Archives

  There are several events comming up in March this year. First there are a couple of interest to Mt Hood area tele skiers.   March 4th - Tele Tuesday at Mt Hood Ski Bowl - www.mountainshop.net   March 15th - Mt Hood Meadows Classic Tele Race. Full details here   March 15th - Black Diamond Powder Keg - Full Details here      

Read More "Upcoming Events"

The folks at Sol Mountain Touring just gave me a heads up on some standby rates for a couple trips in march and april - These guys are great. If you have the time - they have some good pricing on these dates - just give them a shout.

I just got a note from Winter Wildlands Alliance. They are putting together a hut trip to the Tornak Hut near Sun Valley, ID and have some last minute space available. The trip is fully catered and guided! Proceeds go to support Winter Wildlands. Check the flyer here for more details - Tornak Hut Trip Details

The 2007-2008 winter has been full bore here in the Northwest. Hood's snowpack is repoted to be pushing 200 inches at the ski areas. As I have talked about earlier this season, the avalanche fatality toll in North America has also been higher than normal. The snowpack here in the NW has seen more layering than normal and many areas of the country have had significant avalanche cycles that have taken their toll.

The Canadian Avalanche Center recently released an in-depth report on persistent weak layers that are widespread in western Canada. The daily avalanche forecast does not have the space to offer such an in-depth look at such layers so mountain guide Karl Klassen and the Canadian Avalanche Association have prepared a seperate article on this year's persistent weak layers that exist in the snowpack in many areas of the western Canadian mountains. Klassen and the CAC hope this article will serve as a valuable reference for anyone planning backcountry activities in BC or Alberta this winter. I highly recommend it for anyone heading north for a hut trip or any touring excusions.  Persistent Weak Layers Article

The January issue of Off-Piste includes an interview with Chip Chase from White Grass in West Virginia. Chip is a force in the nordic ski world and the number of people e-mailing to get a copy of this issue is a good indicator of his influence on skiers. We do not typically post content from the current season's printed mag online, but given the interest in this interview, I  have posted a PDF copy here.  The above photo is Chip's son Morgan on a pair of no-edge waxless skis having some fun at White Grass. 

Check it out and don't for get to subscribe! or get yourself a stylin' organic cotton Off-Piste ball cap. 

A little industry news today. Spyder, known for their alpine racer clothing, has aquired Cloudveil Mountain Works, Credited with starting the modern day soft shell revolution, Cloudveil was founded in Jackson Hole in 1997.  According to the press release, Cloudveil will remain a separate brand entity and operate as a wholly owned, independent division of Spyder Active Sports. Cloudveil’s founders, President Brian Cousins and Vice President Stephen Sullivan have signed multi-year contracts to continue in their respective roles within the new organization.

Full details are here

  Telepalooza is gearing up to be a big event this year. The event is hosted by Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaksa March 28-30. This three day celebration brings together friends, families and members of the telemark community for a weekend of telemark clinics, races, demonstrations, live music and lots of fun   Grand prize for the raffle this year: a trip to Valkyr Adventures Lodge in B.C.!  www.valkyradventures.com .  Second prize: a backcountry heli drop for two from...

Read More "Telepalooza"