Tahoe, CA - Baldface Lodge tail gunner, Reno 911 ER doctor, Alpine local and purveyor of the burgeoning interior extreme movement, Lanning Andrews drops into a particularly challenging split-level chute with a dog-leg left exit. Note his precision "schmear" technique at the terminus, as well as the mindful "what's the worst that could happen?" moment up top.



Wow.

Thanks, Lanny.

The wait is over! It's been two months since Nimbus Independent premiered their first installment of a five part webisode series titled, "Hunting Yeti". Witness the crew of Pep Fujas, Chris Benchetler, Andy Mahre, Ike Smith, Justin Wiegand, Eric Pollard, Christian Sirianni, and Shin Campos as they hit the backcountry slopes around Whistler, BC, Sonora, CA, and Cooke City, MT.

The second webisode takes you more behind the scenes with injuries, travel challenges, down days, herding Bison and the crew's snowmobliling skills, while maintaining the same signature vibe only Pollard edits bring. Also returning are some original music tracks from H-Mob Productions, the group that brought you the original soundtrack to the debut film "IDEA."

Hunting Yeti Webisode 2, Part 1



Hunting Yeti Webisode 2, Part 2

The contest scene can be pretty boring. From played out ‘stock’ tricks to waiting around for hours in the cold just to huck meat in front of sometimes questionable judging, spectators and competitors alike can get a bit fed up with the cookie cutter scene that is ironically referred to as freeskiing by the well coiffed jocks on sportscenter. But every now and then something comes along that breathes a bit of life back into the competitive side of freeskiing the Orage Masters is one such event.

Previously held at Mammoth, CA, this year’s event kicked off the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, BC. And the timing was right as t-shirt weather greeted representatives of 8 teams, ranging from big timers like Rossignol and Salomon to Utah’s Surface Skis and indie giant Armada, competed for everything from surf trips to new sleds. But the focus wasn’t really on the prizes—skiers were just there having a good time. Costumed competitors in everything from super hero outfits to Viking garb threw down on a jump and jib line in packs of four, hitting twin hips in sync and sending the 60 footer at the bottom side by side.

It was more the kind of skiing you would expect to see in the park on a sunny Saturday afternoon than a contest scenario. Teams were given 20 minutes to complete as many laps as they could, often getting in 4 or 5 runs before the horn sounded. While technical tricks like switch 1080s were being thrown off everything in sight, Sarah Burke swinging a mace overhead 30 feet in the air might have gotten more cheers. K2’s Frank Raymond did what could have been the first ever screamin’ semen 900 in competition—what would that score at the X-Games?

At the end of the last 15 minute free for all, K2 most impressed the judges—the other competitors—prevailing over Volkl, 4FRNT, and, finally, Dynastar in the head to head format.

Thanks to Jamie, Mike and Mavis at Orage for pulling off a contest like no other—one where skiers and spectators alike are inspired to just have fun skiing some jumps on a sunny spring day.

Photos by Colin Wiseman

1 - Sarah Burke swings her mace, viking style, at the gathered masses.

2 - Sean Pettit went big over the hip all day.

3 - Xena, warrior princess of Salomon gets to know the spread eagles.

4 - K2 celebrates their win. They also ate glass.

For rent: fully outfitted Washington ski resort in the heart of the North Cascades with 200" base and eight chairlifts accessing steep bowls, chutes, and tree lines. Resort comes stocked with 20" of fresh, cold-smoke powder in world-class, high-alpine backcountry. Must stay in one of the hundred or so RVs temporarily stationed in parking lot. Three hot meals a day in posh day lodge included. Plus portable hot tubs, party tents with concert stage and skate ramp, live music, beer pong, massive slopeside bonfire, and all the PBR you can handle. Available second week of April.

Kamp K2 kicked off on Monday, April 7 as K2 pro skiers and riders, company staff, selected media, and invited guests flew into Seattle and shuttled through Bellingham and up to Mt. Baker Ski Area in hundreds of rented RVs for three days of riding and partying. As if free beer and use of the chairlifts for two days wasn't enough, the cold Pacific Ocean and North Cascades delivered one more epic storm, perfectly timed for the event, with low temps and plenty of blower pow for all to share.

The late-season event was a chance for shop employees and buyers from North America and Europe to demo next year's product, as well as hang with the likes of Shane McConkey, Shane Szocs, Bryce Phillips, Andy Mahre, and other K2 team riders in a low-key, open-format atmosphere. There was beer pong. And tricycle races. Raw wieners were flipped into the air. And an all-female AC/DC cover band (Hell's Belles) that might have been better than the real thing.

On Tuesday, conditions and visibility kept everyone inbounds, but when 200 people have the whole mountain to themselves, no one complains about elbow room. Tuesday night saw an additional 4-6" of snow fall from the sky, and on Wednesday morning, the clouds parted and the Shuksan Arm became a steeze fest of ripping skiers and snowboarders reveling in a PNW season that just won't quit.

Many thanks to K2 staff and the Mt. Baker management for hosting a great event that won't soon be forgotten by anyone lucky enough to attend.

Maybe it was the cube pack of Pilsner. Or maybe the one piece suit. Or it could have been the altitude—Kicking Horse Resort is pretty high up for a coastal dweller like me. But I’ll just admit it: this weekend I went snowlerblading… and it was fun.

I was in Golden, BC, for gaper days, the end of season party featuring live music, a dummy downhill, a couple strategically located sun pits (don’t fall in the holes) and plenty of neon. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, with intermittent snow flurries putting a bit of damper on the sun pits’ allure, but at least the snow was decent and that made for good skiing. Or I guess I should say good snowlerblading.

I’m not sure exactly what started it. Certainly the lack of significant snowfall over the past week or two made it a little less appealing to ski bigger lines. But that wasn’t totally it, because after a few turns off the top the snow wasn’t bad. I think we were inspired by the guys playing hockey on short skis, they definitely made it look like fun. Halsey’s mustache helped. Regardless, dropping into tunnel vision, a rocky chute right off the peak, was one of the scariest things I did all year. Schmear turns take on a whole new meaning on 105’s: you can hip check through rocky zones like a miniature Scott Schmidt, snaking through the skinniest of spots with limited edge hold.

Carving out the bottom, low speeds felt fast and keeping my hands in front became a bit of a struggle. But it was a good way to celebrate the impending end of the season at Kicking Horse. One day a year might be plenty for snowlerblading but that one day is totally worth it: new things can be scary and scary can be fun. Now go grab a cube of Pilsner and throw on your flannel ‘cause gaper days are here and the snow never looked better for a couple schmear turns on a pair of ski blades—no matter what your friends might say.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the most recent resort development in BC’s interior. Offering 4,735 feet of vertical and plans for significant future expansion, a small contingent from the TSKJ office made the drive through the mountains last weekend to check things out.

Upon arrival conditions were mixed—the resort hadn’t received significant snowfall in a couple weeks and was experiencing spring like snow on the lower mountain. But, thanks to the significant vertical rise, things were still cool up top and a quick hike into North facing aspects revealed the goods: dry, knee deep powder waiting to be skied in the alpine bowls. Thanking ourselves for packing the appropriate avalanche safety gear, we proceeded to yo-yo our way around the ridges of the North Bowl on the resort’s backside, getting fresh turns and a few nice drops in the process.

RMR is the real deal: big lines from the alpine to tree line and long, wide groomers top to bottom. Expansion should only improve this already diverse mountain, which was definitely worth the trip.

Here is Webisode #1 of the highly anticipated online film series Hunting Yeti. Nice work Eric Pollard and crew. Click on the comment link below to view the video.