Ski Local

Who says you need to "ski like a local" when you can simply ski locally.

T&S

Through Snow, Sleet or Rain?....Sure!

When we set out Tuesday morning, the new fallen snow to say the least was: amazing. However
half way into our ski tour out our backyard, which was an indeterminable distance, it was well: a bit soggy.

If there's one thing I've learned and profited from a little, it's this: It pays to carry F4 in your XC or BC pack when on any ski-tour-slash-BC-ski-adventure. F4 comes in many different applications but any and all will do.  They make wet, soft snow stop from sticking on the bottom of your ski and give you back that glide.

F4, if you've never heard of it, is universal glide wax.  Most days you never need F4.  Unless that is you're a glide junky who just can't seem to get enough glide out of his waxless skis the way he used to get it from those trusty wax-able skis. Now a little F4 never hurts, even before your ski tour; but on a day like this Tuesday, this is where F4 truly shines. You just never know when an hour into your day off, when that tele turn can do no wrong, and when 30 seconds in your friend says  "Hey is it raining?" - all of a sudden that snow that could "do no wrong" turns on you.  When you have a 20lb cinder block attached to the bottom of your wax less BC ski and your kick and glide has about as much oomph as a late night rerun of Chips.....  This is when someone in your ski party has to eventually say "Uh I think it's time to drop the skis and give em a little F4?..."   That of course is only if someone happens to have some.....awkward pause..   This is where I let everyone squirm a little and manage to procure that beautiful bottle of blue gold; F4.

Now back in the day I used to have my F4 handy quicker than folks could ask for it and proudly have skis back up and running quicker than you could say mashed potatoes.  But of late I like to make my friends squirm a little.  I do in fact work in a ski shop and on occasion could be made to look bad by being ill prepared in a BC ski situation.  But after three years, I know better and I like the fact that I can make the likes of cinder blocks turn into grease lighting in a matter of 30 seconds or less, and that just feels pretty darn good. 

So next time that ski shop employee suggests a little F4 when buying that brand new BC ski setup, think of it as a worthy and life changing experience.  Try not to think that poor guy is just trying to get another $15.00 out of you. You might, on the other hand, just be that guy on a long BC ski tour that manages to make those cinder blocks turn into skis again, and have his beer tab all settled up even before you get to the bar.

Now go and get it and I mean powder snow; not rain. 

But hey what ever floats your boat.

T.

A new year with old friends.

 With a new year here and our unusually warm temps in Vermont it couldn't keep us and our dear friends from being outside.  We found ourselves out the back yard skiing your typical VT field.  With good friends always comes even better turns no matter what the conditions.  So here's to 2012 may it be everything you hope for or even maybe a little bit more.  Life here in Vermont is a lot like the snow conditions in January.  You just never know what your going to get; so you might just want to make the best of it.

Now get out there.

T.

                                                                   Snow Angels

                                                                    Learning how to ski

                                                             Getting up to speed.

More skin tracks than you could shake a stick at!

With conditions like this it's hard to stay home. Sarah and I have have a hard time staying home anyways never mind the snow that has befallen our beautiful mountains this past week.  As one happy Vermont BC skier said yesterday " The snow conditions are unbelievable, best yet!"  as he smiled and went on his way on  210 cm skis.  People love to ski here, hell people love to ski here even when conditions aren't well, less than ideal!  But right now we have some great snow and when you find yourselves in good company and deep powder turns in the middle of beautiful mountains things just don't get any better.  We did find ourselves a little turned around as the skin tracks seemed to run just about everywhere as we skinned our way up the mountain.  In the end we found our way and made some new turns, with more to come next time. So as we find ourselves in the mountains remember this- our time in the mountains right now are good, they could get better!, or they could be worse and no matter what you find, its time well spent!

Good friends and good turns

Our third day out getting the snow while its good!  The Catamount trail offers a great way to access some great BC skiing.  When good powder snow and good friends come together it's a beautiful thing.  Our only problem is the turns are so good no one wants to be a photographer!  Hah! I don't blame us.  So here's to the snow and your friends, now go out and get it while it's good!

Snacks first skin; Wilderness

                    

          
                   
                  It was only a matter of time before we wore off on him.

Turns out snack can earn his turns, here's to getting those powder turns.  It's sort of a tradition to Skin Wilderness at least ounce a week as the season goes.  We were not disappointed as we had great snow all the way down, matter of fact none of us could stop grinning even after we all went our separate ways.  Now that's a good time with good friends.

Getting ready to earn some turns.

Skins not lifts.