Backcountry Ski News

It’s been a busy week in the backcountry ski industry. Our inbox is full of event news, backcountry hut updates and industry press releases.

stop ski linkLet’s start with some environmental action news brought to us by Black Diamond Equipment. Admirably, BD is taking the lead on the Stop Ski Link movement in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. The Utah Ski Link proposal revolves around a gondola that would connect Canyons Resort in Park City with Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The proposed project requires the US Forest Service to sell 30 acres of public land, located in some of the Wasatch Range’s most popular ski touring terrain, to developers while bypassing existing jurisdictional and environmental protections.

BD is helping to unite the fight to oppose Ski Link, and in the words of BD CEO, Peter Metcalf, “The industry is against SkiLink but in favor of more sustainable and true Wasatch-wide transportation solutions that benefit all ski areas and the entire community.” You can join in the opposition or just learn more at the Stop SkiLink website or visit the Stop SkiLink Facebook page.

Bend backcountry allianceIn other backcountry access and landuse news, the Bend Backcountry Alliance is prepping to dispute the Kapka Butte Sno-Park in the Century Drive corridor on the grounds that it offers virtually no accomodation for non-motorized users (no new ski or snowshoe trails). Furthermore, it does not include anything to mitigate the addition of more motorized users to the Century Drive corridor.

In hut news, the crew at Payette Powder Guides in Idaho has a great line-up of avalanche safety courses this season including a free safety presentation at The North Face Shop in Boise on Nov 11.

Meanwhile up in British Columbia, Carlyle Lodge is looking to fill some spots on a 5-night New Year’s hut trip. They’ve been hard at work with lodge improvements all summer and are ready to ring in the new year in style, and you can join ’em!

BC Purist contestAlso from BC, The Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association (BLBCA) is pleased to announce the second annual Backcountry Purist Contest. The BLBCA is seeking four ultimate Backcountry Purists – skiers and snowboarders who deserve a fully guided and catered week at one of four participating backcountry lodges of BC.You can get all the details on the contest here

Back in the US, the Grand Huts Association could still use some help finalizing Colorado’s newest backcountry hut, the Broome Hut, located in Second Creek on the west side of Berthoud Pass.They need help with lower insulation, sheeting, shelving. and installing 6,000 square feet of pine paneling on walls and ceilings.

The producers of Life Ascending, a film about ACMG ski Guide Ruedi Beglinger just announced that the film will be available on iTunes come Nov 13. The film has gne on to win awards, and if you’ve never seen it, it’s now easier than ever, or at least come Nov 13 it will be.

Seattle area skiers should put the the grand opening of the new evo retail shop in Seattle on their radar. On Saturday, November 10, 2012, evo invites the community to enjoy a day of celebration. Stop by and have some fun and help support the Service Board, a local organization that mentors and supports at-risk youth. Facebook.com/evo.

crag wild and scenicIn our own neighborhood here on November 9 and 10, the Crag Law Center will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Hood River, OR. Originating in Nevada City, CA, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival aims to use film to inspire activism.

black diamond ski manufacturingFinally, on the industry side of things, Black Diamond just announced they have established a wholly-owned ski manufacturing factory in Zhuhai, China. The all-new, 43,000-square-foot ski factory will build BD’s 2013/2014 ski line, incorporating new manufacturing processes that are expected to help BD reach new levels of performance and quality control.

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