAAAAB9c/d1JAkUgleyQ/s400/IMGP4803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So instead of a shitshow, I had a shit eating grin:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPEKUfnOFUM/Um2lvGFlmcI/AAAAAAAAB9s/ReAhwSiBGvQ/s1600/IMGP4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPEKUfnOFUM/Um2lvGFlmcI/AAAAAAAAB9s/ReAhwSiBGvQ/s400/IMGP4807.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TEYCfEFn_sg/Um2lyDEZxEI/AAAAAAAAB90/skwZ9dtWvNE/s1600/IMGP4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TEYCfEFn_sg/Um2lyDEZxEI/AAAAAAAAB90/skwZ9dtWvNE/s400/IMGP4808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I rolled on down, just enjoying sliding on snow again. Mountain biking is fun, but nothing compares to the feeling of skiing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq7TQzXSC6M/Um2m-Jrt1rI/AAAAAAAAB-M/pxzaHvtkpL8/s1600/IMGP4819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq7TQzXSC6M/Um2m-Jrt1rI/AAAAAAAAB-M/pxzaHvtkpL8/s640/IMGP4819.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I skied until the snow ran out, and I took off the skis and boots:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdWc6ENToq8/Um2m9pN1IJI/AAAAAAAAB-I/ZbQvBibc2qg/s1600/IMGP4828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdWc6ENToq8/Um2m9pN1IJI/AAAAAAAAB-I/ZbQvBibc2qg/s400/IMGP4828.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The walk down was a piece of cake. And the weather got nicer, too:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKK5l7_HgDw/Um2m8cEZwhI/AAAAAAAAB-A/3TAwzlgSySo/s1600/IMGP4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKK5l7_HgDw/Um2m8cEZwhI/AAAAAAAAB-A/3TAwzlgSySo/s400/IMGP4831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was even sunny in spots on the drive home:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyFXRUUbeKg/Um2nGX8bk3I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/dOFJkThmBJ8/s1600/IMGP4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyFXRUUbeKg/Um2nGX8bk3I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/dOFJkThmBJ8/s400/IMGP4835.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't say enough how much I prefer this kind of skiing to the craziness at Killington or Sunday River. It was peaceful, fun, and a really good time (great company, too). Could it have used a little more pitch? Sure. But at this point in the season, I'll take what I can get. Like I said, I'm just happy to be sliding on snow again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-22542403991010691412013-09-09T14:24:00.000-04:002013-09-09T14:26:44.910-04:00Why Skiing Should Be More Like Bowling<div class="MsoNormal">
A few weeks ago, there was a series of interesting articles
on <a href="http://www.slopefillers.com/">slopefillers.com</a> about "growing skiing". Numbers have been pretty stagnant lately, whether due to the economy, the climate, or some other reasons. There were a lot of good
ideas by a lot of smart people, and you can <a href="http://www.slopefillers.com/grow-skiing-recap/">read this post</a> that neatly summarizes all of the different
points. I liked the views, but I didn’t get really an overarching story or a
specific vision for the future. So, I came at the problem in a different way –
by comparing skiing to other popular sports:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Bowling</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Why
are bowling alleys still around? What a dumb sport. You roll a ball and knock
over a few pins, then you do it again. But, bowling has a few things going for
it. First, you can wear your regular clothes. Second, the equipment isn’t
really complicated – a ball that anybody can use, and a pair of shoes that are
really cheap to rent (I think shoe rental was like $4 last time I went
bowling). Come to think of it, bowling is a pretty cheap sport in general, and
sometimes they have “All you can bowl” nights for $10 or so. Third, bowling is
easy to get to. Chances are, there’s a bowling alley in your town and you
probably don’t have to drive more than 20 minutes to do it. Also, you don’t
have to be a crazy athlete to bowl – anyone can roll a ball. In fact, you can
even drink while you do it. Finally, there are leagues. Leagues bring people to
the bowling alley on nights where they might not go otherwise. They buy beers,
buy food, and generally have a good time getting better at a sport they enjoy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Golf <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
play a lot of golf in the summer. I hate paying for it, but I like certain
aspects of golf. First of all, courses are unique. My home course is wide open,
other courses are narrow and require more shotmaking, courses in the
Adirondacks offer amazing views, certain courses are quirky, or difficult, or
have a good bar. Also, there is a hierarchy of courses. People usually begin at
a driving range or a miniature golf course, from there, they graduate to a
pitch and putt course, a par 3 course or a little nine hole course close by.
From there, they go to larger public courses or country clubs, and then,
finally, there are the destination resorts of Pebble Beach, Pinehurst,
Scotland, etc. As for cost, golf isn’t cheap. But there are ways to practice
without paying a greens fee. You can tool around on the putting green, or hit a
bucket of balls on the range. Finally (again), there are leagues. There are a
lot of Mondays in the summer when I’d rather be riding my bike or sitting by a
pool, but I’m walking around a golf course in sweltering heat or pouring rain.
And then I buy beers at the bar afterwards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Biking</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
My
main summer sport is biking, and most of the advantages are obvious. First, on
my road bike, I can go right from my house. If I’m just looking to put in some
quick miles, this convenience factor is impossible to ignore. But I don’t
really like road biking (I hate dressing up in spandex like a superhero, I hate
dealing with traffic, etc.). I prefer mountain biking and, while there are a
couple of places that I ride to from my house, I usually load up the car with
my bike and gear and drive to a trailhead. The trail systems I drive to are
generally about 20 minutes away, but I also take longer trips (and pay money)
to ride places like the Kingdom Trails, Millstone Hill, BETA, and other places.
Initial cost is high (bikes are expensive), but most of the trail systems I
ride are free or cheap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b>LESSONS FOR SKIING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
These
three sports are in various stages of life. Bowling is dying, Golf is stagnant,
and Mountain Biking is on the rise (no data to back this up, just personal
observation – in reality golf and bowling might increase as baby boomers age,
where mountain biking might decline). But there are some lessons to be learned
in each case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .2in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Make it cheap! Not only lift tickets, but
rentals, too. Keep older equipment around longer if you need to. We’re trying
to give the feeling of sliding, and we don’t need super rockered, super shaped,
super wide skis to do that. Sure, they help, but so does a beginner area of a
mountain with some berms, rollers, and fun contours to play on. Ski boot rental
should be priced like bowling shoes (I realize the cost difference in producing
these items, but once again, solid older equipment could be used).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>More XC equipment, Snowshoes, and XC trails
at Ski areas. Anybody can bowl. Anybody can hit a golf ball (not good, but they
can hit it). Almost anybody can ride a bike. We’re trying to get people outside
sliding on snow. As baby boomers age, they’re not going to be into getting rad
on terrain parks, they’re going to be into having a fun experience outside.
Whether that means cruising the groomers or just navigating some cool XC
trails, they are more interested in the enjoyment and exercise than capturing
gnarly shit on their GoPros.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Make it close. People need to be able to get
to skiing easily. Sadly, a lot of local hills are dying off, and people have to
drive further and further to go skiing. This trend has got to be reversed if we
are going to grow the sport. Like driving ranges or bowling alleys, there
should be small sledding/skiing/tubing hills really close to (or within) every
town. Like the local ice rink, they should rent out ski equipment for super
cheap (hand me downs from larger resorts?). They should be lit at night for a
fun little nighttime activity. Build a few jumps, and you’re golden. I look at
<a href="http://www.nelsap.org/ny/dynamite.html">Dynamite Hill</a> in Chestertown as a model.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Develop a hierarchy. Small hills as
described above should feed into larger hills. A slightly larger hill could
handle races, bump runs, and small terrain parks. From there, skiers could
graduate to a bigger mountain, and then to a “destination resort.” If we just
siphon every skier to a megadestination resort right off the bat, I’d imagine that
people would get overwhelmed and confused by everything going on. That happened
to me at Telluride, and I’m pretty steeped (haha) in how ski areas work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Get people to the mountain on days they
would otherwise be unlikely to go. Leagues, Programs, Lesson packages,
gimmicks, whatever it takes. Every medium sized local ski area needs
snowmaking, lights, and grooming (yes, these things are expensive, but with
increased efficiency and green energy, hopefully prices will start to
decrease). But it also needs middle school ski clubs, high school race teams,
master’s racing programs, a freestyle team, and solid events that draw people
to the mountain. Obviously, you need the mogul contest, the rail jam, etc., but
what about thinking outside the box? Outdoor winter concerts, scavenger hunts,
wine tasting ski tours of XC trails? It seems like there hasn’t been a new idea
in the ski world since the 70’s. I mean, I like the torchlight parade as much
as the next guy, but shouldn’t we have come up with something better by now? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Beer. I’m calling for outdoor areas at all
ski mountains (Dynamite Hill to Whistler/Blackcomb) with fireplaces that you
can sit by and drink beer. Doesn’t matter if your mountain is big or small, you
need to be able to drink a beer while you watch your kid race, or rest after a
few runs, or just relax and enjoy the view.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Stop making fun of gapers. I don’t like
dressing up in spandex to bike, but I still do it, and I feel like a tool when
I do. Even I see road bikers and immediately think “Look at this douchebag”. But
people who are just starting out in a sport (or only do it a couple of times a
year) don’t want to be made fun of by a bunch of pricks who judge them purely
based on their clothes or equipment. While fun to point out the ridiculousness,
it’s better to just smile and help them navigate the area – especially because
bigger ski areas are intimidating places.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Be Happy. Every time you’re at a ski resort
(big or small), be smiling, be energetic, be pumped up and be happy to be
there. Everyone has a better time at a place when the people around them are
stoked. There are a lot of problems in the world. Be thankful that you’re
outside, enjoying an awesome day of skiing with the people who matter most in
your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-27350830788562876072013-08-03T13:07:00.000-04:002013-09-09T14:28:51.275-04:00Life Change Time?<div class="MsoNormal">
I was reading an article in a Mountain Biking magazine
(can’t remember which), and it was going over ways that you could turn your
passion (biking, in this case) into your career. It listed the various options
(professional, industry insider, writer, photographer, guide, etc.) and the
pros and cons of each choice. None of them seemed particularly appealing. Or, I
guess the better way to say it is: the cons seemed to outweigh the pros in
every case (with the possible exception of “professional”, which is a very time
limited career with a lot of things that can go wrong). I've said before that
the<a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2010/09/jobs.html"> problem with working in an industry is an intricate knowledge of its ugly side</a>. Well, another problem with working in an industry with an enormous
potential labor pool is the really, really, really crappy pay. Any job that is
desirable can afford to pay their employees poorly. But the ski industry is
particularly bad. <a href="http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130616/NEWS11/306160047/Senate-immigration-bill-could-open-more-doors-foreign-ski-snowboard-instructors">And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that in mind, I was thinking of the possible ways that
one could go about establishing a life in a mountain town. Obviously, one way
to do it is to just do it. Now. Sell the house, sell the stuff (besides the
skis and mountain bikes – you’ll need those), cash in the 401k, get in your car
(containing only gear and clothes), and start driving in October. Find a cheap
apartment, a low end job (preferably night hours), get a dog, grow a beard, and
live the laid back life of a ski bum. “Laid back” is a relative term here,
because this option seems to lend itself to money problems and health insurance
difficulties for the rest of your life (or at least until you turn 65 when the
dystopian, socialist hell of Medicare kicks in; thank GOD we don’t have that
for everybody [/sarcasm]).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second option is to wait until retirement. Save up a ton
of money, pay off your mortgage, and just buy a small little house or condo in
Telluride or Park City with that cash. This idea is not entirely unreasonable –
many years of diligent saving can get you some good coin, selling a paid off house in 30 years can net you some more cash, and you can piece together a pretty decent retirement
income between social security, a pension (if you have one), and a retirement
job (ski instructor or hotel work or whatever). Or, do what some people (people
that are richer than I) are doing and buy a 2<sup>nd</sup> home that can double
as a ski house while you work, and a retirement house when you get older. The
downside of this option is that you miss the best years of your life because
you’re working some crappy job all day when you could be skiing. Then, when you
finally get some free time after retirement, you’re so old that “getting rad”
mostly involves cruising the groomers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s got to be a better option. If only there was some
happy medium - some way to work long enough so that you could save enough money
to just enjoy life and not have to worry about a soul sucking corporate job or
injury related bankruptcy. Some way to own a house in a ski town, but not have
to leave it every Sunday night to drive back to suburbia, dreading the
following day at the office. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m trying to think of ways to accomplish this. So far, I’ve
come up with two ideas: going back to school for my Master’s degree (at some
place near mountains – Northern Arizona, Montana State, University of Utah,
etc.), and hypersaving (plowing tons of money into savings and retirements
accounts for the next few years by living on beans & rice, depriving myself
of luxuries, and driving my car well after I’m done paying it off). The
Master’s degree would probably entail taking out student loans (ugh), but the
hypersaving idea could be financially smart. If I can save enough money in the
next few years, I could move out west with the money from home equity, some
pretty good money in retirement accounts, and enough savings to cover a year or
two of living while ski instructing and looking for a job in my field. Unfortunately,
hypersaving would involve cutting down my spending on frivolous crap (which I
don’t really do), and cutting down my spending on going out, drinking and
socializing (which I definitely do). Damn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess it’s one of those times in life when you have to
decide what is most important; one of those times in life when you have to
identify what you want, and formulate a plan for how you want to get it. When I
started this blog almost 4 years ago, I wrote <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2009/11/cold-comfort-for-change.html">a post about how as people get older, they trade security for freedom </a>(buying a house is the financially
responsible, secure thing to do, but you lose the freedom to just up and leave
whenever you want, etc.). I mentioned that I wanted the blog to reflect a life
well lived, not a boring life where I go to work every day and come home every
night and watch TV. Well, after 4 years of going to work every day and coming
home every night to watch TV, I’m getting pretty freaking sick of it. Not that
I haven’t had some good times and some awesome trips, but this sandbox is
getting boring and I need a new playground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Warren Miller says that if you don’t quit your job and move
to ski country this year, you’ll be one year older when you do. Every year, his
voice gets louder in my head, and I can’t seem to shake it. The other voice in
my head is Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy living, or get
busy dying”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I’m not dying anytime soon. There are many years of
getting rad to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-37206569772147635592013-06-11T10:55:00.001-04:002013-06-11T11:00:06.252-04:00Spring Mountain BikingWell, once again, my blog is floundering because I always seem to be busy with other stuff. Luckily, most of it is fun. Here's some phone pics from recent adventures:<div><br></div><div>In Rochester for work in May, I rode the <b>Erie Canal Trail</b> to Brockport. It was pretty nice:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DgYqD2Ie_iw/Ubc6XMoNsNI/AAAAAAAAB74/km0R-t2CRoQ/s640/blogger-image-1593909621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DgYqD2Ie_iw/Ubc6XMoNsNI/AAAAAAAAB74/km0R-t2CRoQ/s640/blogger-image-1593909621.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjc66uiYck4/Ubc6UySs6SI/AAAAAAAAB7w/i9NXzrnC1Qg/s640/blogger-image-75101343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjc66uiYck4/Ubc6UySs6SI/AAAAAAAAB7w/i9NXzrnC1Qg/s640/blogger-image-75101343.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've taken a few mountain biking trips to some local spots, too. Here's <b>Luther Forest</b>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rc37giAkQJU/UbXsbrVQ7VI/AAAAAAAAB6A/_x4BJQcm7hU/s640/blogger-image--470380903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rc37giAkQJU/UbXsbrVQ7VI/AAAAAAAAB6A/_x4BJQcm7hU/s640/blogger-image--470380903.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Colonie Town Park</b>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7PaUU3tsDT0/UbYZcZGkICI/AAAAAAAAB6o/X7ienyYx68s/s640/blogger-image-540248422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7PaUU3tsDT0/UbYZcZGkICI/AAAAAAAAB6o/X7ienyYx68s/s640/blogger-image-540248422.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EYywhv9-9AE/UbYiSPUNKjI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/jHcf76Zq7tk/s640/blogger-image-619759116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EYywhv9-9AE/UbYiSPUNKjI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/jHcf76Zq7tk/s640/blogger-image-619759116.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Pine Hill Park</b> in Rutland:</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A6yeMfyLcK4/UbYiURwvStI/AAAAAAAAB7g/TOQQtagRbTs/s640/blogger-image--896394552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A6yeMfyLcK4/UbYiURwvStI/AAAAAAAAB7g/TOQQtagRbTs/s640/blogger-image--896394552.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0D-rKmB093o/Ubc6dKXjQWI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/WApTgto1JKk/s640/blogger-image--1636853701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0D-rKmB093o/Ubc6dKXjQWI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/WApTgto1JKk/s640/blogger-image--1636853701.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Pittstown State Forest</b>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4wqa1EibMaA/UbYiLzp6DOI/AAAAAAAAB7A/XR10QwH-nbo/s640/blogger-image-1472804296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4wqa1EibMaA/UbYiLzp6DOI/AAAAAAAAB7A/XR10QwH-nbo/s640/blogger-image-1472804296.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Blue Mountain</b> in Peekskill:</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Czr_KkA_5BA/UbYZlRGdUGI/AAAAAAAAB6w/1KuUvpR5hqY/s640/blogger-image-1796228292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Czr_KkA_5BA/UbYZlRGdUGI/AAAAAAAAB6w/1KuUvpR5hqY/s640/blogger-image-1796228292.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nfyr-8evxpA/UbYVz8w28qI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/lCxQKzhrA90/s640/blogger-image--821247403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nfyr-8evxpA/UbYVz8w28qI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/lCxQKzhrA90/s640/blogger-image--821247403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CrWs71X-VoU/UbYiNzMd28I/AAAAAAAAB7I/qy6VwyPACNg/s640/blogger-image--679842720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CrWs71X-VoU/UbYiNzMd28I/AAAAAAAAB7I/qy6VwyPACNg/s640/blogger-image--679842720.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gNT5u2zSgqM/Ubc6a41nb4I/AAAAAAAAB8I/GYf-kzmnT3E/s640/blogger-image--665023979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gNT5u2zSgqM/Ubc6a41nb4I/AAAAAAAAB8I/GYf-kzmnT3E/s640/blogger-image--665023979.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the <b>Pack Demonstration Forest </b>in Warrensburg, NY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3lD017WI6QY/Ubc6ZAiaycI/AAAAAAAAB8A/NrWrL73u--c/s640/blogger-image--487549227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3lD017WI6QY/Ubc6ZAiaycI/AAAAAAAAB8A/NrWrL73u--c/s640/blogger-image--487549227.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RZiZi_jPtU8/UbYiP7Pbp6I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/tKCkL_eTVL8/s640/blogger-image-1293953196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RZiZi_jPtU8/UbYiP7Pbp6I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/tKCkL_eTVL8/s640/blogger-image-1293953196.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Theoretically, I should do reports on all of these places (especially the places I haven't done reports for yet), but the more I think about doing that, the less I want to. I'll save the in depth trip reports for actual adventures, not 3 hour jaunts in the woods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other than that, not much going on. I'm looking forward to a fun summer of riding, boating, and general merriment. Time to start research some "real" adventures.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-85142864245975648622013-05-10T17:23:00.000-04:002013-05-10T17:23:47.091-04:00A Tale of Two Backcountry TripsI haven't posted in a while, because the weather has been way too nice to waste it sitting inside staring at a computer screen. I would like to talk about a pair of ski trips I took over the last few months, just to highlight the variety of trips that people talk about when they say that they are "skiing the backcountry".<br />
<br />
First, there was a trip in Early March up in the ADKs that can only be described as a slog. Here're some pics:<br />
<br />
I'll try to stay out of the location disclosure/nondisclosure <a href="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/259062-East-Coast-Dreams">kerfuffle</a> that was raging earlier this year, and I'll just post this picture that tells everybody exactly where we were:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAMHHh5_M0k/UY05xj7Oj5I/AAAAAAAABx4/N6T5haoXufM/s1600/Dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAMHHh5_M0k/UY05xj7Oj5I/AAAAAAAABx4/N6T5haoXufM/s640/Dean.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
And since I'm not saying the location in writing, there's absolutely no chance someone will try to google this mountain, along with the term "<a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/search/label/Backcountry">backcountry skiing</a>", and gain all of the important knowledge that I am about to impart. Haha, secrecy and jingoism win again over knowledge and information!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the reason the trip was a slog was that it took forever just to get to the base of the slides. It was 5.8 miles of up, down and flat skiing with skins on our feet, and it was not ideal. In retrospect, I should have used an XCD ski with some fischscaled bases that would have enabled me to kick and glide over the flat parts, ski the downhill parts, and hold my own on the ups. But, since I didn't have that ski, I just had to use my NTN setup with skins.The way in, although annoying, was pretty beautiful:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZDsuSQVpyk/UY08-WpqWoI/AAAAAAAAByM/WFd_qiqottg/s1600/Skintrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZDsuSQVpyk/UY08-WpqWoI/AAAAAAAAByM/WFd_qiqottg/s640/Skintrack.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcIWv4Lg3Ms/UY08__PCmCI/AAAAAAAAByU/es5U28J6eC0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcIWv4Lg3Ms/UY08__PCmCI/AAAAAAAAByU/es5U28J6eC0/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3thC9kr1BwE/UY089_OqzCI/AAAAAAAAByE/66xwdyUC3O0/s1600/Ski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3thC9kr1BwE/UY089_OqzCI/AAAAAAAAByE/66xwdyUC3O0/s640/Ski.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We reached a lean-to about 5 miles in. A better plan would have had us staying here the previous night, but I'm not big on winter camping. Someone else seemed to have used the shelter recently, though, because there were signs of fire (and a relatively fresh skin track):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Lqrr0T4oE/UY1M_SsNSNI/AAAAAAAAB04/ugwvxTdc5eM/s1600/Lean-to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Lqrr0T4oE/UY1M_SsNSNI/AAAAAAAAB04/ugwvxTdc5eM/s400/Lean-to.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo by Mitch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFNwEhaLUBk/UY093Qqn9GI/AAAAAAAABy8/sjuZQn2WeFY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFNwEhaLUBk/UY093Qqn9GI/AAAAAAAABy8/sjuZQn2WeFY/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a hellish 0.75 more miles, we reached the slides, the low clouds started to lift, and we started to get some views:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9bGjTGxCh4/UY1NJifUYxI/AAAAAAAAB1A/Vt-tXevMK3c/s1600/Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9bGjTGxCh4/UY1NJifUYxI/AAAAAAAAB1A/Vt-tXevMK3c/s400/Up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo by Mitch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSWVjDWE7Xc/UY09zdMwMgI/AAAAAAAAByc/oUs-WVM8WWE/s1600/Giant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSWVjDWE7Xc/UY09zdMwMgI/AAAAAAAAByc/oUs-WVM8WWE/s400/Giant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4EiS16TCYI/UY091nBfaSI/AAAAAAAAByk/0m_IrJvDwxI/s1600/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4EiS16TCYI/UY091nBfaSI/AAAAAAAAByk/0m_IrJvDwxI/s400/image%255B1%255D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oND7-l2FG0/UY092qmPUBI/AAAAAAAAByw/ZLcNuxAppR4/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oND7-l2FG0/UY092qmPUBI/AAAAAAAAByw/ZLcNuxAppR4/s400/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The slides are named as fingers on hand would be (pinky, middle, index, ring), and you use the "wrist" slide to access. I'm pretty sure we skied the index slide, but I still have to buy my updated <a href="http://www.adkbcski.com/adirondack-slide-guide-2nd-edition-is-here/">ADK Slide Guide</a> to know for sure. Here's a couple of pictures from the descent:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6bD9OjOiadU/UY1CFaIO55I/AAAAAAAAB0E/RVQvc0RXsV0/s1600/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6bD9OjOiadU/UY1CFaIO55I/AAAAAAAAB0E/RVQvc0RXsV0/s320/image%5B3%5D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjrPvHZih8/UY1BstjaENI/AAAAAAAABzU/UQCTpVaJVMo/s1600/IMGP4082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHjrPvHZih8/UY1BstjaENI/AAAAAAAABzU/UQCTpVaJVMo/s320/IMGP4082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HEmTCdB0rE/UY1Btu2ie8I/AAAAAAAABzc/zj2H7ACqNZg/s1600/IMGP4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HEmTCdB0rE/UY1Btu2ie8I/AAAAAAAABzc/zj2H7ACqNZg/s400/IMGP4083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3g4ERYaPDk/UY1MvRGitTI/AAAAAAAAB0w/WkxnGaJsRpc/s1600/Matt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3g4ERYaPDk/UY1MvRGitTI/AAAAAAAAB0w/WkxnGaJsRpc/s320/Matt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Video Capture by Mitch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ie8zwtVeVUo/UY1BvYBubtI/AAAAAAAABzs/z-hyPsIcZ_U/s1600/IMGP4087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ie8zwtVeVUo/UY1BvYBubtI/AAAAAAAABzs/z-hyPsIcZ_U/s320/IMGP4087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnA1PV82N4/UY1MXSyeMYI/AAAAAAAAB0o/OGf1ZLaVmi8/s1600/Mitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYnA1PV82N4/UY1MXSyeMYI/AAAAAAAAB0o/OGf1ZLaVmi8/s640/Mitch.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBtHpAacyGg/UY1JpiZGAZI/AAAAAAAAB0c/4q63ycW5PL4/s1600/image+(28).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBtHpAacyGg/UY1JpiZGAZI/AAAAAAAAB0c/4q63ycW5PL4/s400/image+(28).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The snow was good. Tiny little crust with about 5 or 6 inches of pow underneath. After skiing, it was just a quick 5.8 mile jaunt back to the car:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2Nj0NxodA/UY1CGlQqrUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/z2px8fEQPSg/s1600/IMGP4122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2Nj0NxodA/UY1CGlQqrUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/z2px8fEQPSg/s400/IMGP4122.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was an awesome trip. We were the only people on the mountain (the only people for miles, actually), the conditions were wintry, and it was a ridiculously long day - probably about 12 miles of hiking when all was said and done, which was a pretty epic day as far as my winter adventures go.</div>
<br />
It was about as far as you possibly could have gotten from two weekends ago at Mount Washington:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHU8hiHeh_c/UY1RUV9JbpI/AAAAAAAAB1M/O_BWSPkkDCs/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHU8hiHeh_c/UY1RUV9JbpI/AAAAAAAAB1M/O_BWSPkkDCs/s400/image.jpeg" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
It seemed like everyone in the east coast skiing community was there that weekend, so you can read <a href="http://www.skitheeast.net/posts/id/880468321/fresh-photos-super-saturday-in-tuckerman-ravine">their</a> <a href="http://www.thesnowway.com/2013/04/28/the-highway-to-the-highway#more-3801">reports</a>. I'll just give you a couple of pictures to show how different it was from the earlier adventure:<br />
<br />
We arrived on Saturday around 9:30 am, and we were forced to park a quarter mile down the street from Pinkham Notch. We walked in from there with full packs (I was carrying 24 beers for consumption that night at the shelters):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_94zRAdykU/UY1T1h-oqsI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/E26z9E9NRZI/s1600/IMGP4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_94zRAdykU/UY1T1h-oqsI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/E26z9E9NRZI/s400/IMGP4424.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The hike in was fine, if crowded. Before we even walked a mile, we were able to put our skins on:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeTVVtSvEPs/UY1UOsJmVvI/AAAAAAAAB1g/VZbgrrhZXQE/s1600/IMGP4429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeTVVtSvEPs/UY1UOsJmVvI/AAAAAAAAB1g/VZbgrrhZXQE/s400/IMGP4429.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Up to Hojos, which was a mob scene. We met dogs (this one was named Steve):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9du2ZN4S0/UY1U3HOwtZI/AAAAAAAAB1s/A1s50upxAfE/s1600/IMGP4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9du2ZN4S0/UY1U3HOwtZI/AAAAAAAAB1s/A1s50upxAfE/s400/IMGP4433.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And picked out some lines:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTXI0yWcp0I/UY1VH9XZTrI/AAAAAAAAB10/llRGV7ETaNM/s1600/IMGP4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTXI0yWcp0I/UY1VH9XZTrI/AAAAAAAAB10/llRGV7ETaNM/s640/IMGP4441.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Then we hiked in to the ravine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XS2bfx_ZfE/UY1V4oFb_UI/AAAAAAAAB18/rlY-IZZBjUM/s1600/IMGP4452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XS2bfx_ZfE/UY1V4oFb_UI/AAAAAAAAB18/rlY-IZZBjUM/s400/IMGP4452.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLCUx5vA8ls/UY1V5RwymtI/AAAAAAAAB2E/Bo9N_kul58I/s1600/IMGP4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLCUx5vA8ls/UY1V5RwymtI/AAAAAAAAB2E/Bo9N_kul58I/s400/IMGP4456.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And went up:</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix32NJcXfW8/UY1YbHsWL3I/AAAAAAAAB2o/eczIkGUX6zU/s1600/Photo+May+10,+4+26+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix32NJcXfW8/UY1YbHsWL3I/AAAAAAAAB2o/eczIkGUX6zU/s400/Photo+May+10,+4+26+21+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzlDCyQQejM/UY1Wyp94UtI/AAAAAAAAB2c/EnL3YpGWYQg/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzlDCyQQejM/UY1Wyp94UtI/AAAAAAAAB2c/EnL3YpGWYQg/s320/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Paused at the top for a second to check out the steepness:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xzJ1BN-yTo/UY1Wx_XhOCI/AAAAAAAAB2U/-vs2zPjLdAk/s1600/IMGP4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xzJ1BN-yTo/UY1Wx_XhOCI/AAAAAAAAB2U/-vs2zPjLdAk/s640/IMGP4470.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjPDg7h5Kcc/UY1aClEb0wI/AAAAAAAAB24/Y2CW3si-_uQ/s1600/Steep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjPDg7h5Kcc/UY1aClEb0wI/AAAAAAAAB24/Y2CW3si-_uQ/s320/Steep.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Instagram by Mitch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we did some skiing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8ZdmTC3LGo/UY1akURJLcI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/SxjnjTXsubE/s1600/IMGP4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8ZdmTC3LGo/UY1akURJLcI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/SxjnjTXsubE/s320/IMGP4481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EYgbsPE9vg/UY1aa5A0bcI/AAAAAAAAB3A/gb_YVL5ejok/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EYgbsPE9vg/UY1aa5A0bcI/AAAAAAAAB3A/gb_YVL5ejok/s400/image%5B1%5D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3I-kJ5oLgjM/UY1al4wwkbI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/h2ZHGkVcEMY/s1600/IMGP4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3I-kJ5oLgjM/UY1al4wwkbI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/h2ZHGkVcEMY/s400/IMGP4491.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Definitely a good day. We didn't want to leave the ravine:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YE4FwWkoD4/UY1bd354ohI/AAAAAAAAB3k/_JCThoknSj0/s1600/Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YE4FwWkoD4/UY1bd354ohI/AAAAAAAAB3k/_JCThoknSj0/s400/Group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Beers came in handy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We stayed in the shelters that night. The party was good, but the camping was kind of chilly - and I stupidly left my sleeping pad at the bottom because I didn't feel like I had room in my pack (what with all the beer). Sleeping bag on top of Lean-to floor was not the most comfortable arrangement.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Didn't stop us from getting up early the next morning to check out Hillman's Highway:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJ4A6Pi3Jc/UY1dUCu_ERI/AAAAAAAAB3w/US_vZzMGUDE/s1600/IMGP4512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJ4A6Pi3Jc/UY1dUCu_ERI/AAAAAAAAB3w/US_vZzMGUDE/s320/IMGP4512.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La-A3t_amCQ/UY1dX5IxyeI/AAAAAAAAB34/0s3wyYr_MB0/s1600/IMGP4513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La-A3t_amCQ/UY1dX5IxyeI/AAAAAAAAB34/0s3wyYr_MB0/s640/IMGP4513.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbGotVde7tw/UY1deVKk_LI/AAAAAAAAB4A/xqtIp2-kPEg/s1600/IMGP4515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbGotVde7tw/UY1deVKk_LI/AAAAAAAAB4A/xqtIp2-kPEg/s320/IMGP4515.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hang out at the top of the climb:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB0TLoflusk/UY1gYD9MnaI/AAAAAAAAB4w/-rbbZdvvIFY/s1600/IMGP4523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB0TLoflusk/UY1gYD9MnaI/AAAAAAAAB4w/-rbbZdvvIFY/s320/IMGP4523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0n_yFd02PT8/UY1f8Ab5R2I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/7NrlPTP6ROA/s1600/IMGP4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0n_yFd02PT8/UY1f8Ab5R2I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/7NrlPTP6ROA/s400/IMGP4531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqVAQ0v5EHc/UY1f8qb79WI/AAAAAAAAB4g/KOTVTXTffRM/s1600/IMGP4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqVAQ0v5EHc/UY1f8qb79WI/AAAAAAAAB4g/KOTVTXTffRM/s320/IMGP4539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkLaSWksz4o/UY1gCo6QP7I/AAAAAAAAB4o/orCnoDreb68/s1600/IMGP4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkLaSWksz4o/UY1gCo6QP7I/AAAAAAAAB4o/orCnoDreb68/s640/IMGP4537.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And ski down the Highway:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBsUZ0qr9SU/UY1gZPr_-VI/AAAAAAAAB44/asuEFCt2Tqc/s1600/IMGP4547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBsUZ0qr9SU/UY1gZPr_-VI/AAAAAAAAB44/asuEFCt2Tqc/s320/IMGP4547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAqr3od-jzY/UY1hcQhLIpI/AAAAAAAAB5M/_bYhJwqpS88/s1600/IMGP4549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAqr3od-jzY/UY1hcQhLIpI/AAAAAAAAB5M/_bYhJwqpS88/s400/IMGP4549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QuHKYU_ZWWI/UY1heJALMlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/aIvIBZj-UHo/s1600/IMGP4556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QuHKYU_ZWWI/UY1heJALMlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/aIvIBZj-UHo/s400/IMGP4556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9ybVQgF_xY/UY1iQgddfVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/jkhmr1xZquk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9ybVQgF_xY/UY1iQgddfVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/jkhmr1xZquk/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXIr90VxUH8/UY1hkPtRoEI/AAAAAAAAB5c/jjAgmiJx_9w/s1600/IMGP4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXIr90VxUH8/UY1hkPtRoEI/AAAAAAAAB5c/jjAgmiJx_9w/s400/IMGP4575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2Ay52pZHuo/UY1gaWxtKjI/AAAAAAAAB5A/z5mRWaHBhnc/s1600/IMGP4573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2Ay52pZHuo/UY1gaWxtKjI/AAAAAAAAB5A/z5mRWaHBhnc/s320/IMGP4573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After navigating the Sherburne trail, we hiked back out, and went to a bar for some well deserved hot food.<br />
<br />
The point to all of this is that there's more that one way to ski backcountry. Whether you're skiing alone deep in the woods, skiing a well traveled BC "proving ground", or just skinning a closed ski area (Big Tupper Video coming soon - I promise), there are lots of ways to put that shiny new AT gear you bought to use. You can camp, or just do day trips. You can be by yourself, or with the entire skiing population of the east. Just go out and do it.<br />
<br />
There will probably be one more skiing report this year - I'm thinking either Killington or Tuckerman again by way of the Auto Road. After that, we're on to summer. I've already had the mountain bike out a couple of times this year, and the trails are in pristine shape. Loving this time of year.Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262995617277834152.post-20258476402295712432013-04-08T13:41:00.000-04:002013-04-08T13:41:18.979-04:00Telluride, CO - 3/18/13Yesterday, I did nothing. I sat on my couch and watched movies. I didn't do laundry, I didn't do dishes, I just sat on my lazy ass and ate leftover pizza in front of a <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration.html">glowing rectangle</a>. It was the first day I've been able to do that since November, and it was fantastic. But, since I was a lazy sack yesterday, I feel like I have to actually do something today, my day off from my real job. Since nobody was in for Backcountry Monday (too bad, too . . . probably the last chance of the season around here), I put in some laundry and decided to finish up my report on the whirlwind SW Colorado trip.<br />
<br />
We left <a href="http://skiequalsmc2.blogspot.com/2013/03/silverton-mountain-colorado-3172013.html">Silverton</a> right after skiing. We had wanted to stop in town and have a drink, maybe sample the distillery, but we wanted to get to Telluride at a reasonable time. It's only 11.5 miles to Telluride from Silverton as the crow flies, but the drive is 73 miles and takes two hours in good weather. It's important to have good weather because the road has 500-3,000 foot drops off the side and not a lot of guard rails to speak of:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq6gG02YDw0/UWLhopP2wRI/AAAAAAAABt0/2m0Md12pfb0/s1600/IMGP4355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq6gG02YDw0/UWLhopP2wRI/AAAAAAAABt0/2m0Md12pfb0/s400/IMGP4355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6T6uos_rQ4/UWLc1szUaVI/AAAAAAAABtg/Z2gqHL9LeNM/s1600/IMGP4349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6T6uos_rQ4/UWLc1szUaVI/AAAAAAAABtg/Z2gqHL9LeNM/s400/IMGP4349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We reached the town of Ouray, which is a more frustrating 9 miles away from Telluride, but still an hour drive. There is, apparently, a <a href="http://www.sanjuanhuts.com/ski-nordic-adventures/">backcountry hut system</a> that would be really fun to try if/when I get back to the area.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uptfwTrNm9o/UWLhorykvmI/AAAAAAAABt4/3epC23UUkcs/s1600/IMGP4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uptfwTrNm9o/UWLhorykvmI/AAAAAAAABt4/3epC23UUkcs/s400/IMGP4353.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was a little bit more sweaty palm driving:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwNO_OCX_dU/UWLhrMTFz0I/AAAAAAAABuE/D4n9ejrP05w/s1600/IMGP4359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwNO_OCX_dU/UWLhrMTFz0I/AAAAAAAABuE/D4n9ejrP05w/s400/IMGP4359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQPoxg58LYI/UWLhs3gpxTI/AAAAAAAABuM/bzn1nFIv3gg/s1600/IMGP4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQPoxg58LYI/UWLhs3gpxTI/AAAAAAAABuM/bzn1nFIv3gg/s640/IMGP4362.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And a cool waterfall that actually had a guard rail over top:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCT-sDPhKlE/UWLhuBGBMNI/AAAAAAAABuc/Nomr23hMiEI/s1600/IMGP4364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCT-sDPhKlE/UWLhuBGBMNI/AAAAAAAABuc/Nomr23hMiEI/s400/IMGP4364.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And after that, we left the mountains and drove into the high desert again. Strange.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnPXPEVQaEw/UWLht5jxqoI/AAAAAAAABuU/Imn_ngWpq8I/s1600/IMGP4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnPXPEVQaEw/UWLht5jxqoI/AAAAAAAABuU/Imn_ngWpq8I/s400/IMGP4365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I see no reason to stay in Ridgeway. It seemed like a sad, depressed town, pretty rednecky, pretty flat, and just barely not close enough to skiing. The town was 1 hour from Telluride, but it might as well have been a different planet. I looked at hotels here when I was researching places to stay. They have amazing deals on Telluride lift tickets if you stay in Ridgway or Ouray, but the drive and the ambiance of Telluride make the extra money worth it. We pressed on:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8UTLQLAiTA/UWLp9Iu0s_I/AAAAAAAABuw/cjwPcBpBO84/s1600/photo+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8UTLQLAiTA/UWLp9Iu0s_I/AAAAAAAABuw/cjwPcBpBO84/s320/photo+(13).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got a room, walking distance to the lifts, at the <a href="http://www.telluridehotels.com/mountainside-inn">Mountainside Inn</a> for $99 - pretty good by Telluride Standards. After dinner in town, we went back to the room and crashed. We said we wanted to do at least one car bomb in honor of St. Patrick's day, but after hiking and skiing all day, we were pretty beat. What was the point?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next morning, we had more energy:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Og0eeOHI3Fs/UWLsC_myyUI/AAAAAAAABu8/LG1-sSJ_F1o/s1600/image+(14).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Og0eeOHI3Fs/UWLsC_myyUI/AAAAAAAABu8/LG1-sSJ_F1o/s400/image+(14).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ohj1Ai5r4/UWLsDy2he7I/AAAAAAAABvE/YASX04QZ8wE/s1600/image+(9).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ohj1Ai5r4/UWLsDy2he7I/AAAAAAAABvE/YASX04QZ8wE/s400/image+(9).jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Telluride is a really cool town. Stuck in a box canyon, only one road in during the winter, and tons of old miner town kitsch. Which is a completely crazy juxtaposition with the art galleries, high end ski stores, and insanely rich people who seem to love the place. There's a free Gondola that comes up right from town and allows access to the mountain and Mountain Village - the newly constructed "town" that has multimillion dollar homes lining the slopes (sort of like Deer Valley). Telluride proper seems to have more "soul" - Mountain Village is like one of those Stratton-type, thoroughly planned, generic ski village-in-a-box sort of things. Although, to be fair, Telluride itself is a pretty ritzy place. If you don't like the sight of rich people loading their Porsche SUVs with brand new, seemingly unused ski gear at the end of the day, go to <a href="http://www.skimonarch.com/">Monarch</a> or something. I don't care about that as long as the skiing is awesome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On this day, the skiing was pretty good. We tried to stay in the shadows as best we could. As at Silverton the previous day, the stuff out of the sun didn't have the really-hard-icy-death-crust, and was definitely skiable:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_l3ptHIfdA/UWLpsPWDOoI/AAAAAAAABuo/RW1ZLRO6bs0/s1600/image+(10).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_l3ptHIfdA/UWLpsPWDOoI/AAAAAAAABuo/RW1ZLRO6bs0/s320/image+(10).jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
It would have been a great day to rip groomers, but I hadn't really come to Colorado for that. After a few runs of alternating good and horrible conditions in the trees, we got a little antsy. We asked a ski patroller where we could find some good snow and he pointed us up towards Palmyra Peak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-nU9nhtjtM/UWLudHLXK6I/AAAAAAAABvQ/mT3iO2yTDSE/s1600/palmyra_map_2008-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-nU9nhtjtM/UWLudHLXK6I/AAAAAAAABvQ/mT3iO2yTDSE/s400/palmyra_map_2008-09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We hiked up from the lift in the lower right corner of that map, and we skied the "Mountain Quail" line. It definitely looks bigger in real life:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-axMY4HBygz8/UWLx8SowC4I/AAAAAAAABww/gSWhJXjFF5o/s1600/photo+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-axMY4HBygz8/UWLx8SowC4I/AAAAAAAABww/gSWhJXjFF5o/s400/photo+(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Zoom in and see the size of the people. The snow was a million times better up there:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tsll1Il1KOc/UWLx4hDag1I/AAAAAAAABwY/RzgqFUjSwV8/s1600/photo+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tsll1Il1KOc/UWLx4hDag1I/AAAAAAAABwY/RzgqFUjSwV8/s400/photo+(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHlAslsSY4s/UWLx89I7A9I/AAAAAAAABw8/gVY679ho828/s1600/photo+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHlAslsSY4s/UWLx89I7A9I/AAAAAAAABw8/gVY679ho828/s400/photo+%252819%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But we still stuck to the shadows:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33VylYyNh6Y/UWLxzj5pglI/AAAAAAAABwM/xiVSnf7W07Y/s1600/image+%252822%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33VylYyNh6Y/UWLxzj5pglI/AAAAAAAABwM/xiVSnf7W07Y/s400/image+%252822%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LF2aB4OG74Y/UWLxtEDLLgI/AAAAAAAABvc/EW0LoMXucWA/s1600/image+%252815%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LF2aB4OG74Y/UWLxtEDLLgI/AAAAAAAABvc/EW0LoMXucWA/s400/image+%252815%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until we opened it up a little at the bottom:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cv5sMGlTCeo/UWLxzaBqe5I/AAAAAAAABwI/iRKo6OdxCtw/s1600/image+%252820%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cv5sMGlTCeo/UWLxzaBqe5I/AAAAAAAABwI/iRKo6OdxCtw/s400/image+%252820%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ze2JD156jc/UWLx5YuTkDI/AAAAAAAABwk/0iEkk7X7Yrs/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ze2JD156jc/UWLx5YuTkDI/AAAAAAAABwk/0iEkk7X7Yrs/s400/image.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We even found some fun little rocks to play on on the lower part of the run. Best snow on the mountain that day, for sure, and it was cool to have to earn it a little bit. Here's a little Instagram collage I put together of my brother's run:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69sNmkzZtQk/UWLx1-iJ5RI/AAAAAAAABwQ/CGOuOdcdVkI/s1600/image+(21).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69sNmkzZtQk/UWLx1-iJ5RI/AAAAAAAABwQ/CGOuOdcdVkI/s320/image+(21).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that, it was time for lunch. Here's my brother feasting on a burger down in Mountain Village:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzKGfVHAJbE/UWLxtsKiFzI/AAAAAAAABvk/hIHqGlsywYA/s1600/image+(17).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzKGfVHAJbE/UWLxtsKiFzI/AAAAAAAABvk/hIHqGlsywYA/s400/image+(17).jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We skied lazily in the afternoon, touring around, ripping groomers, occasionally venturing into the bumps (which had just barely started to soften up), and just generally having a good time:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUi4ML3NlNA/UWLxxcMKSSI/AAAAAAAABv0/2pwgv_35XFE/s1600/image+%252818%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUi4ML3NlNA/UWLxxcMKSSI/AAAAAAAABv0/2pwgv_35XFE/s320/image+%252818%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvlejwyGRRY/UWLxyN5fpsI/AAAAAAAABv8/ck4U9Bcmv4M/s1600/image+%252819%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvlejwyGRRY/UWLxyN5fpsI/AAAAAAAABv8/ck4U9Bcmv4M/s400/image+%252819%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwT0cfmlSoQ/UWLx6kx-3UI/AAAAAAAABwo/Tv0l6asFto0/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwT0cfmlSoQ/UWLx6kx-3UI/AAAAAAAABwo/Tv0l6asFto0/s400/photo+(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That last trail was called "See Forever" - pretty good name. Around 3:00, we went to one of the on mountain lodges for some relaxation. There's definitely <a href="http://tellurideskiresort.com/TellSki/info/on-mountain-dining.aspx">a lot of options</a> for this sort of thing at Telluride. We passed an on mountain wine bar, a few restaurants that ranged from cafeteria to classy, and this place, Gorrano Ranch:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0bm6OJV5xo/UWLxtuYv0hI/AAAAAAAABvg/4yLka88me7U/s1600/image+(16).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0bm6OJV5xo/UWLxtuYv0hI/AAAAAAAABvg/4yLka88me7U/s400/image+(16).jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not a bad view of the band shell, the "beach" volleyball setup, and the surrounding mountains. We got our beers from a bar in what looked and smelled (old wood and dirt) like an old outbuilding from a gold mine. It was probably just a tenderly reconstructed replica, but it was really cool. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall, we were pretty psyched on Telluride. If I won the lottery, this would be a pretty phenomenal place to live. The houses are spectacularly out of my price range, the condos are mildly out of my price range, and there's not a lot of "real" jobs in the area. It is impressive the way people out there make it work for themselves. We rode the lift with a guy from Green Bay, Wisconsin who has 4 weeks of a time share (two in the summer, two in the winter), and can't get enough of the place. We also rode the Gondola with a girl who commutes to her job as a court clerk from an hour away. I suppose that when your town is in the middle of nowhere, you're always going to hear stories about people coming from great distances for a taste of awesome. I guess everybody just needs more awesome in their lives.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, there's a bike path on one side of town, and a XC skiing/MTB/walking path on the other side of town, right next to the river. Since we left the Ranch too late and the trails were closed, we had to take the Gondy down into town and take that river trail back to the hotel. No problem:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOkR7BMs1NE/UWL8FGD4WcI/AAAAAAAABxE/TqyhSKAI5K4/s1600/image+(23).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOkR7BMs1NE/UWL8FGD4WcI/AAAAAAAABxE/TqyhSKAI5K4/s400/image+(23).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was, again, one of the best days of skiing in my life. So fun to be in such a cool place ripping really sweet lines. And I'm psyched that my brother was there, too. Hope he had as good of a time as I did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That was about it for the Colorado Trip. We skied Durango Mountain Resort the next day, but there really wasn't too much to report about it. It was rock hard, the snow never really softened up, and the mountain was kind of a pain to get around on. It was a big letdown after the two phenomenal days we had in Silverton and Telluride. And we locked the keys in the Jeep. We did a couple of park laps in the afternoon, and at least we got a good picture out of it:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wou889gZGok/UWMAH1oIVVI/AAAAAAAABxU/Kj3XKpX9ymc/s1600/image+(24).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wou889gZGok/UWMAH1oIVVI/AAAAAAAABxU/Kj3XKpX9ymc/s400/image+(24).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No, it wasn't photoshopped:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_-iJjYTu2w/UWMAJEA1BSI/AAAAAAAABxc/19FxJyU_mtw/s1600/image+(25).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_-iJjYTu2w/UWMAJEA1BSI/AAAAAAAABxc/19FxJyU_mtw/s320/image+(25).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, that's it for now. Video, and more posts coming soon.</div>
Matt Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12574226609273931466noreply@blogger.com2