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Sunday, December 6, 2009
Snow Snow and More Snow
RePost: Winter Driving Tips.
Winter driving tips by: The Ski Channel
We here at The Ski Channel love winter, for obvious reasons. It's by far our favorite season. There is, however, one aspect of the glorious days of white snow and cold air that we don't look forward to...driving. If you live in a ski town, you know what we're talking about. Driving in the winter when it's snowing a lot can be stressful, dangerous, and flat out hazardous. Never driven in snow? Check out an episode of last week's Daily Snow Fail to give you a taste...
So what steps can we take to bring us safer driving this winter? Well, part of it is common sense---drive slowly, don't make sudden stops, wear your seatbelt...but here's a full and comprehensive list of winter driving tips that are always welcome. Thanks to the Nevada Department of Transportation for this:
- Only travel in winter weather when necessary, leave enough time to safely reach your destination and plan your route to avoid snowy/icy areas and steep hills
- Before leaving home, check weather and road conditions
- Share your travel itinerary so others know when to expect you
- Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates
- Buckle up
- Turn on headlights to see and be seen
- Turn off cruise control
- Avoid quick starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually
- Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions
- Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles
- Always comply with all posted chain requirements
- If your vehicle has snow tires, install and use them between October 1 and April 30
- Keep additional distance from other vehicles
- Watch carefully for snow removal equipment
- Do not pass without good distance and sight clearance
- Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas- they may freeze first
- Maintain a high fuel level
- If vehicle begins to skid, steer in direction of slide and slowly remove foot from accelerator
- Be aware of black ice
- If parked or stuck in snow, leave window slightly cracked for ventilation and make sure vehicle exhaust system is clear of snow
- Always carry tire chains, especially when traveling in mountain passes or typically snowy areas
- Remember – 4-wheel-drive vehicles cannot necessarily turn or stop any better than 2-wheel-drive vehicles
Carry these with you:
- Tire chains / tow strap
- Flashlight
- Spare batteries
- Ice scraper
- Cell phone for emergency communication
- Snow shovel
- Flares
- Jumper cables
- Small bag of sand for wheel traction
- Extra winter clothes / coat / gloves / socks
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Non-perishable foods / water
- First aid supplies / prescription medication
- Battery-operated radio
- Candles / matches or lighter
- State map for navigation in event of winter detour
And some snowplow safety:
- Use caution when following, passing or approaching snow removal equipment
- Drive a safe distance behind snowplows. Plows often travel slower than other vehicles to remove snow, apply sand and liquid anti-icers and assist stranded vehicles
- Before attempting to pass snow removal equipment, check direction of snow discharge to avoid snow and debris thrown from equipment. Remember that plows are wider than most vehicles and portions of the plow and blade may be obscured by blowing snow
- Don’t crowd the plow. Only pass snow removal vehicles when a safe, legal passing area is available and adequately clear of snow and/or treated with salt and sand
- Don’t travel beside a snowplow. They can shift sideways after hitting snow packs or drifts
- When a plow approaches you, allow the plow room to operate by reducing speed and moving to the right side of the road if there is room to safely do so
- Do not brake with unnecessary sudden movements when in front of a snowplow - plows cannot stop as quickly as an automobile
- Don’t drive through white out conditions caused by swirling snow around a snowplow. Safely pull to the side or slow to allow visibility to improve
- Remember that a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you
British Columbia Cat Skiing and The Cult
Selkirk Wilderness Cat Skiing – Meadow Creek, British Columbia
Cat Skiing with Selkirk Wilderness Skiing
Getting There:
By car:
Spokane, Washington: Approximately 5.5 hour drive
Calgary, Alberta: Approximately 8 hour drive
Closest Airport: Castlegar, BC (shuttle to Nelson from Castlegar Airport is available)
Season (2009/2010):
Early December through early April
Details:
In operation for over 33 years, Selkirk Wilderness Skiing is the self-proclaimed snowcat skiing pioneer. Located 1.5 hours north of Nelson, British Columbia, the operation area encompasses 30 square miles and offers runs of up to 4,000 vertical feet. Guests can expect to ski 8-12 runs per day totaling 12,000 to 18,000 vertical feet of the delicious, fluffy white stuff you’re after. The terrain offers a mixture of bowls, glades, cliffs, and chutes.
Skiing is based out of the operation’s private, snowcat-accessed lodge. Trips are booked in six-day increments, beginning with a snowcat ride to the lodge on a Sunday and followed by five days of skiing. Meals are included in your package. The operation accommodates a maximum of 24 guests at a time, with 2 or 3 guides per group of 12 riders. Ski rentals are available, but ski boots and snowboard gear are not.
Selkirk Wilderness Skiing’s terrain is regularly dumped on by westward storms roaring into the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, and averages 50 feet of snowfall per year.
Contact:
Selkirk Wilderness Skiing Ltd.
Box 10
105 Meadow Creek Road
Meadow Creek, BC
V0G 1N0
Canada
Tel: (250)-366-4424 or 1-800-799-3499
Fax: (250) 366-4419
Email: info@selkirkwilderness.com
Friday, December 4, 2009
Utah's Snowbird Ski Resort Hosts Freeride Avalanche Summit, Dec. 17-18
From: www.UtahSkier.net 
Utah's Snowbird Ski Resort Hosts Freeride Avalanche Summit, Dec. 17-18
SNOWBIRD, UT – Snowbird Ski Resort and the Utah Avalanche Center are partnering to offer the first annual Freeride Avalanche Summit, Dec. 17-18. The two-day clinic targets advance and expert skiers and riders who want practical and professional instruction on avalanche awareness, safety and rescue.
The Freeride Avalanche Summit will include a unique blend of instruction that combines the expertise of industry leading avalanche forecasters with the experience and influence of local, professional athletes. Expected 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 Pfeiffer, 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 hard-charging 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.”
The Freeride Avalanche Summit offers more than 20 hours of classroom and on-mountain instruction during the two-day session. Topics include snowpack analysis, terrain assessment, first aid techniques, emergency notification procedures and more along with ski patrol briefings and actual line selection sessions with professional athletes.
A full schedule can be found at www.snowbird.com/freerideavalanchesummit.html. The Summit costs $150 and is limited to 40 participants; discounted lift tickets of $36/day will also be offered to non-passholders for the on-mountain portion of the program. Advanced and expert skiers and riders can register by visiting the Snowbird Activity Center or calling (801) 933-2147.
Planning your Japan snow trip 101
Planning your Japan snow trip 101
Jordy Heis, our resident expert on Japan, kicks off his contributions to CherryPow with a crash course on what skiing and snowboarding is all about in Japan.
The country that brought us the kids’ favourites ‘Hello Kitty’ and ‘Pokémon’, forgot to tell the rest of the world about the fresh powder snow in their backyard. Although Nagano had the 1998 Winter Olympics, it’s only been recently that Japan has really started to demand some attention from the international powder hunter, as a ‘must-shred’ destination.
For most Japanese resorts, the snow season generally starts around mid-December, peaking in January and February, and goes through until about the end of March. Whilst the weekends and national holidays at popular resorts can sometimes get pretty busy with the locals, on weekdays you will often find yourself riding solo on the slopes.
The huge investment into the snow scene in Japan during the 1980’s, means the large ski and snowboard resorts in Japan have fairly modern lift systems, with high-speed quad lifts, gondolas and ropeways. Many resorts now feature snowboard and ski parks, halfpipes, quarterpipes, snow tubing, and other facilities to add to your experience.
Japan has over 500 ski resorts, and two main ski areas, the Nagano prefecture, with The Hakuba Valley the most developed and popular ski area in the South Island. In the North Island, Hokkaido is the most developed ski area, with Niseko a more well-known resort location for many regulars.
The Hakuba valley incorporates 10 ski resorts, over 200 runs, 139 lifts, a local village, ski/snowboard shops, a combination of traditional and Western dining and après ski entertainment. A popular option with all skiers and boarders of any ability is the multi-resort lift pass, giving you access to Happo One, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu, Hakuba Highland, Sunalpina, Iwatake and Tsugaike ski resorts.
Niseko continues to grow at a fast pace and each year sees a larger number of foreigners on the slopes, meaning no language barrier problems. Niseko Annupuri, the main mountain in Niseko, has 3 resorts, with slopes for all ages and abilities. The ‘Niseko United’ pass is a great option for flexibility, giving you access to 48km of groomed trails, 57 runs, and entry to the other 2 resorts, Niseko Grand Hirafu (Hirafu and Hanazono) and Niseko Village.
And, if you’re into your 80s Rock & Pop you’re in luck! The Japan ‘ski experience’ would not be complete without the sounds of J-Pop pumping through the speakers as you carve the slopes. Songs like Wham’s “Last Christmas” will be pumping from 8am – 5pm, (the normal operating hours of the lifts), and may be a reason to make sure you pack the iPod before you leave, if hearing George Michaels’ vocals aren’t your thing!
Well, that’s the snow industry in a small, bite-sized snack. In my next article I’ll give you my top 5 reasons why a Japan snow trip is a must.
Posted by Jordy Heis on December 3rd, 2009 in Japan
Jordy Heis @skiresortsjapan
I’m Jordy Heis and I write insider tips and use my local resort knowledge to help you get the most out of your snow trip to Japan, specialising in The Hakuba Valley. During the day I work at Liquid Snow Tours, while at night I dream of fresh lines and blue birds.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Lynn Neil at South America Snow Sessions (SASS) 2009
Lynn Neil at South America Snow Sessions (SASS) 2009
July 31, 2009 — Neiva Snowboards
pro team rider: Lynn Neil
photographer: Ben Girardi
location: Argentina – South America Snow Sessions 2009 http://www.sasnowsessions.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Winter Base Layers
Winter Base Layers
November 19, 2009
I’m not sure exactly when humble “long underwear” became “next-to-skin technical base layers.” But somewhere over the past decade designers in the outdoors industry switched up the nomenclature and cut words like “skivvies” and “long johns” out of the conversation.
It was an apt decision, however, and not just a marketing ploy. Indeed, the tight-fitting tops and tights outdoors people wear against their skin have seen serious innovation in recent years. Here are three new and impressive base-layer tops I have been testing against my skin on hikes and runs as of late.
GoLite DriMove BL-2 Longsleeve Zip — It may sound improbable, but this top employs a fabric that has volcanic minerals embedded in its threads. Called Cocona Minerale, the natural lava rock ingredient is touted to increase wicking, protect from UV sunrays, and add odor control.
GoLite DriMove BL-2 Longsleeve Zip
In my tests, the Longsleeve Zip worked alone as a top for hiking and trail running on cool days, breathing well for hours at a time outside. The fabric, which has a heavy, textured weave, dries relatively fast once soaked with sweat.
Layered under a fleece top and a shell jacket, the Longsleeve Zip has functioned for me as a foundational piece to aid in comfort, warmth and breathability. Its fabric is slightly thicker than the Helly Hansen and Mammut tops reviewed below, making it warmer but not detracting from its wicking ability.
Bonus: Because Minerale is embedded in the fabric, it won’t wash off or wear out like other treatments might. $55, www.golite.com
Helly Hansen One — Mother Nature and engineering labs both had a hand in the creation of the Helly Hansen HH One base layers, which are touted to embody characteristics heretofore found only on polar bears. The company cites its fabric as having hollow fibers that mimic bear fur and help retain heat as well as move moisture when you sweat.
Helly Hansen One Top
For me, the Stripe Crew Graphic top, which employs a thin sheen of polypropylene for its face fabric, proved to be breathable but still warm enough to be worn alone on a cool autumn hike. Or the top can be a part of a cold-weather kit when worn under an insulating top and a jacket. It is a skin-tight top and comes in several funky styles, including a camouflage motif.
According to the company, the modified “bear fur” technology maintains optimum body temperature for “all-day comfort.” Indeed, in my tests across a spectrum of temperatures, the Stripe Crew proved versatile and did not disappoint. $45, www.hellyhansen.com
Mammut Alpine Underwear — The Zip Longsleeve, a piece from Mammut’s “alpine underwear” line, employs polyester and merino wool in a body-mapped pattern that insulates in critical areas and breathes and wicks moisture in other spots. The back is a thin fabric made to better handle sweat. A turtleneck zips high and provides a double-thick fabric for warmth.
Mammut Alpine Underwear
The top’s arms are a crisscrossing pattern of seams and swaths that mimic anatomical movement. The fabric has antimicrobial features to avoid odor buildup, letting you go several days between washings. As a bonus, the svelte lines and cuts on this top double for style points — Mammut’s alpine underwear can be worn alone with no issue in public for an edgy, technical look. $80, www.mammut.ch
—Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.
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