Pat Donnelly

Narrated by Robert Redford and Warren Miller, tells the story of five individuals from all walks of life who faced incredible obstacles, found the inspiration to overcome them and became real everyday heroes. Through skiing, each has ultimately discovered or rediscovered the freedom of movement. http://www.makeahero.org/ It is amazing to witness these folks haulin a$$ down Racer's Edge at Buttermilk.

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/149992 Aspen’s Chris Klug, the three-time Olympian and liver transplant recipient, will be inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame tonight, where he’ll be honored for his groundbreaking career and inspirational life. “It’s a great honor,” Klug said Thursday. “I’m really excited about it. It’s been fun to reflect on the last 30 years.” The induction ceremony is tonight in Broomfield. The Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, for its children’s scholarship programs, also will be honored with the Hall’s “Top of the Hill” award. It’s given annually to organizations for achievements in the development of skiing in Colorado. Klug said he’s spent time in recent days reminiscing with his mother, Aspen High counselor Kathy Klug, his father, Aspen Square general manager Warren Klug, and his wife, Melissa, about his life on snow. Some of his fondest memories, he said, are of his days snowboarding in the early ’80s as the sport was emerging, when he duct-taped Moon Boots to a crude Burton board and schlepped to races in his parents’ Wagoneer. Those early days of the sport led Klug into 20 years of World Cup competition, which concluded last year with his 11th U.S. title. He competed in snowboard racing’s first appearance in the Winter Olympics, in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. Two years later, he received a life-saving liver transplant to treat a rare disease with which he’d been diagnosed in the early 1990s. He returned to racing after his recovery and in 2002, became the first organ transplant recipient ever to compete in the Olympics while also winning a bronze medal. He founded the Chris Klug Foundation in 2003 to spread awareness and raise money for organ donation, and continues to devote much of his time to the cause. Klug then chronicled his story in the 2004 memoir, “To the Edge and Back.” Last year, he competed in the Olympics for the third time, in Vancouver. At tonight’s ceremony, Klug will be joined by his family, including his 6-month-old daughter, Bali, along with his longtime coach, Rob Roy, and teammate Ian Price. The family of the teenage gunshot victim who gave Klug his new liver, he said, also will be traveling to Colorado from Idaho for the event. At 38, the freshly-retired Klug is among the youngest athletes the Hall of Fame has inducted. While he said he plans to attend the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia as a commentator, he’s loath to rule out racing. “I truly believe if I put my mind to it I could compete at the highest level in Russia,” he said. “But there are so many other things I want to do right now.” Indeed, though Klug’s not in race training these days he is certainly no slouch. Over the last year, he’s competed in the Aspen area’s toughest endurance and mountaineering events — from the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, to the summer and winter Power of Four competitions, to the Leadville 100 bike race. “I’m going to keep challenging myself with these mountaineering adventures,” he said. “So I’m not done yet.” Since giving up the itinerant schedule of a competitive racer, Klug also has spent much of the last year working on his real estate business in Aspen. He’s currently planning a new undertaking, through which he wants to raise awareness of organ donation: to summit the highest mountain peaks on each of the world’s seven continents. “It’s a dream I’ve always had,” he said. “I want to be the first transplant [recipient] to do all of the ‘Seven Summits.’” This week included the launch party for the sixth annual Summit For Life, a nighttime race up Aspen Mountain and fundraising event for the Klug Foundation, scheduled for Dec. 10. Last year, the event raised $115,000.

http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=32621&highlight=utah No boarding at Alta or Deer Valley. If snow is plentiful and the sun shines, check out the Strawberry side of Snow Basin. Weekends can be busy and getting away from town may find less locals on the hills. Several other hits to be found using the Search function.

I am 6' & 210 lbs and ride a lot in S.E. Mich. My Coiler VSR XT is 169, Bruce steered me towards this after I explained what I wanted and it is a fun ride and all that Bruce said it would be. If I were to consider another Donek FC it would be a 185. My former FC was a 179, but this was 10 years ago and Sean has improved upon this board since. Suggest contacting Coiler and Donek and get their input.

Mark Fawcett

Free Pine Knob lift ticket + BOGO lift ticket for Boyne Mt or Boyne Highlands Royal Oak Dec 9th & 10th Details http://www.skinet.com/warrenmiller/events/royal-oak-music-theatre

http://www.32degreesmagazine.org/lookinside32degrees/spring2011?pg=14#pg14

Published on October 12, 2011 @ 7:00 am By First Tracks!! Online Media Landgraaf, The Netherlands – The freestyle snowboard World Cup season began over a month ago in New Zealand, and now it’s time for the race boarders to follow suit. On Thursday the season’s sole indoor event, a parallel slalom, will take place at SnowWorld Landgraaf in Holland. About 100 riders are expected to compete at the ninth event to be held in the so-called “World Cup fridge.” They will battle it out for the first World Cup points in the race for the coveted Crystal Globes. Qualifiers are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. local time while the finals will start at 2 p.m. Eurosport 2 and Orange Sports in France will broadcast the head-to-head duels of the finals live. Viewers and fans are likely to see last season’s winners in Landgraaf, Andreas Prommegger of Austria and Russia’s Ekaterina Tudegesheva, in the knock-out duels. In addition, fans will witness the unexpected return of Canada’s Jasey Jay Anderson to competition. The 36-year-old Vancouver Olympic Gold medalist, who had announced his retirement from active competition sports after the 2010 World Cup finals, is getting back to business. Others expected to draw on solid results in Landgraaf from previous seasons include Germany’s Amelie Kober, and Siegfried Grabner and Benjamin Karl, both of Austria. While Grabner and Karl have each won the indoor event twice, Kober has smiled from SnowWorld’s top podium spot three times. The 23-year-old has spent the summer training rigorously after giving birth to her son Lorenz last year. Other women fighting for contention will include Switzerland’s Fränzi Mägert-Kohli, Marion Kreiner and Claudia Riegler of Austria, and Kober’s German counterpart, Isabella Laböck. In addition, reigning Parallel Giant Slalom World Champion Alena Zavarzina of Russia is also back on track after a long break from a torn ACL. On the men’s side, the odds-on favorites for victory are Austrians Karl, who successfully defended his Crystal Globes last season, and Andreas Prommegger. Italy’s Roland Fischnaller and Aaron March are also in the hunt, however, as they finished second and third, respectively, at last year’s competition at SnowWorld

I went with Thermic heaters a few seasons ago after fidl'n with heater packs. I have found thin nylon, liner socks work best for me. One trick I used with the disposable packs was to use two nylon socks on each foot and place the heat pack between the layered socks; usually on top of my toes. This method helped keep the pack in place when inserting into the boots.

PAGOSA SPRINGS — Wolf Creek Ski Area in southwest Colorado says it plans to open for skiing Saturday and Sunday, after a storm left three feet of snow. Resort Vice President Rosanne Pitcher said Thursday that ski area officials will probably decide Saturday whether to keep going for the rest of the season. Pitcher says this is the earliest Wolf Creek has offered skiing. She says resort officials are still deciding exactly what will be open this weekend, but the plan is to offer three lifts and about 600 acres with a lift ticket price of $33. Loveland was the first ski area to start the season in Colorado last year when it opened for daily operations Oct. 24.

Here's a link http://506227.cache1.evolutionhosting.com/wp-content/themes/2011/assets/uploads/gabf11_winners.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ7IqIA1Aeo&feature=related

Dude: The quirky world of Alex Honnold http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20114456-10391709.html http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20114455-10391709.html?tag=strip

http://www.alpinecarving.com/parts.html

Short clip http://www.vitalfilms.com/content_tiehack.html

Slide show on SkiCo's site has a two photos of the new Tiehack chair and Bob gets credit for one of shots! http://www.aspensnowmass.com/

Source link http://www.dominatorwax.com/faqs.html#WHATAREGRAPHITEWAXES? "WHAT ARE GRAPHITE WAXES? Despite the antistatic claims of some companies, only graphites address friction from static. Graphite waxes are created by adding graphite, a black powder with antistatic and lubricating properties, to hydrocarbon or fluorinated waxes. Typically, the ratio of graphite to wax is approximately 1 to 99. The grade of graphite is critical; the smallest possible particle size must be used so it does not interfere with the base structure. Most users apply graphite wax incorrectly; the best method is to rub it on the base and then iron it in (harder waxes must first be softened by touching to the iron). This ensures uniform coverage of the base by the graphite particles. Graphite products include the DOMINATOR Electroground series (FG 07, FG 77 and FG 88). Graphite Zoom, RaceZoom New Snow and ReNew Zoom Graphite. Graphite waxes work best on natural and man-made snows that are up to three days old."

2-Pack of Kingsford Charcoal Sale price: $7.97 Was: $15.98 Two 20 lb bags

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2011/09/01/northeast-ski-resorts-recovering-from-irene/

http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23629&highlight=dangling

Published on August 11, 2011 @ 10:05 am By First Tracks!! Online Media Salt Lake City, UT - The four ski and snowboard resorts along Utah’s Wasatch Front are gearing up for the winter ahead with a number of planned upgrades and improvements. Alta Ski Area is greening up as part of a two-pronged base area upgrade. The resort is working with architects, an environmental consultant, and a contractor to plan phase one of a LEED Certified building that will include a new ticket office, ski shop, and various skier services. Alta is also working with its RFID ticketing system to add a smart phone application that will allow skiers to quickly reload their Alta Card for skiing instead of going to the ticket office. When the UTA's new TRAX airport line opens in 2013, arriving skiers will be able to hop aboard a train to Salt Lake City's downtown every 15 minutes. (photo: UTA) Brighton, considered a locals’ favorite in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is upgrading its snowmaking system to the tune of $500,000 this year and spending another $20,000 to add new features to its Terrain Park. That’s after last year’s investment in two new snow cats and a Zaugg Halpipe cutter. There’s also an emphasis on better ski rentals for 2011-12, so look for new high end equipment in the resort’s demo center this winter. Snowbird is famous for its steep terrain, but this year will have several new improvements in place for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, one of which will be the implementation of the Flaik System through Snowbird Mountain School. The Flaik System is a GPS device that allows parents and kids to track exactly where they went, including how many vertical feet they mastered. The Aerie Restaurant will be also be remodeled. Once complete, The Cliff Lodge will have been completely remodeled, including meeting spaces. Solitude Mountain Resort recently unveiled free WiFi throughout all of Solitude Village. At a time when smart phones have become part of a skier’s daily life, and Facebook, foursquare and Twitter keep skiers connected to friends and family, it’s a terrific skier-friendly development. A number of developments are also taking place in Salt Lake City for those basing their ski vacations from the Valley. Downtown Salt Lake will be changed forever just in time for spring skiing this season with the March opening of City Creek Center, a $4 billion, 23-acre development in the heart of the city. Developed by Taubman Centers Inc, across from Temple Square, this world-class fashion and dining destination will tempt après ski strollers with more than 80 stores and restaurants, anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom. Meandering through the central walkways and plazas is an artful 1,200-foot-long authentic re-creation of the south fork of City Creek, the iconic waterway that once coursed through the city. City Creek Center is not only sustainably designed but will open debt-free, a remarkable achievement in today’s economy. Inspiration and creativity are at the forefront of The Leonardo, a museum of science, technology, and art that opens in Salt Lake City this fall. Housed in the former Salt Lake City Library, The Leonardo will take a unique, interactive approach to engaging visitors. Inspired by namesake Leonardo da Vinci, The Leonardo’s mission is to inspire creativity and innovation in young people and adults. Visitors taking a break from the ski slopes surrounding Salt Lake City can expect exhibits, dialogs, hands-on workshops, performances, and major traveling exhibitions. When the new rail extension by Salt Lake’s TRAX public transportation system connects downtown with Salt Lake City International Airport in 2013, arriving skiers will be able to hop aboard a fast, 20-minute train ride to Salt Lake City’s downtown hotels every 15 minutes. Visiting sliders can then use the TRAX and ski bus service provided by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to access the slopes at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude ski resorts for a truly car-free, city-based ski vacation. Also for the first time this winter, public transportation will stretch from Salt Lake City to Park City. Beginning Oct. 2 the long-awaited UTA bus service runing up Parley’s Canyon will bring Salt Lake City residents and visitors to the slopes of Canyons Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley and connect with Park City’s transit service. A one-way fare will cost $5.50. Plans call for 16 buses a day during the peak months of December to April, and 12 a day from May to November.

Published on August 11, 2011 @ 11:19 am By First Tracks!! Online Media North Woodstock, NH – Anywhere, Anytime Lift Ticket Packages from Ski New Hampshire, the statewide association representing 37 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in the state, are now on sale. These packages are ideal for those who ski or snowboard on weekends and holidays and for limited days each season, offering $10-$15 off the normal ticket price. The packages consist of fully-transferable lift tickets that are valid every day of the 2011-12 ski and snowboard season. They may be shared with friends, family and co-workers. Loon Mountain is among the New Hampshire ski resorts participating in SkiNH's Anywhere, Anytime lift ticket packages. (photo: Loon Mountain) Skiers and snowboarders can customize a mix of lift tickets to their favorite ski areas; tickets are broken down into six price categories of $20, $30, $43, $54, $56 and $66 per ticket. Packages begin at a minimum of six lift tickets, with no more than 50% of the tickets from one ski area except when purchasing six tickets, whereby the buyer may select four tickets to one area and two to another area. There’s an extra incentive for those who buy between now and October 11: Ski NH is offering one free lift ticket when purchasing twelve or more tickets. In addition, until that date there’s a volume discount of 10% off orders valued at more than $5,000. Ski areas included in the offer are Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods, Attitash, Wildcat Mountain, Cannon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Mount Sunapee, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Cranmore Mountain, Pats Peak, Crotched Mountain, Ragged Mountain, Black Mountain, King Pine Ski Area, Dartmouth Skiway, Granite Gorge, and McIntyre Ski Area. Limited quantities of Ski NH’s Anytime lift tickets are available. For details and order forms, visit www.SkiNH.com or call (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464).

Another extreme winter for many parts of the US US Long Range Winter Weather Forecast 2011-2012 The coldest winter in 30 years was recorded across many parts of the US during the 2010-2011 winter. Eastern parts of the US plunged to a record -50F with the Northeast of the US also seeing records broken. Temperatures was also largely below normal averages for New York, Chicago, New Orleans, and Minneapolis. Snowstorms shattered New York City in December 2010 and January 2011 to become the snowiest January ever recorded. So let’s turn to the US winter of 2011/2012. La Niña cools the equatorial seas of the Pacific and was one of the strongest on record during 2010/2011. Less warm air rises during La Niña conditions with a cooling influence on the atmosphere that has big implications on global climate and global weather patterns. The changes in global weather patterns come from air pressure changes in atmospheric cycles called the North Atlantic Oscillation (NOA) and Arctic Oscillation (AO). The latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) update suggests neutral conditions ahead, but a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may yet suggest otherwise. The PDO is a pattern of Pacific climate variance that recently switched to negative (cold) and will remain that way for the next two to three decades. It is likely that La Niña will return more frequently during this time period as a negative PDO results in stronger La Niña (cooling) and weaker El Niño (warming) episodes. Low solar activity is also a primary driver of atmospheric cycles that influence blocking activity patterns/ridges. Our weather models consider all of these factors and are currently showing a particularly harsh winter for many parts of the US during 2011-2012. Large parts of Central and North America will face below average temperatures with above average snowfall throughout this winter, with temperatures in many Eastern and Western parts also showing as below average with above average snowfall amounts. We expect the Pacific Northwest region to experience a very severe winter and the Cascades snowpack is likely to see increased levels due to the negative (cold) phase of PDO. Our weather models are also showing an increased likelihood for major snow events in Northeastern and Midwestern parts of the US throughout December 2011 and January 2012, that could see severe blizzard conditions hit New York City and Chicago. With low solar activity levels, the negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the general trend for a much colder winter after the onset of last year’s La Niña, this winter could prove to be a record breaker with extremely cold temperatures and exceptional levels of snow for many parts of the US. http://unofficialnetworks.com/winter-weather-forecast-20112012-extreme-winter-parts-31096/