Whistler, BC: To be honest, I wasn’t really expecting much out of the skiing this Wednesday. Sure, I was at Whistler to ski with my dad—always a good time—but there was only an inch of new snow upon arrival at the gondola for first tracks breakfast. We were treated, however, to alpenglow across the valley as the first bluebird day in a week broke over the Coast Mountains. And a buffet at the roundhouse lodge was a nice way to get things started above the village. When the call went through the lodge that the lifts were spinning it was time to get out for a few warm up laps and to my surprise the familiar sounds of avo control floated down from Whistler bowl. Apparently the peak had been closed for a day and there was fresh snow up top. A quick run to the Peak Chair set us on top of around 6 inches of windblown fresh—fast, soft snow, perfect for high speed turns in the open alpine bowls.

After a couple laps under the chair there were plenty of lines left to be plundered and the typical Whistler show was going off—people hucking the highly visible cliffs looker’s right of the Peak Chair and collecting their yard sales to the heckling of the lineup. As the crowd dispersed into the Harmony and Symphony Bowls they left plenty of fresh lines still available if you were willing to hike a little.

Blue skies and untracked snow is about as good as it gets. Not bad for a Wednesday with only an inch of fresh.

Photo: Bruce Rowles

Featured in The Ski Journal Issue #2.2, a new video entitled Heroes of the Slopes offers unique insights into the world of disabled skiing. Produced and directed by one-legged freeskier Marc Romero, Heroes takes the viewer inside the lives of over a dozen skiers who are taking the sport of skiing to new levels. From sit-skiing’s founding father Kenny Lacome to Michael Milton, who holds the speed skiing record for all of Australia on just one leg, it is clear that disabled skiers are pushing the sport.

Wallabies. UFOs. Hoh Chi Minh trails. Dark Matter. Urspruenglichkeit. Frosted and feathered hair. What any of these have to do with skiing is anyone's guess, unless you pick up a copy of The Ski Journal issue #2.2, now shipping to stores and subscribers. From Australia to Alta, the French Alps to Schlap-istan, the 1960s to the present and all points between, the newest issue of The Ski Journal continues the transportive vibe clearly established with the success of the magazine's first two issues.

Aussie Tony Harrington is one of the world's foremost ski and surf photographers. Via his words and stunning alpine images, he adamantly answers the question that plagues him on chairlift rides throughout the world: "How come you can ski that well? There's no snow in Australia!" Turns out the world is wrong. Very wrong. And if you've ever wondered what kangaroo tastes like (hint: not chicken), this story is for you.

In a lengthy interview, French freestyle newschooler Candide Thovex reveals he’s done with competition. “We are not robots,” he says, referring to the limits of the human body, a sentiment he’s acutely familiar with following a near-paralyzing injury last spring at his home resort of La Clusaz. Candide also discusses his future, memories of the past decade, and why he won’t be singing classic rock tunes any time soon.

Other 2.2 standouts: Jake Moe reminisces the decades of love in Sun Valley Jill Adler profiles the soulful Alta Lodge and its 90-year-old owner, Bill Levitt six essays on various "Lines in Skiing" three decades of images by legendary shooter Hank de Vré a review of the documentary "Steep" a profile of Theory-3 filmmaker Jeff Thomas and much more.

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Vancouver’s north shore mountains can be seen from my front window here in Bellingham—pasty white peaks waiting to be skied above the barely visible skyline of our northerly neighbors. Last Friday I had the chance to hop over the border and get to know the north shore by way of night skiing at Grouse Mountain.

Grouse is as much of an attraction for a night-lit terrain park as its views over the city. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate and as we shot up the mountainside in the loaded tram, the city quickly faded into the snow below.

Up top the slopes crawled with kids up for the bi-monthly Friday night jam session, vying for prizes from Oakley on a couple down boxes and a little kicker. After a few quick laps, we stopped to shoot a trash can bonk with one of the park’s employees. His willingness to huck hand plants (and an obligatory spread eagle) into the rutted out landing was evidence enough of the mentality of the city bred park rider. Solid conditions and a flash firing in his face didn’t even phase this kid.

Once they shut the lifts down the lineup to the bottom got a little crowded—waiting it out over a pitcher or two was the only option. Regrettably, a freak accident involving a pair of goggles resulted in a bit of blood loss in the restaurant. The staff, however, responded quickly and got things cleaned up. A-plus first aid work by the serving team at Altitudes Bistro.

Even though the idea of riding a hard packed park at night seems a little alien to a powder spoiled Baker local like me, Grouse managed to come through with a nice mix of kickers, Canadian beer, and one particular employee who liked to huck his meat for the camera. Nice one eh!

Skier: Liam Mulluly Photos: Colin Wiseman

Seattle, WA Saturday, January 5, 2008 Board sports icons Andy Howell, Steve Caballero and Squindo presented a unique gallery at evo seattle saturday night. The gallery brought together skiing and skate/surf/snow culture using Rossignol Skis as the canvas.

The result is a group of seven limited edition twin tips. The project is being called Seven Artistic Sins. The SAS collection is canvassed with artistic interpretations of the seven sins as imagined by iconic board sport legends Andy Howell, Steve Caballero, Caia Koopman, Mr. Jago, Andrew Pommier, Will Barras and Squindo whose work has covered skateboards, snowboards, surf boards and album covers for much of the last decade.

“Our goal was simple We wanted to give these artists the recognition they deserve, collectively, they have basically created the visual identity for board culture and they have been behind the scenes for far too long,” said Jason Newell, Director, Sports Marketing & Promotions for Rossignol . “ These artists have shaped the evolution of our sports and created a deep emotional connection with our equipment.”

Evo was packed with fans of the artists are well as pros and friends. Fueled by sweet beats from Matt the Alien along gourmet food and stiff drinks, break-dance battling ensued along with talks of an impending snow dump the following day. When you bring music, artists, and serious skiers together, what else could be expected but a great launch for some killer looking skis!

The Seven Artistic Sins collection will be formally introduced to the global market at the January 2008’s SIA show in Las Vegas, NV to the industry and an ultra limited pre-release of the skis will be available at evogear.com to lucky collectors right now.