This year the Wasatch Powder Keg adds a splitboard division to this formidable backcountry race. Come see how you stand up with the strongest tourers in the Wasatch.
On March 13th don’t miss the Wasatch Powder Keg race. The Powder Keg is a test of strength and endurance for any backcountry skier. The 2010 race will feature a new course based out of Brighton Ski Resort. The race will have captivating views of Heber Valley, Mt Nebo, Mt Timpanogos, and the Cottonwood Canyons. The race division will travel close to 9 miles and have 5 climbs for a little over 5,000’ of climbing. The Recreational division will have 4 climbs for around 3,500’ of climbing in 6.5 miles. Within each division there will be categories for male/female, AT/Tele, and this year, we have even added a Rec Splitboard Division!. There will be a BBQ, awards ceremony, and raffle following the race at the Milly Chalet. For registration or more details seewww.wasatchpowderkeg.com.
If you’re skiing in the backcountry you can never know too much about avalanches. And one of the best ways to learn about Avalanches is from people who have been dealing with them for decades. Experience is everything in the backcountry. On December 17-18 Snowbird will be offering the Freeride Avalanche Summit a two day clinic targeting advanced and expert skiers and riders who want practical and professional instruction on avalanche awareness, safety and rescue.
Participants include:
Members of the UAC and Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Snowbird Ski Patrol and Snow Safety
Jim Conway, lead guide for Teton Gravity Research
Jeremy Nobis, professional skier
Gordy Peifer, professional skier
Jenn Berg, professional skier
Brant Moles, professional skier
Wasatch Powderbird Guides
“With the increase in backcountry and sidecountry traffic, it’s more important than ever to offer tangible and affordable avalanche instruction to upper level skiers and riders,” said UAC Forecaster and Freeride Avalanche Summit founder Craig Gordon. “This Summit brings together an awesome group of leading forecasters along with some of the best winter athletes in Utah.”
There’s a new beast roaming Utah’s backcountry. In areas that were once only accessible by snowmobile, snow cats, and backcountry skiers there is a new game in town. A Subaru STI outfitted with cat tracks is now powering through the trees and to the top of a peak near you. Built for DC’s Shoes and Snowboards owner and Utah Resident Ken Block this one of a kind whip will be turning heads again this winter in the backcountry. Check out the video.
On Saturday, I decided to kick off the season with a quality line. Kristian and I headed up to Brighton with our objective being “The Seagull” on Tuscarora. Tuscarora basically sits between Brighton and Alta in the backcountry kind of bridging Big and Little Cotttonwood Canyons. The Seagull is a chute that runs from the peak down toward Brighton. In the week prior to this adventure we’d had plenty of good snow in the mountains. With warm temperatures in the forecast we knew that good conditions would not last.
Because of the Salt Lake City Marathon we got a later than hoped start on the hill. Wet slides were a definite consideration with the rising temperatures. But, with good cloud cover, things were kind of being held in check. We rode up Millicent at Brighton and hiked up to the peak then rode to the saddle between Mt. Millicent and Mt. Wolverine. Then we switched our splitboards to ski mode, traversing around the Mt. Wolverine bowl and up to the top of Tuscarora. With no signs of natural wet avalanches and temperatures still hovering in what we felt to be the exceptable range, we converted back to board mode and dropped in. We were not disappointed. The snow proved creamy and carvable. I would describe conditions as being “Highly Rippable”. Afterwards we crusied down to the Bikini Bash at Brighton for ice cold Natty Lights and babes in bikinis. Here are some photos from a great day.
Kristian switching to ski mode with Tuscarora in the background
Kristian kicks out his first turn
Pausing about halfway down while we let some sluffage pour down the hill.
It’s not easy getting up at 4:30 in the morning, but when there is powder to be shredded it’s a little easier. And when you’ve been huffing and puffing up the mountain for an hour in the dark and you start to get your first glimpse of the powder coated mountains in the early light, you’re glad that you dragged your butt out of bed.
On this early morning tour we went up Flagstaff mountain in Little Cottonwood Canyon and traversed out Emma Ridge. We just rode a little subridge back down to the road and then it was off to work. I was on my Burton split and I was touring with my co-worker Chris Pearson and our friend Dave.
When was the last time you practiced with your avalanche beacon? Ever? Knowing how to use your beacon with efficiency can mean the difference between life and death. It never hurts to brush up on your skills when it could be your best friend’s life on the line. Wasatch Backcountry Rescue has setup beacon training facilities at Snowbird (near the heliport on the Alta Access Road), Solitude (in the lower parking lot), Snowbasin, and The Canyons (at the top of the gondola).
A group of Ski Utah staffers took some time out to do some searches at The Canyons and the results were somewhat humbling. But, we all came out of there with a better handle on how to use our beacons.
For more information on how to actually use your avalanche beacon and conduct searches, please check out the Utah Avalanche Center: http://utahavalanchecenter.org/resources/beacontech. Next time your up on the hill, take a few minutes and stop at the beacon training course at your favorite resort. You’ll be glad you did.
Snowbird continues to bring unparalleled avalanche training to Utah’s Wasatch Front during the sixth annual Backcountry Awareness Week, scheduled through Feb. 15. The event features snow safety clinics, on-snow demonstrations, avalanche transceiver drills and an evening fundraiser featuring 12-time Paralympic skier Chris Waddell.
“Backcountry Awareness Week is a great opportunity for the public to learn about snow safety and backcountry recreation,” said Bruce Tremper, Director of the Utah Avalanche Center. “Events like this demonstrate why Utah is a leader in backcountry awareness, education and rescue.”
Waddell will be the keynote speaker for the Backcountry Awareness Week fundraising dinner on Feb. 13. Waddell will recount how he overcame a paralyzing college ski accident to become one of the most decorated male skiers in history. In addition to his accomplished skiing career, Waddell will attempt to be the first paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro this coming March.
The fundraising event also includes a silent auction, dinner, drinks and live music from the Stormy Mountain Boys. The benefit dinner will take place in the Cliff Lodge Ballroom from 5:30-9 p.m. Tickets cost $75 and are available by calling (801) 933-2442 or online at www.snowbirdrc.org.
Three backcountry skills clinics open to the public will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14th. The clinics will be run by members of Wasatch Backcountry Rescue from 9-11 a.m. and again from 1-3 p.m. Participants can choose from a basic avalanche skills course, an intermediate avalanche skills course or a beacon contest. The clinics cost $69 per person for each clinic and include lunch, an all-day Tram ski pass and professional instruction. To register for Backcountry Awareness Week clinics, contact Snowbird’s Activity Center at (801) 933-2147.
Following the clinics, famed ski mountaineer Andrew McLean will present the widely acclaimed feature documentary, Steep at the Tram Club from 4:30-6:30 p.m. McLean will speak on his adventures as a ski mountaineer who specializes in steep skiing in remote locations. The film focuses on the evolution of big mountain skiing and the inherent risks presented when trying to find the best runs in mountainous terrain.
If you’re heading up to Snowbird tomorrow to see the North Face Masters you also might want to check out Avalanche Rescue Awareness Day. Watch avalanche rescue dogs do their thing. Practice with your beacon and more. Here are the details:
01/31/2009 – 11:00am
01/31/2009 – 2:00pm
Location:
Snowbird-Rescue Training Center-Entry 4
Come and watch world renowned avalanche dogs and handlers train for real life snow safety techniques.
Rescue Dog Search Demo
Recco Detector Search Demo
Locator Search and Instruction
Shoveling and Probing Search Instruction
Air Med Helicopter Long Range Reciever Search Demo
A critical need exists for basic avalanche education for all ski and snowboarders in Utah.
Just as students in Hawaii learn about the dangers of rip tides and shore breaks at an early age, snow sports enthusiasts in Utah need to learn about snow safety and avalanches.The rising number of avalanche victims have demonstrated an obvious need for basic avalanche education.
“Know Before You Go” is a free 50-minute presentation from the Utah Avalanche Center.
We hope you and your friends and family can join us for this very important discussion.
Tuesday, January 6
7:00 pm
Canyon Sports
517 South 200 West
After the presentation we would like to encourage you to have dinner at Red Rock Brewing Company, you’ll receive a complimentary appetizer with your dinner purchase and you can try the “Avalanche” brew.A portion of the proceeds of your dinner will be donated to the Utah Avalanche Center for all their hard work in keeping us on top of the snow!
Not sure why you should attend this? Check out the latest from the Utah Avalanche Center:
This year the Wasatch Powder Keg adds a splitboard division to this formidable backcountry race. Come see how you stand up with the strongest tourers in the Wasatch.
