#Send-IT!

It ALL starts w/Lucia- you should get a VAN!!

Month: February 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

“Indy” Ski Areas…

February 28, 2021 /

One of my goals this trip..was to hit “the local favorite” ski areas. Ones you and I probably never heard of. I am finding they have 1) better snow (not skied out) by 11 AM 2) Cooler Ski Karma 3) Super nice people / families who just want to ski. Who cares they don’t have 6 seated, heated express lifts! I love the pace and vibe of a fixed two seater with a liftee that has been working the place for decades — dancing to his Spotify playlist that he promotes w/yellow pull off stickies!

Welcome to Lost Trail Powder Mountain (border with Idaho/MT on the continental divide). Waist deep powder all day…
  • This is not deer valley 🙂 (i love DV, but this too!)
  • Almost like camping.
  • Look at those prices! Compare to over $200 at many resorts…

Besides awesome workers and snow…I love the analog (failsafe) way to communicate open chutes (wall of ski patrol shack) and the little rope tows to help you move around the place!

  • You want info on lift status /open chutes? Check with ski patrol!
Nothing technical…just works!
  • Could they be cuter…
  • If you could only hear the playlist!

A special shout out to the Dupont family (Greg and Kelly) and friends … treated me to my first parking lot party — Kids, Hot Dogs and a few local refreshments (beer that is!). Awesome vibe!

A few of the party goers! Love this gang…
Send-IT! after an awesome day at Lost Trail Powder Mountain…what is next!?

BTW if you like to support these independent ski resorts…a great way is buy an indypass (about $250 and you get 2 free days at dozens of ski most family owned ski areas…).

Birkie and the peaceful warrior…

February 26, 2021 /

Just completed the American Birkebeiner (Birkie). Most popular nordic (cross country ski) marathon that in normal years happens in the iconic northwoods of northern WI (Cable to Hayward). Well this year it happened for Send-IT!’s driver in Big Sky.

Lone Mountain Ranch nordic ski trails at Big Sky Montana.

I have to say while I love the birkie (my big event of each year)…the crowds, the fans cheering, partying, banging on drums, trying to push jägermeister and brats on skiers trying not to puke up hills:)…

Almost 1600 feet of climb before a downhill…beautiful snow falling and mountains around me!

I loved my virtual birkie…absolutely zero other skiers (ok maybe a few, like 4), no clock, just complete quiet for almost 5 hours — just the banging of my heart pumping as I climbed thousands of feet at between 6500 and 9000 feet.

Right HERE, Right NOW!

I had lots of time to think about a book I have been reading in Send-IT!. Dan Millman’s “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior” — upon a recommendation from no other than Kristian Bell. I think this Birkie was such a great manifestation of “Right HERE, Right NOW”. I am working to be more present to what I am doing…whether my AM routine in Send-IT! or how my hips are positioned while I climb a hill on my skis. My body felt great and was a very rewarding day even without an “official time.”

Had to flag a worker to take a picture. Not downtown Hayward with crazy fans…but equally as awesome.

Big Sky + the Haynors = awesome!

February 24, 2021 /

Great few days at Big Sky with our friends and old:) Hudson neighbors.

Big Sky is one of my favorite ski areas…awesome terrain, few crowds, and lots of acres/skier (as Eric says). This is a shot of the headwaters headwall…a place we did some skiing.
  • Treated like VIP…Jayne & Eric, Harrison and +1 Michelle
  • Eric achieving pole position
  • Harrison w/epoxy broke ski..

One of the highlights was being guided by Harrison (24)… as we tackled a few of the spicier runs via the headwall hike/traverse.

  • Headwaters picture (at entry gate) — Harisson took me down Hellroaring:)

A super fun morning we had together…Harrison provided complete guide service including helping the old man get his ski on at we transitioned to ski/ride 🙂

  • Entry gate…
  • Fearless leader
  • Is this a good idea? 🙂
  • A little downhill walk to get into the “run” (couloir). Harrison yelling up the rope is very secure :_)

These signs mean something…

February 22, 2021 /

Enroute from Tetons to Big Sky. On country road 32 north of Tetonia — Send-IT! and driver came to this sign just put down by the snow plow. We noticed a few cars going around…big mistake when we decided to go around.

Image result for image of road closed sign due to snow covering road

Route we were trying to take…

This road got progressively worse (after looking pretty good)…eventually complete white out / multiple foot high drifts. I checked on two trucks stuck in drift…both ok. One of them called for search and rescue and rescue snowmobiles were coming to extract them the other was sitting in his truck with his little buddy heater waiting for snowplows.

This was the road right after the closed sign..doesn’t look too bad…right? Well 10 miles later road disappeared like a white abyss…

I decided to reverse (along with a fellow car who has been following Send-IT)…well we made it back. Barely — really pissed at myself for a shitty decision. After going back around..had to speak to a sheriff. Told them about 2 trucks 13 miles up and also had to take an appropriate lecture on the meaning of “CLOSED” signs.

The driver of the subaru followed me to a gas station…he thanked me and Send-IT for helping him and his pup get out of a real crappy situation. We are now buds…Ben Hamilton along with his companion Jasper (a beautiful blue heeler). Both Ben and his girlfriend Julia (via facetime) thanked me…I told them to thank Send-IT! for getting us out. Ben and I are skiing some lines today at Big Sky!

Ben (Subaru), Send-IT! and driver. After the drive from hell!

Lesson learned…511 (every state has one) is your friend. If I would have checked here is what DOT was saying about the road I was trying to pass!

Not exactly roughing it at Jackson Hole (Wilson).

February 20, 2021 /

Thanks to my friend JJ Healy, Send-IT! had a very nice “campground” for a few days while skiing Jackson and the Pass. Also got some ski pointers from his ripper 13 year old Cormac.

View a few feet from Send-IT! (compliments of JJ Healy)

Send-IT! had first class accommodations in Wilson WY. I know real tough…

JJ Healy is a wonderful host…awesome Dad (Cormac 13 and Sawyer 10?…today birthday!) and knows how to Ski!

Alpine Touring near Teton Pass

February 20, 2021 /
Send-IT!’s driver getting some POW on Windy Ridge. Targhee National Forest (photo taken by Chris Morgan)

Some of my best ski days are spending more time on the “up” than the “down”…this was no exception with my buddy Chris Morgan and awesome guide Jason Bernstein (Yostmark Mountain Guides, Driggs ID). Love alpine touring…as Lucia says…it is my happy spot!

  • Mail Cabin Creek
  • Smile says it all
  • Jamie (awesome guide)
  • Send-IT!’s driver and Chris Morgan — with our lines in the distance (Windy Ridge)

For those interested in touring the area…really like this tour. Skied the Miracles, Windy Ridge, and then climbed up and Skied the “Do-Its” almost back to the van.

Skied Windy Ridge (from Jackson Hole Ski Atlas)
Super fun run…(Picture from Jackson Hole Ski Atlas)
Tour…special day. Sun peaked out after dumping for many, many days.

Grand Targhee (The Ghee…)

February 16, 2021 /

Grand Targhee…backside of Jackson on the Western Side of the Tetons…is known for some of the best powder and coolest vibe in the US… Well Chris Morgan (buddy — flew F16s together in Misawa Japan back when we were young..) and I hit it at right time. Quintessential Targhee days…blower power that just keeps coming.

Nice to have a professional photographer (Chris Morgan, Two Sherpas) as a buddy. Better than my iphone shots 🙂

Living van life in lot 4 at targhee… beers/apps at my van (Send-IT!) and dinner in his (custom build out…not roughing it :).

Parking lot 4…quiet, anticipation of more powder….
Fortunate…no doubt!

Back on the skinny skis!

February 14, 2021 /

Well I have been hauling the skate skis around for thousands of miles on my trusty steed #Send-It!…time to use them. Some awesome nordic skiing thanks to the Payette Ski Club… (McCall ID).

Meet Rose…who I met on the ski trails (dog friendly..awesome). The owners told me the jacket is not for warmth but for snow ball + fur issues 🙂
Meet Ed…he is the groomer for the Bear Basin (Payette ski club) and from talking with Ed it turns out he does everything else as well! (collects money, maintains trails, club historian…). We talked Birkie for a while… great guy.

Some of the nicest ski trails I have ever been on…ok…not as awesome at the American Birkebeiner but damn close…. Sure beat the president weekend crowds waiting for lifts on the fat skis.

Sure mountain beauty…a great workout. Great grooming…but mother nature kept it soft 🙂

#Send-It! and driver are heading early tomorrow AM for a week in the Tetons…ski / camp at Targhee and some touring on the pass and in the Teton National park. Looks like snow continues to follow me (or vice versa :).

Keep the faith..Love ya

#Send-It! and Brian…

Thoughts on van life from McCall ID

February 13, 2021 /
Lots of smaller, indy ski areas in ID (I have an “Indy” ski pass, along with epic and ikon)…blue markers are ski areas where you can camp in parking lot. I am hanging out in McCall and today skied Brundage.

Fun to see the rigs…this is the parking lot at Brundage Ski area (near McCall) — super fun small ski area.

A very cool Skoolie and #Send-IT!. The skoolie is definitely cool — comes with a wood burning stove!

Since it is a busy weekend (even in the smaller ID ski areas)…couldn’t park in the ski lot. So am camping in a nearby campground. Looks like lots of people are living here (they rent seasonal spots). Probably lots of stories…hard to talk with people, most are working are in their campers. Weird vibe. Super quiet.

Today i was super aware of a few things skiing…cool watch my slough (boot high powder) keep up with me down the steep sections, the sound of my skis clicking together, and my tails kind playing down the moguls as I controlled speed… Tried to let my thoughts be my ski partner today :).

  • Nice little steep section..but short
  • Super pretty area..and awesome snow

Tomorrow I am going to skip the crowds — and pull down my nordic skis and do some skating at https://payettelakesskiclub.org/bearbasinnordiccenter/ and Sunday heading to meet my buddy at Grand Targhee.

#Send-IT!

Brian

Mt Baker…w/Zablockis

February 11, 2021 /

fun being with the ski family…hiking in the beauty of Mt Baker…

Busy family…no time for posing 🙂
  • The Zablockis…
  • Owen
  • Dex

Gave me a grin and thumbs up…. 🙂

Did a bit of touring today (last day in Mt Baker)…almost felt like I was with a movie star 🙂

  • Inspecting shot 1, now called Heywood’s Run
  • New loaner jacket…(well new to me, 20 years old). Tx Heywood 🙂
  • F#$% hippie

Been a great 10 days in the PNW…heading out to intermountain west (stopping in McCall ID to ski Brundage) and then on to Grand Targhee to meet up with Grand Tunga (buddy) 🙂

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