Where all of life’s questions remain questions, but your desire is exhilarated.
After an amazing trip I am excited to share this, as it means we are that much closer to skiing in this hemisphere. The South America trip was amazing and this Teaser shows just how much there is still to come when the real videos (A two part short series) come out next week.
Enjoy!
South America Teaser
As we drove up the valley towards Las Leñas, the hillsides were scalped of their snow. Rocks and grass filled the landscape with spotted snow fields that were protected from the northern sun. Las Leñas, like any resort around the world, is at the mersey of Mother Nature and this season was tough on the southern ski resorts. However, the sunset filled the sky and lit the mountain tops that loomed majestically all around us. Having been fortunate enough to travel around North America and much of Europe, I have seen and experienced many great mountain ranges, but something about the Andes speaks to you like no place else. The vastness and undiscovered nature carries a certain allure. In Europe the mountains are developed with farms and roads everywhere, as well as trams to the tops of peaks. In North America everything is spread out and reasonably accessible. However, the Andes are just massive and relatively untouched, yet in the middle of this vast landscape sits Las Leñas. Hundreds of miles from the nearest established town, and six hours from Mendoza. Amidst this great solitude sits this resort at the base of some 16,000’ peaks with four star accommodations and arguably some of the greatest lift service skiing in the world.
Pulling up to our hotel we were excited to say the least. Right on the hill, ski-in-ski-out, the Acuario was plush and the people working at the hotel were great. Right from the minute we arrived there was a smiling face there to help. Recently renovated and decorated with a new age flare, the warm atmosphere kept us close as the lobby bar is about as relaxing as it gets. However, take note as the nights in Argentina can catch up with you fast given that they start late and stay up even later.
Once we got settled in and woke in the morning I was excited to hear the reactions of the rest of the group. The mountains as we were driving in were great, but as we pulled up to the resort the sun had set and the others never say the true magic around them. Mouths wide open, we got our gear together after an amazing breakfast at the hotel and headed up. Having not skied for over five months, it was a little different at first, but like the aggressive and precocious group that we were, “Edwardos” which is the main face above the resort was our first run. It was a sunny morning, and with a storm on the way, so we had to take advantage of the weather while we could. After riding the “Marte,” which seemingly takes you to the moon, we were on top of the world.
270° views of the Andes and it looked like the earth was covered with mountains for as far as we could see. I am not sure how graceful any of us were, but lets just say it was a long first day, as 2500ft descents on the first day of the season is enough to beat up anyones legs. The snow was shaky considering the low amount of precipitation they had received this year, but the rumors of a storm hitting the next morning were mulling around the village.
None-the-less, it was a fantastic first day of the season and we got some great turns.
So, there is only one way to make sure it snows and with a storm on the forecast we hit the night life. Tired yet high on endorphins after a great day, we headed out for some Argentinian fun.
Day four of our southern hemisphere ski adventure and it is time to head to the resort. The resort is called Las Leñas, where Vail Resorts has negotiated a deal to make the EPIC pass valid year round. If you were looking for the perpetual ski pass, or Endless EPIC as it has been dubbed, now you can ski with one pass in two different hemispheres, year round. So, while the last few days of our travel have been full of exploration and incredible experiences , it is time to ski. We packed our gear in to the van and prepared for the journey south.
The trip to Las Leñas from Mendoza can be slightly daunting without the proper negotiations and prior planning. The vast open spaces that fill the mid regions of Argentina are arid, yet nothing short of beautiful and mystifying. The climate and weather alike rely on the massive Andes mountains that fill the skyline to the west as you travel south along a double lane road (Highway 40) going to what seems like nowhere. Traveling from village to village with nothing but desert, ranches, and the periodic vineyard filling the space between, the journey is an adventure but worth the time, because time passes effortlessly with the Andes filling the skyline.
On our way however we got a little tired and need to stretch our legs. So our chaperon, driver, and new friend “Gator” pulled a move that you can only get away with in South America. Without hesitation, he and cutoff a police car to get them to stop. Apparently that is how you get directions down here, but without any vacillation he walked right up to their car and asked where we could find a local soccer field. A few moments later we pulled up to the quintessential South American “football” field complete with wooden goal frames, a dirt pitch, and a trash pile in the corner. Strewn about the field were pieces of broken glass and other hazards, that to our overprotective country would have been a concern, but after a few minutes of talking to the kids one boy had already ran home and retrieved a ball and the game was on. Gringos, and all the little kids, vs. the rest. The game was a little lopsided considering after just a few moments we had the impression a bunch of Pele and Beckham proteges were about to teach some gringos a lesson, however we gave it our best effort and it was the perfect break to our drive. Both teams scored some goals and with the neighborhood coming out to see the gringos play, it was an experience we will never forget. Surrounded on three sides with brick walls, an irrigation ditch only two feet behind the northern goal, the Andes mountains in the background, and thirty kids running around with smiles on their faces made for some great photos and memories for us all.
When were finished we got some sodas, local neighborhood roasted chicken, and bread for the kids to eat some lunch before we hit the road. A little tired and smelling like we had just played soccer for an hour in a dusty field, we eagerly laughed and reflected about the invigorating experience as we headed south. Back on the road our day was far from over however. Gator had a shortcut in mind for us, and next thing we found out was that our driver used to be a rally car driver. Not far down the road we took a right and left the pavement and sanctuary of any sort of civilization. Needless to say when we hit the dirt the speed increased which non of us were used to, but along the way before we arrived at Las Leñas shortly after we came across a reservoir, sheep, horses, cattle, and so many views of incredible mountains I am worried how long it will take me to edit them all from my camera.
After talking with Maria and Alejandro, followed by a thirty second phone call, and apparently we had a guy picking us up at the airport for the next day. We did not know who, but apparently their friend, family member, and go-to-guy was going to pick us up and show us some of the sights around Mendoza for the next few days.
Well, go-to-guy may be an understatement as Pablo, or “Gator” as he is known, turned out to be the game changing play in our trip. Gator met us at the airport ready to take on the world. He spoke only a few words of English, but with Patrick’s spanish expertise we had no problems communicating as Gator’s gregarious demeanor and enthusiastic inclination to assure our experience was unique made conveyance tantamount as a smile explains more then words can reveal.
After picking us up at the airport, Gator drove us to the Hotel Villaggio in the heart of Mendoza so we could get settled in. A quaint and contemporary boutique hotel, where yet again our accommodations were far more then we expected. Wood floors, white linens, and a complimentary bottle of local wine greeted our astonished unanticipated skier expectations. For the next two days we traveled around parts of Mendoza that I am pretty sure only the locals and those whom live on the particular streets even know exists. We experienced a local tour that some spend years trying to explore. A morning at the Rutini Vineyards followed by a trip to the Termas Cacheuta hot springs based in the foothills of the Andes mountains made for the perfect Mendoza Experience. We met prominent Bodega architect, Eliana Bormida, who gave us the inside knowledge on vineyard design and the day finished with Gator himself inviting us to his house for dinner. After sampling local meats and vegetables until we insisted we could eat no more, it was clear that we had met the most kind person in the world. Gator did all the bargaining, guiding, and inner working of our trip for us. Most of all, he took a compassionate interest in our wellbeing having never met us before. The friendliness of the Latino culture came shining through and we felt at home, even in this strange land.
Tomorrow we take off to Las Leñas. 5 hours and we hope the weather is a little more like winter because Mendoza was beautiful this time of year, 85 degrees and full of sun. We hope there is snow on the horizon, and maybe Casey will shave soon, we hope.
Sleeping is a mute point when excitement overwhelms. The roar of the engines, the mulling and constant motion of hundreds of people laced to different timezones, and the anticipation of arrival makes sleeping impossible so I remained awake and watched the Andes pass from 40,000 feet.
Stepping off the plane I knew I was in Argentina by the distinctive smell. The unique, pungent aroma fills the streets with a combination of cologne, empanadas, and exhaust. Each breath of this intoxicating mixture fills your lungs with a tantalizing assurance of your arrival to Buenos Aries.
Joined by Vail Resorts athletes Matt Luczkow and Casey Baskins along with cinematographer Satchele Burns and Vail’s International Public Relations representative Patrick Barrett, it was clear from the start that we were going to have fun. When we met in Dallas DFW the day before, we were all a little unclear as to what we were getting into, but our excitement carried us as we traveled through the streets of Buenos Aires trying to ascertain how just hours before we were on the other side of the planet.
Strapping ourselves into a taxi and holding on for dear life as we traveled down the four lane highway, seven cars wide, we quickly learned that just relaxing and letting things happen as they will is the best way to enjoy South America. Our accommodations at the Intercontinental Hotel were nothing short of “baller” according to Casey Baskins. Although we arrived a little under-dressed after traveling overnight, we were excited to hit the streets and explore.
After bartering with street vendors, witnessing a protest in front of the capital, and watching what to us was general chaos in the streets we went to meet some friends for dinner. Alejandro and Maria met us at a great restaurant in Puerto Madero called Cabana Las Lilas. The service was incredible and we were served the greatest steaks we have ever experienced. Overly content and filled with wine, dips and breads, we took a leisurely walk back to the hotel through the calm, quiet streets of Buenos Aires. We have a flight to catch to Mendoza in the morning.
This one feels different. For some reason I feel I have lost interest in writing on this web page because lately I seem to be writing about fallen friends more then about powder or cool trips and experiences. Well, that is not true because I have still been doing some great things and experiencing life to its fullest, but for the sake of my mind I have been reluctant to write on this web page temporarily because I have been saddened by the reality of saying goodbye to friends one after the other.
Yet again, I am here writing an emotionally driven post in response to the recent events of loosing Arne Backstrom who died ski-mountaineering in Peru just a few weeks ago. I am not sure why this one feels different, but maybe we as a ski community are numbed by the reality and successive events.
After some of the most amazing final days, with May 2nd and 3rd yielding the greatest days of the season, I thought we had made it through the season and it was time for summer. I guess I did not realize that where there is snow, skiers will ski. So, June in Peru is fair game and Arne and his crew (Kip Garre and Dave Rosenbarger) were taking advantage or a rare opportunity to climb and ski some amazing terrain in the Llanganuco Valley of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru. With peaks reaching 17,000 feet, Arne and crew had set up a base camp and were climbing the surrounding peaks and skiing in preparation for the bigger assents later in the trip. While climbing and trying to get acclimated to the area and after reaching a peak, the crew started a descent and Arne opted to attempt the descent first. From the sound of it, everything in the area was a relatively precarious decent filled with ice, mandatory traverses above exposure, and glaciated ice and terrain. According to Kip and Dave, Arne started the descent and as he dropped out of their view and they lost contact. They new something was wrong when they did not hear from him and their worst fear came true.
Arne took a fall and sustained some substantial trauma. When the guys found him, he had a slight pulse, but given the remote location and lack of resources their options for rescue or medical attention were limited. Arne passed and his memorial was held in Squaw Valley this past week.
So, I am left here telling you, who ever you are, that another friend of mine has passed, but at least he did so doing what he loved. I have too many memories where I have done things and said, “that was close.” Well, those close calls catch up with you eventually and this past week it caught me and it has made me think. Riding my bike in Mill Creek Canyon outside of Salt Lake City, I was hit by a truck that cut in front of me. Well, I have always wanted to be able to say that I was hit by a truck, but I can attest that the real truck hurts a lot worse then the metaphorical one. While some days you feel like you have been hit by a truck because of work, emotions, and life raining down on you, but I was struck by a real truck followed by a fence and then a bench. However, some stitches and a bruised and battered body is all I sustained, but yet again I found myself walking away saying, “that was close.”
So where does it stop? When will my desire to push my luck or look for that next thrill subside? A yearning desire for adrenalin and excitement is what drives us all, or at least those who thrive on the adventure in gravity fed sports. Yet it is this desire that keeps taking our friends away from us too. I guess that is the price we pay for adventure, and any day could be our last, but to scuttle into a life of solidarity and safety would be a far greater death to our souls. To become querulous bedridden valetudinarians would be the last thing our fallen friends would wish upon us as a way of morning their loss. Contrary, they died doing what they loved and what we loved doing with them and it is my belief that they would want us to continue doing what we love. Death is eminent and inevitable, but the time we spend leading up to our ultimate demise is what marks our time on this earth. However, we have to learn from our fallen friends as well. In order to extend our time on this earth and assure we get to the bottom and have the opportunity to say, “that was close” as apposed to “oops,” slow down and think before you drop in and make sure you are doing what you love because there is nothing worse then wishing you had. So looking back on my past few years and at all those who I have said goodbye to and all the times I have said “that was close” I think about those who love me. Is it worth it? No doubt, but the reality needs to be respected.
Many have died fighting for our freedom, and many have died fighting to be free. As I sit here and remember Arne, he was doing nothing but trying to feel free. Arne, you will be missed, but your sense of adventure will live on in all of those with whom you shared your love for life and in those you shared your life with. We will continue to play on in your name, but never forget the reality of our actions.
Well, now that I have your attention I have to sum up the season just as it is jetting started. I surfed the Internet yesterday, April 4th (my brother Onie Bolduc’s Birthday), and saw that numerous resorts are already closing their doors for the season. Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, Aspen Highlands, and more all done for the season. However, the snow in Utah is just starting to make this place look like winter for the first time this season. It has been a slow season to say the least, as poor snow conditions and depths have really prevented myself as well as other from doing any type of exploratory skiing. Cliffs have been too big with no snow to land on, gullies are still exposed making high speed skiing in the backcountry dangerous to say the least, and the coverage has not permitted much snowmobiling because stumps and objects have been precariously just below snow level.
None-the-less, the season has been great and I personally have logged some great days despite the meager conditions. Being outside and enjoying the time with friends is what is is all about, and it took me this season to remember why I loved skiing. There is nothing better then putting in hard plastic boots that kill your feet, because you know at the end of the day after enduring excruciating pain you get to take them off. Ha ha, Just kidding, but I found there is a sense of life beyond snow when the snow is bad as you have to find other things to do for entertainment or you have to work a little bit harder to get to the good snow, that is hopefully just beyond the next ridge. Skiing for me has been a battle the last few years as I have spent four of the five maybe six month season living on the road chasing the next competition or snowstorm. However, this year mother nature had a different plan for me. My only two planned trips were cancelled due to bad weather (rain is bad for skiing) and poor snow for the other. I was not mad though, as I was able to find myself and the joy of skiing again. Without powder, the camera stayed home and the big skis stayed in the closet, but the skiing was fun because I was skiing to ski and not trying to accomplish greatness. The reality of my ambitions made me loose touch with the reality of what I have been so lucky to experience. Skiing is the greatest activity in the world if you ask me, and it is sad that so few are fortunate enough to experience it. Playing with gravity and fresh air with friends, although said to be “the whitest thing you can do,” it brings a smile to my face and there is no wonder why so many dedicate their life to ski another day.
Thank you snow, and thank you to the many people who have made my last few years possible. However, the snow is falling in Utah still, so while I am sorry for the poor bastards who recently had their mountains close, we will be skiing powder for weeks to come if the weather man is right about tonight’s 16-24in and tomorrow’s 10-14in of April powder…… Ski on people!
Skeptical yet excited I packed my bags. I had never visited the South, aside from the ousted stepchild of the southern states, Florida, yet going to the south I always anticipated packing a bathing suit or hunting gear. This time however, I was packing to go skiing in Wintergreen, VA.
Picked up at the airport and dropped off at the top of a mountain, I was a little confused. I asked the driver where the mountain was and he equably pointed down the hill. So, I checked in and proceeded to go take a look around and look down the mountain. The hotel and “base” facilities were at the top which is a mountain design I had never seen before. However, with dozens of snow guns operating the air was thick with a brisk eastern flair, and after having one of the best snow years in history I could almost guarantee that they had bigger snow banks then Snowbird and Alta combined. With an average yearly snowfall comparable with two major storms in Utah, this year in Virginia has seemingly been hit with blizzard after blizzard as I later learned the kids had missed three weeks of school already this winter. However with all this snow, the hotel was dead. Aside for some employees mulling about I did not see a person. It was 11:00pm and I was looking to have a beer, but I scrummed to the idea of sleep.
I met Sepp Kober, the organizer of the event the next morning and he briefed me on what to expect and what my duties were to be. I had been sent to the Southeast by HEAD Winter Sports to assist in the “Double-Cross” event. Come to find out Wintergreen and Freestyle Ski and Board shop host a skier/boarder- cross event throughout the season for which this was the final showdown. Now, given that skier and boarder-cross were in the Olympics this year I was not quite sure what to expect when he said skiercross. As I walked around the resort for a few minutes and saw the majority of the patrons were sporting rear-entry boots, I figured the day was about fun in the sun and not competition.
Wintergreen is a small community resort tucked on the edge of the George Washington National Forest about three hours from DC. The resort doubles as a golf community in the summer and a private/public ski resort in the winter. With apparently bus loads of people traveling to the resort, my first impression of an empty hotel the night before was shattered with commotion the next morning, as hundreds of people were tromping around in ski gear preparing for the day. It was so refreshing to see people out skiing because they wanted to go ski and not motivated to get the “sickest turn of the day.” The relaxed environment was a welcomed breath of fresh air compared to the hypersensitivity of a Snowbird tram line on a powder day. The community was out and the locals had come to see their friends and family compete in a little full contact competitive skiing.
My job was to assist Chris in the announcing and MC’ing the event. Throughout the day we held dance-offs, and I witnessed some never before seen dance moves in ski boots. All in all the event was a great experience, and I felt like a local as the crew of Freestyle Ski Shop and the locals of Wintergreen Resort welcomed me into their lives as one of their own. We drank expresso vodka like it was imperative to our survival (thanks Pete), and I experienced why people love skiing even in a place like Virginia. Friends, family, and the camaraderie created around a sport devoted entirely to the great power of gravity.
Thank you to Mike Poole and Victor Georg of HEAD Winter Sports, Sepp Kober and the the crew at Freestyle, all the great people of Wintergreen Resort (especially Dave Reinhard), and to the Wintergreen Freeride Ski Team for reminding me how much fun it is to go off jumps again.
It is unique I think of someone, my same age, as a legend. It is even more unique to label someone, who in all reality is so new to a sport, as a pioneer. CR Johnson is one of those people and after breaking into the ski industry at the age of 16, CR was a name I knew and respected for years.
I first met CR in Vail, CO at the US Freeskiing Open. I was new to the freeskiing scene and fresh off race skis, so the the idea of being around him and the rest of the “new” freeskiing crew was almost like being with a mythical creatures. I had seen him and a few others in the competition in the TV box just months before, so I was a little nervous. Over the next many years however, CR and I ran into each other at different industry events where we always exchanged a hello, as I respected his presence. It was not until four years ago, while we were both representing the clothing company Spyder, that I had my first time to really spend time with CR and get to know him away from the industry.
Sitting in our hotel in Boulder he told me stories about his ups, downs and crazy experiences of traveling the road as a professional skier, since the age of 16, and about his life at home. With best friends like Tanner Hall, he was in a squad of the elite, so his opinions were ardent although a little skewed from reality given his endeavors with perfunctoriness. He was untouchable; with X-games medals, pioneered moves in the half pipe, and an ability to effortlessly glissade over snow in a way other professionals admired. Having recently been humbled in a tragic accident a few seasons before, he was struggling to get back on his feet and comprehend his temporary loss of motor function. His skiing abilities did not come back to him like he had once precociously experienced, but he set his goals and attained greatness yet again. He reiterated his frustrations and told me stories of his recovery, to which I had no response and only inspired shock. Being the fervent man he was, he stuck with it and fought through his physical injuries and still pushed the sport to a level many still deem extreme only months after sustaining TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). His stories of rehab and learning how to operate as a human were nothing short of scary, but an inspiration because he had one goal which was to ski yet again. Waking up from a coma is an experience that would make the ordinary skier question their motives and actions, but for CR it was just another reason to try harder. CR went through the ups and downs of being a skier and stayed strong through it all. Not only did he learn how to walk again after his accident, but he regained the ability to yet again fly among the stars of a sport.
I had the opportunity to hang out with CR again a few weeks ago in Winter Park. While skiing (riding the chair and having lunch) we spoke of life, the ski industry, and his recent experiences that had rejuvenated his love for what life had brought him. He was elated about his girlfriend Jami, and despite his recent fallouts with some companies that had supported him for so long, he was happy with skiing on a new level. He was enjoying skiing for skiing yet again. The once cocky and brazen CR was seeing life through the eyes of a realist and seemed personally motivated, zealous, and principled. He spoke of starting his own clothing line and was euphoric, thrilled, and elated to tell me about the new ski he had designed with 4front. For lack of a better explanation of the way he left us, CR was stoked on life.
Opportunity was his vehicle and gravity was his fuel. Unfortunately, gravity is what took him from us. He was a light that had just started to find its source, and that light will be in our hearts and remembered for years to come. He was sincere and in love. He will me missed.
Rest in Peace my friend and take care of our other friends and leaders of snow sport up there who have fallen doing what they love as well:
Landon Sawyer, Billy Poole, John Nicoletta, Tobias Lee, Shane McConkey, Doug Coombs, and many more.
After one event and one win, Lindsey Kildow Vonn is looking like she is on a mission to not only win but prove that she is the best female alpine ski racer to live. Her attitude has always been lackadaisical but focused and her life has been driven by skiing since the day I met her thirteen years ago. Growing up in Vail, there were a lot of athletes in and out of the race program who had traveled or moved with their family to the Vail Valley to pursue skiing. Lindsey was one such girl, but from the start she took it a little more serious then the others. Her training was training, and not time to ski with friends. Her time on the road was her life to which she still took the time to write post cards and call her friends back home. Her life was skiing, and for the first time in my life the true story of success is unfolding. Lindsey is clearly an inspiration to younger athletes, but her domination in a sport previously dominated by europeans is nothing short of spectacular. The USA has not seen a female skier of her caliber since the Picabo Street days and if it weren’t for Body Miller skiing would be completely off the map in the US. Although, lets not disrespect the efforts of fellow team mate Julia Mancuso who was standing on the podium in 2nd place today. The US is making a stand and it is clear as you walk through the grocery store, as it is hard not to see Lindsey or one of the US Ski Team members on the cover of something.
Lets hope she can not only set a record for the number of people watching an Olympic skiing race, but lets hope for four more medals.
Only twice a year does this happen. Backcountry.com is having their semi-annual sale and this is time to prepare for your summer and spring activities.
Semi-Annual Sale = Up to 60% OFF…..
Click Below and Check it out.
or Follow this link.
After arriving back to SLC I hit the road for the 8 hour drive to Denver. Instead of packing a light suitcase to go to Vegas I was actually packed to ski while going to the International SKI show for the first time. The years of Vegas are over and the oxygen enriched environment is a thing of the past. The International Ski Show, called SIA, has officially moved to the Denver Convention center where the overall review was positive, although people were not openly admitting that they actually missed the allure, preponderance, and anonymity of Vegas. While people still found a way to party and enjoy themselves in the Mile High City, the only difference is that Denver has a last call.
The convention center in Denver is a beautiful building and the City of Denver rolled out the red carpet to try and accommodate the thousands of people who attend the show from around the world. While the situation in Denver turned out to be more of a process logistically then many expected, the addition of an on-snow demo portion of the show was a success. Winter park Resort did a tremendous job of making space, and accommodations for the industries ski, snowboard, goggle, helmet, etc. companies to demo and showcase their gear in an actual winter environment. The hope is that for the next few years while the show is contracted to be in Denver, buyers and industry folk alike will learn more about the on show portion of the snow show and the work will pay off.
We will all miss Vegas and all of its odiousness, but to have a snow show where it will directly affect the ski industry is more logical in my opinion.
The first year I moved to Salt Lake City I was faced with the grim reality that once I moved, Colorado had one of its greatest years in history and I ended up spending much of my time there, even though I was residing in SLC. The next season I spent my time chasing the Freeskiing World Tour around the globe, while it dumped in Salt Lake and I seemingly encountered the worst conditions imaginable. Now, when I say the “worst conditions imaginable” I mean it in a relative way, because the term condition stipulates that someone has judged the situation based on a set of principles or ideals. In all honesty the conditions where not always bad, as a few competitions were cancelled because it snowed too much. Then again I did not stipulate what the conditions were based on, but traveling to compete and then skiing powder with some of the worlds best skiers instead was not such a bad tradeoff. None-the-less, after returning back to Colorado and chasing the storms around the west for a few more years I have come to the reality that snow is not predictable, but a matter of luck or mother nature’s will that we are so fortunate to encounter. When the earth is blanketed with a layer of granulated frozen water the earths imperfections are masked and the possibilities to play with gravity are boundless.
However, I sit yet again in Salt Lake City missing the snow yet again. What happened to all this “Utah Powder” Powder Magazine told me about? All I have experienced this season is some of the worst air conditions imaginable. I once read that living in Mexico City, when an inversions prevent the cycling of the air, is like smoking 40 cigarets a day. I am not sure if that statistic holds true for Salt Lake, but I am sure its not far off this winter which makes me regret snickering in middle school at the pictures of the Chinese people riding bikes with respirators or face-masks on. On many occasions I have avoided going to the gym or for a walk this winter because the air is thick enough you can taste the filth and imaging balling it up like a snowball. After recently learning the mechanics of snow creation in the atmosphere, it makes me ponder how great this season could be if only there were precipitation falling, as there are more then enough air particulates to create the snow.
I am not looking at this winter as a total wash yet, as there are many months of skiing left, but instead I look at it as a time for productivity in other ways. Besides, next week I hit the road so inevitably it will start snowing.
Backcountry.com has done it again. A new webpage called DOG, or Department of Goods, is launching.
However, it is special because each purchase over $50 will receive an additional gift, and random shoppers will be given extra gifts that ranger from bikes, skis, kayaks, clothing, and more. The catch is that it is an invite only. If you know me, or someone that is hooked in the circle of trust get a code and check it out. 
