Priceless The Skiing Life Skin Tracks Flick Picks Shangri

Priceless
The Skiing Life
Skin Tracks
Flick Picks
Shangri-La
Packs
and more
Issue XXVII
December 2005
2 Off-Piste December 2005
Off-Piste
FEATURES
Volume VII - Issue XXVII
Publisher/Editor
David Waag
Contributing Writers
Michael Becker, Garry Dagg, Larry
Goldie, Steve Hindman, Nils Larsen,
Jimmy Peterson, David Waag
Contributing Photographers/Artists
Ian Coble, Chad Coleman, Karen Holt,
Jason Laramie, David L., Jimmy Peterson
David Waag, Will Wissman,
Web Slave
Karen Holt
Printing & Distribution
Oregon Litho, McMinnville, OR
Off-Piste
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THE SKIING LIFE 8
ANECDOTES, INSPIRATION, AND TALES OF THE SKIING LIFE
C
SKI TOURING IN SHANGRI-LA 10
O
THE ROOTS OF SKIING II 16
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The opinions expressed in Off-Piste do
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are dangerous. No part of Off-Piste may
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Free Heel Press.
A LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF SKIS - NILS LARSEN
PACK REVIEW 18
SMALL SKI PACKS FOR LIFT SERVE BACKCOUNTRY AND MORE
E
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EXPLORING INDIA’S SANGLA VALLEY - JIMMY PETERSON
S
DEPARTMENTS
WHAT’S UP
6
LETTERS
6
SKI NEWS AND MORE
READER INPUT
GALLERY
12
BACKCOUNTRY BETA
14
FLICK PICKS
22
WORDS & IMAGES
THE ART OF THE SKIN TRACK - LARRY GOLDIE
OPINIONS OF SKI FILMS
Warning: Backcountry skiing, boarding, and
climbing are inherently dangerous. The
information in Off-Piste is no substitute
for experience or sound judgement;
be careful out there.
Cover:
Skier: Dom Malmo
Location: The Wasatch
Photo: Will Wissman
THE BONESAW. IT CUTS EVERYTHING BUT CORNERS.
We stopped at nothing to make the perfect snow saw. We looked at everything on the market,
spent hours querying snow science professionals, and then put it all into a clean, simple
design. The result is brilliant! With its continual stainless steel design and insulated rubber
handle, it’s light enough to pack anywhere and tough enough to cut through virtually anything
not made of rock. The Bonesaw from G3. Expect more from cutting edge simplicity.
G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc.
1.866.924.9048
www.genuineguidegear.com
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 3
4 Off-Piste December 2005
FIRST
TRACKS
Just a few weeks ago I was happily riding my bike,
enjoying the fall colors and the Indian summer sunshine.
That all changed on November 5th following a three day cycle that blanketed
the cascades with four to six feet of snow; more or less instant winter.
Not being one who enjoys second hand snow reports, I could not resist the urge to head up and
‘just poke around’. I had no expectations, after all, the mountain biking is great this time of year. I simply
felt obligated to get a firsthand report of the conditions for my friends who could not drop everything and head up.
Although I was physically prepared for winter (ski gear, clothes, goggles, etc), I was not psychologically prepared for
what was about to happen. As I drove up the road, rain turned to snow, snow banks grew larger, and soon I was immersed
in a full scale winter storm the likes of which we never really experienced here last year. The type of storm that is measured in
feet not inches, the type of storm that NW skiers long for.
When I stepped from my truck and geared up for the tour something snapped, a switch in my head flipped on, it was winter and I
did not realize how much I needed it. All I wanted to do was immerse myself in the storm. I skied that day with the enthusiasm of
a young child on Christmas morning. And all I have been able to think about since is when can I go again, when is the next cycle
going to happen. Maybe it is because last year offered so dismal a snow season in our part of the world, maybe it is because skiing
was hardly on the radar screen for me at the time. The weather warmed after that first cycle (as it will in the NW) but it has come
back in force. I have been out multiple times since that wonderful first day. Yesterday was so good, we did not get back to the car
until after dark and almost spent more time at the car when my buddy could not find his keys, but that is a different story.
Here’s to winter . . .
Cheers,
Dave
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 5
SKI NEWS
LETTERS
WHAT’S UP
SKI NEWS
EXPRESS YOURSELF
VILLAGE AT WOLF CREEK SETBACK
Dave,
I attended the Journey to the Source presentation
about your trip to China in Seattle. Your group
deserves high marks for your presentation. The mix
of video and still images created a great movie.
In this world of ego driven ski films and ski
magazines for that matter, your trip to the Altai
was a refreshing change as is Off-Piste.
Thanks for taking on both projects!
Cheers,
Steve Green
Washington
Dave,
Wow, Thank you so much for sharing your journey
and experiences in China. Your presentation (with
Nils and Naheed) was amazing. A very welcome change
from the typical “dig-me” hedonistic ski films that
we are so accustomed to. Travel for the sake of
cultural exploration, recording, and preservation
is commendable. What you have done is so much more
than a ski film. Thanks too for the inspiration
of Off-Piste mag.
Erica Nelson
Washington
As usual the arrival of the first issue of OffPiste each year helps energize me for the season.
It helped too that this year it started snowing
shortly after the first issue arrived! Off-Piste
was a bright spot in an otherwise rough season
in the northwest
last year. The mountains are
already off to a better start than last year. In
enjoyed your use of color on the cover and the few
inside pages in the first issue. Is this a sign
of things to come?
JR Knight
Oregon
A sign of things to come? Well, no big changes are
in the works but we are experimenting with some
spot color. Let us know what you think.
Dave
The proposed development adjacent to Colorado’s Wolf Creek
Ski area experienced a setback in October when a State District
Court Judge overturned a key decision by Mineral County that had
overlooked key zoning issues central to the development plan.
The Judge ruled that Mineral County’s “decision to abandon a
requirement for meaningful year round access was arbitrary and
capricious”, and that they “misconstrued the state statute and the
Mineral County Subdivision Regulations”.
Although this decision is not a show stopper for the proposed village
at Wolf Creek, it does force the developers to gain approval from
the Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT) before re-seeking approval from the Mineral County
Commission. Approval from the Forest Service and CDOT do not
come easy and given the projected environmental and traffic impacts,
the process will be long.
The focus is now on the Forest Service’s forthcoming decision and
final environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding under what,
if any, conditions they should grant the access requested by the
developers. The final EIS is not expected until early 2006.
NEW ASPEN COLORADO AVY CENTER
A new avalanche forecasting center that serves Colorado’s Roaring
Fork Valley is up and running this winter.
The nonprofit Roaring Fork Avalanche Center was created by a group
of avalanche professionals from Aspen. The center was spearheaded
by Jimmy Newman, Brian McCall, and Lance Larry, all veteran Aspen
Highlands patrollers.
Given increased backcountry users in the area, the trio saw a need
for forecasts and reports specific to the Roaring Fork area. The center
is based on the same model as used by Crested Butte Avalanche
Center; the local center is affiliated with the U.S. Forest Service office
in Aspen and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. www.
rfavalanche.org
FONWAC UPDATE
The Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center’s (NWAC)
goals are to help ensure reliable funding for NWAC and to conduct
educational outreach about avalanche safety. Last season (the season
we hope to forget), the Friends introduced a new website featuring the
new “Snowpack Information Exchange”, a place to post and read first
hand accounts of conditions around the northwest. The information
exchange is meant to be used in conjunction with the NWAC report
for specific destination information. In addition, the NWAC forecasters
are using the information to supplement their data gathering. Please
take the time to submit a report about the conditions you find in the
field. The new site also offers members of FONWAC automatic email
updates of avalanche reports and forecasts.
After an unusually high number of avalanche fatalities in Washington
in 2003/04 (seven), only two fatalities occurred in 2004/05 through
June, 2005. While any fatalities are too many, it is encouraging to see
that the Northwest fatality total has not increased significantly over
the past 30 years. In fact, the five year running mean of avalanche
fatalities in the Northwest are running about a fatality less than they
were in the early 1980’s, a time when skiers were venturing beyond the
boundaries of developed areas and into the backcountry in far fewer
numbers than today. Overall, the 26 avalanche fatalities nationwide
(and 32 in North America, with six in BC) during the 04/05 season
are slightly less than the 5-year running total of about 29 deaths per
year in the USA.
Mt. Hood shows its face between storm cycles
6 Off-Piste December 2005
Off-Piste Photo
Every year the NWAC struggles to find funding to sustain operations
for the entire season, and government funding is continually harder
and harder to acquire. With a season like last year’s it’s going to be
difficult to convince those in Olympia and DC that NWAC warrants
funding. The Friends of NWAC is a 501©3 non-profit organization
and is staffed by a board of volunteers. All of the money they raise
goes toward helping NWAC or producing educational materials. On
this front, “The Friends” is seeking volunteers with experience in
lobbying for government funds and experience in private sector fund
raising. If you don’t have the time to volunteer, just your contribution
WHAT’S UP
as a member helps the Friends make a strong case in Olympia and
DC. If we don’t act now to keep the NWAC fully funded we risk losing
it all together.
Let’s all hope that this coming season brings much more snow to the
northwest, that daily visits to the NWAC website are for the purposes
of monitoring the great conditions, not lamenting a dismal situation,
and that the NWAC continues to find funding to stay fully operational.
To learn more about the Friends or become a member and support
their efforts, check out www.avalanchenw.org.
CAA ONLINE AVALANCHE COURSE
The Canadian Avalanche Association has put together an innovative
and interactive avalanche safety exercise on the internet. Called
the Avalanche First Responder Course, the exercise is an excellent
resource for backcountry users. The seven module program, allows
you to work through the basics of avalanche safety in an interactive
computer course. Certainly not a replacement for traditional avalanche
safety education, the course is an excellent resource for anyone
looking to learn more or test their existing knowledge.
The interactive demo includes video presentations, question
answer scenarios, a glossary of terminology, check lists, and actual
case studies. It is a very well written and presented. Utilizing flash
technology and an extremely well designed site, the course is a must
for skiers of any level. You are bound to learn something or be pushed
to answer difficult questions regarding your own level of knowledge
and preparedness both physically and psychologically for all aspects
of an avalanche scenario from group selection, to route selection, to
victim recovery.
Take some time and visit the site. It begins with a fun quiz to test
your basic knowledge and then walks through every aspect of a
backcountry trip. Visit www.avalanche.ca and look for the Avalanche
First Responder Course under Training or go directly here http://
photo: Shawn Morris
skier: Silas Patterson
access.jibc.bc.ca/avalancheFirstResponse/index.htm
ice creek lodge dot com
Backcountry skitouring and
snowboarding in beautiful British Columbia.
250 355 2647
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 7
reality I have been threatened with for years. Knowledge, authenticity,
balance, reason. Skiing has always given me the first three, but I’ve
never been able to make it sound logical, reasonable.
The panel of six want reasons. They want to know what I think of the
real world, what qualities I’ll bring to their workforce, how my being can
raise their profits. Thankfully my back is to the window so I can’t see
the snowstorm outside, but a couple of times I hear it. It’s a hundred
degrees and there’s a snowstorm calling me. I get through the interview
and wonder how it went. The rest of my life waits for one phone call.
The call came yesterday and it was negative. All I could hear was the
storm.
A Close Call originally appeared on aspectjournal.com
Hawaii in February
Illustration by David L.
A Close Call
by Gary Dagg
The windsor knot slips into my neck like an express train jumping its
tracks. As my hand tightens around it, jostling it into position right in line
with that top button, I feel I’m administering a lifetime sedative.
December, the month that means only one thing. Snow and steeps.
Swinging the blazer around my shoulders I look out at the glare I’m
about to step into. The thermometer has just tipped a hundred for the
third time this month, and inside my car it feels closer to two hundred.
After years in the Alps I’m back in Australia, skis in the cupboard and a
future requiring shades.
by Steve Hindman
My seatmate’s shirt is decorated with palm trees that have golf clubs for
trunks. Legs that have not seen the sun for far too long protrude from
his shorts. The flight attendants have flowers in their hair. My head feels
fuzzy.
Suddenly, it all falls together for me — I’ve been drugged, kidnapped,
and placed on a plane to Hawaii in the middle of the winter! Help! You
can lie on the beach all summer long but you can only ski in the winter.
Go to Hawaii in February? Never!
Pressing my face to the plexiglas portal, I watch miles of ocean go by
in the vain hope that we’re flying to Oslo and the coast of Norway will
soon come into view. My worst fears are confirmed as I spot Honolulu
draped greedily across the dirty little jewel of Oahu.
I drive to the interview listening to AM radio. It feels like my life’s random
dodgem car happenings have all led up to this moment. Knowledge,
authenticity, balance, reason. I have fifteen minutes in front of a panel of
six to exhibit these qualities. Outside, even though it’s baking the tarmac,
snowflakes fall. I see them drop gently through the mirage shimmering
on the road. I feel my feet moving through them.
In the airport, my family intercepts me at the Alaska Airlines counter
before I can book a flight to Valdez. They put me on the connector
flight and I’m on my way to the big island. We drop out of the sky onto
a bed of lava, exit through the tail of the jet onto the tarmac, and walk
towards terminal.
The suburban streets are a long way from the pow at any time, but now
they seem in another lifetime. I get the job, I get the ticket in. The foot
in the door. The conveyor belt up. Trouble is, the conveyor belt is a
decade in action. A decade of heat and flats.
The terminal has no walls. Nobody wears long pants. We get to our
house on the beach and there is no glass in the windows – only screens.
The entire wall beside our bed is open to the lanai and there is nothing
between the lanai and the crashing surf except for a few palm trees and
a beautiful low wall of stacked lava rocks.
On paper, the job should be mine. It is a lifelong dream, writing for a
bigshot paper. As I enter the building, the inanity of cubicle life sweeps
over me. Kitsch Christmas decorations hang flaccidly over the lift. I look
back out to the carpark. My car drowning under a snowdrift.
The bing of the lift snaps me back to reality. And this is reality. This is the
8 Off-Piste December 2005
I put on the shorts and Hawaiian shirt that I find in my luggage and go
out and stand in the surf. I think about all the winters that I’ve spent
skiing in the cold, snowy mountains. In the morning, I cut up mangoes
from the yard into my bowl of Grape–Nuts and leaf through the paper,
looking at the help wanted and real estate ads. Winter? Skiing? Been
there. Done that.
Over the next few years, gear got a
lot better and I followed close behind.
My lift experience continued to be
justified through a number of outlets.
Night skiing became a regular event.
Although headlamps have gotten brighter,
backcountry in the dark is just not the
same. The occasional work “hooky”
day came into play, and every once in
a while, “because it wasn’t safe in the
backcountry” I even ventured the lifts on
a weekend. This brings us back to last fall.
I had taken an extra job over the summer
and made a bit of extra cash. This was it.
I was finally going to buy my very own ski
pass. I had it all planned out. First chair
each morning, fresh tracks through the
bowls, and then I was out of there before
the bumblees showed up. I would have
the ability to pick and choose only the
best times and conditions. It was going
to be perfect.
The Curse of the Pass
By Michael Becker
Last year I bought my first season pass ever. I am unsure if there is any
direct correlation between last years lack of winter in the NW and my
decision to buy a pass but I am willing to take responsibility and make
amends this season. Early in my Nordic career I eschewed lifts as
“cheating”, hiking for all my turns with my Karhu XCD’s. My first pair of
“skins” was made out of my mom’s clothesline tied in knots and a roll
of duct tape. But as most zealots eventually do, I came to see that there
are values one must look deeper to find. Grey areas that may result in
choking on a few feathers. My first experience with the lifts came after
gaining employment at a shop that provided passes for employees to
share. Seeing as I had not purchased the pass, and it was being wasted
if I did not put it to use, it only seemed reasonable to put it to use. I must
admit that during those first seasons of “gravity aid” I went from a Nordic
pole “Mooser” (if this historic term doesn’t ring a bell, picture a telemark
turn on long skinny skis and floppy leather boots with Nordic length
poles) to a reasonably proficient fall line skier. Life was good.
Well, as you can probably guess, it didn’t
work out like that. Aside from the fact that winter kind of skipped the Pacific
Northwest last year, it just wasn’t all it was supposed to be. It was kind of
like finding out your beautiful, pearly-white, chaste, homecoming-queen
girlfriend is really an anorexic, psycho that sleeps around with the band.
The idea that this pass would be my ticket to happiness left me in the
lurch. Although the lifts had made me a better skier and offered some
great days of fun, they were only practice and preparation for the real
event of skiing the backcountry. The pass became a kind of curse that
changed my skiing experience. Although it was self imposed pressures,
as the worst ones usually are, I felt some strange compulsion to continue
the quest for the experience I was hoping for. My final conclusion,
however, was - and not for the first time in my life - I was looking in the
wrong place.
My years have taught me to “never say never”, so I won’t even go there,
but this season my lift time will be kept to a minimum. This probably
won’t be featured on Letterman, but nonetheless, here are my top five
reasons to avoid buying a pass.
continued on page 21
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 9
Photo:Jimmy Peterson
P
api Tuomala and I met up in the Delhi airport at 3:00 a.m. in late
March. We arrived with the common knowledge that we both love
mountains and skiing, and that we ought not have too much trouble
finding either one here in India. This was, admittedly, not much of an
itinerary, but it was enough to get us to head north toward the Himalayas.
Our destination was vague, but we
felt certain that we would recognize
our goal when we found it. We
spoke with fellow travelers along
our way, enriching our knowledge
through the experiences of others,
and allowing a level of chaotic
spontaneity to rule our plans.
above the Satluj River for a good portion of the way between Simla and
Sangla. The road makes even the worst roller coaster in the world seem
like a walk in the park.
The “highway” often bore more of a resemblance to a trekking path,
as much of it was etched into
the sheer granite walls of the
Himalayas. We gasped, gaped,
oohed, and aahed, as Ducha,
our driver, calmly drove with one
hand on the steering wheel and
the other on the horn for much of
the next two days.
The road itself was enough to
keep the going slow most of the
time, but we had also begun our
journey on an Indian holiday
called the Day of the Colors, a
fact that slowed our progress
even more. The Day of the Colors
is a religious festival, but a rather
raucous one. On this particular
occasion, people assault their
friends, acquaintances, and even
strangers, smearing their victim’s
with various colors of powdered
dye. In our case, in almost every
village, our jeep was surrounded by
groups of marauding celebrators,
who would not let us pass until we
had exchanged obligatory smears
of color.
A friend and experienced skier
in Manali, Roddy McKenzie,
mentioned the Sangla Valley,
describing it as an isolated and
seldom visited enclave of villages
deep in the Kinnaur district near the
Tibetan border. “The mountains
are stunning”, he said. “There is
some excellent touring terrain, and
best of all, you can finish a day
of touring by staying the night in
small mountain villages, the likes of
which you have never before seen.
With beautiful and friendly people,
it is a little paradise.”
We gleaned as much information
from Roddy as possible, thanked
him, and set out to arrange
organize our trip. It took a day or
two to organize a Jeep and driver,
supplies, and an all purpose helper
who could act as a cook and
translator. The next morning, we
were ready to embark.
Some genius once said, “Getting
there is half the fun.” Had he been
in India, he might well have added,
“...and takes up three-quarters of
the time.” Four-fifths of the time
might be even more accurate.
On our map, the distance from
Simla, in the foothills of the
Himalayas, to the Sangla Valley
did not really look to be so far.
The Hindustan-Tibet Highway,
however, bares no similarity to
any other highway in the world.
“Highway”, in fact, is a misnomer
for this narrow road that weaves
precariously 500-700 meters
10 Off-Piste December 2005
Photo: Jimmy Peterson
Some genius once said, “Getting there
is half the fun.” Had he been in India,
he might well have added, “...and takes
up three-quarters of the time.”
Late on the second day of
our journey, with nightfall fast
approaching, Ducha swung off
the “highway” onto a dirt road,
the entry to the Sangla Valley. This
road was every bit as precarious
as the “highway”, only it was dirt
and even narrower. With a full
moon rising over the Himalayas,
we arrived in the village of Sangla
(2680 m) and set up camp while
Kurmu, our cook, prepared our
evening ration of vegetable curry,
dal, and rice. The curved rooftops
of the homes had a distinctive
Oriental look about them, and
the scene appeared surreal in the
glow of the full moon.
The following morning, we drove
14 kilometers to 3050 meters
where the snow line met the road.
Here we exchanged our jeep for
Photo: David Waag
Photo: Karen Holt
our skis and skins, and skinned
the last 10 kilometers of road to the
village of Chitkul (3450 m).
works in mysterious ways and the
powers that be opened the Sangla
Valley in the early ‘90s.
It is unlikely that James Hilton ever
visited Chitkul prior to describing
the paradise of Shangri-la in his
book, Lost Horizon. For many
years, the Sangla Valley was off
limits to foreign visitors as it was
considered a sensitive zone given
its proximity to the Chinese (Tibetan)
border. As if the protective walls of
the Himalayas were not enough
to keep this isolated mountain
culture insulated from the evil
influences of the outside world,
the Indian government further
protected the area from outside
influence by restricting access.
Indian bureaucracy, however,
It was late afternoon as we entered
Chitkul, and the low sun, which,
over scores of years has etched
a ruddy reddish brown color into
the wood of the local houses,
now illuminated those houses
handsomely. At the end of the
valley, a Matterhorn-shaped peak
towered over the village from a
perch of well over 6,000 meters.
The paths between the houses
were narrow and muddy from the
spring thaw, and the local people
greeted us with the same warmth
as the afternoon sun.
The nightlife was rather sparse in
As if the protective walls of the Himalayas
were not enough to keep this isolated
mountain culture insulated from the
evil influences of the outside world, the
Indian government further protected the
area from outside influence by restricting
access. Indian bureaucracy, however,
works in mysterious ways and the
powers that be opened the Sangla Valley
in the early ‘90s.
Chitkul, so early to bed and early
to rise was our mantra. Come
morning, we crossed a bridge over
the Baspa River, and began our tour
up a side valley. Our path wound
along a small creek for part of the
morning. The north faces offered
powder, while some of the other
exposures had transformed into
corn snow. As the valley began to
widen, we chose a destination for
the day’s ski.
We paused for a short lunch, a
long drink, and a little meditation.
I thought of various ski tours I had
done in the past, but never had I
sat with the absolute certainty that
no other human being would cross
my path that day. A snow leopard
or even a yeti would have been
a more likely visitor than another
person. True solitude, it is a unique
feeling, and really, what touring is
all about.
Lunch and meditation behind us,
we stepped into our bindings, and
one at a time, carved a track into
the Himalayan powder. Through the
years, I have cut many turns into
all varieties of snow, and yet, each
turn this day seemed very special.
We were breaking new ground virgin territory. Sure, Roddy and a
few others had toured in this area,
but I reckon that we were the first
humans to ski on this small piece
of paradise. I became carried away
with an uplifting sensation. I felt
inconsequential, dwarfed by the
sea of mountains around me, yet
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Issue XXVII Off-Piste 11
G
A
L
L
E
R
Y
Skier: Glen Wade, Location: The Cascades, Photo: Ian Coble
Anything you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
- David Brower
12 Off-Piste December 2005
When the going gets wierd,
the wierd turn pro.
- Hunter S. Thompson
Skier: JD Thompson, Location: Sergeants Mt, ID, Photo: Chad Coleman
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 13
Backcountry Beta
F
irst, there was the epiphany. It was a deep day; sixteen inches of new
and still snowing. The hookup began as many do, spontaneously
meeting at the trailhead with the same objective in mind. I was with
my two most regular ski partners and we met up with a local hardman with
a reputation for being super strong and putting in really steep uptracks.
I took the first shift breaking trail and it didn’t take long until I was ready
to hand it over to the next in line. We had agreed that the most efficient
method would be to take short shifts out front so we could maintain a
solid, steady pace.
tend to reopen an old track rather than start fresh. Thus, regardless of the
quality of given track, it often sticks around for a long time. With this in
mind, it really pays to do it right the first time.
Now, to be fair, if a track is too low angle, there will be wasted energy in
the extra distance traveled. Think about hiking trails you have been on.
When they are too steep, even a relatively short trail can take it out of you.
Conversely, an old horse trail that never exceeds a 10 % grade takes forever
to gain any elevation and almost begs you to cut switchbacks. The happy
medium is the trail that allows the miles and vertical to pass by unnoticed.
This is our goal on skis as well. Start with an angle that feels like you are
Hardman took over next and swung his skis straight up into the fall line. It
wasn’t too steep here, so we all followed. Gradually, the track got steeper
climbing, but not so steeply that you feel a strain in your legs. Keep in mind
that the track will provide less grip with each skier that climbs it, so if you
and steeper. To his credit, even breaking trail, Hardman started to pull away
from us. Not to be outdone, we kicked it in and worked harder. Conversation
plan to take multiple runs this is all the more important. Next, avoid using
stopped, breathing increased, poles
your heel lifters. I know this is a shock to
strained under the load, and still Hardman
many of you and you will probably stop
Given the fact that 80% of the average ski
reading right here, but for those of you who
pulled away. Soon the cursing began,
tour is climbing up, shouldn’t this part be fun? do continue reading, it is actually more
usually just after one of us started to slip
backward in the track. Finally, when all of
efficient to tour without the lifters up. Your
stride length will increase without the lifter
us began slipping, we decided to break
and therefore creates a more efficient movement. As the track becomes
our own trail. Taking turns kicking in a lower angle track, we were soon
talking, laughing and generally enjoying our ski tour again. The tension
slicker with use, you can raise your lifters and still climb it with ease.
we had been holding in our backs and arms began to diminish as we got
into the groove of working with the terrain instead of fighting it. Finally, as
There is an old adage in mountain guiding, “The best decision is the one
we approached the top of the ridge, there was Hardman – we had caught
that keeps the most options open”. This is true in track setting as well.
him! It was one of the few moments of clarity I have experienced in my life.
Look for terrain that allows you to travel where you want and turn where
I realized that not only was an artful, aesthetic uptrack more enjoyable to
you want, as opposed to forcing you into steep, tight terrain where you
tour on, but it was actually faster! Given the fact that 80% of the average
need to resort to the dreaded kickturn. While the kickturn is unquestionably
ski tour is climbing up, shouldn’t this part be fun?
a crucial tool that every skier should master, they should only be applied
when absolutely necessary. Choosing terrain that will allow you to walk
From that day on, I began an extended study of uptracks. I made it a personal
around a turn is not only more efficient, it eliminates the backup of skiers
challenge to eliminate kickturns from my trail breaking and to improve
waiting at the kickturns for people in front of them.
existing tracks with well
placed edits to improve
Micro route finding
the track’s efficiency. The
techniques such as finding
game became seeing how
small benches in the
little energy I could use to
terrain or flat areas around
get up the hill. In doing
trees to change directions
so, my uptracks evolved
helps to keep a nice flow
from mere pathways up
going as well as minimizes
the mountain to eloquent,
your efforts. When you
artful tours that require a
are forced into making a
minimum of energy, follow
kickturn, there are several
a safe route, and give
tricks that make them
me enough information
easier for everyone. First,
about the snowpack to
look for soft snow to make
determine where the best
your kickturn (hopefully
skiing will be found. Keep
this is abundant and can’t
in mind that your uptrack
be avoided). Try to flatten
is a legacy that you leave
the track slightly as you
- often for weeks at a time.
enter and exit the turn
People will almost always
and pack a good platform
follow a broken trail rather
on which to execute the
than creating a new one.
turn.
Gaining a ridge, Poor track setting
Gaining a ridge, Good track setting
Even after a snowfall, skiers
14 Off-Piste December 2005
having a steady downhill
Another important
grade if you need to ski
aspect to good
out on your track. Think
track setting is long
about following the lay of
traverses between
the land keeping in mind
changes in direction.
that terrain often repeats
Long traverses are
itself. By this, I mean that
beneficial in many
frequently rock strata lies
ways. First of all, they
at a certain angle, ledges
allow you to cover
or gullies are often spaced
more terrain and see
at regular intervals,
what the snow is like
benches typically slope
on different aspects.
in the same direction,
This critical aspect of a
and the quality of snow is
tour is often lost on the
often consistently better
skier who switchbacks
or safer on a certain
steeply up the fall line.
aspect. Paying attention
While your track must
to these characteristics
follow a safe path
allows you to use them
up the mountain, a
to your advantage.
cunning route avoids
exposure to dangerous
slopes while providing Climbing through varied terrain , Poor track setting Climbing through varied terrain, Good track setting A well set track is artful
in the way it moves your
the opportunity to find
group through the terrain
indicator slopes where
you can conduct on the fly stability tests (see Off-Piste XXV March 2005), with maximum speed and minimum effort. You are creating a travel
thus gaining valuable avalanche information without losing unnecessary corridor that other people will either enjoy or curse you over, sometimes
time on your tour. A well thought out route allows you to spread out in for long periods. I hereby propose a challenge to skiers and track setters
avalanche terrain and regroup in safe areas to discuss conditions and everywhere; try incorporating some of these tools into your next uptrack
make decisions as a group. Finally, by keeping your traverses long, you and see if you don’t use less energy, climb faster, and have more fun. Isn’t
are less likely to have skiers stacked up above one another in the event it time you had an epiphany of you own?
of an avalanche.
When traveling in hilly terrain, contour around rolls as opposed to traveling
up and over them. This allows you to minimize elevation loss, as well as
Larry Goldie, co-owner of North Cascades Mountain Guides, is the guy who
skis as much as we all wish we did. Larry is an IFMGA certified guide.
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Issue XXVII Off-Piste 15
I
snowshoe designs come from North America and they truly are works of
art. Light, fast, and beautifully made, they represent the zenith of traditional
snowshoe technology and are the model on which all modern snowshoes
are based. In Asia and Europe there are snowshoes too, but they are
much more rudimentary, never really advancing forward because of the
There was a time when skis were tools, for hunting, for travel, or just for just advent of skis. These Asian/European snowshoes were used around the
getting around when the snow got too dang deep to walk or ride a horse. farm or in areas that had less frequent snow cover. Skis were inherently
faster and became the tool of
Last issue I wandered around
choice for hunting, longer travel,
the topic of the birth of skis
There are some ski fragments from a or more intense use. Invariably,
– let’s refresh here – something
the cultures that had consistent
that took place near the center
bog in Russia that, according to carbon
snow cover used skis.
of Asia around Lake Baikal and
dating,
are
over
8,000
years
old.
These
the Altai Mountains. From this
show some fairly sophisticated design
Since the Bering Landbridge (the
area, skis traveled with Reindeer
crossing to North America) sank
hunters north and west to Russia,
elements, including a nicely shaped and
beneath the waves about 10,000
Scandinavia, and all of Siberia.
upturned tip and steering ridges on
years ago, we can speculate that
the outside edges of the base. Clearly
skis were not around at the time
Dating something as old as the
skis had been around for a while.
to make that crossing. Perhaps
origin of skis is tricky business
they had been developed in the
and last issue I put the date
core area at the time, but they
around 9,000 to 10,000 years
ago. Here’s why. There are some ski fragments from a bog in Russia had not spread to the coast or at least to the groups who made the final
that, according to carbon dating, are over 8,000 years old. These show crossings. Since successful technologies and innovations tend to spread
some fairly sophisticated design elements, including a nicely shaped and quickly, the use of horses in North America, for example, appears to have
upturned tip and steering ridges on the outside edges of the base. Clearly covered the continent in less than 200 years. Thus, at best, the origins of
skis had been around for a while. As far as origin date, sometimes what skis would be roughly concurrent with the flooding of the landbridge. On
a side note, Reindeer herding – common from northern Scandinavia to the
isn’t there is as telling as what is.
There have been no skis found in any of the ancient cultures of the eastern shores of Siberia - came after the landbridge’s demise too, as this
Americas, but snowshoes abound. In fact, the best and most advanced practice was not adopted in North America until more recent years.
woke up the other morning to a light white coating around the house
– snow at last! It’s wet snow here at the house, but snow none the less.
In the mountains the snow is piling up and with a little luck I will be
sliding on skis in the next few days.
16 Off-Piste December 2005
As I mentioned in the last article, my interest in the origins of skiing grew
out of a trip to Northwest China, where, deep in the Altai Mountains, some
local indigenous groups still make and use skis. This area is so close to
skiing’s Eden, that we felt looking at their traditional use of skis might be
as close as one can get to the method and making of prehistoric skis. Our
trip to the Altai confirmed this, both in ski construction and in the use of
skis. In the next issue I will get into this, the living legacy that remains of
the origins of our sport.
Nils Larsen is a regular contributor to Off-Piste and this is part two of a four
part series on the historical origins of skiing.
Much of this background information comes from “Skis and Skiing, From
the Stone Age to the Birth of the Sport” by John Weinstock /Edwin Mellen
Press.
So we have a date nailed down between 9000
and 10,000 years – not close enough to put a
skier’s holiday on a calendar but pretty good
considering the sparse nature of evidence. From
their origins, skis spread and designs adjusted to
terrain and conditions. Skis were wider in areas
of deep snow. For the most part, early skis all
used animal hide on the base for traction, with
Reindeer leg fur being common and Moose being
used in parts of Siberia. Early bindings either ran
through vertical holes (the oldest known), or a
horizontal hole under the ball of the foot for a toe
loop, this latter version being more common in
the northern Scandinavian countries.
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 17
P
acks are an essential piece of gear for
backcountry skiers. They come in every
size and style imaginable and some that we
find hard to believe were actually designed
by skiers. For this review, we assembled
a collection of ski specific packs in the
16-25 liter (1,000 -1,600 cubic inch) size
range. In general, these packs are smaller
than what we would consider usable for
a typical full day winter backcountry tour;
they are designed for shorter tours, spring
days, and more specifically for skiing out
of bounds from a resort where a few runs
are the primary goal not an entire day in
the backcountry. These packs offer lower
profiles and lower volumes for chair lift
compatibility. They are designed to carry
the essentials, shovel, probe, skins, and
water.
Despite all of these packs
offering size specs close to
20 liters, they vary in size
rather dramatically. Several
are actually spacious
enough to be considered
for more than a few out of
bound laps. One thing to be
learned from this collection
of packs is that there is no
standard for shovel size,
shovel handle length, or
even probe size. Some packs
accommodate almost any
shovel/handle combination while
others were designed around specific
models or size constraints. The lesson
is you should buy a pack with your collection
of tools in mind. Be prepared to confirm that
your shovel handle and your probe actually
fit in the designated tool compartment.
Interestingly, all of the packs collected in
this size range come from the clamshell or
panel loader design category, there are no
traditional top loaders included here. Top
loaders are more common when pack size
grows to 30 or 40 liters.
With the abundance of players in the
ski pack market these days there is an
understandable need to distinguish one’s
pack from the growing crowd. Unfortunately,
the drive to be different manifests itself
in some strange ways; designs that may
be different but that are not necessarily
better. Ski specific packs, however, have
come a long way in the past five or ten
years. A separate pocket for your avy
tools alone is a great leap forward and
there are several recent innovations that
18 Off-Piste December 2005
are welcome features on many of these
packs including the integration of hydration
systems, convenient waist belt pockets,
lighter yet effective harness systems, and
dedicated ski/board attachment systems.
Several of these packs include mounting
systems specific to snowboards. Most of
which, thoughtfully enough for skiers, are
removable.
– The Stash is
the original hydration/avy tools pack. The
most recent version has evolved nicely from
the original design. Backcountry Access
pioneered the insulated hydration hose inside
the shoulder strap and this is the only pack to
come with its own hydration system (70oz).
At 16 liters, the Stash is a true lift served
backcountry pack. It is the most chairlift
friendly of all the packs we tested. It
is small and light and easily skis the
resort without feeling like you are
toting around your touring pack.
The compromise is that you don’t
get as much room as several of
the other packs, although, we
had enough room for all the
essentials, a layer, some snacks,
and a small digital camera.
Everything stows neatly inside
the pack, the shovel blade slides
into its own sleeve, while the
handle and probe share a sleeve.
We fit a full size shovel blade, but a
longer handle and a longer probe we tested
did not fit. Backcountry Access makes a full
line of shovels and probes and you can be
sure that their systems fit inside. The pack has
a zipper pocket accessed from the front side
that is just big enough to store your skins and
keeps them easily accessible/storable. The
pack carries skis remarkably well for its small
size (better and more simply than a couple
of the larger packs). The suspension system
is remarkably lightweight yet totally effective
and is why this pack is so nice when riding a
chairlift is part of your day.
–The Frenzy is an
efficient pack well suited to a few lift assisted
laps into the backcountry or a short day tour.
The Frenzy offers two options for carrying
your avy tools. The first option secures all
equipment between the front panel and the
main body. This location accommodates
most shovel probe combos but long handles
and long probes are left sticking above the
panel. Although, technically not a closed
compartment, the tools are neatly secured
and concealed
behind the
panel. The pack
also provides
a generous
pocket behind
the panel to
store your skins.
This allows
you to store all
of your snow
specific gear
separate from
the main (dry)
compartment.
This is a nice
feature and
essentially the pack functions like it has two
compartments. Alternatively, you can store
your handle and probe in the sleeves within
the main compartment. Black Diamond
actually offers a short video on their website
demonstrating the various options that
was useful. The harness system is well
suited to the pack but the internal frame
is overkill in our opinion and when loaded
with avy tools and a layer gives the pack
a stiff feel. Compliments are due to black
Diamond for including a handy back panel
zipper access. It is not a big opening but it
is enough to let you get grab a layer or pull
out a water bottle without having to open
the main compartment. The panel includes
a nice mesh pouch to stash small essential
items. The oversight, in our opinion, is that
if you use a hydration system, the reservoir
sits right in front of the back panel opening
making it less useful. The ski attachment
system is secure and holds the skis in a
diagonal carry system. The pack includes
a sternum strap whistle and small zippered
pockets on each side of the hip belt. Black
Diamond also scores points with the light
colored interior. Again it is a small detail
but helps make sorting through the interior
brighter.
– Osprey,
hands down,
features the
highest quality
construction
and finish detail
of all the packs
we tested; this
pack is built
to last. The
Switch 18
is one of the
larger packs in
the review despite its 18 liter size specs. It
could be pushed into service for longer days
if you manage your necessities well. Taking
note from other designs, Osprey created a
very nice hydration sleeve system to keep
the reservoir and hose well insulated from
freezing. The pack includes the nicest hip
belt pockets we have seen. They are roomy
and functional and the suspension system
is well matched to the pack. Another nice
touch is that the interior is light in color.
Sounds like a little thing but it really helps
brighten the inside of the pack when you are
rummaging for stuff. Something missing on
the Switch 18 is specialized avy tool pockets
(a feature we believe should be included on
this size pack). We were able to fit a full size
shovel blade and handle in the exterior
zip pocket (alternatively, the shovel
blade can be stowed on the outside
of the pack) but longer handles and
most probes need to be stored loose
inside the main body along with skins.
Not a big deal, but a couple of sleeves
for the shovel and probe or a larger
front pocket would really make this
a standout pack in this market and
it would not take much to add this
feature. The pack securely carries
skis in a traditional A-frame style
or in a single diagonal set up. Both
systems work well and are reinforced
for years of use and abuse. The Aframe ski mounts allow access to
the main compartment zippers with
the skis in place but the diagonal system
does not. Osprey finishes the pack off with
a built in whistle on the sternum strap and a
roomy goggle pocket at the top of the pack.
The pack is available in two body sizes,
small/medium and medium/large. It is worth
mentioning that this pack has a big brother
model called the Switch 25+5. The 25+5
adds avy tool specific pockets, a removable
barebones hydration system pack, and the
ability to carry significantly more stuff. A nice
ski specific pack in its own right, it simply is
a step too large to include in this review.
– The Rando-X is largest
pack in our review but given its efficient
design, we thought it should be included.
Life-Link takes the less is more approach
to this pack and the result is an efficient no
frills pack designed with a backcountry
skier in mind. The Rando-X could easily
be a primary touring pack for just about
any day tour. The design is simple. The
pack offers two distinct compartments,
one smaller compartment for avy tools,
including sleeves for probe and
handle, ample space for the
shovel blade and skins, and
there is a roomy zippered
mesh pocket. The second
or primary compartment
is spacious and offers a
hydration sleeve but there
is no insulation for the hose
line. The main compartment
is unique in its access, which
is gained through a full zip
around back panel. The
zipper placement allows
full access to the pack while
skis are attached and allows
you to lay the pack down
on its front and keep snow off
the pack panel, a nice feature. The pack
carries skis diagonally as a single unit. The
system is secure and simple. The back panel
sheds snow well but the overall length of the
pack made for a better fit on taller or longer
torso users. A hip belt pocket would be a
nice addition to keep sunscreen or snacks
handy.
– This is a simple
lightweight pack. Just big enough to pack
the essentials for touring and a few extra
layers it makes a nice resort pack. It could
be pressed into service for a backcountry
day provided you pack wisely. The pack has
good reinforcements where necessary but
offers few frills. It does include a zipper pocket
that is just big enough
to carry skins and keep
them out of the main
compartment. It carries
skis in the traditional
A-frame style. It also
has a snowboard
mounting system
and the extra straps
are easily removed
to keep it simple
for skiers. It has the
lightest back panel
stiffener of any
pack, something
that is over built
on many packs. The
result is a form fitting pack that is
appropriately padded for its size/scale. The
shovel blade mounting system is external
but secure. The shovel and probe sleeves
are also on the outside front. They are well
placed but we found them incompatible with
non-Ortovox brand equipment. Of the three
other probe systems we tried, two were too
large in diameter to fit and one was too long.
The shovel handle sleeve works for several
handles but the longer ones do not work well
and all were difficult to secure. We would like
to see a more secure system for attaching the
handle. Understand that given the Ortovox
probe and shovel, the pack makes a nice
clean package and can even be purchased
with the avy equipment included. The pack
offers a sleeve for a hydration bladder
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 19
Pack Review
but does not insulate the hose. If you are in the market to get a shovel and
probe at the same time as a pack, it is worth a look, if not, be sure to test
your tools for proper fit.
– This pack is nicely constructed and features details
like taped seams and coated fabric. Like most packs it features two
compartments. The smaller front compartment holds a shovel blade but
it is a snug fit for a full size blade. We were able to fit a probe and handle
in the front pocket also but the pocket does not
accommodate all shovel/probe combinations
and with all tools in this pocket skins are
relegated to the main compartment. Be sure
to check the fit of your tools for this pack.
The primary compartment also offers a large
sleeve and Velcro closures to hold your
handle/probe accommodating fairly long
varieties of both (skins could also go here
if you are not a hydration user). The Velcro
closures, however, are tough with gloves
and a bit on the short side, the Velcro only
fit around one of the three probes that we
tested. The main compartment offers several
other small pockets to organize your stuff
and plenty of space to include a layer or two.
The hydration bladder shares the primary
internal pocket with the probe and shovel
handle (if you keep them inside). Not a big
deal but it would free this pocket up for skins
if the bladder could slip in its own sleeve. The pack compresses nicely
when limited to the bare bone essentials thus it works well on the lift and it
offers enough space to make it usable on short tours too. The low profile
attachments for two ice tools are very euro but unnecessary on a ski pack
of this size in our opinion. Little touches like zipper pulls and a sternum
strap whistle are also nice. Our primary criticism of the pack though is
the ski carry system. The straps across the front (one high, one low) are
designed to carry a board or skis and we found them a bit weak on the
ski carry. You can go with the A-frame carry and this works well enough
but closes access to the pack zippers (a common issue with panel loader
designs). The in-line up the center carry is the other option but it never
felt secure for the long haul.
– Dakine has done its homework. The Heli Pro combines
a variety of key features into a pretty darn clean package. The two
compartment pack offers one compartment for avy tools that fit every
shovel/probe combination we tested. Dakine also provides a “quick draw”
tool holder along one side – this holder secures a shovel handle or ice
axe nicely. The other side of the pack offers a unique drawstring closure
pouch – handy for stuffing a hat or goggles while skinning. The main
compartment allows ample space to make this pack usable for most day
continued
tours and allows space for a hydration bladder. The Heli-Pro includes an
insulated system for the hose, a major plus if you are hydration system user.
We still argue the merits of such systems but if you are going to use it, having
the hose insulated from freezing sure helps the pro hydration argument. The
pack is designed to carry skis diagonally and does so
securely.
The biggest complaint on the Heli-Pro is the
snowboard attachment system. The HeliPro is the only pack in the review to offer a
cross carry option for a snowboard and in
our opinion (as backcountry skiers) is a silly
way to carry a board. Most of the other packs
allow for the vertical board carry (as does the
Heli-Pro) and the cross carry system adds
unnecessary straps to the pack. That said,
Dakine does make packs that do not offer
this feature but everything else about this
pack seems pretty on target so we chose
it over other Dakine models.
– Indigo is a relative newcomer
to the pack world and offers several models
for the backcountry ski specific market.
The Elvn is redesigned from last year and
like other Indigo packs fatures quality construction and
materials. The Elvn is a well organized single compartment pack, the shovel
blade slides into the front panel, the handle can be secured on the outside
of the pack with a system similar to Dakine’s, and the probe slides into a
sleeve against the back of the main compartment. Skins are easily tucked
into the shovel sleeve giving everything its place within the pack. There
are two zipper pockets and a mesh sleeve for holding
a hydration bladder inside the pack. The Elvn is
set up to carry skis or a board. The board
attachments are removable to keep the pack
simple for skiers. What makes this pack unique
is its ski mounting system, Indigo calls it the
“Lariat”. Now upon first look and even first
read of the directions (that’s right we actually
read the directions), we were skeptical of the
system. However, having tried the system,
particularly after sampling so many different
ski attachment systems, the “Lariat” is very
effective and very easy to use. We often ask
why re-engineer a known system but we
are not engineers and in this case the
new system is clean and effective.
Having a dedicated space for all your
essential touring gear and given the 25
liter size, the Elvn comfortably fits the
basics for lift served tours or a short day trips.
Pack Specs
Size
weight
cost
Backcountry Access Stash
Black Diamond Frenzy 18l
Dakine Heli-Pro
Indigo Elvn
Life-Link Rando-X
Mammut Powder 25
Ortovox Crossrider 25
Osprey Switch 18
1150 cubic inches / 16 liters
1100 cubic inches / 18 liters
1200 cubic inches / 20 liters
1500 cubic inches / 25 liters
1600 cubic inches / 26 liters
1500 cubic inches / 25 liters
1200 cubic inches / 20 liters
1100 cubic inches / 18 liters
1lb 10oz
2lbs 14oz
3lbs 2oz
3lbs 1oz
2lbs 13oz
2lbs 7oz
1lb 12oz
3lbs
$109
$118
$80
$115
$109
$115
$84
$119
20 Off-Piste December 2005
The Skiing Life
continued
#1. The lifts don’t open early enough.
Many of us backcountry / family guys don’t go on dawn patrols for the
inherent ethereal experience – rather we have to get back home by noon
and watch the kids so mom can go to yoga class. Skinning by 5:30 means
I have three runs in at the secret stash before the first chair even moves.
It also means that I skied last night’s 8 inches of new and those folks
following my up track get seconds.
# 2. Avoid the Traffic and Crazy Driving Scene
Basic fact, if you start early and leave before the lifts close you can miss
the traffic mess altogether. At 5:00am there is next to no one on the road.
At 8:30 while you are sipping a cup of hot chocolate at the top of your
third run, there are countless high school snowboarders practicing their
winter driving skills.
#3. Mall Syndrome
Anytime the event you are at has a parking lot that looks like a mall, there
should be some red flags popping up. Not always does the interface
between nature and the throngs of humanity meet smoothly. This is
where you get to smell cigarette smoke in the lift line, hear mom and dad
screaming at their kids, listen to the drunk making fun of his girlfriend, .
. . you know all the behavior that makes you wonder why you are skiing
with these people.
#4. Getting your money’s worth.
Maybe it’s just me but when I figured the value of a pass it was based on
how many times I would have to go to the hill to be “ahead” of buying lift
tickets. My mother always called it her Scottish roots but it’s really just
being cheap that drives the idea that the resort is going to lose money
on me! My early season smugness of pick and choose the prime days
dissolved into a numbers game that didn’t pencil out in powder days. I
also felt less compelled to go anywhere else. I didn’t want to miss anything
that might show up local so I was reticent to leave the area.
# 5. Fitness
There is only one way I have ever found to train to be a fast and strong
skinner. Skinning! Breaking trail is the ultimate training. That New Years
trip you’ve been planning will be a heck of a lot more fun if you’re strong.
That Spring break tour will go better and safer if you’ve been climbing
all winter. I will concede that a few lift days early in the season put your
ski legs under you, but if you have a big trip planned you have to get out
and set some tracks.
continued
significant as the first person to set foot on this little piece of Shangri-la.
It was a strange balance that gave meaning to the experience.
If my tête-à-tête with nature gave me a feeling of harmony, that sensation
only increased as we returned to the village. Chitkul is the kind of place, of
course, where life comes down to the basics. The useless trimmings and
superfluous accouterments that are so much an integral part of modern
day Western society are nonexistent, and the apparent inner harmony of
the natives seems to validate the simple life.
As I strolled back through the village following our tour, I passed through
the center of the village. It was about five o’clock and many of the town’s
people were gathered to eat what appeared to be a common meal.
Women tended to enormous vats of rice and lentils, while others passed
out tea. My appearance was met by a sea of warm smiles and I was invited
to join them for their dinner. I politely declined the first few offers, but it
was to no avail. Tea and food were soon brought before me in spite of
my protestations, and I must admit, that I had no problem putting away
a few portions after our day’s ski tour.
For the next few days, we explored various virgin valleys - some with
powder, some corn, always kind villagers, and no other skiers - ski touring
as it was meant to be.
James Hilton’s heroes were stranded in Shangri-la, and when the chance
finally came to leave, most of them opted for the peace and harmony
that they had found in their lost world and declined a return to so-called
civilization. My young son, Erik, would have been very unhappy, had I
exercised that option.
Inner peace and harmony are, however, virtually priceless commodities
in today’s world. Papi and I gathered in deep breaths of both these
valuable possessions before our departure, and brought as much
home as mind and body could allow. Our supply will not last forever.
No matter. I keep a map to the Sangla Valley hidden in a safe
place, and I will return when my soul needs to replenish its supply.
This piece is a shortened excerpt from Jimmy Petterson’s just-released coffeetable book, Skiing Around the World. For more information on the book visit
www.offpistemag.com
In reflection, my pass purchase goes on that shelf with many other “things”
that I thought I had to have to make everything just right; the leather
jacket, the new Suburban, and the fourth pair of skis that is just gathering
dust. Maybe we have those purchase skeletons in our closet to help us
develop a simplicity conscience, to help us truly refine the experiences we
are really after. Quite possibly, last years pass price was the cost of refining
what I want out of skiing. All I know is I will have plenty of time to ponder these
ideas while I am breaking trail this season. This year I didn’t invest in a season’s
pass, I bought new skins.
You only
live once.
Demand the best.
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Issue XXVII Off-Piste 21
T
he world of ski films is bursting at the seams these days. You have the high
dollar helicopter fueled ski porn variety, the growing field of alternative (read
low budget) telemark and backcountry focused films, and then you have the true
homegrown (read even lower budget) variety that are typically regional. Given our
grassroots bias, we have an affinity for low budget films but that does not mean we
don’t like the occasional high dollar ski porn number or that we can tolerate every
low budget film that comes across our desk. The following reviews are part of an
ongoing series that will appear in the next two issues.
– One of the most soulful ski films in years, Sinners artfully honors the beauty
of deep snow skiing with mouthwatering footage. Bill Heath, the man behind the
movie and professional film maker, captures a home spun soulful feel that makes
Sinners a standout in the crowded world of ski films. The movie is an honest and
creative window into deep snow skiing and ski culture that surrounds it. Filmed
around the Nelson, BC area, Sinners is a movie for skiers and sets a new standard
in tasteful dreamy ski footage. Heath steps away from the ordinary cookie cutter
ski film outline and never looks back. High quality footage, an inspiring soundtrack,
and artful presentation give Sinners its soul and earned it Best Mountain Sport Film
at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 2004. This is must have for any ski film library.
www.bhandf.com
– This film hails from Mt Hood and is of the homegrown variety.
We must admit a backyard bias here. Hood is our home hill and it is always fun to
see footage of your local terrain. Filmed and produced by Mt Hood Meadows Ski
Patroller Paul Klein, the footage documents the work and play of the patrol. Like any
good ski film there is plenty of deep snow footage and unique to Cross Violations
there is good footage of patrollers at work conducting snow control - ski cutting
and bombing terrain at Mt. Hood Meadows some with dramatic results. The film
is not high gloss or slick in any way. It has an inescapable homegrown feel. Sure,
it can be repetitive at times (what ski film isn’t), the film work sometimes begs for
higher quality equipment (more or less a trademark of homegrown films), and with
some careful editing it could be shorter. However, these guys are living the snow
life, taking the good with the bad (which there can be plenty of at Mt. Hood). Paul
and the crew in the film are dedicated skiers and this comes through in the film. A
good blend of music compliments the work and antics of the Meadows Patrol while
cool footage of skiing a few of Hood’s big northside lines come spring are a nice
addition to movie that just makes you want to go skiing. www.skipatrolfilms.com
– Like the title implies, this movie is all about powder. Although not
a high dollar film, the quality of the filming is, for the most part, a step above true low
budget grassroots films and these guys obviously have some previous experience.
Decidedly Utah centric in its content, Powder Whores cashes in on Wasatch pow
for sure. Most of the footage is sure to keep the go fast, go big, go steep crowd
happy, with plenty of big drops, steep lines, and, big radius turns, the highlight for
us are the big deep days in the Aspens. No place serves up Aspen powder skiing
like the Wasatch and Powder Whores does good work of capturing a day in the
woods. Compliments are also due to the crew for the fact that they were hiking
for their turns more often than not in this movie. Skiing includes both freeheel and
locked down varieties all of a high caliber. Our primary criticism is simply that the
movie does not break new ground. It takes the basic outline of go big, go fast and
repeats it. There is little creativity with the presentation; the exception being, Master
Piste Theater with Andrew McLean. This short clip is a highlight for sure and shows
hints of creativity that could serve future productions well. The music is mixed and
thankfully original compared to high dollar ski porn. The skiers highlighted are all
strong accomplished athletes and the movie is sure to help fuel the fire.
www.powderwhore.com
- Fire on the Mountain is an award winning film that tells the
story of the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, an elite ski/mountain corps that
evolved just before the United States entered World War II. The film captures the story
of the 10th Mountain with incredible historical footage from Camp Hale in Colorado
to the first winter ascent and descent of Mt Rainier. The 10th Mountain Division story
and their contribution to World War II are remarkable enough but the film goes on
to document the post war lives of many of these soldiers. The influence of these
men on skiing and mountaineering in North America is equally as remarkable. From
Paul Petzoldt (National Outdoor Leadership School), to David Brower (Earth Island
Institute), to Friedl Pfeifer (Aspen Mountain Ski Resort), the men of the 10th Mountain
Division have made lasting contributions to American mountain culture and fueled
the fire behind America’s ski industry. The film is a great window into skiing’s history
complete with great footage and the voices of many of the folks who were there.
This is a must have in any ski film library. Produced in 1996, the film does not have
a dedicated web site but can be sourced with a short Google search.
– This French ski film is available free on the web. Despite being free
and web based it is more than just a low res clip in a small computer based video
player. It is a nicely crafted ode to powder. Sure we would have preferred the mono
skier footage be replaced with a skier or even a snowboarder but that does not
change the quality of this short production. The film follows three different skiers/
riders through the pow in Austria and melds it with some smooth electronic euro
music. Easy listening and easy watching. It is great to see a less macho approach
to ski filming than we are so often bombarded with in North America. If you have
a high speed connection – give it a download – six minutes of ski footage with a
great soundtrack that you are sure to watch several times. www.tkbfilms.com
����������
22 Off-Piste December 2005
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OFF-PISTE SHOP DIRECTORY
ALASKA
Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking
2633 Spenard Blvd
Anchorage, AK
www.alaskamountaineering.com
Wolf Creek Wilderness
595 East Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
www.wolfcreekwilderness.com
Mahoosuc Sports
PO Box 70 Rte 26
Locke Mills, ME
www.teleskis.com
Storm Warning
112 Oak Street
Hood River, OR
www.stormwarning.biz
Second Ascent
5209 Ballard Avenue NW
Seattle, WA
www.secondascent.com
Pinnacle Mtn Sports
2375 east 63rd ave
Anchorage, AK
www.alaskamountaineering.com
COLORADO
Backcountry Experience
1205 Camino Del Rio
Durango, CO
www.bcexp.com
MONTANA
Barrel Mountaineering
240 East Main
Bozeman, MT
800.779.7364
WASHINGTON
Arlberg Sports
25 N. Wenatchee Ave
Wenatcheee, WA
Winthrop Mountain Sports
257 Riverside Ave
Winthrop, WA
www.winthropmountainsports.com
ALBERTA
Freewheel Jasper
618 Patricia st.
Jasper, AB
www.freewheeljasper.com
Bristlecone Mt Sports
123 Emma Road
Basalt, CO
970.927.1492
Rocky Mountain Outfitters
135 Main St.
Kalispell, MT
406.752.2446
WEST VIRGINIA
White Grass Touring Center
Canaan Valley, WV
www.whitegrass.com
Troutfitter Sports
313 Elk Ave
Crested Butte, CO
www.telemarkequipment.com
The Trail Head
110 East Pine Street
Missoula, MT
www.trailheadmontana.net
Backpackers Supply
5206 South Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA
www.marmotmountain.com
Cascade Crags
2820 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA
www.cascadecrags.com
Pine Needle Mountaineering
835 Main St. #112
Durango, CO
800.607.0364
NEVADA
Reno Mountain Sports
155 E Moana Ln
Reno, NV
www.renomountainsports.com
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Valhalla Pure
615 Broughton St.
Victoria, BC
Rivers Oceans Mountains
579 Baker St
Nelson, BC
877.271.7626
CALIFORNIA
The Backcountry
2 stores - Tahoe City &Truckee
888.625.8444
www.thebackcountry.net
Bear Valley Cross Country
#1 Bear Valley Road
Bear Valley, CA
www.bearvalleyxc.com
The Fifth Season
300 N Mt. Shasta Blvd
Mt. Shasta, CA
www.thefifthseason.com
Mammoth Mountaineering Supply
3189 Main Street
Mammoth Lakes, CA
www.mammothgear.com
Marmot Mountain Works
3049 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA
www.marmotmountain.com
Mountain Sports
176 E 3rd Street
Chico, CA
530.345.5011
Sierra Nevada Adventure Co./SNAC
2293 Hwy 4 - Arnold, CA
173 S. Washington St., Sonora, CA
www.snacattack.com
Switchback Mountain Gear
468 Pagosa St.
Pagosa Springs, CO
970.264.2225
IDAHO
Alpine Designs Bike and Ski
312 Fifth Ave
SandPoint, ID
208.263.9373
Backwoods Mountain Sports
711 N. Main St.
Ketchum, ID
208.726.8818
Hyperbud Sports
907 S. First St. / 402 S. Main
Yakima, WA / Moscow, ID
509.248.2093 / 208.883.1150
Idaho Mountain Touring
1310 Main Street
Boise, ID 83702
www.idahomountaintouring.com
Rendezvous Sports
408 Main St.
Salmon, ID 83467
www.rendezvoussports.com
MAINE
Aardvark Outfitters
108 Fairbanks Road
Farmington, ME
www.aardvarkoutfitters.com
NEW MEXICO
Wild Mountain Outfitters
541 W. Cordova
Santa Fe, NM
www.wildmountainoutfitters.com
OREGON
Bergs Ski Shop
367 West 13th st.
Eugene, OR
Hood River, OR
www.bergsskishop.com
Dog River Coffee
Oak Street
Hood River, OR
www.dogrivercoffee.com
Doug Sports
101 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
hoodriverwindsurfing.com
Mountain Shop
628 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
www.mountainshop.net
Pine Mountain Sports
133 SW Cetury Drive
Bend, OR
www.pinemountainsports.com
Redpoint Climber’s Supply
639 NW Franklin
Bend, OR
www.goclimbing.com
Enumclaw Ski & Mountain Sports
240 Roosevelt E.
Enumclaw, WA
www.snowways.com
Feathered Friends
119 Yale Ave N.
Seattle, WA
www.featheredfriends.com
Marmot Mountain Works
827 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA
www.marmotmountain.com
Mountain Goat Outfitters
915 W. Broadway
Spokane, WA
www.mountaingoatoutfitters.com
Mountain High Sports
105 E. 4th
Ellensberg, WA
509.925.4626
Northwest Snowboards
2805 Bridgeport Way
Tacoma, WA
253.564.5974
Olympic Mountaineering
140 W. Front St.
Port Angeles, WA
360.452.0240
Outdoor Research Factory store
2203 1st Ave S
Seattle, WA
www.orgear.com
WYOMING
Skinny Skis
65 W. Deloney
Jackson, WY
www.skinnyskis.com
UTAH
Wasatch Mountain Touring
702 E. 100 S.
SLC, UT
www.wasatchtouring.com
Wild Rose
702 Third Ave
SLC, UT
www.wasatchtouring.com
The Trailhead
117 North Main
Logan, UT
435.753.1541
Include Your
Shop Here
Contact us for
Details
[email protected]
509.999.2208
Pro Ski Service - 2 shops
8954 Aurora Ave N. - Seattle
108 W North Bend Way - North Bend
proguiding.com
Issue XXVII Off-Piste 23
Avalanche and Weather Resources
General
CANADA - www.avalanche.ca
www.avalanchefoundation.ca
EUROPE - www.lawine.org
USA - www.avalanche.org
www.fsavalanche.org
www.americanavalancheassociation.org
California
Tahoe - www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/
Shasta - www.shastaavalanche.org
East Side - www.esavalanche.org/
Shasta 530-926-9613
Tahoe 530-587-2158
Mammoth/Bishop 760-924-5500
Canada
www.avalanche.ca
Banff 403-762-1460
Rockies 403-243-7253
Vancouver 604-290-9333
Western Canada 800-667-1105
Colorado
Statewide - geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche
Crested Butte - www.cbavalanchecenter.org/
24 Off-Piste December 2005
Denver/Boulder 303-275-5360
CO Springs 719-520-0020
Fort Collins - 970-482-0457
Summit Cnty 970-668-0600
Durango/Southern - 970-247-8187
Aspen - 970-920-1664
Idaho
www.avalanche.org/~svavctr/
Sun Valley 208-622-8027
Panhandle National Forest
208-765-7323 208-752-1221
Payette - 208-634-0409
Montana
www.mtavalanche.com
www.missoulaavalanche.org
www.glacieravalanche.org
NW Montana 406-257-8402 - 800-526-5329
South Central (Bozeman) 406-587-6981
Southern (Cook City) 406-838-2259
Lolo and Bitterroot National Forest
800-281-1030 or 406-549-4488
New Hampshire
www.tuckerman.org
Oregon
www.nwac..us
Southern Washington/ Mt. Hood
503-808-2400
Utah
Statewide - www.avalanche.org/~uac
Mant-LaSal - www.avalanche.org/~lsafc/
Logan - www.avalanche.org/~uac/BRAIC/
Tri-Canyon Area 801-364-1581
Alta - 801-742-0830
Park City - 435-658-5512
Provo - 801-378-4333
Ogden - 801-626-8600
Logan - 435-797-4146
LaSal - 800-648-7433
Washington
www.nwac.us
Cascades/Olympics 206-526-6677
Wyoming
www.jhavalanche.org
Bridger-Teton - 307-733-2664