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.
The 2008-09 Season was fantastic in Utah with over 600 inches of the Greatest Snow on Earth burying the state. Here at Ski Utah and Ride Utah we got more than our fair share of powder days. It’s already snowing here in Utah and we’re gearing up for another fantastic season. Subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on the latest storms, powder days, and good times. See you on the slopes!
Thanks to Wasatch Powderbird Guides, All of Utah’s 13 Ski and Snowboard Resorts, Burton, Rossignol, Eider, Dakine, Pictureline, and more. Music by Femi Kuti, The Black Keys, and The Sea and Cake.
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.
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.
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 new snow excites us and will coax some people willing to sacrifice some p-tex into the backcountry for some early season bliss. Along with the fun we need to start thinking about avalanche safety as well. A quick review of the books Snow Sense by Fessler/Fredston or the freshly revised Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper is always a good method of getting our brains thinking snow again. Do a thorough check of your rescue gear to make sure there wasn’t something broken or missing from last season. Make sure your probe and shovel assemble and disassemble properly. Put new batteries in your avalanche transceiver and make sure it’s both sending and receiving signals at both close and far distances.
Read the whole article here. Don’t become a statistic just because you’re too stoked to be cautious. Ski resorts that aren’t open yet need to be treated as backcountry terrain. Ski Patrol isn’t yet doing avalanche work and resorts that are not open.
If you haven’t noticed I’m a big fan of the Utah Avalanche Center. They are all great guys and they are doing a lot to keep us from not getting killed in an avalanche. If you’ve never taken an avy class then you really have no business being in the backcountry. Not only are you putting yourself at risk but you’re also putting those around you at risk. I’m not saying you need to be a level 10 ++++ avalanche ninja, but, you need to know the basics in order to be a responsible backcountry user.
On November 1st, the Utah Avalanche Center will be hosting a seminar at the Depot in Salt Lake City. Maybe you’ve been there to see a show in the past, but on that day the UAC will be using the venue to hold a avalanche workshop. Afterwards there will be a party with music by Fat Paw. I’m not all that into hippy jam bands, but, I might stick around for some of that. My only question is, can we drink beer during the workshop? Here are the details of seminar.
Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop
11/01/2008 – 8:00am
Location:
The Depot, downtown Salt Lake City, UT
This unique seminar geared for professionals and recreationists alike, hosted by the Utah Avalanche Center, features presentations by local avalanche experts. The symposium is geared for all backcountry users no matter your avalanche skill level. We’ll focus on avalanche mitigation, forecasting, snowpit evaluation, advancements in beacon technology and rescue techniques. In addition, you’ll experience a behind-the-scenes look at TGR Films avalanche safety program, presented by lead guide Jim Conway. At the end of the seminar, join us for an evening of dancing and fun with a long time local favorite band Fat Paw.
Seminar admission- $25.00
Begins at 1:00 pm and includes fundraising party with music by Fat Paw.
Schedule
1:00pm-1:05pm Welcome/Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center
1:10pm-1:30pm Bruce Tremper- 2008 International Snow Science Workshop Overview
1:35pm-1:55pm Chris Covington- Highway Avalanche Control Work and Ski Touring- How to Get Along
2:00pm-2:15pm Larry Dunn- National Weather Service Support for the Snow Safety and Avalanche Community
2:20pm-2:40pm Bruce Edgerly- Digging Deeper: Uncovering the real issues in North American multiple burials
2:45pm-3:00pm Brian Dahle/Pieps- The iProbe
3:00pm-3:15pm Break
3:20pm-4:05pm Ian McCammon- Back Country decision making Tool kit
4:10pm-5:00pm TGR- Conway- Method to the Madness: A behind the scenes glimpse into TGR’s snow safety program
Abstracts
Bruce Tremper- 2008 International Snow Science Workshop Overview
The International Snow Science workshop occurs every two years. This year it was in Whistler, B.C., Canada.Bruce will give a summary of the important recent developments in avalanche science.It will be an avalanche geekfest in plain language.
Chris Covington-Highway Avalanche Control Work and Ski Touring- How to Get Along
The Utah Department of Transportation is responsible for avalanche safety on the state highways in Utah. The roads within the state that are monitored by a full-time avalanche safety program are in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, American Fork Canyon, and Provo Canyon. UDOT attempts to close these roads and artificially release avalanches above them using explosives before natural avalanches occur that might threaten the roads. This same terrain has become increasingly popular for backcountry touring. This presentation will talk about the UDOT avalanche safety program and the potential problems associated with having ski tourers in the starting zones at the same times when explosives control work is to be carried out.
Larry Dunn- National Weather Service
The National Weather Service provides Watches, Warnings, Advisories, and general forecast support for Utah’s Snow Safety and Avalanche community. Professionals and the public with an interest in snow safety and weather can access a wealth of real-time information about current and forecast conditions in the mountains. The goal of the NWS is to assist individuals and organizations with decisions associated with protection of life and pr f the winter outdoor community, this means minimizing risk for those recreating or traveling in Utah’s mountains. This presentation will describe the products and services offered by the NWS that may be of interest to the winter outdoor community.
Bruce Edgerly/BCA-Digging Deeper: Uncovering the Real Issues in North American Avalanche Rescues To understand the crux issues in avalanche rescues, statistics only tell part of the story. We dug deeper than the statistics and called the actual rescuers, survivors, and coroners involved in 35 of the worst North American avalanches since 1995 in which transceivers were used. Our finding: on the debris pile, it’s not about beacon searching, it’s about shoveling–and staying out of avalanches in the first place.
Brian Dahle/Pieps- The iProbe
Pieps has introduced a new, revolutionary, backcountry device that guarantee’s a quicker retrieval time in avalanche situations- The iProbe. The carbon iProbe has created a new standard in backcountry rescue, reducing pinpointing by almost 50% with its multiple target indicators (both visual and acoustical), Quick-closing latch, and deactivation/activation transceiver option.
Ian McCammon- BC decision making Tool kit
Avalanche experts agree that some of the biggest hazards in avalanche terrain are the psychological traps that can fool us into thinking a slope is safe when it is not. This talk will review some of these traps and give you simple tools for navigating the psychological hazards of avalanche terrain.
Jim Conway- Method to the Madness: A behind the scenes glimpse into TGR’s snow safety program
Method to the Madness is a behind the scenes look at how TGR responsibly enters some of the world’s most radical terrain while making their films. The talk reviews the company’s philosophy of “Riders First”, and how this commitment to risk management and athlete creativity has resulted in some of the worlds most serious ski and snowboard lines being captured on film. Venue selection, rider skills, avalanche assessment, and backcountry rescue are all covered as part of TGR’s comprehensive risk management program. The presentation ends with a big picture look at what you can and can’t control in the backcountry, and the factors that can interfere with even the best risk management plan.
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.
