I am 22 years old and I have been living with diabetes for 20 years. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the pancreas, and means that it no longer produces insulin. Insulin is necessary for energy that is ingested to make it to the cells in order to fuel the body. Because my pancreas no longer does this for me, I have to administer insulin throughout the day in order to survive. 

I've been skiing for about as long as I've been living with diabetes, and it hasn't stopped me from charging around on-hill, or heading off into the backcountry for a tour. 

When I was taught how to effectively manage my diabetes, my life changed. It wasn't about having access to the latest technology, and the fastest blood glucose meters. It was about knowing how to use these tools to my advantage. Today, I have access to an insulin pump that can be adjusted to give me different amounts of insulin based on what an individual day is like. I have access to a machine that continuously monitors my blood glucose levels. I have access to 10 different kinds of insulin, apps that count carbs for me, and many other tools. 

But honestly, if all I had was one vial of insulin, a syringe, and a blood glucose meter that took a whole minute to give me a result, I think I'd be okay. All the really important tools are in my head. 

I want a chance to give that to children all over the world, so that they can live a healthy and happy life with diabetes too. This summer I will be traveling to Ecuador and the Dominican Republic to volunteer with AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad) in order to help empower youth living with diabetes in international communities. 

Please take a minute to check out my story on RocketHub (link below). In it for you are some amazing prizes from Whitewater Ski Resort (www.skiwhitewater.com) and the knowledge that your support will help children live happier and healthier lives with diabetes! 

http://www.rockethub.com/proje.....with-ayuda

Winter Wildlands Alliance is seeking entries for its 9^th annual Backcountry Film Festival.

The Backcountry Film Festival seeks to promote the work of grassroots filmmakers who tell compelling and entertaining stories of backcountry, nonmotorized recreation and environmental preservation. Do you have a compelling story, some quality footage and a keen eye for a fun, educational or juicy topic.  Grab you Skis, Splitboard, Nordic XC, Snowshoes or Sleds and let the adventures begin!

• Your film should be short—no longer than 30 minutes—and tell a thought-provoking, interesting story of backcountry, nonmotorized recreation or environmental preservation.  Your film should take place during or otherwise relate to the winter.  We’re open minded about what kind of films we’ll show: documentaries, fiction and experimental films are welcome.

• The Film Festival premieres in Boise November 2013 and travels during the winter months to more than 100 locations worldwide. 

• Submissions must be in DVD format.  Your submission must be received in our Boise office by September 15

Mail package to: Winter Wildlands Alliance, Attn: Shelley Pursell

910 Main Street, Suite 235, Boise ID 83702.  Contact Shelley Pursell at spursell@winterwildlands.org or 208-343-1630 for details.

We contact everyone on the list the day before a tour departs if spaces remain, and you have the chance to nab a spot for a killer deal. This is a great way to get out there with a professional for a day, or to encourage a slackcountry friend to get serious : )

We have all the rentals available that a backcountry beginner could need - give us a call to learn more.

Earn Your Turns Tour = http://www.whistlerguides.com/.....day-tour-0

For details, please see http://bctelemark.com/

Whistler Telemark Festival, Feb. 10, 2013

For details, please see http://bctelemark.com/

Local Nelson course July 5-8 based out of Kokanee Glacier Chalet, contact 354-4884 for more information or view: http://summitmountainguides.co.....aineering/ two spots left.

ADVANCED AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!

Designed for those who wish to expand their skills and knowledge in avalanche safety. Four full days in the backcountry and two evening classroom sessions. This course covers advanced avalanche theory, hazard recognition, stability evaluation, route finding, rescue, and group management. For more information go to: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/tr...../ast/ast-2

Participants must be physically fit and advanced intermediate or expert skiers or boarders and must have their own backcountry travel equipment (backcountry skis with climbing skins, snowboard with snowshoes, or split board).

Course Cost:

Who's in?

The best contest west of the Rockies comes back to Red Mountain Resort for its 11th year, sponsored by The North Face. With nearly 200 juniors and 100 senior competitors, this will be a busy event. Register at http://www.canadianfreeskiing.com, or keep up to date on event news.

The Pantheon Range is 30 km north of Mount Waddington. It offers some of the best terrain anywhere. It is true wilderness with fantastic glacier and tree skiing!

 DATE: FRIDAY  FEB 24 – SUNDAY MARCH 4

 LOCATION: Pantheon Range in Central B.C.

 DETAILS:

-Fully guided and catered

-Tent based with communal propane heated tent

-Helicopter access

-Maximum group number of 6

 COST:

$2,200

 CONTACT:

Danny Fedder

(604)734-3324

The Canadian Ski Mountaineering Circuit is pleased to announce that the Vert180 is Back: The Second Annual MEC Vert180 Ski Mountaineering Race at Canada Olympic Park, Calgary, Alberta, the sight of the 1988 Winter Olympics!  MEC stepped up as our title sponsor as well Coltex skins and Hammer Nutrition are back, which means more prizes for you! This race will be held on December 3, 2011 from 6 to 9pm. The race will be three hours (180 minutes) with three main categories, solo, 2and 4 (or 3)person relay teams. The most vertical feet climbed and descended wins in each respective category. There is also youth and teen options. This years race will include food (sorry for confusion last year) at the after party in the day lodge. The first 100 people to register will get toques courtesy of Canmore based Ambler Toques and there will be lots of door prizes given out at the after party.

http://www.AvalancheSafetyWorkshop.com

Also on Facebook &  Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/avalan.....tyworkshop

http://twitter.com/@avysafety

The Northern Rockies Avalanche Safety Workshop (NRASW) will take place on October 1, 2011 at 8:00am at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana. NRASW is a one-day gathering of avalanche professionals and winter backcountry enthusiasts.

During this time together, five of North America’s prominent avalanche professionals will present practical avalanche safety information and research to those attending the workshop.

For our guest speakers, NRASW offers an opportunity to share avalanche safety information that is based on years of experience working in avalanche conditions.

For those attending it is a time to learn about the current state of the avalanche industry, practically based avalanche safety skills, and meet new (and old) friends with a common goal- staying safe in avalanche prone terrain.

This is the first time a workshop like this has been offered in the Flathead Valley. We are excited to have this opportunity to come together in the name of improving avalanche safety for all that would like to attend!

On behalf of the NRASW Steering Committee and the NRASW guest speakers, please join us to make this a successful event. It promises to be very educational and fun for all attending.

The Five Peaks Ski Mountaineering Race, April 9th Breckenridge, Colorado 

The Five Peaks – North America’s highest and most challenging ski mountaineering race is April 9th at Breckenridge Ski Resort. The Five Peaks course takes competitors over 8,500 ft. of climbing and four summits. Beginning at 6 am in front of the Maggie (Peak 9 base), teams of two will skin and bootpack the peaks and saddles of Peaks 9, 8 and 7, finishing at the base of Peak 7. Highlights include climbs of Peak 9 from both the southeast and north ridge, a boot pack up Wacky’s in the Lake Chutes and a final climb of Peak 7 from the Ore Bucket backcountry access gate.

The Peak 7 climb is back. And it's bigger. But better, read on:

As of March 18th we've added a second climb up the north side of Peak 9 and moved the Peak 7 climb to the north. The Peak 7 climb begins via the Ore Bucket bc gate and re-enters Peak 7 via the upper bc gate. Likely April 9th conditions for the Butress/N. Ridge second climb of 9 will be a skin/boot/skin/boot. 2011: "More of the good stuff, less of the not so good stuff."

Total Vertical: 8,650 ft. Climb 1: 3,598', Climb 2: 1,750', Climb 3: 1,548', Climb 4: 1,750'. Note that conditions may vary the course greatly. In the event of heavy snow the course will not ascend Peak 9 but do more in the lift-served areas of the resort. 

Start - 6 am, Peak 9 base area in front of The Maggie next to the Quicksilver Super6 chair.

Finish - Base of Monte Cristo run at Peak 7 base area (approximately 100 yards above skier corral on skier's left). Upon finishing racers will collect their personal bag of warm clothes (transported by race org. from start), and ride the free gondola back into town.

Course is marked with green SCARPA pin flags on climbs, red panels and pin flags on descents. Transitions are marked with CAMP and Dynafit windblades. All transitions are staffed with course marshals, additional marshals are on-course at trail junctions and areas crossing ski area skier traffic.

First ascent (Peak 9) follows groomed runs until leaving the ski area via the Peak 9 gate above the Windows. Course switchbacks to the south towards Peak 10 and then ascends Peak 9 via the se slope.

From Peak 9 summit, descend east ridge, re-enter ski area via the Corner Pocket, descend to transition near the avilauncher. Skin up near ropeline to The Buttress. On the Buttress skiers must put skis on pack. Continue ascending south towards Peak 9 (crossing the Wheeler Trail) on snow or grass (depending on contitions) by boot or skinning. On the final 400 m of the ridge racers must put skis on pack.

Descend same route of Peak 9 as the first descent. From the  Avilauncher, skin directly to the base of Wacky's (climber's left of Lake Chute), at Wacky's skiers must put skis on pack and follow boot back to ridge top. At ridge top, skis go back on and skin to top of Peak 8.

From summit of Peak 8, descend Whale's tale to Ore Bucket. Skiers must stay far skiers left to reach the Ore Bucket back country gate. Go out the gate for another 100 feet of descending to the final transition. Follow skin track to top of Peak 7 via the upper backcountry gate.

At summit of Peak 7, transition and descend C.J.'s to Ore Bucket, to Monte Cristo, to base and finish. Finish is on skier's left side of Monte Cristo 50 yards above the chair lift corral/base area at Peak 7.

The Five Peaks is open to ski mountaineering teams of two looking for a high-alpine challenge. The $160 per-team entry fee includes post-race happy hour, beer, dinner and a big raffle at Kenosha Steakhouse. For complete information, course map and required gear list go to: thefivevepeaks.com. Walk-up registration is available in Breckenridge at Mountain Outftters and Amazing Grace, on-line registration is at athlete360.com.

Everyone here at Golden Skimountaineering in partnership with Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is thrilled to introduce the “North American Open Dogtooth Dash” March 26th and 27th.  Modelled after the popular European multi day events, our 2011 race will offer multiple race formats and courses for a festival style weekend of racing.

The North American Open Dogtooth Dash is still our Canadian Championship race with:

• 0800 -Last minute race registration/Race package pick up at the Gondola base
• 0930- Racer Meeting
• 1100- Gearcheck at Gondola top
• 1200- Race starts
• 1530- Last racers expected to finish
• 1700- Banquet and Awards 

The Elite course is bigger and better, with approx 6000 ft of vert, all 4 of our mtn bowls, 3 pks and tonnes of technical terrain in between.  This course is the real deal for folks wanting a REAL ski-mountaineering experience.  Newly introduced is our middle distance Enduro course, weighing in at approximately 4000 ft of vertical gain and loss, it’s a great option for racers looking to step up from the Rec but don’t want to spend 4 hours out on the course.  Continuing the Rec/Poker run concept this year the course will be shortened to 2000ft with emphasis on having a bit more fun and a bit less suffer.  In this non-timed event competitors pick up playing cards at all transitions and the racer with the best poker hand at the finish winning.

$1000 cash up for grabs as well as tons of shwag giveaways from Suunto, Black Diamond, Arcteryx, Dynafit, BCA and Kicking Horse Coffee  

Sunday

A Relay Team short track, where teams of 2 go head to head based out of the Heavens Door Yurt. Look forward to a spectator friendly course with beer gardens and DJ

• Pricing TBA
• accommodation Packages Available
• Lift tickets included!
• Early Online Registration gifts
• Stay tuned for additional events and more info!

Racer accomodation packages available starting at $49 call 1 888 ski kick

Please take the time to read our Rules and Regs

We’re always looking for vollunteers to help with the Dogtooth Dash as timers, course marshalls and folks to help with setup. Anyone interested can contact iangaleski(at)hotmail.com