Fat Skis Need Love Too

So I finally got my new sticks for this coming season. After selling my Mantras at a more than fair price, I decided to go ahead and drop the order in for my new toys. They arrived on Monday night. The final decision (after days and days of contemplating) was on the K2 Seth. They are the fattest skis I've ever had at 98mm under foot. The softer flex from the Mantras is definitely accounted for in the length (179's). Yesterday I finally muscled up and bent the brakes on my Fritschis enough to make them work on the new fatties. Next week I'm going to get my "go to guy" at Cole's to mount them up for me (cost = 6-pack of beer).

My decision was based on quite a few factors. First of all, I have an obsession with gear (hence my job..."gearhead"). Also, the Mantras I was on last season were just a little too stiff in the tail to get the pop I like. Also, on big booters they didn't flex enough to stomp sketchy landings. The flex on the Seths is perfect for tubbing and stomping big gaps and cliffs. The Mantras were also a flaired tail, while the Seths are a progressively cut twin tip. The extra fatty-bo-battiness will float them a little better in the chest deep powder La Nina has in store for us this season (yup, I'm callin' it right now...huge winter!). I CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE THEM!!!

PS: Bert, this post is for you. Utah is calling your name, I can feel it.

Backcountry.com Adventure Party 2007

Once again, I was reminded just how awesome the company I work for actually is. It seems like just about everyday I realize how great it is to work for a company of like minded people, doing what we all love. The most recent reminder came in the form of our company party.

Backcountry.com puts together an "Adventure Contest" every year for its employees. Basically you rack up points for recreating outdoors. Participants earn points for climbing, biking, vertical ascension, trash cleanup, kayaking, skiing...literally almost anything you can do outdoors. Since our motto is "We use the gear we sell", this is a great way to show how we actually use our own gear. After the contest is over, it is followed by a massive shin-dig to celebrate how much we love doing what we do.

Brianne and I attended the party (which was now 2 weekends ago, sorry for the late post). We received a discounted rate at the Shilo Inn right down the street form the party. The party venue was The Depot, a 3 story concert hall. It was HUGE, and the only thing bigger than the actual venue was the planning. It must have been a lot of work, because this party was one of the coolest "events" I have ever attended. The theme was "Pray for Snow", meaning everyone wore white. Upon arriving at the door, you could tell the creative nature of the people that I work with. There were togas, snowmen, white painted faces, sprayed hair, snowflakes, and many other interesting costumes. We were also greeted by an actual goat, which was very appropriate since a mountain goat is our logo. Once we got inside, we were handed our drink and gear tickets. Dinner was first, followed by a meet and greet at the upstairs bar.

Awards were given out and gear was won. There was over $100,000 worth of gear and prizes given away at the party. It was truly amazing. I left with a really nice Oakley backpack, a Backcountry.com logo duffel, headphones, and a North Face beanie. Bri got some sweet gear as well. The swag was cool, but the party was even cooler. There was a "glow station" to get decked out for the black lights, a Nintendo Wii station where you could try out the new console, a DJ station complete with go go girls, and a gear station where you picked up your prizes. We also had a band, Soul Survivors. I have never been to a Sundance Party, but I would imagine this was of the same caliber.

I think the coolest thing about it was that the founders/owners came on stage and gave a little appreciation speech. It is rare to work for a company where the president and CEO will go all out and have this much fun at the company party. They looked hilarious (like everyone else) and genuinely had a good time. It's pretty cool that the company they started out of an apartment in Park City not even a decade ago has turned into such a success. This party reminded me both how lucky and proud I am to be a part of it.

P.S. No party is really a party unless you have a live goat there.

'Tis the season...almost anyway

Dropping temperatures, 08 winter gear, ski movie premiers, and even an occasional snowfall. All of these can mean only one thing: Winter is coming. And with its arrival comes ski season. We have already had 3 snow days so far this fall and I couldn't be more excited.
When you live in a seasonal town, namely a mountain town, the people all around you are driven by different things. Some hiking, cycling, climbing, snowshoeing...all of which are great past times. In my case it just so happens to be skiing. But what drives me is more than just a past time, it is a way of life. It has directly affected where I live, my job, and even the vehicle that I drive. And it definitely affects my income.
When the weather starts to change in preparation for the snowfall my mindset begins to change as well. I am reminded why I live in such an amazing place with so many amazing people. In the ski community you meet folks from all walks of life, and there is no better way to celebrate who we are and what we love than a ski movie premier. I had the pleasure of attending Park City's first one of the 08 season a couple of weeks ago. Other than skiing itself, there are few things that rival watching others do what I love in the company of 1000 like-minded friends, a cold beverage, and great music.
I caught word that TGR's new movie "Lost and Found" was premiering in Park City on the 28th of September. I decided to check it out, despite my dislike for the venue where it was playing. While standing in a line of over 500 people and trying to justify paying $6 for a beer, I began to contemplate whether I should stick with it or just go down the street to meet some friends at a local pub (where there is never a line and the drinks always involve a bro-deal). Then a co-worker of mine noticed me in line. "Hey! You know you don't have to wait in this line, right? You're a VIP". And she wasn't kidding. I was handed a VIP bracelet and taken to the front of the line. Little to my knowledge, Backcountry.com (the outdoor company that I work for) was a major part of getting the premier together. We had the posh upstairs lounge rented out with a private discounted bar and an unbeatable view of the screen. After chit-chatting with some co-workers and sharing a few beers, I settled into my viewing spot content with my decision to stay.
While it was nice to view the film in luxury, about half way in to it I finally talked a ski buddy of mine into watching the movie the old way: Standing amidst the 1000 "normal" ticket holders on the floor, "whoo"ing in approval of a dicy line or a large cliff drop, dodging arms to catch a clear view of the screen, and meeting others that have the same passion and lifestyle as myself. This, above all else, reminded me why I make the sacrifices I do to live the life I love. While it would be nice to have a large salary, a mortgage, and a BMW, those things can never compare to pointing your skis down Square Top covered in 2 feet of the freshest powder. At this point in my life, I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world.