Skiing Turkey

by Erik Olsen on

We all know about the popular ski spots around the globe. You’ve got the US
West (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.), there’s Canada (Whistler is epic), and of course Europe (the Alps are calling
my name this year). But it’s been interesting that since running this blog I’ve encountered some other lesser
known spots to schuss down slope.

One place I discovered recently is Turkey, and Tom
Brosnahan’s Turkey blog gives a very sweet rundown of the
places to break out your boards
after a cup of strong coffee and some dolmas. A few of the places (to which I have never been) are Uludag, Ilgaz, and
Kartalkaya…all of which Tom provides some useful information about how to reach them and what to expect once you are
there. As you’ll see, Tom is an accomplished travel expert (he’s written guidebooks for Frommers and Lonely Planet) so
you know you’re getting the scoop.

 

First Descent Connection

by Erik Olsen on

So Adrienne gave a nod to the new
snowboarding movie out
now called First Descent, which is very high on my list of films to see
in the next few weeks. The movie is sort of the snowboarding version of
Dogtown and Z-Boys, a superb film about the advent of skateboarding.
I had a deep personal connection to that film since I grew up just a few years after all that skate culture emerged,
and was a hard core So Cal skate rat myself for many years. I’ve still got the banged up shins to prove it.

And it turns out I also have a connection to First Descent, although I
profess I am a rather lackluster snow boarder. One of the stars of the film, Nick Perata, who was an early pioneer of
snowboarding, is an old high school friend of mine. In fact, he was just picking up snowboarding in Tahoe when I was
living and barely making ends meet as a photographer at Squaw Valley. I’m psyched for him that this film is out,
chronicling a very serious and important cultural sports revloution. And I for one can’t wait to see the film. Perata,
by the way, has since gone on to great things in the snowboarding world, and is now soemthing of a legend. Anyway, see
the film. I’m sure it will be enjoyable to both boarders and non-boarders alike.

Heavenly vs. Squaw

by Erik Olsen on

One of my first jobs out of college was working as a photographer at Squaw Valley. No, not for some glossy magazine like
Ski. Rather I was one of those guys standing at the top of the lift asking if you want your picture taken…or I’d
follow you and your family around to shoot you for an hour, and then you’d presumably tip me well and pay me for the
pics. It was kind lame work, but helped sharpen my eye and got me on the slopes every day. You can ‘t bear that.

Well, at the time Squaw was kind of run down, but it was still probably the beset place to ski in Tahoe.
Heavenly, I’m sorry to say, was a joke. But it seems things have changed and both areas have gotten or are getting a
serious face lift. Squaw’s backers are the same dudes who are now running Winter Park and Whistler Blackcomb The
Intrawest ski conglomerate. Heavenly is run by the gargantuan Vail corporation. So the question in this article is:
which is better? Now you can make all the improvements you like, add new lifts, bigger hotels and a latte bar, but I
have to say I think the overall terrain at Squaw beats Heavenly handily. Still, I haven’t been to Heavenly in a
long while, so I really can’t say for sure. But I do have to say that if price is any indication, I fall firmly
on the Squaw side of things. An adult ticket this year at heavenly runs $73 in peak season, while you can shred the
wicked bowls of Squaw for $65.

So there you have it. I’m sticking with Squaw.

Destination December: Davis, West Virginia

by Kelly Amabile on

This often overlooked town of 700 hidden away in Tucker County,
West Virginia was recently praised as one of the
10 Coolest Mountain Towns by Men’s
Journal. CNN
dishes
the goods on this ski gem that may not go unnoticed much longer. The Davis,
WV ski season is set to kick off on December 8, when winter sports lovers can take their pick of prime locations
for fun on the slopes: The resorts at Timberline Four
Seasons or Canaan Valley, or the
Monongahela National Forest. Timberline’s
Ski & Stay Package is available beginning December 16
and Cannan’s Swoosh Package
starts on December 22. Additional
accommodations can be found in
Davis or nearby towns of Thomas and Parsons. Learn more about the Canaan Valley
area and plan your December getaway to the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
today! Tis the season for snow, you know…

Banff 2005 Photo Contest Winners

by Erik Olsen on

This is one of my favorite events of the year, the Banff
Photo Contest. The images collected here never fail to blow the mind. This year is no exception.
Check out the
winners. The grand prize shot was done by Kiwi Mead Norton of Auckland, for a sweet photo of Prayer Offerings on
the Shore of Namtso Lake, Tibet. But not to be missed are
the
landscape photos as well. And, for that matter the
mountain
flora and fauna photos. Aw heck, whle you’re at it, see the mountain scenery shots too. I
mean, face it. They’re all good.