Feel’n Good!

Photo By Chris Figenshau

I am back! “Fat Bastard” has been on my hit list for a while. After being injured this winter, I didn’t think it would be an attainable goal this year. I have been skiing for three weeks now and am feeling pretty good. It was a tough decision to not go to Kirkwood for the fourth stop of the Freeskiing World Tour. I decided it would be more beneficial for me to stay in Jackson and keep getting stronger. As it turns out it was a good decision.

It has been snowing in Jackson for the last week and the skiing has been amazing. I have been testing out my injury with smaller airs. I have to admit, pow skiing is great rehab. On friday, I decided to go take a look at “Fat Bastard.” F.B. is a notorious air in Jackson. It is 35 feet of sheer rock and has been a goal of mine for at least five years. The snow in the landing was a pole deep. Looking at the air and realizing the conditions were perfect, I knew it was time to truly test my injury. I made a few phone calls and a plan to hit the air the next day.

Saturday was beautiful. As I opened my eyes in the morning and saw the blue skies, I knew it was time. Bryce Newcomb and Jeff Leger joined me for the air. We decided to climb the south ridge to access the line. The hike was scarier than I thought it would be. The snow was unstable and we were extremely exposed standing on top of the line. As we prepared to ski, a large crowd gathered. It looked like we were going to have to put on show.

I dropped into the line. The snow was perfect. I made three turns before getting to the take off of the air. I was feeling confident until my last turn. As I came into the take off the new snow blinded me. I love face shots, but not right before a take off. Luckily, the snow cleared just as I reached the take off. As my skis came to the edge, I popped and was airborne. It felt so good to be flying through the air. During the free fall, I spotted my landing and went for the stomp. I thought I had it. When I landed, I bounced and rolled forward. Luckily, my skis stayed on and I came right up to my feet and skied away.

It feels so good to have my confidence back. It also feels great to have attained another goal safely! I’m back!

Chilean Freeskiing Championships

Standing in the starting gate, I couldn’t help question my decision to enter the Chilean Freesking Championships. It had been four months since my last turn. One of my biggest fears is that I will forget how to ski over the summer. It is kind of like the dream we have as children when we show up to school naked. I know it is nearly impossible, but I am still incredibly scared that it could happen to me.

My first day on snow was spent inspecting the venue. I chose a line that I thought would put me into the top five for the first day. With competitors like Jackie Paaso, Angel Collinson, and Jacque Edgerly I knew I would have to ski my best to be in money. Not knowing if I still had what it takes after the summer, I chose a line that was relatively safe. The snow was bullet proof in the morning and would warm up as the sun heated it through out the day. As a competitor, all I could hope for was that it would warm up before it was my turn to compete.

Max's Face - El Colorado, Chile

Standing in the starting gate for my first run, I had to convince myself that skiing is like riding a bike. As I left the gate, I had to quiet my inner fears and go for it. I was psyched after my first run. I stomped my big air and skied into second. Now I was in the running for first.

So close to winning the first run, I knew that I wanted to win the competition and I was pretty sure I could. It would take a lot of courage to ski a winning line after taking four months off, but I wanted to win. I stuck to a similar line as my first run, but added a spicy air at the bottom of the venue. It is always good to end your run with a crowd pleaser. The air was technical and if I blew it, I would pile drive right into a some huge rocks. Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself. As I approached the air, I knew there was no turning back. The take off was blind, I couldn’t see my landing. The landing was bullet proof and the runout happened fast. I felt and heard my feet smack the snow as if I had landed on concrete. I saw the rocks flying past me and I knew I had stuck it!

I wasn’t sure the line was enough for the win, but it felt so good to challenge myself my second day of skiing. Needless to say I didn’t forget how to ski! It feels great to win my first competition of the season.

Cover of the Jackson Hole Phone Book 2010

Jackson Hole Phone Book 2010

I never thought I would be on the cover of the phonebook, but I have to admit, it’s pretty cool. I am overwhelmed by the support of the community. Jackson is one of the truly amazing places in the world. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful community.

A Foot of Fresh in Jackson

Steak Sauce in Jackson

Jackson received another foot of snow.  This week has been amazing.  I have seven days before I leave for Russia and have been training hard.  I have spent the last couple of days trying to catch as much air as possible.  I am now recovering from a little “huck neck” and spent the day ripping the Hobacks.

Jump Training

It was a great day for top to bottoms.  The storm came in upside down, dry on the bottom and wet on top.  It took the mountain a while to open, but it was worth the wait.  The mountain was buffed out and with fat skis, the kuro, you could rip the lower faces and catch the same tram.  

More Jump Training

Headwall Slide Takes Out Mid-Mountain Lodge

The last couple of days in Jackson Hole have been crazy, terrifying, and tragic. I think the best way to explain what is happening in Jackson is to tell a “story.”

“This story has been passed around and may not be accurate.”

Brain was patrolling the Headwall on Monday morning. The snow pack was been upside down, backwards, and needless to say unstable. The radio station asked everyone to avoid the backcountry, calling it “volatile.” Patrol bombed the headwall with hand charges and nothing moved. More patrolmen hiked up the white spider (the north bootpack of the headwall). They decided to attach a bomb to piece of bamboo. The idea is that the charge will effect more surface area. Brian was stationed on the south side of the Headwall Restaurant ready to hike up the headwall when a deluge of snow headed his way. He ran as fast as could to the safety of the building. The snow caught up to him and pinned him against the wall. “I was pressed up against the wall and snow was piling around me. I kept wiping the snow away from my face in hopes of creating an air pocket.” When the snow settled, Brian was neck deep with one free hand to dig for his radio. “Workers down, need assistance.”

Brain and everyone else involved made it out safely. It is hard to believe the events of today are true. The skiing has been amazing, but the snow pack has been terrifying. I have been skiing with a beacon, shovel, and probe within the resort boundaries. Yesterday I skied one of my favorite resort runs, A-1. I have never been so nervous to drop into A-1. I skied it as fast as I possibly could and then held my breath as I watched my partners descend. Skiing should be full of face shots and high fives, but the reality of it is that it is as only as safe as the surface you are skiing on.

 Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has done an incredible job this past week.  Patrol has been working around the clock to make the mountain safe for everyone to ski.  Yet with a large upside down snow pack, it has been one of the most volatile snowpacks in the last ten years.

“Ski to ski another day!”

JHMR Press Release

FIVE Feet in Five Days!!!!!

Best Christmas Present of 2008!

Christmas was good this year!  When I opened my eyes and dialed the snow phone all I heard was 20 inches of new snow and still snowing hard.  I jumped out of bed and into my gear and headed for the mountain.  Due to the sketchy snow pack and the massive amounts of it, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort had their hands full.  I couldn’t wait for the mountain to open.  The mountain was delayed opening and I headed for Snow King.  My second Christmas present was opened at 11:30.  I skied first tracks down Elk at Snow King Resort (the local town hill where I grew up skiing).  The snow was so deep that I could barely breath as a straight-lined down the 40 degree slope.  

Choking on Pow at Snow King - Christmas Day

 Merry Christmas to all.  I hope your Christmas was as deep and soft as mine.

Flight of the New Tram

The NEW Jackson Hole Tram took flight today with anxious skiers aboard.  It was a day I will never forget and a day I will always feel fortunate to be a part of.  The temperature may have been -13 degrees, but it did not freeze out the day.  

The new tram holds 100 people and takes nine minutes to reach the top.  I was asked what the tram meant to me.  After a minute of thought, the best I could come up with is that the tram is my life line to happiness.  Jackson Hole has the best “resort” terrain in the US and tram is the fastest way to tap into it.

Tram Update

Tram Update: Haul Cable Spliced!!

POSTED BYLauren M. WhaleyONOctober 10th, 2008

Yesterday it snowed. Facebook updates abounded with status updates about getting out rock skis, catching snow on your tongue and watching flakes as big as butterflies.

So, its perfect that crews at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort continue to kick ass on tram construction. Last week, crane operator Hans Burkhart lifted platforms into the sky that Swiss crews from Garaventa affixed to the recently tensioned track ropes. This week, crews stood on those platforms to splice the new haul rope. Resort crews said they took out about 200 feet of rope and spliced it back together all while suspended on the Stairway to Heaven.

Its coming. Get psyched.

Here is the official Teton Village release fromJackson Hole Mountain Resortcommunications manager andCloudveilambassador Lisa Watson:

One step closer to completion of the NEW Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole!(Teton Village, WY. October 7, 2008) Crews have been on top of a temporary bridge nicknamed the Stairway to Heaven, suspended 60 feet above the ground on the Aerial Tram track cables, working to complete a 220 foot splice of the haul rope yesterday and today. Norm Duke, one of the top rope splicers in the United States, who also happens to be a Jackson Hole local, is splicing the haul rope with the help of a crew of up to 15 workers.

Spectators have come out to watch the workers on the bridge and take photos of this construction milestone. Energy is high out here, said Tim Mason, VP of Operations at the resort, People are beginning to realize that there really is going to be a new Aerial Tram ready for this winter.

The splice is expected to be completed by the end of today [Wednesday]. The Tram cars have been delivered to Teton Village and should be hung on the track cables by the end of the month. All construction updates, photos and video can be found atTram-Formation.com,along with your chance to win a spot on the FIRST TRAM this December!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will begin operations on November 29, 2008 and the new Aerial Tram is due to launch on December 20th, stay tuned for progress atwww.tram-formation.com, or listen to weekly construction updates and chances to win FREE lift tickets for the 2008/09 winter season with Fish on KMTN radio each Friday morning at 8:40am.

The new Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will be twice the size of the original, carrying 100 passengers. The sleek, new cabins, and visually inspiring base terminal only add to the faster and more efficient cable to the sky. As well as the journey, it is the destination that captures the spirit of the Jackson Hole Tram. Soaring 4,139 vertical feet in 9 minutes to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain is unrivaled in the ski industry, cresting the Tetons with an endless choice of ski routes below, not to mention incredible 360 views.

We continue to share our excitement through words, images and video capturing the enormity of this project on www.tramformation.com. For a preview of the full Cable to the Sky documentary pleaseclick here.

Back In Jackson

I am finally back in Jackson! It is so nice to be home and to see my boys. The leaves are beautiful in Jackson and the mountains have a fresh coat of paint on them. It is starting to feel like winter and yes there will be a tram this year! Yahoo!We have started to get ready for winter. Yesterday we chopped and stacked 2 cords of woods and we are off to get more today. It is great to be home.