Actually, the definition of the Arctic Circle (approx 66 degrees N) is the latitude at which the sun does not rise (or set, depending on the season) for one full day. So above the Arctic Circle, you can get 24 hours of darkness. Up on the North Slope, the sun sets sometime in late Nov, and doesn't come up again until late Jan or early Feb. But down in the "banana belt" of Anchorage, the shortest winter day has about 4.5 hours of daylight.
Nessasnowbunny - I can answer that...I used to live in Alaska. You are exactly right; there are so few roads in Alaska that much of the terrain is too remote...which explains the explosion of Heli-skiing in the Chugach Range back in the early 90s. Alaska's population is only about 500K, so it can't really support a big ski industry, and the typical tourist doesn't really think of Alaska as a ski destination (they think, "my God, the night's a 6 months long"....) The Thompson Pass area, about an hour or two from Anchorage, is a popular backcountry destination. There was talk of building a commercial resort there, but I don't think it's happened yet.
I've been to Silverton, CO, but haven't skied it yet. All in good time.
Good question...I'm not sure snowboards resemble arrows enough to called a "quiver."
No need to buy a "beater board".....that's like buying pre-faded jeans! Your current board will become a beater in all good time, and then you'll have an excuse to by a new one!
And to answer your question.....yes, guys love girls who like gear! It's so much easier for men to shop for gear than jewelry. I just bought my wife a new North Face soft shell, but she would tell you I did that to obscure the fact that i have about 6 different pieces of outerwear.
Most skiers in Europe purchase ski insurance (about 40 Euro for the season) that covers the cost of a rescue. On my last trip, a gal in our group got helicoptered off the mountain, and that's a bill you sure don't want to see in your mailbox!
I've ordered a pair of K2 Coombas....still waiting for them to arrive. Planning to mount Marker Barons on them, and I'm hoping to get it all set for my last trip of the season in late March. Not sure I'll make it (and even less confident that I'll luck into Spring powder), so i may just have to stare longingly at them all summer until next Thanksgiving's trip to Zermat!
Eloquently put....it was bittersweet to read this and realize that alas, you are right. I just ordered some powder board from and end of season sale, and hope to take them to Austria at the end of this month....but deep down inside I know that I won't find that beautiful open bowl of powder that I skied on Thanksgiving weekend.
But I have a whole summer ahead to plan next's year's trip to Chamonix. It is, indeed, what sustains us!
No, they expect you to ride the creaky old chair, then hike for 20-30 minutes, and then ski the backcountry. Unless you and your Dad are really adventurous, you might want to start at Purgatory instead. Good luck!
I hate to pile on with the "negative waves" (obscure movie refernce for the over 40 crowd), but ECSHRED is probably right....if you are accustomed to skiing in the west, anything south of Vermont is likely to leave you feeling unfulfilled. Better yet....plan a trip to the Alps next year!
My sentiments exactly! While onthesnow is a great information resource (and I suspect a ton of people read reviews and check snow reports here), the community area is underused, and that's a shame.
I started a blog called "The Bucket List" a few days ago in the hopes of generating a long string....please go add to it and keep it alive!
I use "in ear" headphones from a company called Eyptomic. They are expensive, but vastly superior to standard "ear buds". They seal out a lot of noise, so you have to take them out out to talk to someone on a lift. But if you are looking for solitude in the powder with your favorite tunes, you can't beat it!
Personally, I would not but a helmet with built-in headphones.....just look for one that you can wear over 'phones. If you care about the quality of your ski tunes, buy the headphones from a reputable audio manufacturer.
Make sure whatever helmet you buy has an adjustable vent...makes a big difference in comfort on a warm day.
Zermatt is a great resort....really cool town, wide variety of terrain. I skied there over Thanksgiving and loved it...will definitely go back next year.
Brian - I grew up skiing New England, have skiied the Tahoe, Southern Colorado, and New Mexico. I've also skied in Italy, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Resorts in Europe, especially at the higher elevations, tend to be more "wipe open", both in layout and in rules. Much of the famous skiing in the alps is above treeline, and in many cases the views are breathtaking. (Check out the photos on my reviews of Val Thorens, Courcheval, or Zermatt.) And they are wide open in terms of rules, with "off-piste" allowed virtually anywhere. That can pose some risks (see my review of Chamonix), but it opens up a vast range of opportunity for expert skiers. You ski at your own risk, though.
Having said all that, the snow in Rockies is every bit as good, and there's plenty of adventure to be found "beyond the gates" at many American resorts.
I don't think you can say that either the Alps or North America is "better" across the board....it very much depends on which resort you are skiing.
Best advice is to save your pennies and try to visit as many different regions as you can!
Hope you had an epic day!
Source: We got our powder day!Actually, the definition of the Arctic Circle (approx 66 degrees N) is the latitude at which the sun does not rise (or set, depending on the season) for one full day. So above the Arctic Circle, you can get 24 hours of darkness. Up on the North Slope, the sun sets sometime in late Nov, and doesn't come up again until late Jan or early Feb. But down in the "banana belt" of Anchorage, the shortest winter day has about 4.5 hours of daylight.
Source: The Bucket ListAnd yes, the Borealis is spectacular!
Nessasnowbunny - I can answer that...I used to live in Alaska. You are exactly right; there are so few roads in Alaska that much of the terrain is too remote...which explains the explosion of Heli-skiing in the Chugach Range back in the early 90s. Alaska's population is only about 500K, so it can't really support a big ski industry, and the typical tourist doesn't really think of Alaska as a ski destination (they think, "my God, the night's a 6 months long"....) The Thompson Pass area, about an hour or two from Anchorage, is a popular backcountry destination. There was talk of building a commercial resort there, but I don't think it's happened yet.
Source: The Bucket ListI've been to Silverton, CO, but haven't skied it yet. All in good time.
Good question...I'm not sure snowboards resemble arrows enough to called a "quiver."
Source: How many skis in your quiver?No need to buy a "beater board".....that's like buying pre-faded jeans! Your current board will become a beater in all good time, and then you'll have an excuse to by a new one!
And to answer your question.....yes, guys love girls who like gear! It's so much easier for men to shop for gear than jewelry. I just bought my wife a new North Face soft shell, but she would tell you I did that to obscure the fact that i have about 6 different pieces of outerwear.
See the blog I just posted about skiing Squaw on May 20th.....keep the faith!
Source: Keep praying for snow!Most skiers in Europe purchase ski insurance (about 40 Euro for the season) that covers the cost of a rescue. On my last trip, a gal in our group got helicoptered off the mountain, and that's a bill you sure don't want to see in your mailbox!
Source: This Injury Really Hurt - Skier Billed For Rescue At AlyeskaI won one of the $100 REI prizes a few weeks ago, and they sent me an American Express gift card. Pretty easy to use.
Source: Member Benefits QuestionI've ordered a pair of K2 Coombas....still waiting for them to arrive. Planning to mount Marker Barons on them, and I'm hoping to get it all set for my last trip of the season in late March. Not sure I'll make it (and even less confident that I'll luck into Spring powder), so i may just have to stare longingly at them all summer until next Thanksgiving's trip to Zermat!
Source: How many skis in your quiver?Vedhed - I think all of us are jealous of those huge Sierra dumps. Post some pictures so we can live vicariously!
Source: Those days are gone nowEloquently put....it was bittersweet to read this and realize that alas, you are right. I just ordered some powder board from and end of season sale, and hope to take them to Austria at the end of this month....but deep down inside I know that I won't find that beautiful open bowl of powder that I skied on Thanksgiving weekend.
Source: Those days are gone nowBut I have a whole summer ahead to plan next's year's trip to Chamonix. It is, indeed, what sustains us!
No, they expect you to ride the creaky old chair, then hike for 20-30 minutes, and then ski the backcountry. Unless you and your Dad are really adventurous, you might want to start at Purgatory instead. Good luck!
Source: 12 year old perspectiveI hate to pile on with the "negative waves" (obscure movie refernce for the over 40 crowd), but ECSHRED is probably right....if you are accustomed to skiing in the west, anything south of Vermont is likely to leave you feeling unfulfilled. Better yet....plan a trip to the Alps next year!
Source: SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!On my last trip with a ski club, one guy was wearing a neon orange outfit that prompted me to ask, "Dude, are you boarding or hunting deer?" :)
Source: Ridiculous Ski OutfitsMy sentiments exactly! While onthesnow is a great information resource (and I suspect a ton of people read reviews and check snow reports here), the community area is underused, and that's a shame.
Source: OnTheSnow Community Still Alive?I started a blog called "The Bucket List" a few days ago in the hopes of generating a long string....please go add to it and keep it alive!
I use "in ear" headphones from a company called Eyptomic. They are expensive, but vastly superior to standard "ear buds". They seal out a lot of noise, so you have to take them out out to talk to someone on a lift. But if you are looking for solitude in the powder with your favorite tunes, you can't beat it!
Source: Looking to get a helmet, any help would be appreciatedPersonally, I would not but a helmet with built-in headphones.....just look for one that you can wear over 'phones. If you care about the quality of your ski tunes, buy the headphones from a reputable audio manufacturer.
Source: Looking to get a helmet, any help would be appreciatedMake sure whatever helmet you buy has an adjustable vent...makes a big difference in comfort on a warm day.
Snowmystr - you've gotta be shilling for the resort....most people would want to keep 20" of new snow to themselves! ;)
Source: Powder alert - Bail on your responsibilities you need what they've got at the PassGraet news.....but it's an 11 hour plane trip from here. :)
Source: Pack Your Bags For UtahEnjoy....let us know how it was!
Zermatt is a great resort....really cool town, wide variety of terrain. I skied there over Thanksgiving and loved it...will definitely go back next year.
Source: Europe v. American Ski ResortsBrian - I grew up skiing New England, have skiied the Tahoe, Southern Colorado, and New Mexico. I've also skied in Italy, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Source: Europe v. American Ski ResortsResorts in Europe, especially at the higher elevations, tend to be more "wipe open", both in layout and in rules. Much of the famous skiing in the alps is above treeline, and in many cases the views are breathtaking. (Check out the photos on my reviews of Val Thorens, Courcheval, or Zermatt.) And they are wide open in terms of rules, with "off-piste" allowed virtually anywhere. That can pose some risks (see my review of Chamonix), but it opens up a vast range of opportunity for expert skiers. You ski at your own risk, though.
Having said all that, the snow in Rockies is every bit as good, and there's plenty of adventure to be found "beyond the gates" at many American resorts.
I don't think you can say that either the Alps or North America is "better" across the board....it very much depends on which resort you are skiing.
Best advice is to save your pennies and try to visit as many different regions as you can!