Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - powder skiing

Road Trip - Revelstoke Mountain & Rogers Pass

J Dogg — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:09:57 -0500

Rating

If money grew on trees, the Revelstoke roadtrip would have made us filthy rich. Pockets stuffed to the brim, shirt stuffed like a pregnant lady, and a trail of fifties and hundee's tracing our every step. If witches are truly made of wood like folklore has it, bet there's a hell of a lot of those chasing us too. And if the slang 'woody' came from anywhere...

OK I'll stop there.

What do these all have in common? Woods, or trees to be precise. Lots of them. 5000 steep feet of them, in every direction. Scattered with pillows, gulleys, chutes, and more. Found only at the brand spankin' new Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

Sure small resorts all over BC have'em. But Revelstoke isn't small, far from it. We're talking small mountain feel, small mountain crowds, and the biggest vert in North America once the gondola is finished.

So on our usual hunt for witches, cash, and woodies, we packed the Subaru and b-lined for Revelstoke. We hadn't checked the forecast but new we didn't have to. It's been an epic season to kick off the new resort's history, with 2 meters in the week leading up to our a trip, and a welcome 15 cm dusting with bluebird skies to start off our weekend.

Up we went up the looooong gondi, up their first highspeed chair, and over to 'North Bowl', just like we'd been instructed, and it didn't dissapoint. The zone is packed with chutes, gulleys, trees, small cliffs, and a few biggies worthy of Jamie Pierre visit. Plenty of pow to go around, even on what happened to be the busiest day the new resort had seen yet, by far. Twice as busy as they'd anticipated, even putting opening day to shame. Seems the cat's out of the bag, and the chairlifts planned for the next few years won't be going to waste.

Day 2 the bluebirds were even bluer, with an inversion that cleared the skis as far as we could see. And that's when the druling problem started. Snow stability wasn't great that week, but our minds did enough wandering to wet the bed time and time again. The ridges below Critical Summit leading down to next year's chairlift look out of control. The lift accessed touring to Montana Bowl and the other areas above the cat skiing operation are in easy grabbing distance and all worth the tour.

Speaking of touring... no Revelstoke road trip is complete without a 45minute drive up the road to the infamous Rogers Pass... aka the best easiest touring spot you'll ever find.

Not yet through with the taste of pillows and trees that Revelstoke Mountain Resort had wet our appetities with, we spent our sunny pow day in Rogers pass doing laps in the Puffy Daddy area of Hermit Ridge. 3000ft pillow lines, untracked from top to bottom, within 100ft of the parking lot... on the busiest ski weekend of the season. Better than heliskiing - but for free - does that count as finding money on trees? Not too shabby at all, and only 45 minutes away from our base in Revelstoke.

So with cash and woodys under our belt, I mean woods, where were the witches? ...they're coming. Migrating to Revelstoke, one by one, from popular ski resorts around Canada and the Pacific North West, keen skiers and riders are gathering here to be a part of something new. Legends of what Revelstoke has to offer have been spreading like wildfire.

You've got the early believers who moved before it opened, like Jay & Tasha, Whistler's GLC expats who shipped out 3 years ago to open 'The Great White North' restaurant and bar in the middle of nowhere out side of town, only to now be killing it as the place to be for dinner and drinks. Or Paul 'Bones' Skelton, heading up the whole resort and making the dream a reality. Or Pontiac World of Skiing poster boy and man of mystery Joe Lammers drifting from Whistler to head up patrol with a clean slate and a brand new mountain to challenge and tame. Or the young Rocky Mountain Freeride Club rippers doing laps around me all weekend.

Revelstoke Moutain Resort isn't the next big thing. It already is big, and always has been. A big mountain with big vert, just minutes away from some of the best cat skiing, heli skiing, sled skiing, and backcountry skiing in North America.

Save a few leaves from your money tree, walk among the witches, check out Revelstoke Mountain Revelstoke, and enjoy the, uh, woods.

Details & Links
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Snow Report
Snowphone -250.837.7389
Selkirk Tangiers Heliskiing
Revelstoke Cat Skiing

Dogs Chasing Snowcats - In Too Much Snow

J Dogg — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:12:22 -0500

Rating

Is there such thing as too much snow? Unlikely, but we went to find out, and oh what a weekend it was. With a big juicy storm in the forecast, the Doglotion/VentureWeb crew packed our bags and headed up to visit our friends at Backcountry Snowcats, an awesome new(ish) cat skiing and riding operation just north of Whistler up on the Hurley Pass towards Bralorne. Owners Reg & Kathy Milne put blood, sweat, and tears into securing the tenure for the area, and these past 2 winters it's been paying off... in snow and good times.

With 15,000 acres all to themselves, and a retarded amount of new snow, things were looking good for us. Really good.

The weekend ruled before we even got to the lodge! Meeting at the base of the Hurley Pass road we were given a quiver of snowmobiles to bomb up the road in over a foot of fresh, at night. 3rd time riding a sled and mad faceshots were there for the taking anytime you drifted off the track.

Then out of nowhere came the lights from the Hurley Mountain lodge, where our warm beds and dinner venue were waiting.

With a ridiculous amount of new snow already out there and more overnight, it wasn't hard to wake anyone up in the morning. After a good feed we did the usual avalanche beacon practice, then hopped in the cat and went 'plowing'. You know it's going to be a deep weekend of skiing when the snowcat itself is getting faceshots...

With a high avi danger and deep roads to be plowed, we faired pretty good on day one, bagging some awesome runs through the burnt badlands trees and mid mountain gulleys.

But then came day two! Better stability, sun peeking out of the clouds and Kath's hard morning work of pre-plowing the roads before breakfast all paid off. Talk about good service.

We covered a bunch of different zones, every run better than the last, with glades, pillows, gulleys, chutes, small bowls, you name it. Oh and pow. Lots of it. No sign of a hardpack base no matter how deep you sunk... bringing true meaning to 'bottomless' pow.

With about 13,000 feet of vert for the day we wrapped it up before dark, super stoked on how much shredding we got on one of the shortest days of the year. With permagrins on everyone faces, we packed up to head for home, with amazing hospitality, good grub, and ridiculous ski memories all drifting through our heads.

The only consoling thought as the trip ended and we sledded back down to Pemberton, was of course... it's only going to be better when we come back in the spring. We'll be back, again, and again, until the snow dries up around the world and ski games on Ninetendo Wii is all we're left with. Until then, we, and you, should be making an annual pilgrimage to Backcountry Snowcats.

DETAILS

Location: Up on the Hurley Pass, just north of Pemberton
Getting There: Trips meet in Pemberton, just 2.5 hrs from Vancouver. It doesn't get any closer than that for a destination catskiing trip. From the meadows road in Pemberton, the snowmobile ride up the pass is a total bonus.

Price: What you get at a weekend with Backcountry Snowcats is a ridiculous bargain. Awesome value. Catskiing package details.
More Info: Check them out at www.snowcats.ca or 1-888-146-1111.

Record Snow in Whistler

J Dogg — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:27:35 -0500

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November 2006 will go down in history books in Whistler as the snowiest November ever. Were you here? With 416 centimetres or 13 feet 6 inches of snowfall recorded during the month, the prior November record of 272 centimetres or 107 inches was crushed, setting a new high for early season snowfall. This month’s snowfall has created phenomenal conditions for an excellent winter season.

“The continuous snowfall this month has been incredible,” says Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb’s senior vice president sales and marketing. “We’ve woken up to between 10 and 20 centimetres of fresh powder almost every morning since November 1st; we’ve been able to open our high alpine lifts earlier than ever before and ski outs to the valley are in fantastic shape. The locals are in heaven, our employees are thrilled and our visitors are ecstatic.”

The current mid mountain base at Whistler Blackcomb stands at 164 centimetres or 65 inches, a depth that normally isn’t reached until early January. “The average November snowfall for Whistler Blackcomb was 138 centimetres,” continues Rempel, “and we’ve tripled that this year!” Two of the snowiest months in Whistler Blackcomb’s history have occurred in 2006. November 2006 joins January 2006 among the top four snowiest months of all time. January’s 469 centimetres or 15 feet of snowfall sets the all time record. Whistler Blackcomb has been recording snow data over 28 years of operation.

Looking ahead, Whistler Blackcomb will be celebrating the grand opening of its new $9.5 million chairlift – the Symphony Express – on December 16, 2006. 1,000 acres of spectacular, high alpine terrain will be accessible in the newly crowned Symphony Amphitheatre. Vast bowls, gladed tree runs, and deep powder are surrounded by spectacular views of Garibaldi Provincial Park, and across the valley to Blackcomb Mountain’s 7th Heaven zone.

Whistler Blackcomb currently offers 6,700 acres and 5,020 vertical feet or 1,529 vertical metres of terrain for skiing and riding. Hotel rooms are currently available in Whistler starting from $109 per night.

Keep an eye on Whistler Blackcomb’s current conditions by checking out web cams and operational updates at whistlerblackcomb.com.

The snow phone is also updated daily and can be reached by calling 604-687-7507 (Vancouver) or 604-932-4211 (Whistler), or toll-free at 1.800.766.0449.

Fat Tuesday In Telluride

J Dogg — Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Rating

BY MARK LASSETER

After 12 days of rain late January in Whistler it was time to get a powder fix after not having a single one all season. Tired of getting photo after photo from friend Vince Boelema of the pounding storms in the San Juans, specifically in Telluride, it was time to head down there. It was off to be sleepless in Seattle arriving at 1 AM at the airport in my normal bench spot by the Starbucks to get the cheap flight at 6AM that flew right into Telluride via Phoenix, total convenience. This week was also Mardi Gras which is eventful in Telluride.

After meeting up for afternoon cocktails up on the hill and suffering from high altitude sickness, it was time to take some altitude pills and pass out on Vince's couch. An early wake up call the next day was in order as Vince was going to take me into Telluride's backcountry area known as Bear Creek. It was a perfect Bluebird day and only a 10 minute walk to the gondola from Vince's house through the cool small town of Telluride. The town of Telluride has maintained its' small town western feel with no franchises or other such businesses allowed to operate in Telluride.

After a straight boot pack up through the gate we were in Bear Creek. With many options from the top such as the easiest dropping straight in, Vince wanted to show off the surroundings so we traversed and side stepped up to the far side. Milking it for all it was worth, we took advantage of the wide open pitches and creamy snow with Vince showing off his special backyard.

Bear Creek also had to have some of the best scenery I have ever seen. After taking it all in and working our way down, we hooked up with some of T-ride's local freeride crew, behind some trees who were lining up a cliff. After the huck session it was time to ski down a pretty narrow chute and then down climb/side jump down an area called 'The Monkey Bars' to get out of Bear Creek. Aptly named due to the permanently kept ropes pegged into the approach above the sketchy descent over rocks, you really need to hold onto the ropes while exiting, definite p-tex job required after this descent.

The next day we were off to nearby Silverton (see Keeping it Smooth in San Juans Part 1) and on the drive back 2 nights later to Telluride it was puking the light fluffy stuff and knew that Tuesday morning would be indeed be a Fat Tuesday to remember. With 14 inches overnight, getting to the main lift at only 9:15 I thought I would be in store for a huge typical powder day lineup. But not in Telluride, there was only about 175 people there waiting in anticipation at Chair 4. Lucky again to be shown around by Vince we trashed and bashed our way through secret tree spots and timing chair openings at exactly the right time, which never had more than 5 minute waits anyways. The snow was the lightest and most consistent I had ever skied anywhere.

The whole town was going off in a frenzy on the hill this day, with hoots and hollers all while skiing and snowboarding with big Mardi Gras beads around their necks. At 3PM I got my biggest face shots of the day in a tucked away unmarked tree run located only as high as mid mountain. At 3:15 I had to beg Vince to stop as I was spent!

So of course to top off the perfect Tuesday it was off to the Half Moon bar for a nightcap and see Colorado's version of Porn Funk, 'Hairy Ape BMX'. The bar was going off with energy that had been brewing all day in town from the epic day and was amplified by the humorous and playful style of the band similar to Whistler's Slow Nerve Action and in addition sniping out the occasional rap vocals as well. 'Yo, yo its about the 3 P's. Had #1 on the hill today, enjoying # 2 as I dance the night away, later tonight hoping #3 will be laying next to me. Peace in the 970, word.'

DETAILS

www.telski.com

Season: Late November to April 3, 2005 Getting there: fly into Telluride (TEX) or Montrose (MTJ)

How to be cool: Combine a visit to Telluride with one to Silverton Mad props to Vince and Rachel and Ted Loehr at Telluride Ski Resort!

It's Called 'Powder King' for a Reason

J Dogg — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500

Rating

By: Jon Faulknor & Tyler Gigg Photos: Jon Faulknor

It's February 5th 2005. It's been raining for the past 2 weeks here in Whistler. This is the Longest down time I have ever had in my skiing Life. Talk About depressing. I'm not the only one feeling this. Myself, and two local Whistler Skiers, Alex Vu from Head Tyrolia-Carrera and Tyler Gigg from Salomon started checking out different ski resort web sites searching for snow and nothing looked promising at all, until we hit Powder King resort, located 2 hours north of the infamous logging town of Prince George. 120cms in the past 7 days read the snow report. That was all we needed to see.

A week later the truck was packed and we were on the road. Ten hours later and fueled by Base Energy Drink and Tim Hortons Coffee we were in Prince George. We woke up February 11 in some overpriced motel situated next to the local fire department in Prince George. That was the fastest departure from any motel I have ever experienced. After a quick breakfast at White Spot we were on the road again. Two hours later we arrived at the base of Powder King Ski Resort with the presence of 50cms of fresh, light, dry powder. This is what we had dreamed and longed for all season in Whistler but Ullr had denied us of our staple to live: powder.

We scrambled to get our skis on in true Whistler fashion and fought for the powder from the seemingly non existent crowds that we were used to. For a powder day with so much snow, there was no one around to take what we drove so far for. Lap after lap on the old rickety triple diesel powered chair we took our fair share of lines and then took more. Every lap back we were expecting to see some sort of lift line. Not at Powder King, where 40 people on the hill is a busy day. When 3:30 rolled around there were still fresh lines to be had. As we headed for the bar from the Chateau Atco where we had been graciously put up, and the snow was still falling. With only two groomers I understood why they never got used. The amount of snow falling from the sky explained it all. After looking out the window, after each pitcher, we then realised the tracks from that day had already filled in and it wasn't even 6:00 yet. We knew the next day would be epic as well after talking to some of the locals that frequented the bar.

That night we met Terry, son of Richard Doyle who owns Powder King, and Terry agreed to take us for the locals tour of Powder King the next day. He went ever further than we expected and arranged for a couple of locals to tow us out to the summit of Aszu Mountain so that we could ski down the Easter run. We knew this was special treatment that people rarely get around these parts. We were super stoked for this. This would normally take an hour hiking in waist deep snow, but Terry had delivered us to our newly found playground. This was by far the best run Alex, Tyler and myself have had this season. Skiing down the Easter run was like being in a totally different world. Deep powder, small cliffs and well spaced trees were just some of the features that made this run so unforgettable. As we reached the bottom of our epic run, it felt as though we were skiing in Japan. Willow trees and small shrubs litter the bottom half of the locals well hidden secret.

We got to the bottom and Terry had arranged for a vehicle to pick us up and transport us back to the resort. Twenty years ago Powder King was named Aszu Mountain, but for the past ten years, Richard Doyle and partners have taken it over and kept it's realistic back woods feel. If your ever up for some deep powder tree skiing, don't think twice. Head up to Powder King.

DETAILS

Day ticket Price: $40

Open: Thrus- Fri. 9:30am - 3:00 pm. Sat-Sun 9:00 am - 3:30pm.

Website: www.powderking.com

Average snow fall: 41 feet

Lifts: 1 triple chair, 1 T-bar

Base Elev.: 3,000 Ft

Top Elev.: 5,500 Ft

Vertical Rise: 2,100Ft

597 skiable hectares 33% beginners 37% Intermediate 30%Advance