Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ski to the Clouds release
For Immediate Release: February 16, 2010
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Ski to the Clouds: $1400 Up for Grabs for Skiing Up Mt. Washington
Pinkham Notch, NH—On Sunday, March 7, 2010, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide with $1400 in cash prizes up for grabs. Ski to the Clouds features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
On both the men’s and women’s sides in 2009, Ski to the Clouds was won by Olympic athletes, and Great Glen Trails expects more top notch racing in 2010. Two-time defending champion and member of the 2006 Olympic team, Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH is scheduled to defend his title. No word yet on the women’s defending champion, Nina Badamshina, a 9-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race will finish just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There will not be separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older will also each receive a $200 prize.
Maxiglide will also double any prize money won if that racer uses Maxiglide’s Sensor Speed Powder during the race. (Racer must also provide a testimonial for Maxiglide’s website.) Free samples are also available to all race entrants for testing prior to the race by visiting www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
Race begins at 10:00 am at Great Glen Trails at the base of Mt. Washington. Field is limited to 150 competitors. Competitors are allowed to preview the course. Please purchase a trail pass at Great Glen Trails during regular operating hours. For more information and to register, go to www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
About Maxiglide
Beginning in 1975, Maxiglide was the first American company to address the issue of snow and ice on the bases of the first waxless cross country skis. Maxiglide created a Teflon-based coating that not only sealed the bases from accumulating snow and ice but also enhanced the glide. Maxiglide now offers user-friendly fluorocarbon rub-in waxes effective in a wide range of conditions for all types of skis and snowboards. Maxiglide was the first to develop liquid coatings for skis, then paste waxes, and eventually similar technology for canoes and kayaks. More information is available at www.Maxiglide.com.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. A complete events calendar and detailed snow conditions are available at 603.466.2333 or www.GreatGlenTrails.com.
###
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Ski to the Clouds: $1400 Up for Grabs for Skiing Up Mt. Washington
Pinkham Notch, NH—On Sunday, March 7, 2010, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide with $1400 in cash prizes up for grabs. Ski to the Clouds features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
On both the men’s and women’s sides in 2009, Ski to the Clouds was won by Olympic athletes, and Great Glen Trails expects more top notch racing in 2010. Two-time defending champion and member of the 2006 Olympic team, Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH is scheduled to defend his title. No word yet on the women’s defending champion, Nina Badamshina, a 9-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race will finish just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There will not be separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older will also each receive a $200 prize.
Maxiglide will also double any prize money won if that racer uses Maxiglide’s Sensor Speed Powder during the race. (Racer must also provide a testimonial for Maxiglide’s website.) Free samples are also available to all race entrants for testing prior to the race by visiting www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
Race begins at 10:00 am at Great Glen Trails at the base of Mt. Washington. Field is limited to 150 competitors. Competitors are allowed to preview the course. Please purchase a trail pass at Great Glen Trails during regular operating hours. For more information and to register, go to www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
About Maxiglide
Beginning in 1975, Maxiglide was the first American company to address the issue of snow and ice on the bases of the first waxless cross country skis. Maxiglide created a Teflon-based coating that not only sealed the bases from accumulating snow and ice but also enhanced the glide. Maxiglide now offers user-friendly fluorocarbon rub-in waxes effective in a wide range of conditions for all types of skis and snowboards. Maxiglide was the first to develop liquid coatings for skis, then paste waxes, and eventually similar technology for canoes and kayaks. More information is available at www.Maxiglide.com.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. A complete events calendar and detailed snow conditions are available at 603.466.2333 or www.GreatGlenTrails.com.
###
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snow Storm
I had a great early morning climb followed by a nice sun rise run at my local hill. As I was skinning up I was thinking about this storm that the Mid Atlantic was getting nailed with, and how weather that we dream of can be so crippling to another part of the country. I found myself just shaking my head at times as I picked my way up part of a trail that was in desperate need of some snow.
Despite the lack of snow it was still very nice to get out in the morning and enjoy the fresh air. In fact I had a chance to get a little bit of a later start, meaning I got to enjoy my first sun rise where I got to see the sun actually break the horizon. Up to this point it has been more of enjoying a really orange and pink horizon line.
Having a bit more light meant I could play with the video feature on my point and shoot camera. Of course I didn't check the battery before I headed out, so the video didn't last very long! However I did get enough battery to shoot the sun rise and a skin removal. The good news for me- the camera quit just as I went to do the other ski and promptly fell down.
The ski down was excellent. Having first tracks is something I'll never get sick of. Once in the car I tuned into NPR and heard Dulles International Airport got 32 inches out of the storm. Wow! That is a big storm no matter where you are.
Maybe the next storm will track north to an area that will actually appreciate it!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fashion Curmudgeon
Am I becoming a skiing curmudgeon when I shake my head in apparent disgust at certain ski fashions? The one that has been irritating me like an ill fitting ski boot is the fully unzipped ski parka look that seems popular with many of the younger crowd hanging out in the terrain park.
I’m not sure why it is bugging me so much, but it is. I mean the pants that look like they should fit Fat Albert but are being worn by Pee-Wee Herman don’t bug me, although I do find myself wondering what they’d look like if they ever tried to do a spread eagle or a daffy.
The studio sized headphones that some wear over their acrylic pom-pom hats don’t bug me, although I am curious if it is that they like the sound performance, or they wanted to have headphones big enough that they could put stickers on them.
I’m even ok with the skiing around with your hands down by your boot tops, I mean I used to have a poster on my wall of Rob Boyd catching air with his hands down by his boot tops. Of course that was a poster of Boyd shot during a downhill where he was going about 80 miles per hour and he was trying to keep his chest from catching air and causing him to wreck.
Heck I’m even ok with the kids who complain the park isn’t groomed out on a powder day, well that’s just me being selfish as it means that they are all over in the park trying to pack down the in-runs while I get a better shot at my favorite powder line in the woods.
But the fully unzipped parka just irks me. Maybe it’s because it brings out the Dad in me and I want to yell at them to zip up their coat so they don’t get cold. Maybe it’s because I’m not a NJ Nets or LA Clippers fan and the unzipped jacked shows off their NBA team of choice, and it seems to rarely be the Celtics. Maybe it’s because if they aren’t wearing an NBA jersey it’s because then I have to look at a cotton t-shirt that has more X’s in the size then the Roman numeral for thirty. Maybe it’s because I often see those who sport this fashion skiing straight down the mountain to the park and I would rather see them make turns to control their speed than use their unzipped coats as some sort of primitive parachute. Or maybe it’s because I hear them complain about being cold while they are in line for the lift, and I’m sitting their thinking- “you’re wearing a $600 down parka- zip it up and you won’t be cold.”
The reality is that it irks me because I don’t get it. I’ve gotten to the point where I no longer “get” the fashion of the day. It irks me because now I understand why my Dad thought it was so stupid that I’d buy flannel shirts a size too big so that I could pile on enough clothing so that I could ski in a flannel shirt and fleece vest, even though it was -10 degrees outside.
At the end of the day, however, they are out their skiing and having fun. So despite being a curmudgeon I can look at them and shake my head in exasperation, but I do it with a smile.
I’m not sure why it is bugging me so much, but it is. I mean the pants that look like they should fit Fat Albert but are being worn by Pee-Wee Herman don’t bug me, although I do find myself wondering what they’d look like if they ever tried to do a spread eagle or a daffy.
The studio sized headphones that some wear over their acrylic pom-pom hats don’t bug me, although I am curious if it is that they like the sound performance, or they wanted to have headphones big enough that they could put stickers on them.
I’m even ok with the skiing around with your hands down by your boot tops, I mean I used to have a poster on my wall of Rob Boyd catching air with his hands down by his boot tops. Of course that was a poster of Boyd shot during a downhill where he was going about 80 miles per hour and he was trying to keep his chest from catching air and causing him to wreck.
Heck I’m even ok with the kids who complain the park isn’t groomed out on a powder day, well that’s just me being selfish as it means that they are all over in the park trying to pack down the in-runs while I get a better shot at my favorite powder line in the woods.
But the fully unzipped parka just irks me. Maybe it’s because it brings out the Dad in me and I want to yell at them to zip up their coat so they don’t get cold. Maybe it’s because I’m not a NJ Nets or LA Clippers fan and the unzipped jacked shows off their NBA team of choice, and it seems to rarely be the Celtics. Maybe it’s because if they aren’t wearing an NBA jersey it’s because then I have to look at a cotton t-shirt that has more X’s in the size then the Roman numeral for thirty. Maybe it’s because I often see those who sport this fashion skiing straight down the mountain to the park and I would rather see them make turns to control their speed than use their unzipped coats as some sort of primitive parachute. Or maybe it’s because I hear them complain about being cold while they are in line for the lift, and I’m sitting their thinking- “you’re wearing a $600 down parka- zip it up and you won’t be cold.”
The reality is that it irks me because I don’t get it. I’ve gotten to the point where I no longer “get” the fashion of the day. It irks me because now I understand why my Dad thought it was so stupid that I’d buy flannel shirts a size too big so that I could pile on enough clothing so that I could ski in a flannel shirt and fleece vest, even though it was -10 degrees outside.
At the end of the day, however, they are out their skiing and having fun. So despite being a curmudgeon I can look at them and shake my head in exasperation, but I do it with a smile.
Monday, January 18, 2010
X-Games
I was going through some older columns, found this one that ran last year, it ran in February of 2009. It made me laugh as I still feel this way- enjoy.
I hate to admit this, but I didn't ski on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, but I had a few projects that took precedent and by the time I was done I decided to kick back on the couch and watch some television. A buddy had come over and we were chatting about skiing and low and behold Winter X-Games was on. We watched skier-x, skier slopestyle, snowboard super pipe and some crazy snowmobile freestyle contest.
The things these athletes were doing were unreal. It was impressive to see how far these sports have progressed, it was cool to see athletes like Shawn White who have grown up before our eyes. It was all good, well not all good. There was a darkness growing as we watched the events. Neither of us said anything at first, but it was there, then it came out- Dan said it first- "where were these events when we were kids?"
The door had been opened. Two late thirty somethings sitting on a couch watching television feeling like the gods of fate had cruelly either put them on the earth too early or had let the evils of a litigious society shape too much of their skiing youth in the 80's and early 90's. Ok you might be wondering where this is all going, but if you skied a great deal in the era of neon then you will remember the great ski movies that showed crazy jumps followed by the reality of ski patrol taking your ticket away because you caught a little bit of air- the era of the "NO JUMPING" sign.
I hated those signs. As an adolescent skier jumping was as much a part of skiing as being wet was a part of swimming. Being on skis allowed you to escape gravity for short periods of time. Sometimes you went way up in the air, other times you travelled great distances, sometimes you did both. But no matter what jumping was one of the coolest feelings around, yet doing so was equated with crime- and we're not talking white collar crime where you just get a little slap on the wrist, we're talking gritty crime where the patrol served as judge, jury, and executioner and would take you golden ticket away and leave you grounded at the base of the mountain without another ride up.
To alleviate this we used to bring several jackets and hats (this was well before helmets) and we'd go session a jump and when the patrol would come to nab us we would boogie down to the base at warp speed, blast out of our bindings, run into the lodge and change our jacket and then come back out and do it again. It was a great game and most of the time you could keep your ticket, but sometimes you'd get caught and either lose a corner of the ticket (again before scanning so they would actually cut part of your ticket off), or if you had already lost a corner they would take the ticket away.
I recently took a run with a long time patroller over at Shawnee Peak who had taken my pass when I was a young one and told me I could get it back if I brought him a pizza. No big deal, except he was in the patrol hut at the top of the mountain and I didn't have a ticket to ride the lift. I walked that pizza up to him and got my ticket back. I did get even though, we had the same size foot- so while he was scarfing down the pizza I took his skis and skied back down.
I bring all of this up as I have realized I have become one of those who now say, "when I was young…..," and Winter X-Games brings that out in me. So while I watch these amazing athletes twist, grab and slide through the terrain park, or as they bump shoulders as they race down a banked course full of jumps, I think back to those who went before them and paved the way by sacrificing their tickets so that jumping and skiing fast could live on, and someday make it to the big time. Ok that's corny, but funny.
As a side note, watching the Winter X-Games we also were treated to local skier and Ability Plus director at Attitash, Erik Corbett, making it to the semi-finals and placing top 5 in the mono-cross event in the Winter X-Games. Congratulations to Erik- great job.
I hate to admit this, but I didn't ski on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, but I had a few projects that took precedent and by the time I was done I decided to kick back on the couch and watch some television. A buddy had come over and we were chatting about skiing and low and behold Winter X-Games was on. We watched skier-x, skier slopestyle, snowboard super pipe and some crazy snowmobile freestyle contest.
The things these athletes were doing were unreal. It was impressive to see how far these sports have progressed, it was cool to see athletes like Shawn White who have grown up before our eyes. It was all good, well not all good. There was a darkness growing as we watched the events. Neither of us said anything at first, but it was there, then it came out- Dan said it first- "where were these events when we were kids?"
The door had been opened. Two late thirty somethings sitting on a couch watching television feeling like the gods of fate had cruelly either put them on the earth too early or had let the evils of a litigious society shape too much of their skiing youth in the 80's and early 90's. Ok you might be wondering where this is all going, but if you skied a great deal in the era of neon then you will remember the great ski movies that showed crazy jumps followed by the reality of ski patrol taking your ticket away because you caught a little bit of air- the era of the "NO JUMPING" sign.
I hated those signs. As an adolescent skier jumping was as much a part of skiing as being wet was a part of swimming. Being on skis allowed you to escape gravity for short periods of time. Sometimes you went way up in the air, other times you travelled great distances, sometimes you did both. But no matter what jumping was one of the coolest feelings around, yet doing so was equated with crime- and we're not talking white collar crime where you just get a little slap on the wrist, we're talking gritty crime where the patrol served as judge, jury, and executioner and would take you golden ticket away and leave you grounded at the base of the mountain without another ride up.
To alleviate this we used to bring several jackets and hats (this was well before helmets) and we'd go session a jump and when the patrol would come to nab us we would boogie down to the base at warp speed, blast out of our bindings, run into the lodge and change our jacket and then come back out and do it again. It was a great game and most of the time you could keep your ticket, but sometimes you'd get caught and either lose a corner of the ticket (again before scanning so they would actually cut part of your ticket off), or if you had already lost a corner they would take the ticket away.
I recently took a run with a long time patroller over at Shawnee Peak who had taken my pass when I was a young one and told me I could get it back if I brought him a pizza. No big deal, except he was in the patrol hut at the top of the mountain and I didn't have a ticket to ride the lift. I walked that pizza up to him and got my ticket back. I did get even though, we had the same size foot- so while he was scarfing down the pizza I took his skis and skied back down.
I bring all of this up as I have realized I have become one of those who now say, "when I was young…..," and Winter X-Games brings that out in me. So while I watch these amazing athletes twist, grab and slide through the terrain park, or as they bump shoulders as they race down a banked course full of jumps, I think back to those who went before them and paved the way by sacrificing their tickets so that jumping and skiing fast could live on, and someday make it to the big time. Ok that's corny, but funny.
As a side note, watching the Winter X-Games we also were treated to local skier and Ability Plus director at Attitash, Erik Corbett, making it to the semi-finals and placing top 5 in the mono-cross event in the Winter X-Games. Congratulations to Erik- great job.
Friday, January 8, 2010
My morning ski
I've been trying to get up early in the morning before work to skin up Shawnee Peak and get in my one run a day. It works out well as it is about a 40 minute ski up the mountain, followed by a few minutes back down. Basically it's an hour to an hour fifteen round trip- so I can get it done before the girls need help getting ready for school.
The tough part is that the sun really isn't up until almost 7am (although it is getting a few minutes earlier every day) so the ski down is done in very pale morning light. In fact earlier this week it was done more under moonlight- which I have to say was very cool.
I love having the mountain to myself early in the AM. I love being outside and getting in an ok work out that will have a better than OK payoff when it comes time to point the skis down the hill and head back down to the car.
The part my ego enjoys is how people react to it- which I find interesting, if you go to the gym at 5am people see that as normal, but skin up a mountain at 5am and suddenly your hardcore. The reality is it isn't that big of a deal, and in my humble opinion it is a lot harder to be motivated to run on a treadmill inside than it is to skin up a mountain under the stars and to enjoy a great sunrise when you get to the top. Add to that the turns you get on the way back down.
As a side note I want to wish my Dad a happy birthday today!
That's it from me. Now get out and ski.
sven
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Out of Practice
Last night I helped out a friend who had gotten a new pair of backcountry XC skis by mounting up his bindings. This is something I used to do many times a day, sometimes up to 50 pair in a day if we were getting a new rental fleet ready or getting ready for a demo day. Of course when I was doing that I had a shop that was set up as a ski shop. It had good lighting. It had heat. It had the proper tools. It had good work space. And- it had jigs.
Last night I had my dimly lit garage with a small space heater creating a very small area that felt less cold. I had a Swix waxing table that was cluttered with bike tools, I had a drill with a bit that had a duct tape stop on it and the wrong size driver bit. And the best part- a paper jig.
I know there are many of you who have mounted with a paper jig, and so have I- but usually it was on a pair of my skis or at worst skis for my kids- so half the time I would eyeball the whole process, but these weren't my or any blood relatives skis. So I felt like the pressure was on and I really needed to get it perfect.
Long story short we got the skis mounted, with only one stripped screw, a mad hunt for a black bumper in the poor lighting (which we did find), and only a small amount of blood being lost on my part.
The part that cracked me up is that I got a good case of ski envy. The skis are the new Karhu 10th Mountains- a full metal edge waxless ski. Their wood core and pretty light. Very sweet. I really don't need a new pair of skis, but I also know that need has never been a part of the equation. Anyway- the skis are mounted and now it's time to get out and give them a run. With any luck I'll talk my buddy into heading up to ski Wildcat Valley Trail this weekend. Looks like I need to call Thom and get the update.
Until next time, get out and ski.
Sven
Last night I had my dimly lit garage with a small space heater creating a very small area that felt less cold. I had a Swix waxing table that was cluttered with bike tools, I had a drill with a bit that had a duct tape stop on it and the wrong size driver bit. And the best part- a paper jig.
I know there are many of you who have mounted with a paper jig, and so have I- but usually it was on a pair of my skis or at worst skis for my kids- so half the time I would eyeball the whole process, but these weren't my or any blood relatives skis. So I felt like the pressure was on and I really needed to get it perfect.
Long story short we got the skis mounted, with only one stripped screw, a mad hunt for a black bumper in the poor lighting (which we did find), and only a small amount of blood being lost on my part.
The part that cracked me up is that I got a good case of ski envy. The skis are the new Karhu 10th Mountains- a full metal edge waxless ski. Their wood core and pretty light. Very sweet. I really don't need a new pair of skis, but I also know that need has never been a part of the equation. Anyway- the skis are mounted and now it's time to get out and give them a run. With any luck I'll talk my buddy into heading up to ski Wildcat Valley Trail this weekend. Looks like I need to call Thom and get the update.
Until next time, get out and ski.
Sven
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