Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community blogs

YIKES! Four Days Left

Echo Mountain — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:49:39 -0400

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Holy cow, there are only four more days left to rip Echo Mountain’s spring terrain. We will be open Thursday through Sunday and we still have a ton of jibs for you to take your end of the season angst out on, so don’t wait any longer. And don’t forget, if you own a season pass to any other resort, you can get a $20 lift ticket!

Thursday: 9a.m.-9p.m.

Friday : 9a.m.-9p.m.

Saturday : 9a.m.-9p.m.

Sunday : 9a.m.-5p.m.

Avalanche Decision Making Survey

J Dogg — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:38:28 -0400

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CAA needs our feedback, here's the scoop... The Canadian Avalanche Centre, in conjunction with Simon Fraser University, is seeking survey participants for a study on out-of-bounds avalanche decision making. Findings from the study will be used to develop tools for communicating avalanche risk and assisting out-of-bounds decisions making.

The study includes an online survey with questions about experience and background, typical skiing/riding partners, perceptions of avalanches and ski patrol and an interactive ‘pick a run’ exercise.

All participants will be entered in a prize draw for:

One Ortovox S1 avalanche transceivers
Two Black Diamond AvaLung backpacks

At the conclusion of the study interested participants will be emailed a personal analysis sheet that includes a comparison of your avalanche hazard consideration to other study participants.

The survey can be found at: http://www.outbounds.rem.sfu.ca

Your support for study would be much appreciated. Please pass the link onto to anyone you know who would be suitable for this study.

Last Park Standing

Echo Mountain — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:31:17 -0400

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Echo Mountain is the Last Park Standing this weekend, so listen up! We’ve lined up a killer set up for this competition, but there are some crucial facts you need to know before you come celebrate. So here we go…

Date: Saturday, April 26.

Registration: Registration is ONLINE only. Space is limited to register today, duh! Click this link to sign up quick... http://www.echomt.com/echocart/products.php?cat=9

Course: The course which is specifically designed for you (because you are great) will be open for practice on Thursday and Friday.

Competition: This signature event will be open to male and female skiers and snowboarders.

· Amateur Comp - $4,000 in prizes

- Rail Jam format

- Check in at 8a.m.

- Starts at 9a.m. to 12p.m.

- Winner goes onto the Pro comp!

· Pro Comp - $12,000 in CASH up for grabs

- Slopestyle

- Check in at 8a.m.

- Starts at 12.p.m.

Helmet Follow Cam in Corona Bowl

AndreCharland — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:42:47 -0400

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Good news: my cheap flip video camera can double as reverse helmet cam

Bad news: The last day of Whistler for 2008 was cold, icy and uneventful.

Thanks to Jamie, Lotte and Danielle for being troopers though.

Whistler Blackcomb Snowcast 12

Whistler Blackcomb — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:39:12 -0400

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Here's the final podcast for the season, episode 12... goggle tans. It's been an epic winter, hard to believe Whistler is now closed for the season. But fear not, Blackcomb is still open, alive and kicking until June 8.

Alaska - World Championships - Highlight Video

J Dogg — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:13:47 -0400

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Here's the highlight video from the Finals at the World Freeskiing Championships in Alyeska. PS - Whistlerites Brett Crabtree and Jen Ashton to the World Tour titles this year! Yeeeaaaaaah.

World Tour Final Stop: Alyeska w/ Videos

J Dogg — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:42:46 -0400

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Just in case we get too busy skiing this weekend to report on all the hot action at the Freeskiing World Tour Finals at Aleyska, here's where you can catch the videos. They'll run Snowbird videos until there's something to show from Alaska. Here's a super mini version for small people with small eyes, everyone else can click the link below.

Watch The Video Full Screen>>>

Go Crabtree Go! Go Crabtree Go!

Snowbird US Freeskiing Nationals: Photogs, Hotdogs, & PT Cruiser

Holly — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:16:17 -0400

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I arrived at the base of West Baldy and set up camp on he photog hump at the bottom of the venue at 9am. I as tired. North Baldy had been destroyed from the qualifier and skiing down with a backpack full of PBR tall boys, hotdogs and oh yeah, camera gear was no easy task when sleep deprived.

I had decided it was a good idea to sleep 4 hours Thursday night so I could get in a day of deep pow at Mount Baker on Friday en route to the Seattle Airport. This made for wet gear upon a late arrival to Salt Lake and lesser sleep Friday night. But who cared, I had made it to watch the finals with photog Re Wikstrom and we had packed a good picnic. It was my Spring Break '08 baby. My slogan: Girl Gone Wild. The catch: I felt nauseous.

My phone rang at 10am. Brianne Taylor had landed at SLC airport in full ski gear and was getting into her rental car. Or should I say red hot PT Cruiser. "Take the second Snowbird entrance and drive all the way to the front, park it valet," I had told her at the end of the directions to the Snowbird. The whole thing was so awkwardly funny.

Brianne made it up to the venue just in time to help Re and I polish off some more tall boys and take on hotdog duty so we could continue snapping shots of competitors. In my sleep deprived confusion I realized my memory card was full and switched it quickly for another one.

Where it went I don't know? In the snow? In the hotdog? Lost forever? Rookie photog move. If someone finds it let me know. it has the women's super final runs on it. so apologies to all the women out there, I failed you. Please don't hate me. For the rest of you enjoy the pictures.

Words n' some photos by Holly Walker

RIP John Nicoletta

J Dogg — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

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At approximately 3:45pm this afternoon, 27-year-old John Nicoletta of Aspen, Colorado, died due to injuries sustained during a fall while competing on the first day of the Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska Resort, Alaska. Nicoletta was the 47th competitor of the day down the Headwall below Alyeska Peak.

Alyeska Professional Ski Patrol reached Nicoletta within seconds of the accident and evaluated his injuries. After stabilization, he was transported via toboggan and helicopter to the Alyeska Aid Room where he was unable to be revived despite efforts by local physicians, paramedics, Girdwood EMS and the Alyeska Professional Ski Patrol. Time of death was reported at 4:45pm.

Contrary to initial press stories, Nicoletta had a loss of control after a 20-foot cliff drop and was propelled into an exposed rocky area.

A veteran freeskiing competitor, Nicoletta was an accomplished, well-known, and extremely respected athlete. An experienced skier, he has appeared in ski movies, been a featured athlete in television interviews and recently finished second at the Telluride Freeskiing Open in February 2008. Mountain Sports International extends our deepest sympathies to John Nicoletta’s family, girlfriend, and friends. This is a deep blow to the freeskiing community.

After discussion with the competitors this evening, the decision was made to continue with the event tomorrow. Athletes will make the hike to the top of the peak together in a celebration of John’s incredible life and love of big mountain freeskiing.

Euroland

Les Manley — Wed, 9 Apr 2008 13:14:08 -0400

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St. Bernard Pass

Verbier, Switzerland (home base) - Well things are winding up here. It's been well over two months and with some 20 days still to go it's not over yet. From Slovinia to Bulgaria, France, Italy and Switz it has been a blast. New zones like Ovrnez, Vicheres, Super St. Bernard, Vogel, Bansko and Crans Montana have all played host to a load off powder slashing, ski touring, and summit bagging not to mention freeride battling. Monks serving Montain tea, stektchy Bulgarian Airport pick ups, Milan and it's haut coutre, mythical Cham, sleepy Plans Mayens, and of course good ol' Verbier pretensious as it is but big and beggin to be ripped. Besides, Mont Gele may be one of the best lifts on the face of the planet; good to till the last drop after it's two hiatus. They offically quite spinning the lifts here on the 27th of April, but the rest of the four valley system closes on the 20th. Cham is open well into May, but it looks like I'm headed to the coast range to catch the end of the BC season. Alsaka if I'm lucky. I'll be back in December to finally get a taste of the early season in the Alps butI can't help feeling that I still have much unfinished business here. Something, I guess, which is only the product of spending more time here and more fully realizing the potential. Ps. It's snowing....

St Bernard Tunnel

Rockin out in SloviniaSkiers Prayers

Snowcast Episode 11

Whistler Blackcomb — Sun, 6 Apr 2008 13:47:24 -0400

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Check out episode 11 of the Whistler Blackcomb Snowcast, presented by TELUS. In this podcast, meet Sandy Ward, a member of the First Nations Snowboard Team. Learn how to tune your skis and snowboards and 4 year old watch Finn Finestone rip it up on the slopes.

View the video>>>

Another deep week-end on the Duffy!

Pat Mulrooney — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 12:10:14 -0400

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Dave Hill drops in.

Danielle and Dave on the uptrack.

More pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patmulrooney/sets/72157604375791046/

Dana Flahr in Alaska - TGR In The Making

J Dogg — Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:00:25 -0400

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Looks like Dana has been up to no good in Alaska this spring. Be jealous. Be very jealous...

08-09 Echo Mountain Season Pass Hits Shelves at Midnight!

Echo Mountain — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:07:21 -0400

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08-09 Unlimited Season Pass goes on sale April 1st for only $129! Get ‘em quick before they’re gone! Passes are available for purchase online at www.echomt.com or at Echo Mountain during business hours.

Snowbird Men's Finals Part 2

J Dogg — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:30:49 -0400

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Check the vid from the Snowbird Men's Super Finals

Youtube and Gaper Day Together Forever

J Dogg — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:06:09 -0400

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Thought this new Youtube app was pretty cool. Lets you cruise through related videos in Warp Speed view. Instead of the examples they provided, I put the link for Gaper Day 2007 into the URL, and hence...

http://youtube.com/warp.swf?v=L-not_bP5nM

It was amazing how quickly I got from Gaper Day 2007 to a 'Big Booty Hoes' video. It was like 3 degrees of Warp separation. I'm guessing it has something to do with skiing in thongs. No wait, it went to Gaper Day 2005, then Fear & Loathing in Las Lenas, then Las Lenas Hoes, and then, well you get the point.

See where you end up...

Spring Pow!

Pat Mulrooney — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:00:28 -0400

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The Coast Range keeps gettin deeper and the Easter long week-end was no exception. The area we were in recieved around 60cms over the previous few days and had blown in to approx 1 meter on some slopes.

Some how Danielle and I had this entire valley to ourselves all week-end. Temperatures overnight were -14 deg C. Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patmulrooney/sets/72157604250895484/

Cold Smoke - Shredding on WB

J Dogg — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:18:33 -0400

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This is actually Jamie sneaking into Matt's account and uploading this video from a couple weeks back on Blackcomb. Looks like good times.

Cold Smoke - Shredding on WB

miller — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:14:08 -0400

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This is actually Jamie sneaking into Matt's account and uploading this video from a couple weeks back on Blackcomb.

Blower Pow, Pillows and Exposure in La Grave

AndreCharland — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:37:00 -0400

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The last couple days of skiing in La Grave have continued to deliver!

With the snow pack tightening and skies still mostly clear we able to get onto some steeper slopes ski some bigger runs to the Valley. Pan Rideaux was the most exciting with some steep turns, serious exposure and deep pow. But Chirousse the 2400m vert epic was a close second. Rocky Garden provided blower pow under blue skies so all good. I can't wipe the grin off my face! Lars Krantz and Even Ofstad of BigTrix.com are awesome guys to shred with. More to come...