A Quirky Pre-Season Issue

Whitewater Ski Resort located in Nelson, British Columbia, operates three chairlifts that service 1,184 acres of skiable terrain. The first chairlift issue at Whitewater arose before this winter’s season even began. During pre-season safety checks in early December, the staff discovered an issue on their “Silver King” chairlift that required repairs. Silver King is a double chairlift, originally built at Whistler in 1972. It was purchased by Whitewater and installed at its current location in 1993.

“A small leak had occurred, which is a complete anomaly outside of annual maintenance projects and repairs that you do on chairs,” says Rebeckah Hornung, General Manager of Resort Experience at Whitewater. “So we were really grateful to have caught it.”

Taking the Silver King chairlift offline effectively closed about 15 percent of Whitewater’s skiable terrain. What made the shutdown even more detrimental was that Silver King services all of Whitewater’s beginner runs. Facing opening day on December 9, 2022, with an out-of-work lift, the resort offered discounted daily lift tickets and worked hard to get the chair back up and running as soon as possible. On December 24, just in time for the holiday rush, they were able to reopen the Silver King chair and return to full-mountain operations.

Creative Responses to Continued Trouble

The chairlift ran just fine for a few weeks until mid-January, when another routine maintenance check on Silver King revealed a worn bearing that needed to be replaced. That repair would require shutting down the chairlift again, potentially for several weeks. To navigate another long shutdown, the staff at Whitewater knew they had to get creative. “When we found out that we would have to do this extended repair, we thought, how do we revamp our business in light of this?” says Hornung. “How can we do the best that we can with the tools that we have?”

The resort extended the hours of their other two chairlifts, expanded grooming on easier routes, added additional signage, and increased on-mountain staff to support beginner skiers who might have otherwise stuck to the Silver King chair. They also opened the Silver King terrain to uphill touring, catering to the active backcountry skiing community in the Nelson, BC, area. To ensure the area remained safe for skiing, they continued to groom and perform avalanche safety, even though the terrain was no longer accessible via chairlift.

And, of course, they dealt with guests and season passholders who were irritated by the repeated shutdowns. “Obviously there was frustration,” says Hornung. “We are frustrated ourselves. It’s not ideal, but a lot of people are very supportive. They know that it’s not something we anticipated having to happen in the operational season and we’re doing our best to modify our operations to give the best experience.”

Then, a little more than a week into the Silver King repair, maintenance crews discovered a defect in the haul rope on a different chairlift, the Glory Ridge Chair, which services Whitewater’s back side. Now, Whitewater faced the prospect of shutting down two out of their three chairlifts in the middle of their operating season.

Again, they pivoted, offering shuttle buses from the back side’s Glory Lodge to the front, which allowed skiers to still access the back side terrain from the top of Whitewater’s Summit chair. They also made the decision to extend their ski season into April, hoping to help season passholders recoup some of the ski days they may have lost.

Finally, on February 1, Whitewater reopened the Silver King chairlift. Just three days later, they brought Glory Ridge back online as well. When asked about lessons learned from the shutdowns, Kirk Jensen, Whitewater’s Vice President of Development, was frank. Maintaining a piece of equipment that is over 50 years old is no easy feat. Frustrating as they may be, breakdowns and repairs come with the territory.

“That’s why you do daily maintenance checks during operations. And when things are discovered, that’s when you have to deal with it,” Jenson says. “It’s the nature of the industry. Things happen and things need maintenance. You want to maintain a high level of safety and that sometimes means operational impacts.”

Looking to Future Expansion

Whitewater isn’t letting this season’s challenges get in the way of their long-term plans. Already, they’ve cut a path for a new quad that will extend beyond the current top of the Silver King chair. The new chairlift is expected to open in December of 2023 and will give access to an additional 200 acres of skiable terrain. The existing Silver King chair will continue to operate as a beginner lift. Whitewater also has a master plan in place, which, over the next few years, is expected to bring a second back side chairlift, a new lodge and RV sites near their Nordic ski area, and an increased focus on making Whitewater a four-season destination for outdoor recreation.

Like any complex piece of machinery, chairlifts require constant maintenance, upkeep, and yes, occasional shutdowns to keep them running safely. As a skier, I feel grateful to the men and women at all our local resorts who work hard to keep the chairs up and running for all of us to enjoy.

Chris Maccini is a writer, editor, audio producer, and skier living in Spokane. He wrote about the Northern Spirit Express, the new high speed quad chair at 49 Degrees North, in the Nov/Dec 2022 issue of Out There.

The post When the Chairs Stop Spinning appeared first on Out There Venture.

My latest tale is no different. I was at the EWU vs. Oregon football game in Eugene, Oregon, in fall 2022 and the Garth Brooks song “Friends in Low Places” was played at halftime. The entire crowd was singing along, which I thought was a little weird. (Ok, it was a lot weird, since it was, you know . . . Eugene.)

Rather than joining them, I came up with my own version, with a winter twist. 

**Feel free to sing along in a twangy country voice.**

Blame it all on my gang, I showed up in Lange’s
And ruined your epic pow day.
The last one to burn, the last one to turn
I was the last one on the mountain to stay.

And I saw a look of disgrace and shock on his face
When I poached his line in the trees.
And I smirked at you, said, “Honey, we may be through
But you’ll never get my skis.”

‘Cause I’ve got friends in snow places,
Where the powder’s deep and the sun chases my blues away.
And I’ll be OK.
Yeah, I don’t dig on slower paces,
Think I’ll rip on down to the GS races,
Oh, I’ve got friends in snow places.

Well, I guess I was right, that tree run was tight,
But then, I ain’t no rookie.
Point ‘em straight down the hill, and try to stay chill
With the help of a magic cookie.

Hey, I didn’t see that your new man can’t ski.
Think he should stick to groomed snow.
Dude, get outta the back seat and turn pies into fries,
Then you wouldn’t blow.

‘Cause I’ve got friends in snow places,
Where the powder’s deep and the sun chases my blues away.
And I’ll be OK.
Yeah, I don’t dig on slower paces,
Think I’ll rip on down to the GS races,
Oh, I’ve got friends in snow places …

Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski industry professional. We don’t expect him to be invited to the Country Music Awards anytime soon.

Originally published in November-December 2022 print issue.

Find more of Brad’s tales in the Ski Bum Advice column archives.

The post Ski Bum Advice: Friends in Snow Places appeared first on Out There Venture.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but for the last two seasons, the weather gurus predicted a weak to moderate La Niña pattern, which typically results in above-average precipitation combined with below average temperatures in our area; this should have resulted in a ton of snow.

While we did experience decent back-to-back seasons here in the PNW, neither was what I would classify as epic, or even above average. I don’t know about you, but is sure seemed like I spent a ton of time on the groomers, and my powder boards rarely left the garage. According to the experts, this season looks to be a little different—in a good way.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a strong La Niña pattern is currently present and is favored to continue through the Northern Hemisphere’s 2022/2023 winter, with a 91 percent chance from September to December.

Chances decrease to 54 percent from January to March 2023, but the fact remains that this will be the third consecutive year that we have experienced a La Niña weather pattern.

If this proves to be true, it will be the first “triple dip” La Niña of this century. “It is exceptional to have three consecutive years with a La Niña event, and its cooling influence is temporarily slowing the rise of global temperatures,” says the World Meteorological Organization’s Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle agree that this is an extremely rare occurrence and has only happened twice since meteorological records began to be collected in the late 1940s, those being the periods from 1973-1976, and 1998-2001. 

So, what does this mean for us? “The northeast portion of Washington is forecast to see above average precipitation,” says NWS meteorologist Mathew Cullen. Sounds good Matt, please ensure this happens.

The good folks from the Farmers’ Almanac are projecting a PNW winter with “brisk temperatures, and normal precipitation,” but this region butts right up against what they describe as a “hibernation zone that is glacial and snow-filled” to the east. Hopefully some of that spills over into our area and brings some cold, white goodness.

Not to be outdone, the ever-optimistic crew over at Powderchasers.com released their forecast, which notes that, given the extremely high chances for a robust La Niña event, the PNW appears to be more favorable to experience strong storms and moisture. “All things considered, things are shaping up to be quite favorable for the Western US . . . and the most snow-sure areas will be found in the Pacific Northwest.” Works for me. Make it so.

If this “triple dip” La Niña pans out as forecasted, we could be in for a ripper of a winter. So get your powder boards waxed, do your snow dances, and cross your fingers. Hopefully third time’s a charm.

Brad Northrup spent over a decade working in the ski industry and has been a long-time Out There contributor.

Read more stories in the Out There Snow 2022-23 special section or find more skiing/snowboarding stories in the OTO archives.

The post Inland NW Winter Weather Predictions appeared first on Out There Venture.

Mid-Week Deals

Every Thursday at Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, bring a friend and buy 2 lift tickets for only $75. And if you’re a season pass-holder from a different mountain, you can buy a highly-discounted daily lift ticket Monday-Thursday (holiday periods excluded). Just show your mt. season pass at the ticket window.

Every Monday-Thursday at 49 Degees North (except holiday periods), an all-mountain lift ticket is only $49 for adults, $44 for youth.

At Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park on Mondays and Tuesdays, from January 2 to February 21, bring a buddy and buy 2 lift-tickets for only $72 (not available on holidays).

Get midweek stay-ski-waterpark package deals at Silver Mountain Resort for any reservations Sundays-Thursdays.

Flex 5 Lesson Package at Silver Mountain

Learn to ski or ride mid-week with Silver’s Flex 5 deal—package includes: 5 lift tickets, 5 rentals, and 5 ski or snowboard lessons. Best perk: program “graduates” receive a season pass good for the rest of the 2022-23 season, PLUS they get a 50% discount on a season pass for the 2023-24 season.  

Lookout Pass Offers Fully Transferable Season Pass

Ideal for a company to share with employees or an individual to share with friends. Purchase online for $999 by November 18. Pass provides the daily user with one lift ticket.

5-Pack Bundle Deal Returns

Due to popular demand, Mt. Spokane is once again offering 5-pack lift ticket bundles—for sale online starting Nov. 15. $229 for restricted-use bundle (not valid on holidays and peak weekends) or $299 for unrestricted bundle, with no blackout dates. Limited quantities—available thru December while supplies last.

Snowmaking at 49 Degrees North

During summer, staff fine-tuned and prepared 49’s snowmaking system (new 2 years ago and expanded last winter), making it ready to use as soon as conditions allow this season.

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Starting December 16, the front-side chairlifts keep running after dark, for most Wednesdays-Saturdays. Night tickets (3-9 p.m.) cost only $36 each, all ages. (Any day-ticket holders can stay and keep skiing/riding until closing.)

Improved Webcams

Lookout Pass and 49 Degrees North both upgraded their webcams. Check snow and trail conditions from the comfort of your home, office, or mobile device. (AirFlare app recommended for safer viewing of Lookout Pass trail cam live-stream.)

Midway Snack Shack

Jackass Snack Shack, a newly renovated food and beverage outlet at Silver Mountain’s Midway Chair 4, will open this season—and includes a restroom! Old-timers may recall this location as the original ski lodge when the mountain was still named Jackass Ski Bowl.

Lodge Upgrades

At Mt. Spokane, Lodge 2 has a remodeled kitchen and food service area, which improves the guest experience. Lodge 1 is still undergoing renovation for an improved indoor space and expanded outdoor patio area. Look for more food-service offerings, greater variety, and meal specials throughout the season. 

At Silver Mountain Resort, the Mountain House was spiffed up with new carpet and paint.

Lookout Pass lodge upgrades include a new entryway and new deck with wider stairs, located between the food service and rental/ski school area, that improves access to the lodge and slopes.

More Parking

A new 2.5-acre parking lot was added at the base of 49 Degrees North. Shuttle service to and from the lodge will be available during weekends and holidays.

At Lookout Pass, parking space was added to the lower lot (below chair 1, along I-90) and to the Montana side of the maintenance building.

New Eagle Peak Quad Chair & Terrain at Lookout Pass

The newest quad chair—nearly a mile-long ride—has 152 chairs to transport up to 1,500 skiers and snowboarders every hour to Eagle Peak Summit, where there is also a new Ski Patrol Shack. Enjoy 14 new named runs and a new 500 skiable acres. (Learn more.)

New Runs—Longer Runs

At Silver Mountain, inbound terrain was expanded off chair 2, with a new run that’s naturally gladed and known to hold powder, according to Marketing Director Gus Colburn.

49 Degrees North extended three of its newest runs from last season. “Alpine Steel, Gunslinger, and Tin Star now extend all the way up to Silver Ridge,” says Ursula Bakken, 49’s interim marketing director. “In addition, the lower portions of all of those runs—along with Lower Hole in the Wall and Lower Carpet Bagger—have seen heavy clean-up and debris removal, allowing us to open them earlier and with fewer obstacles.”

New Groomers

Silver Mountain added a new cat-groomer to its fleet. They also used a D6 Cat for summer brush-cutting to allow more terrain to open earlier in the season.

Mt. Spokane welcomed a brand-new Pistenbully100 Snow cat, dedicated to improving the freestyle terrain park.

A new maintenance shop at 49 Degrees North will help staff work on snowcats, heavy equipment, vehicles, and lift components—improving mountain ops overall.

More Rental Gear At 49 Degrees North

49 Degrees North rental shop has improved and increased its inventory. Look for new Rossignol skis and snowboards; new Burton snowboards especially for the littlest rippers; and a new fleet of Rossignol high-performance demo skis and snowboards as well as locally-made Sneva MFG skis.

Better Bunny Hill

Lookout Pass improved its Beginner Slope and Learning Hill. After adding tons of dirt, staff “regraded and contoured the slope to provide a longer, more consistent learning pitch and overall better learning experience for first-time skiers, snowboarders and those beginners working to improve their turns,” says Lookout Marketing Director Matt Sawyer.

New Lesson Programs at 49 Degrees North

New this season are Intro to Free Style and Park Skills and Junior Instructor programs. The popular Women’s Clinics are now on Sunday afternoons to make them more accessible.

MSSRT Ski & Boarder Cross Competition at Mt. Spokane

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park and Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team (MSSRT) have partnered to host a variety of ski races this season, including the first-ever MSSRT Ski & Boarder Cross Competition on February 4-5, 2023.

Daycare At 49 Degrees North

Offered again for the 2022-23 season, 49’s daycare is open during weekends and holidays for children ages 2-6 (reservations recommended).

More Ladies Days at Mt. Spokane

Popular women-only lesson program at Mt. Spokane with two dates this winter, February 10 and March 10, 2023.

Nordic Area Improvements

49 Degrees North’s Nordic Center Yurt has a brand-new deck to welcome guests for Nordic skiing as well as fat biking and snowshoeing. Yurt will be open and staffed Fridays through Sundays, and the majority of holiday periods.

Mt. Spokane Apres-Ski & Swag

Foggy Bottom Bar will offer more selections from Spokane-area breweries, and host live music on Friday nights and select weekends. Mt. Spokane also expanded its selection of hats, beanies, hoodies, and other swag for fans of the ‘Kan.

New Mt. Spokane Corporate Pass

Businesses and organizations can now take advantage of a new transferable and flexible season pass, issued in the name of a business or group. A Corporate Pass is good for one person each day of the winter 2022-23 season, which can be shared among employees and/or clients (who don’t already have a Mt. Spokane season pass).

Pass costs $1,299 and includes 10 additional (free) daily lift tickets to be used in conjunction with the passholder, plus 50% off any additional lift tickets, up to 6 discounted tickets per day (no blackout dates).

Freedom Pass & Group Discounts at Mt. Spokane

A new benefit for season passholders is the Freedom Pass, which includes 3 free visits to any of the 19 partner mountains (with no blackout dates), plus 7 additional partner mountains with varying ski benefits. Expansive group discounts are available for high-school and college recreation groups, church and homeschool programs, and other organizations. 

Free Ski School—Longer Sessions

Free Ski School at Lookout Pass, which begins in January 2023, has expanded its program options—complete details at skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school.

Upcoming Events

• Daily operations begin at Silver Mountain: Thursday, Dec. 15. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Night skiing begins at Mt. Spokane: Friday, Dec. 16. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays. (See operations and events calendar.)
• SheJumps + 49 North Film Showing: Dec 17, fundraiser & social event at the Chewelah Arts Center. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Women’s Clinic Series at 49 Degrees North: Series dates include Dec.18, Jan. 29, Feb. 12; 2-hour group lesson, 1-3 pm.
• Daily operations begin at Mt. Spokane: Monday, Dec. 19. Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
• Youth Freestyle Ski/Snowboard Camp at 49 Degrees North: Dec 23, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. for ages 10-15.
• Holiday events at Lookout Pass: Dress like Santa on Dec. 22 to ski/ride for only $20/ticket. Revenue goes towards buying Christmas gifts for local children in need; Open Christmas Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with discounted tickets and a special Christmas Day Luncheon, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Dec. 31. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Gone to the Dogs & Skijor Day at 49 Degrees North: Dec. 30, dogs allowed on Nordic ski area’s lower trail system all day, when accompanied by their human with a pass. (Additional event dates in 2023; see events calendar for more details.)
• Jackass Day at Silver Mountain: Jan. 12, 2023. Annual tradition celebrating the ski area’s history. Wear vintage ski gear and buy retro-priced lift tickets for only $19/person.

The post What’s New At Ski NW Rockies: Winter 2022-23 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Located atop the crest of the Bitterroot Range, straddling the state line between Idaho and Montana, Lookout Pass averages 400 inches of snow per year. There’s a good chance that number will increase as the ski area expands into the higher terrain of Eagle Peak this winter. That expansion, off the backside of the mountain and mostly on the Montana side of the state line, will also nearly double the footprint of Lookout’s skiable area. Lookout may be growing, but one thing that will never change is its hometown charm that has been attracting loyal skiers and boarders from Spokane to Missoula since 1935.

NEW FOR 2022-2023

There will be plenty of new runs to explore this winter as Lookout Pass opens the most epic expansion of their history—500 new acres of skiable terrain in the form of 14 new runs. A second quad lift will carry guests to the top of Eagle Peak, off the backside of the existing ski area, with 1,650 total vertical feet. The new runs will challenge both intermediate and advanced skiers. 

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

If you want a skiing or snowboarding experienceaway from the crowds and without all those expensive bells and whistles, Lookout Pass is the place for you. It is an easy drive down I-90 from Spokane to the mountain. Take Exit 0 located on the ID-MT border. “We’re not a destination resort with on-site lodging and all the congestion that comes with that,” says Matt Sawyer, Lookout Pass’s director of marketing. “Lookout’s always been a family-friendly, local ski area with a fun vibe.”

LESSON PROGRAMS

Looking to learn how to ski or snowboard? Or just want to improve your existing skills? Lookout Pass has private and group lessons for both skiing and snowboarding. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, all are welcome. Call 208.744.1234, extension 15 to reserve your spot. See more information at SkiLookout.com/lessons-programs. 

BRING A FRIEND THURSDAYS 

On non-holiday Thursdays throughout the ski season, you can get two full-day lift tickets for just $75. What a perfectly affordable way to show a friend all the new beautiful, expanded terrain at Lookout Pass. 

SEASON RENTALS

Of course you can rent all kinds of ski and snowboarding equipment for the day, but did you know you can also rent for the entire season? For more information, just call the rental shop staff at 208.744.1234, extension 12.

Explore the mountain and learn more online at Skilookout.com.

(Sponsored content)

The post New Terrain and Lift added at Lookout Pass appeared first on Out There Venture.

Anyway, as I stood there contemplating where to start, a raspy, obviously irritated voice called out to me from over where I store my and my better half’s quivers.

Powder Skis: “Hey, buttmunch, when the hell are you going to take me out?
Me (startled): “Who the !@#$ said that?”
Powder Skis: “Over here – just want to know when you are going to man up.”
Me: “Oh, right. Yeah, so listen. I know we all had higher expectations this year, but the snow gods are a little behind right now. So let’s just stay positive and pray for the usual late season storms.”
Powder Skis: “Stay positive? Seriously? There’s like a month left in the season and I’m still sitting here dressed in summer storage wax. WTF?”
Me: “I don’t know what to tell ya. La Niña goes that way sometimes. It doesn’t always mean an epic year . . .”
Powder Skis: “So now you’re going to throw around some fancy meteorological terms? Screw this, I’m moving in with my cousin in Salt Lake City. At least down in the Wasatch Range I know I will get some time on the hill.”
Me: “Let me help you pack. You do know that I found you on Ebay for like $150, right? I’m sure I can find another pair this off-season.”
Powder Skis: “That’s a low blow. Pound sand.”

Carving Skis: “Hey, can you guys keep it down?  I’ve been on the hill every weekend since December and need some quiet time.”
Me: “Sorry about that, but the powder skis started it.”
Powder Skis: “Whatever, dude.”
Carving Skis: “What part of quiet don’t you understand? Can’t you see my edges are dull, my bases are dry, and I’ve got rock shots all over? I’m exhausted.”
Me: “Well, at least you are getting used . . ..”
Carving Skis: “Yeah, more like used and abused. You could at least throw on some wax after we get home on weekends. But noooo, you just toss me in the corner and go plop your fat backside on the couch. No wonder my edges are rusted.”
Me: “Listen, I will get you into the shop this week for a full tune, including a stone grind. Will that make you happy?”
Carving Skis: “Promises, promises.”
Powder Skis: “You know what would make me happy? A crapload of snow.”
Carving Skis: “No one is talking to you.”
Powder Skis: “Shocker. No one has talked to me in two years.”
Carving Skis: “At least you have wax on you.”
Powder Skis: “Yeah, lot of good that is doing.”
Rock Skis: “You guys have no idea. Freaking entitled generation.”
Powder Skis: “Shut up, Grandpa. No one cares what an old, full-cambered ski thinks, anyway.”
Rock Skis: “Sonny, I was ripping turns when you were just the idea of some stoner ski designer. Tell me to shut up again and you’re going find out what real pain tastes like.”
Me: “I’m going to go get a beer.”

Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski industry professional.  We are pretty sure this conversation was not just in his head. Find more of his Ski Bum Advice articles and satire in the OTO archives.

Need help deciphering ski lingo? Read “How To Talk Like A Shredder.”

The post Ski bum Advice: If Skis Could Talk appeared first on Out There Venture.

Since the beginning of both the glorious sports of skiing and snowboarding, all ski bums of new and old keep making up new ski lingo that takes some getting used to. It’s not always easy to talk like a shredder.

My uncle is the Rossignol rep for the Northwest, and as a kid I frequently made the trip down to Mt. Hood to visit him. He spoke English, but in a different way. His was the language of the ski or snowboard extremist.

I was becoming a shredder at this point, but listening to my uncle made me realize I had just found another route to becoming an even better and more steezy skier: by learning the language.

Earlier this year, I was up skiing Revelstoke when I started talking to a 60-year-old logger from Oregon. I asked him if he wanted to take the skier’s left or right chute off the top of the sub-peak at Revy. He said, “What did you just say, son?”

I had to explain to him that as a snowboarder you face both uphill and downhill, but skiers always face downhill. This interaction was a reminder that the language of skiers and snowboarders is ever-evolving.

It made me wonder what I may not even know. And that experience also made me think about a few phrases that are still common on the mountain today.

Photos by Aaron Theisen, courtesy of Ski the NW Rockies.

New School Ski Lingo

Jib: Jump or rail feature that is off piste or off the trail.

Send/boost: To hit a jump that throws you as close to the moon as you could possibly go.

Steeze: Amount of style you have.

Shred: Going down difficult terrain as fast and hard as you can.

Park Rat: The skiers and boarders that only go to the Terrain Park.

Nuking/dumping: When it’s snowing cats and dogs.

Jerry: The skiers and boarders that have no idea what they are doing and are charging down the mountain. (Editor’s Note: See Jerry examples on Instagram @Jerryoftheday, which has some of the best, most funny captions and hashtags; also see @Jerryslams.)

Gaper: The distinguished gap between a Jerry’s helmet and goggles; Another term for a newbie.

Snow Bunny: A female skier or boarder that is attractive and shreds harder than most of the people on the mountain.

Pizza: The mechanism that newbie skiers use on the slopes to go down the mountain. In other words, their skis look like a V.

Falling Leaf: Snowboarders who can’t turn, so they stay on heel side the whole way down the mountain.

Grom: A little skier or boarder who rips down the mountain.

Après Ski: After skiing activities that usually include drinking.

Ski Terrain Terms

Glades: Trees that have been thinned out for skiing.

Chute/Couloir: Tight, steep ski lines that are bound on both sides by trees or rocks.

Moguls: Bumps created by skiers.

Groomer/Corduroy: Result of machines making the snow flat and wavy like a Ruffles chip so the skiing is easier and faster.

Pillow Line: Large boulders when covered with snow can make some epic lines when jumping from rock to rock.

Other Ski Terms

Bluebird: Blue skis and sunny! Break out the sunnies.

Gnarly: Tough terrain. Double black diamond, presumably.

Chatter: What happens to your skis when the ski hill turns into an ice rink and your edges don’t stick.

Side Country: Out of bounds at a resort that may or may not require using the resort’s lifts for access.

Liftie: The employee who puts you on and off the lift.

Tracked Out: When all the fresh snow has been skied on and you can no longer ski that fresh pow.

Originally published as “The Language of Shredders, Revisited” in the March-April 2022 issue, as the culture feature in the Out There Snow special section.

Logan Siegford is an avid snowboarder, rock climber, and fisherman who grew up in North Idaho. This is his first article for Out There.

Shredder Talk: Sending it on a bluebird (left); park rat fun (top right), and meet-up on the corduroy during a bluebird day (bottom right). // Photos courtesy of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

Check out more ski lingo in “Talk Like a Skier: Gaper’s Guide to Ski Lingo” by Brad Naccarato, published in the February 2014 print issue.

[Feature photo courtesy of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.]

The post How To Talk Like a Shredder appeared first on Out There Venture.

Andy Fuzak has been skiing Mt Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park for 28 years and teaching there for 11. He comes from a skiing family, but a few years ago he decided he should at least give the single plank a try. He strapped one on in his living room and got some instruction from a buddy. He then took the hand-me-down board to the mountain that he calls home and, being an experienced skier, headed straight for Chair 3.

Unlike many snowboard newbies, Fuzak was scared of his heel side being open to the hill and the potential of catching a toeside edge (aka the dreaded scorpion). So to prepare before his snowboarding initiation that day, he had a beer or two to calm his nerves.

Once safely off Chair 3, Fuzak was taking his time sliding toeside down the slope when those confidence-boosting beers came back to haunt him. The urge to pee came on strong, he says, so he tried to ride into familiar trees to answer nature’s call. He quickly realized, however, that his single board had become stuck in the snow.

Desperate to avoid an accident, Fuzak resorted to crawling, still fully strapped to his board, until positioned in a way he could relieve himself. On the rare occasion when he snowboards, Fuzak still has the fear of faceplanting and usually waits for a really soft day. He also makes sure to hit the head before strapping into his board.

Garrett Shadwick, the new marketing manager at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, started skiing in college. Hailing from Texas, he found a crew who would road trip to Colorado and Montana. He chased these friends down the mountains until he was a confident skier. On one of those trips to Montana, he decided to switch it up and give boarding a try.

They found a small hill with an open clearing with a rail at the bottom. Shadwick strapped in to a buddy’s snowboard with hiking boots. After a few short runs, he was feeling sure enough of his nascent snowboarding skills, so they hit the resort, swapping gear with his friends for the entire day.

Shadwick tackled his first green run, and, as he recalls, he face-planted about eight times. He finally discovered that if he crouched down he could make it to the bottom without crashing. Once safe back at the bottom of the run, he quickly traded back to the two-board discipline that is his passion and career.

Unlike Shadwick and Fuzak, I spent my formative snow years on a snowboard. I could passably surf and cruise on a skateboard, so snowboarding made sense to me. The thought of trying to turn two sticks and two edges down a steep slope without leaning over my heels or toes freaked me out.

Eventually a good friend from Maine came to visit me in New Mexico one winter and wanted to head up to Taos Ski Valley. Back then Taos was a skier-only mountain, leaving me no choice but to load up two long planks and heavy plastic boots and leave my snowboard at home.

As we approached the main lift, a sign proclaimed in big letters: “Don’t Panic! You’re looking at only 1/30 of Taos Ski Valley. We have many easy runs too!”

With a bit of dread, I loaded the lift. Having a good 15-plus inches of fresh powder made for an exciting and exhausting experience for both of us, the Mainer who had never skied powder and me, the newbie skier.

We both spent a large portion of the day hiking up slope to retrieve gear. I could not get both skis to make turns in the steep powder and ended up crossing skis and doing the slow-motion tip over countless times.

My buddy didn’t fare much better. Being from Maine where “powder days” are only a few inches, he would continually bury his tips, double eject, and fly face-first in the snow laughing.

Learning a new discipline anytime can be exhausting, frustrating, and insanely joyful. I don’t think I’ve ever needed a beer and a hot tub at the end of a day on the mountain as much as that first time switching it up from one plank to two.

Adam Gebauer is happy to have taken many falls on both skis and snowboard and now swings both ways. He wrote about what the professionals predicted for this winter 2021-22 snowfall in the November-December 2021 print issue.

Trying out a snowboard. // Photo courtesy of Garrett Shadwick. (left photo)

Find more stories about snowboarding and learning how to alpine ski or ride a snowboard in the OTO archives.

The post Switching Between Skis & Snowboard appeared first on Out There Venture.

The skiers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of deep pow-pow danced in their heads,
When up in the evergreens there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

A full moon lit up all the new fallen snow
Blinding me for a minute, hot damn what a glow!
When what to my bloodshot eyes should appear,
But a beat up old Subaru, pulled by eight giant reindeer.

With a burly old driver, not some punk ass new-schooler,
I knew immediately this was the legend, the one known as Ullr.
More rapid than a high speed quad, his reindeer they came,
And he whistled, and bellowed, and called them by name.

“Now, Gaper! Now, Ripper! Now, Steezy and Skidder!
On, Park Rat! On, Snowplower! On, Shredder and Jibber!
Back by the hot tub! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As spindrift that before the leeward wind fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, float to the sky,
So back towards the driveway, the reindeer they flew,
With the Subaru full of tuning supplies, and the snow god Ullr too.

And then, in an instant, I heard by the garage,
The stomping and clamoring from this mythical entourage.
As I stumbled down the stairs to catch a glimpse more,
In strode Ullr through the exterior garage door.

He was dressed in Patagonia, both jacket and pants,
So expensive those clothes, they must have been financed.
A massive bundle of goods he had strapped to his back,
And he looked like a true alpinist as he unshouldered his pack.

The stem of a peace pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the pungent smoke encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a chiseled face, and abs like a wash board,
That rippled as he moved, like a true Norwegian lord.

He was a giant of a man, six foot four and full of muscle,
I nearly crapped when I our eyes locked, with him I would not tussle.
A smirk on his face, and a nod from his head,
Soon gave me the feeling I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, and went straight to his task,
Of waxing all the skis, occasionally taking a pull from his flask.
When finished, he smiled, and flashed me the peace sign;
I gave him a thumbs up, pretending I was fine.

He marched to his ride, giving his team their next order,
And away they all flew, north towards the Canadian border.
But I heard him exclaim, right as they were fleeing,
GET YOUR BUTTS OUT OF BED! IT’S TIME TO GO SKIING!

Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski industry professional. We seriously doubt this will get him nominated as an American Poet Laureate. He writes Ski Bum Advice for the Out There Snow special section.

Ullr: “A Norse god often associated with winter, skiing and snow sports. Many people refer to him as the God of snow or God of skiing, but according to the Prose Edda, a historical text used by scholars of Norse mythology, Ullr was never given a ‘God of’ title for anything. However, he is recognized for being a skilled skier and hunter, and he is often depicted on skis with his bow. It is even said that the aurora borealis, which dance across night skies in the Northern hemispheres, are the spray from his skis.” (Source: Whistler.com)

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