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skifreak on Sugarloaf USA goes backcountry

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:53:57 -0400

Sugarloaf USA located in Maine is doubling the size of its current operation and it is all slated to be backcountry/slackcountry gladed skiing. Having skied Sugarloaf for many, many years and experienced their uncrowded powder rich operation - this will be a big boost to what they currently have to offer. They already offer the only above tree line skiing in the east and this will position them to be the biggest ski resort east of the rockies. Go Sugarloaf.

See the interview here.

Work will begin Monday on an expansion to Burnt Mountain. For years ski enthusiasts have talked about getting the opportunity to ski on the next peak.

The mountainside won't look like your typical ski resort with clearly marked trails and chairlifts. The Burnt Mountain portion will offer more natural, backcountry skiing.

It is just part of a 10 year development plan which includes 500 new snow guns, new chairlifts, year round events and a facelift for the lodge.

Dan Fedder on Family Hut Trip Mar 20-27 2011 needs families

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:34:06 -0400

Hi There. I am trying to get the word out to families with kids (age 5 and up) about a week of ski touring(adults and older kids) and fun in the snow (everyone else) in a back country cabin near New Denver. I need 6 families to make it happen. Here is a helpful link to the cabin: http://www.vmt.ca . I am hoping you can help me get this info out.

Please email or call me in Vancouver (604 734-3324) for more info.

Thanks, Dan Fedder.

Dan Fedder on Family Hut Trip Mar 20-27 2011 needs families

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:31:48 -0400

skifreak on Cathedral Mountain Video

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:33:27 -0400

Cathedral Mountain is located in the northern end of the Cascade volcanic belt about 150 km from Vancouver and looks to be a pretty nice place to spend a sunny June day earning your turns:

skifreak on Solipskier game

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:05:15 -0400

No snow for another 3 months, sadly out of shpe for skiing - no better way to get into shape then by sitting on the couch playing Solipskier. It is addictive so be fore warned.

click here to giver a try.

skifreak on topo maps

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:30:59 -0400

Looking to find topo maps for your next ski tour?

Printed on water proof paper with a variety of sizes to chose from?

Print the area you are interested in regardless of where it falls on multiple maps?

Then have a look here as this service offers is all.

PowderPIG on Greg Hill in Chile - Video

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:17:04 -0400

It's tough job but I guess someone has to do it?

PowderPIG on Greg Hill 2 million Quest continues

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:07:36 -0400

While we are all enjoying the summer sun at the beach Greg Hill is busy backcountry skiing everyday, 5,500' per day to be exact. This is the number of feet he must climb each and everyday for a year in order to hit the 2 million foot mark by Dec 31st. He is currently in South America enjoying their winter season, as a sponsored skier this is technically his job - not a back gig but still a bit of a grind each and every day. Want a rest day, no problem - that'll be 11,000 the next day. Flight to South America takes you out of the mountains for 4 days - well thats 22,000' the next day. You get the idea.

Follow his adventure here:

http://www.backcountry.com/gre.....index.html

skifreak on Skier Injured on Mt Brennan

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:32:54 -0400

On Saturday June 12th,the Kaslo RCMP were called to assist an injured skier on Mt. Brennan near Retallak. A 59 year old man from the Kaslo area was skiing when a section of snow gave way causing the man to be pushed into some large rocks. As a result of the injuries suffered, the man was unable to make his way off the mountain. Other members of the group placed a call for assistance. Members from the Kaslo and Nelson Search and Rescue attended the area and assisted the man. He was removed from the mountain by helicopter and transported to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

gah on Calgary Outdoor Festival

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:44:11 -0400

Calgary Outdoor Festival and Expo

Halloween will be a little less frightening this year when GAH co-hosts the first ever Calgary Outdoor Festival from October 30-31, 2010. The idea is simple. Bring together outdoor enthusiasts, guides, service providers, retailers, and product manufacturers in an interactive, vibrant, entertaining and informative setting.

This consumer oriented event is a partnership with Outdoor Approach Ltd. a highly successful adventure oriented company in downtown Calgary. The Expo will include two trade show pavilions, ‘open air’ on site demos, new product showcase, events and a large outdoor gear swap. The event is conveniently located at a highly visible and easily accessible site just north of McMahon Stadium within 2 pavilions with more than 40,000 sq. ft. of space

skifreak on It may be summer but Avalanches still a possibility

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:43:31 -0400

Experienced Backcountry Skiier Killed On The Snowfield Above Cony Lake Near Finch Lake In Rocky Mountain National Park.

At 8:15 a.m., Sunday, July 25, park rangers were notified of an overdue backcountry skiier. The 40 year old Colorado man was planning to ski in the backcountry near Finch Lake on Saturday and had not been heard from. At 9:20 a.m. park rangers went to the Finch Lake Trailhead and found the man’s car.

The man was reported to be an experienced backcountry skiier who was planning on hiking in to and skiing a snowfield near Finch Lake. At 4:00 p.m. park rangers found the man’s body on a snowfield above Cony Lake in the Hutcheson Lakes drainage near the southern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. The man’s body is roughly 10 miles from the nearest trailhead.

Because of weather conditions and logistics the body recovery will take place on Monday. Rangers will remain close to the scene of the accident tonight. His body will be transferred tomorrow to the Boulder County Coroner’s office. The victim’s name will not be released until next of kin are notified.

skifreak on 1 million feet to go for GREG HILL

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:08:48 -0400

Greg Hill's altimeter watch now reads 1,000,237 which is an impressive feat given he started on Jan 1st of this year [not three years ago as you would think], however he is only half way to his goal of two million feet. Given that he is currently in South America skiing every day and it is only July it seems he is right on track to achieving this.

He has previously ski toured one million feet in a single year so this is nothing new for Greg - however he is now in new territory and looking to double the old record of one million feet [set by Greg Hill of course]. So whats up for next year,... three million feet in a single year? Impossible. Or is it?

powder on La Nina winter = more snow?

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:19:04 -0400

There is talk of this coming winter to be a La Nina winter which typically mean above average snowfall for the BC interior and cooler temps:

The majority of models predict ENSO-neutral conditions (between -0.5^oC to +0.5^oC in the Niño-3.4 region) through early 2011. However, over the last several months, a growing number of models, including the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFS), indicate the onset of La Niña conditions during June-August 2010. There is an increasing confidence in these colder model forecasts, which is supported by recent observations that show cooling trends in the Pacific Ocean and signs of coupling with the atmospheric circulation. Therefore, conditions are favorable for a transition to La Niña conditions during June-August 2010.

Fingers crossed.

admin on Last ski tour of the season - June 26th

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:36:41 -0400

The forecast looked good for the day so we prepared for our annual last ski tour of the season at an undisclosed location (sorry this private stash is just too good to reveal). We hit the trail head at 8:30 and by noon we were atop the summit at around 9,000' enjoying lunch. The snow had gone slightly isothermic so we knew the turns would not be the best but it was more about skiing and riding in late June than anything else and capping off the season with one last hurrah. We managed to ski just over 2000' until the snow got patchy and we had to give up the boards.

Due to the light snow pack of the season we did not manage to get in the full 4000' decent - we were hoping that the cold spring would have helped the snow but this late in the month we were lucky to get what we did.

This annual trip never disappoints and we will surely do it again next June and the one after that - and so on, and so on,...

snosnob on ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Coastal Mountains

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:08:37 -0400

Cool and unsettled weather continues to linger over the South Coast. Generally light precip amounts, which has been falling in the form of snow on the higher peaks.

SOUTH COAST
Numerous breaks in the weather last week enabled some trips into alpine areas. In the Joffre area, the conditions varied from punching through rotten snow around treeline to good steps in fresh dry snow on higher elevations

Early morning crusts would last into mid morning at low elevations and all day on higher N aspects. The skiing is good as well, smooth surfaces and glaciers are nicely filled in.

CENTRAL AND NORTH COAST;
These areas have been a drier than the South Coast areas. The high elevation areas and the glaciated terrain is slow to transform into summer. The glaciers have good coverage left over from winter.

WEEKEND OUTLOOK
The weather will dictate the mountain conditions this weekend. Although the continuing cool and damp weather is preserving the snow higher up, the sun is very powerful when it comes out. The sun would contribute to triggering rock falls, wet avalanches, glide crack avalanches, cornice falls and weaken the bridges over crevasses.

The daylight hours are about as long as they get, If there is a clear night then the early morning traveling conditions will be as good as they can get too!

Good thing is with all the cool weather the mosquitoes aren't out. Maybe it's be a good time for rock climbing on the dry side of the range,.. Pavilion, Copper mountain, (Terrace), Bella Coola Valley, or the old standby's Washington Pass, Leavenworth, Penticton.

Paul Berntsen
ACMG Mtn Guide

moINFO