Exploring the outer reaches of human movement.








Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Are you a young rider who thrives on steep terrain?  Then check out the upcoming freeride event at Crystal Mountain.  The competition is Saturday, March 24th.  It's open to girls and boys, ages 11 - 18.  Here is the link for more information:

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Swap Meets

Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show:  Oct. 28th - 30th     Washington State Convention Center
     http://www.skifever.org/
 
Mercer Island Ski & Snowboard Swap:  Nov. 5th     Islander Middle School, Mercer Island
     http://www.misd.k12.wa.us/schools/ims/imspta/skiswap/

SPVSP.  Nov. 4th - 6th.  Red Hook Brewery, Woodinville
     http://spvsp.org/Ski_Swap

Newport High School Ski Swap:  Nov. 11th - 12th     Newport High School, Bellevue
     http://skiswap.info/

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show

The Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show is October 28 - 30th at the Washington Convention Center.  For more info, visit http://www.skifever.org/index.php?CategoryID=3

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Pre-season Sales

Labor Day is almost here and that means only one thing to skiers and snowboarders in the Northwest:  Pre-season sales.

Check out your local shop or hit one of the big shows, like Ski Bonkers at the Southcenter Mall.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Free storage wax

The good folks at Sturtevants Sports and Swix have teamed up to offer you FREE storage wax for your skis and snowboards.

One day only:  Friday, April 22nd.  Take your skis and snowboard in for a free storage wax job.  In addition, all tunes are 25% off. 

Get your equipment tuned now, have it coated with storage wax and keep it in tip top shape for the off season.  Then, all you have to do is scrape and go come winter.

Details:  http://blog.sturtevants.com/free-swix-hot-wax-day-at-sturtevants-and-ski-mart-locations-april-22nd/

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Springfest

The winter season at Stevens Pass comes to a close this Sunday, April 17th.

Springfest will help us celebrate the move to summer with events like the Big Box Jam, Dummy Downhill, Chuck-A-Duck and Pond Skimming.

Click the link for a complete list of events and the schedule.

http://www.stevenspass.com/Stevens/calendar.aspx?mode=detail&eventId=apr11-003

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

When the Stars Align

A foot of snow fell on Sunday and it was coming down hard when I started shoveling out the RV.  The forecast was for an additional 11" overnight.  Somewhere in the midst of my efforts, the idea of skipping out on Monday's responsibilities was planted.

That seed quickly took root and grew.  The daughter won't miss school and the wife has a powder aversion.  I found my son and told him that tomorrow he was doing P.E. with his dad.

RV cleaned off and shoveled out, we clambered into our bunks and dreamt of soft white turns.

When the alarm brought me back, I opened ski report on my phone as I tried to focus my eyes.  23 degrees.  23 twice?  I rubbed my eyes and looked again.  23" fell overnight.  I've rarely been this excited to get up in the morning.

Opening the motor home, snow brushed the bottom of the door.  I had to pull my son over the snow to the plowed road.  Although we were early, the line had already started to form.  He looked quizzically at the guy behind us wearing a snorkel, then up at me.  I started to worry about losing him under all the snow.  3 feet is a lot of new snow, especially when you're barely 3 feet tall.  The plan:  He would ski in my tracks and yell if he fell.

Nothing else was said.  We rode the chair in silence.  First run was groomed, which meant only 2 feet of new snow.  Good warm up lap.  We both needed bigger helmets to accommodate our smiles.

On the 2nd chair ride, we surveyed the scene.  The hill looked like a winterland groundhog prairie.  Skiers and snowboards alike were postholed all over the mountain trying to dig their way out.

The rest of the day was spent finding the steepest runs and trying to stay ahead of the other powder hounds.  Lap after lap, we dropped from pillow to snowy pillow.  My son broke the silence.  "Dad.  This is like a dream."

Three feet of snow in a day is epic.  An unexpected three feet, even better.  Being at the right place at the right time is a dream.  And the exceptionally lucky get to experience it all with their son when the stars align.