It has truly been one of those winters for the books. All last summer I remember people talking in town about how it was going to be bigger than the winter of '66 or some such year, with record snowfalls, cold, and invading Yetis. I always take such portents with equal portions of hope and reservations, because unnecessary excitement isn't good for my sleep patterns.
Well, it was one of those years. Granted, after a gangbusters start in December with snow over much of the Valley trails, we had a rather crap January with rain and warm temps which bludgeoned our snowpack down to about 50% of its original mass. But then late February and March came callin' and we're back in full-blown winter with literally feet of snow falling in the mountains every night and the trails being refreshed nearly daily. Of course, around the middle of March I started to hear Jay grumbling at the store that grooming costs were starting to become atrocious and the winter just needed to end. But for those of you diehards out there, eking out the last bits of ski season, I salute you.
As for me, the racing season has held its share of peculiarities. After a late start, then a great race at Nationals, I had about a three week dearth of races. Then a few local starts and a NorAm before encountering more doldrums. Granted, having two SuperTour weekend cancellations didn't help matters, and I know much of the American racer community is in the same boat with me.
Which is why this coming week is going to be awesome. Super Tour Finals here in Sun Valley is building up to be as big or bigger than US Nationals itself. Teams from all over the country and Canada, as well as some token true foreigners from Japan and beyond are all rallying to the glitz and glamour of Ketchum in preparation for first the 30/50km National Champs on Sunday, and later the four-race mini-tour all next week out at Lake Creek trails. I'm focusing on the mini-tour and have been down here acclimating the last few days with Methow junior phenom Evan Turner, who's also looking to plug some low points into his profile before the year is out. We're staying at a great condo in town belonging to some local friends who are also hosting another PNSA junior, Max Christman. Great folks to know - thanks for the support!
Conditions are swell; new snow is coming down and while the temperatures are hovering around freezing, Zeroes are kicking great and running fast. Scott and Alison are coming down later this weekend to round out the team and get us ready to rock.
Apologies for not having photos. Someone buy me a working camera and I'll remedy the situation.
Scenes from the Road: Engadin Valley, Swiss Edition
In the Engadin the Bernina mountains rise to the sky from the valley floor. Beside the River Inn, a number of villages lie along its banks. The houses here are amazing, with thick stone and masonry walls, funnel-shaped windows and streets that wind whimsically around. The houses are large and often shared by more than one family, with many also have a floor underneath for livestock.
The view from above, looking down on the uber-lux mountain town of St. Moritz. Having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, the towns of St. Moritz and Davos are bidding together for the rights to host the 2022 Winter Games. Since Lillehammer 1994, the Olympics have gone to big cities like Nagano, Salt Lake, Vancouver and Torino. Some people think it's time for a smaller, more intimate Games. What do you think?
As one of my friends says, "The mountains around here, they're just a reason for Swiss engineers to show off." Taking this cog train straight up a mountainside, first used in 1907, I certainly know what he means.
A mountain resort with no road access, framed by the darkness of night.
La Nina Calls
It is a tough job but somebody's gotta do it and when the 6AM call came I manned up.
Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God's country.
The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we'd be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.
Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you'll see my gloved hand and pole (that's all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!
Here is nice fun video made by my friend Jeff on another good day of touring in our local hills. If this doesn't make you want to ski, you have no soul!
Only three days after arriving home from Oslo, where I had bailed on the critical job of paying spectator at the World Championships I was still on Norway time and up early anyway. Since I had been doing nothing more serious at Holmenkollen than peering through and over the fences to catch glimpses of the skiers, I felt that Torin could probably manage without me acting like a kid trying to sneak a peek at the baseball game through the outfield fence and I came back to God's country.
The aforementioned wake up call came from Dave Waag, publisher of Off Piste magazine who was in town to do some heli-touring and get some stock photos for the mag. There was suddenly a vacant seat on the helicopter and if I could rally in 30 minutes I could put my butt in that seat. The other skiers in the load were all good friends and fellow guides. La Nina has been very good to the North Cascades this winter and the mountains just west of Mazama had received over a meter of snow in the 2 days since I got home. A normal heli-tour consists of getting one big heli assist up some 5-6000 feet (in a 5 minute flight) on to the shoulder of one of our fine ski peaks and then a day of touring in that area. Today turned out to be a bit special since one of the owners of North Cascades Heliski would be touring with us. We all knew that this meant we'd be spending a lot more time flying back up the 3000 foot runs than skinning. But none of us were complaining. With a meter of cold dry powder awaiting and more falling all day were were ready to roll as soon as Seamus, the pilot, got the bird ready to fly.
Rather than bore you with details of face shots and giggles all day I will let pictures tell the story. Dave put together this slide show. About half way through the show you'll see my gloved hand and pole (that's all!). Eat your heart out Wasatch skiers!
Here is nice fun video made by my friend Jeff on another good day of touring in our local hills. If this doesn't make you want to ski, you have no soul!
Images from 30km Skate at World Championships
The stretched 270 degree view of the scene at Holmenkollen
The sea of fans started in the stadium and worked its way well into the woods. Over 100,000 came out for the races today.
Shadow racing with Kikkan Randall.
Theresa and Marit of Norway take on some calories for the 25 kilometers of racing that still await.
Johaug rounding the last bend and taking the flag for the host country. All in all, a great day to watch the races.
Holmenkollen 2011 in Photos
Bird's eye stadium view of Holmenkollen.
The crowd's along Gratishaugen.
The sign translates to "2012 Swedish Snowmobile Technology."
The trail Lars and I take back from a distance ski to Nordmarka is now overrun with crazy Norwegians winter camping for weeks along the course. For weeks! Seriously.
Two hours out, the crowds really start rolling in.
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