Winter

I'm ready for winter. How about you? It's been a strange winter and with February now underway I'm struggling with the fact that we are halfway through the ski season. While we haven't had great natural snow to get us into the woods, we've had some great skiing at the resorts where they've been taking advantage of the few cold nights we've had thus far.

Now what will likely happen is we'll get through February and start thinking about mountain biking, kayaking, and all sort of spring like activities and then get buried with March snow. It seems to happen that way each year and it requires that we stay focused on those future powder days so that when they get here we're not bummed!

Ok time for bed so I can get up and climb in the morning. If I can't get first tracks in powder then first tracks on fresh corduroy is the next best thing!

Cold Morning

I can't think of many better ways to start the day than to skin up a mountain, watch the sunrise, and then ski down. Today was no exception, except for the fact that it was COLD. That being said, it's winter and it's supposed to be cold!

As a skier I get really annoyed when I watch the news and the weatherman tries to sensationalize the weather and encourages people to "stay inside for their own safety" as it will be "dangerously cold". I understand people need to take precautions to make sure they don't get frostbite, but this is winter in New England, if we hideout inside every time it's close to or below zero we are going to get a widespread rash of cabin fever!

The key to cold weather is to use common sense. Cover up exposed skin. Wear layers so you can regulate your temperature. WEAR A HAT! Have good gloves and boots, and keep yourself moving but also understand where you are and what your "bail out" options are. If you are going to go skiing at a ski area, you have the base lodge as a "bail out" option when you get cold. When you're out in the backcountry you have to pack in your bail out option. Mine is a my hooded down parka, packs small, but does a great job at keeping me warm when I transition from the climbing park of the tour to the skiing part! I also always pack an extra hat and gloves as those tend to get wet with sweat when touring.

I guess my point is that while it gets cold, and if unprepared it can become a pretty serious issue, if you do plan and wear the right gear you can have a great time out in the snow no matter what the temp.

Time to Test Skis

Getting out on a pair of demo skis this morning, and I'm kinda stoked. I used to test skis all the time, and I still do a day or two of testing each year- but those days are a lot of skis in a short period of time. This is an all day affair, or at least as long as the girls legs hold out! I bring it up as I get asked all the time about what someone should get for a pair of skis, and I am sometimes embarrassed to say, "I have no idea". The reality is that skis have gotten REALLY good in the last decade, but while they've gotten really good they've also gotten very different. Where do you like to ski? How fast? Do you like to go everywhere (powder, woods, bumps, cruisers, park?) Do you like making big turns? Little turns? A bit of everything? There are skis that excel in all of those categories, as well as skis that do a darn good job crossing over.

So hit up your local shop and try out a pair of skis. Then try out another pair, and maybe another. I guarantee you'll find something you love!

Now get out and ski.

If you're looking for a shop, check out these guys- Sporthaus, they're the guys helping me pick out some new sticks.

Now That's Better

Got out on the hill for some lift service skiing today over at Shawnee Peak, and it felt great! I was impressed with how good the skiing was considering what we've been dealing with in regards to lack of snow and lack of cold. I connected with my parents for a couple runs and was reminded that skiing must be in my DNA. Watching my Dad ski always amazes me. Smooth is the word that always comes to mind and just so sure on his feet. It always reminds me that if I just breath and relax a bit my skiing always improves. Likely good advice in lots of areas of life!

Waiting For Snow

I know it's coming, and I've had a few great days out on the hill already, but that doesn't stop me from getting cranky about the lack of snow. It is a sad day when we skied powder the day before Halloween and then the day (and day's after) Thanksgiving- but have nothing on the ground now. Of course that being said they are cranking in terms of snowmaking right now so that is good.

As I write this I can see the lights at Shawnee Peak and that means they are going full bore which has me stoked.

Here is the footage from Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day 2011 from Sven Cole on Vimeo.

A good day for sure!

There seems to be a good appetite out there right now for the ski season to get cranking and the vibe in general is pretty good. I am defiantly hearing from a lot of folks who are interested in getting out into the backcountry, which is a good sign. I always look at that as a barometer of the passion for the sport, as it isn't easy to head off-piste when you know you've gotta hike and work to earn your turns. I'm getting excited to do some exploring on skis. One trip I'd love to do is to ski from my house in North Bridgton over to the Moat Mountain Smokehouse in North Conway. It's about marathon distance (around 50km), maybe a touch short- and much would be on snowmobile trails with a few bushwhacks thrown in for good measure, meaning it won't be easy.

I'm also anxious to do this trip again:

Pleasant Mountain Traverse from Sven Cole on Vimeo.

This time I want to skip the lift ride up. It was a super fun trip and one that I'm looking forward to taking a few other people on.

All we need now is the snow.

On a separate note, I want to send out a shout out to Miah, who is undergoing a marrow transplant today. He is one of my all-time favorite people and a major league ski hero. I'm raising a glass to speedy recovery. Now I need to book a ticket out so I can take advantage of his weakened state and be able to keep up with him for once on skis later this winter- it'll be the only way I'll ever do it!

Now go find some snow and enjoy.

Attitash & Wildcat Mountain Among First Google Street View Map Ski Areas In The East

(Press Release from Thomas Prindle @ Attitash and Wildcat)

Unique Online Map Enables Users An Interactive Experience To Virtually Explore Ski Trails

Bartlett & Pinkham Notch, NH – Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort were recently included among hundreds of new imagery maps released in Google’s Street View collections. The New Hampshire resorts had allowed and coordinated with Google their visit to the mountains and assisted with their collecting 360-degree imagery of the ski slopes, trails and facilities at each resort.

“We were excited to have been asked and to work with the Google Street View team in late March and early April of 2011 and to have them capture this unique imagery of Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort,” said Thomas Prindle, Director of Marketing for both Attitash & Wildcat Mountain. “This new virtual experience has the potential to allow millions of people to view it wherever they are in the world. With imagery of our resort available in Street View, ski and snowboard enthusiasts who may not have visited our mountains or the Mount Washington Valley can now explore the slopes from afar. Ultimately, this helps us showcase the resorts more easily and hopefully, encourage more people to want to visit and see the real thing.”

Street View is a feature available in Google Maps, Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile that allows users to explore the world virtually at street level. The Google Street View imagery captured at Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort was possible utilizing Google’s specially designed camera systems that they mounted on a snowmobile that enabled a resort employee to navigate ski trails while capturing 360-degree imagery. To see and experience the Google Street View ski area map for Wildcat Mountain, visit: http://bit.ly/WildcatMountain_GoogleStreetView. For Attitash Mountain Resort Street, visit: http://bit.ly/AttitashMountain_GoogleStreetView.


###

The Season Is Here!

Well it was here, and now it's melting rapidly. But it certainly was nice to see so much quality snow. I was able to get out for a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday and had quite the enjoyable time. Here are couple of videos we shot during our adventures.

Enjoy.

Pre-Thanksgiving Powder Day at Shawnee Peak from Sven Cole on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving Day 2011 from Sven Cole on Vimeo.