Ski the (other) Continent

by Erik Olsen on

It is a question that has vexed the jetsetting rich and famous for generations: where should I ski in Europe? Oh,
my, such a hard question, what with all the opportunities. I mean, perhaps we might also stay at the villa on Mykonos.
Life can be so hard.

We are here to make things easier. Those planning winter ski vacations in Europe, who are not astounded by sticker
shock on the continent (I recently heard a sad tale of woe about a $4 croissant) might be interested in

this story at the Chicago Trib that takes a look at Europe’s finest ski areas. A few of the places mentioned are:
Verbier, Switzerland; St. Anton, Austria; Kitzbuhel, Austria; and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Germany’s Bavarian Alps.
All allegedly great spots that I confess I know almost nothing about.

The fact is skiing in Europe is a lot like skiing in America, except things are more expensive, the food is better,
and people talk funny.

Skiing in Utah

by Erik Olsen on

I’m going to get in some serious backcountry skiing thiis year. Of
that I am certain. And one place I know I’m headed in Utah. Here’s
a piece from Great
Outdoors.com about back country skiing in the Mormon State (and also one of the finest outdoorsperson’s states in
the union).

Utah’s “Interconnect Adventure Tour” allows skiers to explore  the heart of the Wasatch mountain wilderness.
Very sweet. You cover 20 miles and ski between and through five different Utah resorts including Park City, Solitude,
Brighton, Alta and Snowbird. Along the way, you stop and do a few runs at each ski area and move on. 

On Mammoth’s Future

by Erik Olsen on


Mammoth is a place dear to my heart. I basically learned to ski there, and I think I know every chute, every nook
and crevasse of that mountain. I know the best place to sneak away for a smoke, the best place to break out a flask,
and the best way down to make a heart-slamming top to bottom run. While most people go to the top to find the best
skiing, I think the finest run on the hill is down the face of Lincoln Mountain, especially when there is fresh snow
filling the chutes there and making turns feel like you are cutting S-turns on clouds in heaven.

And so hearing about a controlling interest in Mammoth being bought by the Connecticut-based behemoth Starwood Capital
Group (Connecticut?!), to hear that the legendary Dave McCoy sold off his stake…well, that was like having a stake
driven into my heart. What would they do to my mountain?

The jury is still out on exactly how total corporate control of Mammoth will change this wonderful place,

but the LA Times has a piece in its outdoor section that speculates on where things might go. He doesn’t seem to
worried. Yet they are talking about building an airport to bring in the hordes. And more exclusive restaurants and
hotels, and well, turning the place into another Aspen. Now, I don’t dislike Aspen, but Mammoth has always charmed with
its laid backedness, and I do fear that will be gone. Are my fears warranted? I guess only time will tell.

1000 New Feet of Freshie at Aspen

by Erik Olsen on

Oh, man, I read this and almost wept like a baby. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the
Aspen Highland Bowl, a new
sprawling expanse of pure white exhilarative joy at Aspen. We’re talking
about 1,000 feet of all-new expert only vertical. 18 acres of ripper chutes, snow-clogged alleys and open slopes
begging to be carved by your best S-turns. Oh baby. A new chair called the
Deep Temerity rips you to the top of Loge Peak in a
gut dropping seven minutes. The only drawback: the ticket. How much does a day pass cost at celebrity-addled Aspen?
$78. Ouch.

Time to Go Winter Kiting?

by Erik Olsen on

Don’t know how many skiers/snowboarders we have tuning in here at gadling, but my guess is a
few. I’m into both of them myself, though I’m still honing my snowboarding skills and doubt I’ll ever reach the point
now where I hurl myself of of 50 foot cliffs. But the fact is, I’m always eager to give a new winter sport a
try. 

Which leads me to this primer on the new sport of
winter kiting. Well, OK, it’s
entirely not new. Matty McNair, who led the first all-women’s trip to the North Pole in 1997, used a kite during
several expeditions in the Arctic. The snow kite provides fast, efficient, free, light-weight transport. In many ways
it can’t be beat.  But anyway, snow kiting is new in the sense that the average Joe, regular folk, are now snow
kiting for fun.

So what does it take to learn winter kiting? A
bunch of gear, first of all. The
kite itself, of course, which runs from $98 to $500. Then comes the harness, skis, boots, helmet and goggles. Obviously all this stuff is
going to set you back a pretty penny, but you might just be introduced to your next big winter sport.