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Freeskier Ski Fest 09:

Copper Mt., CO:

Testing skis is always a little challenging, yet interesting to see what different manufacturers are able to create in a sport where many view skis as just skis. However, shapes, glues, cores, etc. all vary from company to company as skis alike have changed so drastically in the last few years it is hard to follow industry trends. As I have grown up in the industry, I have seen and experienced many changes in the designs of skis from straight 210cm long with no side cut and 35mm under foot, to skis 170cm long and 140mm under foot with double rocker tips, reverse camber construction, and cores made out of materials only created in high tech chemistry labs. Over time I have developed an affinity for trying different skis, but when the skis we are testing were specifically designed to be used on slightly better conditions then we were dealt at Copper Mountain this week, the experience becomes more of a challenge.

Testing “Big Mountain” skis specifically designed for powder on snow comparable to a world cup, H20 hyper injected slope was a little difficult. While it provided the testers as well as the magazine editors a new idea of what skis should be able to do, it was a challenge to judge skis designed for powder on their ability to make GS turns. Copper had not received snow in weeks and the high winds had scalped every last amount of soft snow off the mountain and deposited it on the planes of Kansas. The snow was comparable to ice or chalk, which to our dismay made the testing difficult and uneventful, but as a result we were able to test the skis from a different perspective. Yeah, everyone knows that skis are more fun when the snow is soft, but if we all bought skis and went skiing only when the snow was good there are many skis that work well for that purpose only. However, given that the snow is always different and the theme of winter seems to be constantly changing and unpredictable conditions, we want a ski that handles in all circumstances. This year’s test was a true investigation into the skis that are going to perform on those days you wish you had stayed home on the couch.

Furthermore, the Freeskier crew was in full affect and the crew involved with the week’s event was stellar. Aside from shot gunning Red Bull and partaking in the consumption of many fermented beverages, the week was rather tame. Unfortunately I was not able to partake in many of the evening’s adventures, as I was staying 35 miles west in Avon, CO, so maybe my perspective of the week was rather skewed. All in all it was a great experience and there are a lot of great skis coming out on the market next season. Just remember as you read the reviews in the magazines next fall, the skis were not exactly put to a fair test, but if a ski can handle on the hard pack it will get you down the powder gracefully.

Powder Week, Jackson, WY:

When we arrived to Jackson the sun was in and out of the clouds and the snow was melting at a noticeable rate. Rain was falling as we traveled over Teaton Pass, but our hopes for skiing the infamous Jackson remained strong. As we pulled into Teaton Village water dripped off the roofs and seeped through the parking lots like the floodgates had been opened in the hills above. It was hard to believe we were there to be testing and showcasing the industries new and best powder skis, as winter had taken a turn towards spring. That night all the people involved in the event, and a few extras, all got together and talked about the week and shared stories from the arduous trip up to Jackson or from previous experiences from winter months prior. The room was filled with the who’s who of industry folk. From media giants to athletes past and present, Powder’s Powder week had gathered yet another great group all there to experience one of North America’s greatest mountain resorts.
We awoke the next morning and the sound of settling snow and dripping water filled the air. The stoke level was not very high as people gathered in the Gabe room at the base of the mountain to prepare for the less then stellar day. The Powder Magazine affiliates scrambled to greet everyone and make sure the event was getting off as planned, but no one was in a rush to hit the icy “slopes.” People were pensive about skiing, as the snow was questionable and the clouds were low and dense. Winds howled at the base of the mountain, although the temperature was hovering well above freezing. The air was filled with a moist eastern feel, yet as we boarded the gondola at the bottom of the mountain and rose into the clouds the air thickened and the rain turned to snow. Eager anticipation for what was going to be a total wash of a day turned to hopes of fluff and white smooth fresh blown snow.

Exploring the backcountry of Jackson turned out to be more of a challenge then expected. However, with the help of a few locals, some secrets were divulged and powder was plentiful as the four day event passed and the weather turned from crappy to cake. The snow started to fall and the death cookie crust from the first day turned into cookie flower. The snow came, although in small amounts, and everyone that was in attendance was beyond stoked. Furthermore, I was there representing HEAD and as the snow fell and became more apt for powder skis, the new 110mm under foot ski called the Jimi came out and those who were able to make some laps on the new board were elated. I personally only had the opportunity to make one lap on the ski, but I must say I was giggling the whole way down. Biased opinion aside, one of the most fun skis I have ever skied on, and to experience it on a mountain like Jackson is a testament to the experience.
All in all a great week in WY and many thanks to the guys at Powder Magazine for making it happen.

Aspen was yet again over run with an influx of action sports enthusiasts just a few weeks ago. After three weeks of clear sky and no precipitation, this year’s organizers and athletes of the X Games were more then challenged with some unique weather. Snow, rain, sleet, and everything else you could imagine plagued the events, but everything got off with a moist snap.

Despite the conditions there was some brilliant displays of athleticism and some new records etched in ‘X History.’ Most noteworthy, Levi LaVallee pulled a double back flip on a 500lb snowmobile, while at the same time others took the limits of their prospective sport to new levels. Surreptitiously motivated by the hype, cameras, college girls, or fame, the athletes of the X Games have tirelessly worked and trained to be apart of the most prestigious action sports events and apart of a select elite few competing at the highest level. However, despite the record books and tedious efforts of many to create a judging criteria for skiing that takes into account the difficulties of the sport, as well as the many variables only understood through experience or failed attempts; this years Big Air competition fell short of fair and deserves the condign loss of respect that will result from those who comprehend.

With all due respect to Simon Dumont, he pulled a double front flip over an 80ft gap with perfect precision, although in my personal opinion Jon Olsson’s trick was far more difficult and had more style. However, at this year’s event, the average clown on the couch watching from Boston, Dallas, or No-place-ville-USA had the opportunity to weigh in on the apparently democratic X Games. Just as the sport started to gain some luster and admiration among the unified ‘extreme’ sports world, some ESPN producers propounded the idea of ‘viewer interaction.’ This is a great idea for something like “American Idol,” where any buffoon with the ability to hear can judge; however to put the duty of judging in the hands of people who have a total lack of comprehension to what they are judging is a insensate decision.

For example, one of the legends in the sport, Mike Douglas, who was announcing the event live, said so himself after being asked by co-announcer Saul, “which trick was harder?”
Douglas responded, “Jon’s trick, hands down is harder… and Simon’s trick, always a crowd pleaser since it first got stomped in a ski big air contest back in the 60’s… ”

Given the average viewer has no idea what Jon did, they assume Simon’s trick was harder, or looked cooler, because they can relate to its simplicity and grace. Which is exactly my point. Would the organizers of NASCAR let the fans judge the race or operate the timing with the stopwatches on their cell phones? Needless to say, if you watch the video:

X Games 13 Big Air

you will see that Jon performs a trick far harder and more difficult with the precision of a Samurai Warrior making Sushi. Simon’s trick, while difficult and fully spread out, is something that has been done before first of all, and is something he can do on any given day with the right jump. In fact Simon had a video part where he does three double fronts in a row down a jump line. Props to Simon again for being so inconceivably good that he can pull a trick like that on any given day, however lets not neglect that Jon visualized and created his trick and appropriately, however arrogantly, named it after himself.

Judging does not belong in the hands of a select few willing to pick up their cell phones. Judging belongs in the hands of judges, who are selected people trained and experienced in the respective criteria. Maybe next time they should blatantly scroll the announcers words across the screen.

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The other day I ventured out into the backcountry to film with Two Plank Productions. After digging out snowmobile after snowmobile for two days on the way up to the location we wanted to ski, we were pretty confident about the snow pack in the particular valley where we were playing. Having involuntarily dug numerous pits on the way up, we expected the conditions to be similar to the light fluff that we had experienced. The snow was so light and fluffy that is was nearly impossible to snowmobile. The slightest hesitation left you spinning straight down as your forward momentum was lost and you were yet again getting out a shovel. Over the two days it took us to break the trail, including time dealing with Josh Berman’s Dukes of Hazard experience where he was broadsided by a 60’s steel Toyota Land Cruiser, the sun had been out and the conditions were ever changing. The sun had come out the day before, although the temperature hadn’t gotten much above two degrees Celsius, however the snow that was once ready for the Champaign cork to pop, was turning into a fleeting window of opportunity before it was totally cooked.

Yesterday however the sun was not only out, but it was on high. As we skinned up the south ridge we found the snow to be conspicuously different on every aspect we crossed. We could feel the snow change as it started to stick to our skis and clump on the bottom of our skins. We could feel the temperature change as the sun melted snow off of the trees and baked our exposed skin. My buddy Bunt and I took turns crossing precarious slopes on the way up, but with nothing moving or settling we felt semi confident about the conditions. When we both got to our respective lines, we spoke with Corey at the bottom. Corey had perched himself on a hill looking at the slope to film, so he gave us a play by play of where we were expecting to ski.

On the way up I periodically checked the snow for texture, depth, and density and at no point did I question our decision to ski that zone. However, after I had gotten my gear together and looked down the line the sun was hot. My skis were on and I was ready as Corey said, “Rolling!”
I pensively dropped in and made two turns above the cliff. The snow felt solid yet soft, however when I reached the end of the rock I saw there was a wind drift in my landing. I expected the landing to be firm, but the dense snow was more then I anticipated. My skis hit the firm snow instantly driving my knees toward my chest. Unfortunately my elbow followed the path of gravity and lowered between my knee and chest just as my body compressed together. The impact from the 50ft cliff was enough to press my chest so hard into my plastic protected elbow that it fractured a few of my ribs. Immediately I knew something was wrong as I skied towards Corey who was operating the camera just below me. I removed my gear and inspected my chest like a JV football coach. I did not know what I was looking for, but I looked anyway.

A short while later, after deciphering the best way to get back given the situation, I hopped on my snowmobile and cautiously drove down. I felt surprisingly in control and in a lot less pain then I expected when we reached the road, so I asked the others if they wanted to go check on our buddies who were building a jump up another valley. Feeling confident in my body’s condition, I thought it would be okay to go help the others and hang out, since we were already in the backcountry. When we arrived to the others location however, we found the jump building had turned into the typical backcountry junk-show and there were snowmobiles stuck all over the last hill that had to be overcome to get to the jump location. After looping around the group, we drove the track to smooth it out so as to help the smaller sleds make it up the hill. When I came through the trees to make another pass, one of the sleds were stuck in the path so I was forced to leave the track and tempt the fresh powder with half the speed I would have needed to make the top. Needless to say I got stuck, as I was unable to maneuver the sled with my throbbing chest. When I stepped off the sled I looked at Tanner Rainville who was stuck below me and jokingly said, “shitty.”
Eager to get moving I climbed on to my sled to cross over to the lower side so I could start digging it out, but as I stepped over, my boot slipped and I fell chest first on to the handlebars. Landing on the ribs that I had damaged earlier, I clearly answered my previous question wondering if they were broken. Well, they were, and the second impact on the sled was just enough to separate the bones and drive one in and the other side out. The sound of the grinding bones resonated through my body just as the shocking pain of tearing muscle tissue tore screams of agony out of my vocal cords. I fell off the sled into the snow in complete shock, all the while possessing a heightened empathy for those who have been shot or stabbed.

I was not worried at first, but as I tried to move I found the pain to be intolerable. Every muscle attached to my ribs pulled and separated the bones as I tried to wiggle into a comfortable position. However, as I sat in the snow pondering my options I knew that I had to get out of the backcountry and time was of the essence. My options were get search and rescue or suck it up and start moving. Corey, being a member of the Fire Dept. as well as the Search and Rescue in Crested Butte, had a radio to the dispatch ready, but stubborn and determined I knew either option was going to be painful. Zipping my coat to conceal my obviously deformed chest, I ardently climbed on to the back of Corey’s sled as we started down the hill. At first I was able to hold on and control my motions, but as we started up the other side Corey had to drop the hammer to cross the fresh powder snow without getting stuck, but the bumps, vibration, and rocking back and forth were too much to handle. I screamed over the sound of the engine in total agony for him to stop. Barley able to compose clear words I begged for another option. I told him there was no way I was going to be able to hold on given the hills that we were still up against in order to get back to the road. I thought it might be better if I drove my own sled because that way I would be able to predict the motion and act accordingly.

I sat with tear filled eyes as Corey and Bunt went to dig out my sled. The group started lapping the dauntingly steep slope looming in front of me to smooth out an unmistakable trail for me to follow. Apprehensively watching and fearing the inevitable, I could feel the separated ribs tearing the surrounding muscle tissue with each nervous breath. I tried ardently to slow my panicked breathing, but the combination of pain and panic had me hyperventilating like a nun in a brothel. After preparing myself mentally for what had to happen, I bit down on my zipper and lurched the sled forward before grabbing a fist full of throttle. Holding on to the sled with all the energy I could muster, the miles started to click off as we made our way down to the trailhead. Time could not have gone any slower on the way down as every bump and turn caused havoc on my pain tolerance.

After a visit to the hospital, I learned that I fractured two ribs and tore the cartilage connecting them. The muscle tissue between the ribs connecting to my abdominal, latissimus, and serratus muscles was torn when the ribs separated upon the second impact on the snowmobile handlebars. I guess I can take a lot away from this experience, such as go home after you know one thing is wrong with your body, but I never thought laughing would hurt so badly.

For the past eight years the start of the ski season has kicked off with one of my unique pleasures. Humbly setting me back to my roots of ski racing, and all the while enhancing my respect for those that have perfected the art of glissading down ice at unfathomable speeds, the Birds of Prey World Cup is a spectacle that has to be seen in order to understand. Watching the world’s best ski racers tear down a mountain at speeds only imaginable through the use of motorized assistance, the race not only inspires me to wear a helmet, but also inspires me to respect the fearless gladiators of the sport.

The Birds of Prey takes place in Beaver Creek, CO and is the only American stop of the International World Cup Tour. Taking place at the start of December each year, the race not only signifies the start of the season, but also offers a glimpse into the actions of the true warriors of skiing. With the opportunity to get on the course and slip the track during the race, I can attest to the seriousness for the sport that TV cameras may not capture. The track is prepped for days before the race with thanks to many volunteers and the local Ski Club Vail. Much like washing your car will make it rain, planning a race in Beaver Creek will make it snow. Therefore, hours are spent removing snow and preparing the sheet of ice they call the track. Hundreds of man hours go into the icing down of the entire slope through the use of hydro injected water cannons, along with the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fencing and safety nets that are set in place and suspended along the length of the course. Banners and TV cameras line the course, sponsor and VIP tents fill the finish area, while bleachers stand proudly saluting the massive TV screen awaiting the brilliant athletic display from the world’s best skiers.

The atmosphere in the finish area is anxious with spectators, media, and race personnel from around the world. For two minutes at 70MPH, in a game of millimeters the athletes race at freeway speeds protected by a thin plastic shell on their heads and a spandex suit on their bodies. This event keeps you on your toes, if not because they are cold, but for the thrill of watching athletes battle gravity, pure focus, and milliseconds. However, the situation at the start is totally different. Athletes roam lethargically trying to shake their nerves while stretching and visualizing the race with TV cameras stuffed in their faces documenting their every move. Coaches meticulously prep and tend to their athlete’s skis like mothers giving their baby a first bath. As the beep of the starting timer ticks through the start list the tension builds towards each racers moment of glory when they step in the gate and see the finish between their tips 2000ft below.

With the icy conditions, slipping the course was difficult to slip, which made it hard to imagine racing down it at the fastest speed possible. The firm snow was not only difficult to turn on, but with my Big Mountain skis, which are slightly less then “race” ready, the task was more of a challenge then I expected. The ice was so firm that skates would have been more appropriate for the task. After seeing some of the crashes up close however, I could only imagine how relentless the ice had to be on the body. For those who crashed at high speeds, the icy surface offered no cushion for the fall and appeared as if their momentum did not slow until they hit a fence. Scary for most, thrilling for others, the race is more then an event but a way of life for many and provides a brief look at the European winter sport of choice. America’s misunderstanding of the sport is clear when you talk to those in the south about skiing, but the race in Beaver Creek can be inspiring even to those who have never put ski boots on before. No engines, just muscle and heart drive the racers to experience the same forces and similar consequences of a Nascar driver. Sounds incredible, but you have to see it to understand.

Ted Leighty, on his way to a 2nd in the GS.

At the end of the weekend one man came out victorious above the others, but furthermore over his own adversities. Aksel Lund Svindal won both the DH and SG after being evacuated from the same hill with major injuries just one year prior. His performance at Beaver Creek exemplifies the power and perseverance of the mind. In an athletic event or the tribulations of life, the mind is what carries the body and heart to do great things and Aksel proved it in Beaver Creek. He obviously set his sights and goals on returning to the world cup with vengeance, but dominating on the hill that almost took his leg was not only a comeuppance, but a feat of mental domination.

Needless to say the event went off without a hitch. The parties and events in the village put on buy Universal Sports and others were a great opportunity to meet some of the athletes and socialize with some of the coaches and crew. However, now that this experience has passed and the winter has officially begun, it is time to embark on winter activities of our own. The snow is falling and the temperature has dropped low enough that even some natives have run south of the boarder to escape the cold. That must mean it is time to start skiing.