Steep and Deep: The Snow Skiing/Boarding Thread

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Also, how long will the tight pants thing be held over my head?

Probably only 10-20 more years.

Epic snowfall the last two days, over 30 inches with more on the way.

[cougjunkie]

Probably only 10-20 more years.

Epic snowfall the last two days, over 30 inches with more on the way.

Wait 1337 is a skinny jeans guy? Yikes.

[falafel]

Wait 1337 is a skinny jeans guy? Yikes.

Next you'll be telling us you didn't know wuap had a thing for DDD.

[BigPiney]

Went up to Mammoth yesterday with the school PE program. Had only 2 kids in the advanced boarding group I was teaching so we took the gondola up to the top, did some long runs and then spent a bunch of time in the parks. While we were hanging out in one of the smallest parks, down comes this guy in black pants and a leather jacket with really long hair. We thought it may be a girl at first but then we heard him yell as he went off a jump and missed tapping the top of one of the obstacles. We looked at each other and said, "I think that was Shaun White".

Turns out it was. We saw him a few runs later in a different part of the mountain and my students got a picture with him and an autograph. He was very gracious. He is not a very big guy at all. If I had to guess, I would say 5 ' 7" 160.

[RC Vikings]

Went up to Mammoth yesterday with the school PE program. Had only 2 kids in the advanced boarding group I was teaching so we took the gondola up to the top, did some long runs and then spent a bunch of time in the parks. While we were hanging out in one of the smallest parks, down comes this guy in black pants and a leather jacket with really long hair. We thought it may be a girl at first but then we heard him yell as he went off a jump and missed tapping the top of one of the obstacles. We looked at each other and said, "I think that was Shaun White".

Turns out it was. We saw him a few runs later in a different part of the mountain and my students got a picture with him and an autograph. He was very gracious. He is not a very big guy at all. If I had to guess, I would say 5 ' 7" 160.

Did you show him up with some mad skills of your own?

[TripletDaddy]

Went up to Mammoth yesterday with the school PE program. Had only 2 kids in the advanced boarding group I was teaching so we took the gondola up to the top, did some long runs and then spent a bunch of time in the parks. While we were hanging out in one of the smallest parks, down comes this guy in black pants and a leather jacket with really long hair. We thought it may be a girl at first but then we heard him yell as he went off a jump and missed tapping the top of one of the obstacles. We looked at each other and said, "I think that was Shaun White".

Turns out it was. We saw him a few runs later in a different part of the mountain and my students got a picture with him and an autograph. He was very gracious. He is not a very big guy at all. If I had to guess, I would say 5 ' 7" 160.

My wife and I saw him over thanksgiving in LA. Dude is tiny. Really short.

I'm going to Brighton tomorrow for a morning half day. This will be the third time to Brighton this season. I think it is time for some new terrain. Supposed to be very sunny tomorrow.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I'm going to Brighton tomorrow for a morning half day. This will be the third time to Brighton this season. I think it is time for some new terrain. Supposed to be very sunny tomorrow.

Have you ridden the Milly Express side much? I haven't been to Brighton since the quad was put in over there. A lot of the best stuff used to be on that side and since most hated riding the old Milly double chair there was almost always fresh track to be found.

I miss Brighton.

[Surfah]

Have you ridden the Milly Express side much? I haven't been to Brighton since the quad was put in over there. A lot of the best stuff used to be on that side and since most hated riding the old Milly double chair there was almost always fresh track to be found.

I miss Brighton.

I miss Brighton too. Sometimes I go to their website and just look at the webcams. But then I get depressed.

[TripletDaddy]

Have you ridden the Milly Express side much? I haven't been to Brighton since the quad was put in over there. A lot of the best stuff used to be on that side and since most hated riding the old Milly double chair there was almost always fresh track to be found.

I miss Brighton.

I have gone twice by myself, so I was basically on GW and that Snake river chair all day.

I went once with some friends who are more comfortable staying on groomed terrain (I have fun on whatever, I dont care) so we were on some other chair for a bulk. Crest?

I have never bothered with Millie because there is a major flat gap to get there and I never feel like walking across the parking lot. Is it pretty good? Maybe we can check it out tomorrow.

My fave runs off the 3 chairs I somewhat know:

Crest: Wren Hollow...might be my favorite run in the entire park and for some reason, rarely crowded. Starts off with medium sized bumps, then some wooded terrain with POW if you want it...2 great spots for jumps/air (although now for me these are great spots to watch others do jumps), followed by another set of medium sized bumps. Love this run and when the snow is good, I dont think there is a better overall run on the mountain. Might be a nightmare if it is iced over.

GW: Wrangler. This one has many of the same features as Wren Hollow. Unfortunately, GW is a magnet for snowboarders so by mid day, the bumps are all ruined. My guess is that boarders on bumps are about as welcome as skiers in terrain parks. When there is POW, this run is also one of the best. Seems longer than Wren Hollow, but doesnt rank as high because it is not as secluded. Part of it is right under the chair and there is always traffic.

Snake Creek: this chair is mostly a w.a.s.t.e. of time unless you are using it to traverse over to GW. Most of it is groomed cat tracks. I guess it is good for children and whatnot.

I like Brighton. Great resort, great terrain, better priced than other resorts here. One chair passes over some massive tree that is loaded with underwear, bras, mardis gras beads, etc. Kind of funny. Minor complaints: the high speed quads arent very high speed. Also, GW seems to close too much because of the wind. This isnt really Birghton's fault, but once that chair shuts down, the mountain becomes very average, so on windy days, you really have to hope that the chair stays open.

I want to get to Mecca (ALTA) at least once this year. Also, we were going to take the Puffy Check to ski school at Brighton but PCMR is running a sweet deal for first timers....3 hour ski class for $25, up to 5 times. SO my kids will get 15 hours of ski class for $125. That is a fantastic deal. And I love PCMR so I wont mind that at all. Deal runs through April. March is going to be a lot of spring skiing for us. Cant wait.

[Commando]

I've got a couple of Snowbird passes, but Jimmer has cock blocked me on a number of Saturdays... I'll get up there soon. For those that have gone this year, how's it been?

[SuperGabers]

Next time ya'll are on Millie and you ski down "Perri's Bowl" take a pic of the sign for me. It was named after my late grandfather. Brighton is a sacred and special place for my family.

In fact, if you go to "General Info" on Brighton's website, to the right is their media gallery. If you click on that and then click on "History" you will get a line of pics. Go through the pics, and the one with the liftee smoking a pipe, helping the lady on, is my grandpa.

[Portland Ute]

I love Brighton.

I know a lot of people here board, but I have to give a shout out to Alta.

I don't know how many of you know, but Alta opens up their sunnyside lift to ANYONE for free at 3 o'clock. Gratis. Nada.

I think it's awesome.

I was up there yesterday with my 8 and 5 year old. They already know how to ski fairly well, not experts, but I'm no longer killing my back and quads trying to teach them.

Anyway, as I was riding up the lift into beautiful Albion basin on a bluebird day, I couldn't help but feel immensely grateful to the people that run Alta.

The lines were fairly crowded, but they go fast because it's a detachable triple chair. I was struck by the variety of people that were there. All walks of life. Kids, students, middle age, elderly. From the looks of it, some of the folks had very little money, judging by their equipment and ski clothing (and, to be honest, dental situations. ).

It might sound cheesy, but I thought it was pretty inspiring.

I was really touched that there were a lot of people up there for the hour and a half getting the opportunity to carve a few turns that otherwise might never get to ski because of the cost. It was a very happy crowd. A lot of smiles on faces that seemed to be more accustomed to wearing the weight of life's frustrations.

I'll admit that I've always been partial to Alta as it was my dad's favorite place, it's where I learned to ski as a 5 year old and I spent many a great afternoon after a snow fall skiing Catherine's area or just about anywhere off of the Sugarloaf, Germania and Supreme lifts.

I love that place. I don't make it there very often anymore as we generally opt for the closer Snowbasin (20 minute drive instead of an hour) or take the kids to Wolf Mountain. However, having not skied there in years and returning there yesterday for the first time with my sons was very much a spiritual experience for me. Something about that hill just resonates. I feel the days spent with my dad or my friend Jared as I carve my turns.

I hope you'll excuse me for the overly sappy nature of this post, but I had to share. It was the best 1.5 hours I have spent skiing in years. The combination of a heartfelt gratitude to Alta for what they do for the locals, seeing such a cross section of society, skiing with my boys and the memories of runs past was perfection.

Thank you Alta.

[Portland Ute]

I think it's cool that Alta still only allows skiers. I haven't been there in years, though. Do they still have those rickety old chairs? I remember skiing there with my pops in the fifth grade and taking down my first black diamond and riding Sugarloaf on the same day. It was like a coming of age experience. It almost makes me want to start skiing again.

IMO, the best thing about Alta's policy is that it may very well be the last ski hill on earth that has moguls with perfect lines.

A great mogul run is a thing of the past at any other resort.

There used to be some great mogul runs off the top at Targhee, but they are butchered.

Because there aren't any more good mogul runs at most resorts, I either ski the powder if it's fresh and in good shape or I stick to the groomers. I find nothing enjoyable about skiing the "bumps" that are now so prevalent on ski hills.

[Surfah]

I know a lot of people here board, but I have to give a shout out to Alta.

I don't know how many of you know, but Alta opens up their sunnyside lift to ANYONE for free at 3 o'clock. Gratis. Nada.

I think it's awesome.

I was up there yesterday with my 8 and 5 year old. They already know how to ski fairly well, not experts, but I'm no longer killing my back and quads trying to teach them.

Anyway, as I was riding up the lift into beautiful Albion basin on a bluebird day, I couldn't help but feel immensely grateful to the people that run Alta.

The lines were fairly crowded, but they go fast because it's a detachable triple chair. I was struck by the variety of people that were there. All walks of life. Kids, students, middle age, elderly. From the looks of it, some of the folks had very little money, judging by their equipment and ski clothing (and, to be honest, dental situations. ).

It might sound cheesy, but I thought it was pretty inspiring.

I was really touched that there were a lot of people up there for the hour and a half getting the opportunity to carve a few turns that otherwise might never get to ski because of the cost. It was a very happy crowd. A lot of smiles on faces that seemed to be more accustomed to wearing the weight of life's frustrations.

I'll admit that I've always been partial to Alta as it was my dad's favorite place, it's where I learned to ski as a 5 year old and I spent many a great afternoon after a snow fall skiing Catherine's area or just about anywhere off of the Sugarloaf, Germania and Supreme lifts.

I love that place. I don't make it there very often anymore as we generally opt for the closer Snowbasin (20 minute drive instead of an hour) or take the kids to Wolf Mountain. However, having not skied there in years and returning there yesterday for the first time with my sons was very much a spiritual experience for me. Something about that hill just resonates. I feel the days spent with my dad or my friend Jared as I carve my turns.

I hope you'll excuse me for the overly sappy nature of this post, but I had to share. It was the best 1.5 hours I have spent skiing in years. The combination of a heartfelt gratitude to Alta for what they do for the locals, seeing such a cross section of society, skiing with my boys and the memories of runs past was perfection.

Thank you Alta.

Actually I think most people here ski. I think I am one of the few snowboarders. One of my dreams is to board Alta.

[YOUTUBE]3ImOOS29CGM[/YOUTUBE]

[TripletDaddy]

A pic at the top of GW, looking at the back side of the resort. It was a beautiful day.



This one is for SuperGabers. We actually spent the second half of the day over at Millies. Was glad I made the effort. It is a fun chair and not very crowded given that you have to traverse over.

FYI, perris bowl does not have it's own sign. This cluster of signs is the only thing marking it. I skied it for you, too! It isn't really a bowl, though and it is quite short, but anything to help a sista out