Some of the best things in life happen on short notice, with no planning whatsoever. Last week's trip to the ACC's Jim Haberl Hut in the Tantalus Range right above Squamish, BC, was no different. It all started with Tobin and I driving back from a sweet day at Whistler, glad to be alive (long story), when we looked up at Tantalus, like we do EVERY DAY, on our way back to Squamish.

Aaaah, the bucket list. We're guessing we're not the only ones out there that make to do lists. You know, some people make lists for what to buy at the grocery store, others for chores to do, or in the case of Steve Buscemi's character in the movie Billy Maddison... list of people from highschool to kill.

After Portillo on we headed to Las Lenas, Argentina on an overnight bus via Mendoza with a quick Asado stop at the parilla (aka BBQ of every cut of beef known to man) next to the Mendoza bus station.

If climbing and skiing Shasta in 36C heat didn't do us in, driving straight to Mt Hood Oregon certainly helped. We rolled into the parking lot at about 2am, 1 flat tire and a few wrong turns later, and were pleased to see the 2nd half of our volcano convoy posse already parked and sleeping in the Timberline parking lot.

There was only a few hours left before our trip departure, only 5 of 8 skiers had skis mounted, 4 were sporting brand new boots with no boot work, and none of us had a map... of anything. And so began the week long assault of the I-5 volcanos. And yes, I said 8 skiers.

The Crew?

After a month of the most epic sunny and hot weather, it's hard to imagine that Whistler Blackcomb was actually scheduled to be open for another week from today. Summer showed up like a bat out of hell this year, flip flops are on, BBQ's are fired up, and WB had to close a couple weeks early. Luckily with the awesome weather no could care less.

Shames Mountain is a little hole in the wall ski resort near Terrace, British Columbia. Located in a snow-zone in the North - Central Coast Mountains, this obscure little hills averages 12 meters (approximately 40 feet) of snowfall a year. Not a big deal in itself. I live in the South West B.C.

Submitted by Mark Lasseter Photos: Mark Lasseter & Vince Boelema

After getting over altitude sickness, scoping the local scene in Telluride, Colorado, and grooving to a local funk band, it was time for Vince Boelema and I to make the 2 hour journey across the pass to Silverton. Silverton Mountain, one of the newer resorts in Colorado at only 3 years old is located in the San Juan mountain range 2 hours from Telluride Ski Resort and about 1.5 hours from Montrose airport.