Elections Effect Ski Decisions Too
Author Archives: Jill Adler
Snoozies For Newsies
Damn! Where are my Snoozies?? The temps went from 70 yesterday to 50 today. My toes are cold. Snoozies are like fleece socks with the tops lopped off and they are oh so cozy. They’re perfect for long flights, traveling and lounging. In fact, I’ve been known to hop in my car with them on after I slip out of ski boots. So long as you don’t plan to puddle jump or slush through snow you’re all good. No biggie if they get dirty because they’re machine washable and won’t shrink. Like any fleece product it eventually mats down but they still stay soft.
The bottoms have a little non-slip/grippy writing (that say Snoozies) so when I jump up to answer the door or the phone, I don’t wipe out on my office flooring.
I can wear them year-round (I work at home so the boss doesn’t care) and they’re lightweight enough for warmer days. Snoozies come in all sorts of designs and colors so you can display your unique personality with your feet. I picked the ‘stars and moons’ style. $12. Sizes S (5-6), M (7-8), L (9-10), XL (11-12).
$25 Lift Tickets to Park City
It’s not too late to grab yourself a lift ticket to Park City Mountain Resort on the cheap. Every year, PCMR does this Benefit Day thing that not only ‘benefits’ a local non-profit but benefits you as well. Proceeds from a limited number of lift tickets sold for $25 will go to the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter at Kimball Junction and the Park City Mountain Resort Legacy Fund.
Yep, that’s correct. Lift tickets for $25; no black outs; good from opening day to December 16, 2012. The catch is that you have to purchase them in person either at the resort or one of three local retailers (Jans Mountain Outfitters, Cole Sport and Sports Den in SLC). However, each person can buy up to four so hunt around for a friend or a local to nab one for you if you think you’ll want to ski before the holidays. With the latest round of cold temps and snowfall it just might be a good idea to have a handful of these babies in your glovebox.
I called around today (October 28) and there are still tickets available but don’t wait until the last minute like I usually do or you might be SOL (sooo out of luck).
In case you’re wondering –
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (aka the Swaner Nature Preserve) sits on a 1200-acre stretch of protected wetlands with a museum like building as the main attraction.
There are exhibits, a theater, classrooms, a gift shop, a climbing wall, and a four-story tower that overlooks the area. It’s a fun educational outing for families no matter where they live.
The EcoCenter also offers free guided nature walks and talks. You can also participate in snowshoe stargazing during the winter months. The space is available for private parties and screenings if you are looking to host an event. Plus, then your bash is tax deductible!
As for the Legacy Fund–
It’s a foundation set up by PCMR to offer grants to local programs that provide environmental stewardship, athletic programs for kids, education and humanitarian aid. You can go online to apply for one of these grants or find out more.
Video From Last Week’s Flow State Premiere
Flow State is ebbing all over Park City this weekend. It starts at 8 p.m. tonight at Eccles with a special appearance by PC’s own Ted Ligety. He was part of the big bash last weekend at Abravanel. I guess the whole Warren Miller Road Crew charged Powder Mountain on Tuesday after the first storm. Not a bad way to celebrate the increase in Orem/Ogden ticket sales.
Check out this video from the Flow State premiere. If you spot two little girls waving, my daughter Sage is on the right. Teehee.
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Warren Miller’s Flow State Revs Up The Ski Crowd
Disclaimer- Go see Flow State no matter what you are about to read.
I just want to say up front that no matter how you feel about ski porn and the legacy of Warren Miller, you’re a lame-a** if you choose to sit on the couch instead of make the annual pilgrimage to kick off this ski season. We need all the karma we can get, folks!
Say what you will about the demise of the Miller brand, it is what it is- a vehicle to stir the snow mojo, and this 63rd installment does exactly that.
I attended the gala when Flow State premiered at Abravanel Hall, October 19. It had snowed lightly and the pent-up tension was thicker than a 15 year-old’s on his first visit to the Chicken Ranch. Even a bad ski movie would have riled this crowd.
You’ve got three more chances to be part of a ski ritual if you live in Utah. Tonight in Park City at 8 p.m. and tomorrow in Park City at 6 and 9 p.m. Both screenings are at the Eccles Center. (From there it moves on to Washington, Colorado, the east coast and California.) Tickets are $20 but that includes a weekday lift ticket to Canyons Resort, worth four times the price of admission.
Speaking of Canyons, they are prominently featured in the second half of the show so don’t duck out early.
When I heard about this I was left scratching my head wondering where they found the snow to shoot a classic Miller powder segment. I mean we all felt it – the lack of weather love in 2012. Perhaps it would be CGI? They can do that these days, you know.
But up there on stage, before the screen lit up, there they were; Utah’s six athletes all talking about how Utah’s the ultimate playground. “I’m super fortunate to have been brought up here,” said Marcus Caston. “We’ve traveled all over the world but this is the best place to be,” added Kaylin Richardson. They talked about their ski racing backgrounds and how psyched they were to be a part of Warren Miller.
You couldn’t help cheer when the segment finally rolled (Flow State is 90 minutes long). Unfortunately, I had no idea where it was shot. I hate that about most ski films. I teach at Canyons and I had no clue where they were. In bounds? Out of bounds? Sidecountry? Backcountry? Can anyone ski there? My questions remain. Put the damn name of the run or area of the resort in your voice-over, People!
I’ve always looked to Miller as a kind of travelogue but over the past few years it all looks the same. Flow State goes to Alaska, Colorado, Japan, Switzerland, Tahoe, Austria and Norway. But rarely does it explore the culture and the vibe of being in those spots. You could be anywhere. The only place I remember is Murren, Switzerland, because the filmmakers actually took the time to set up the segment and show more than skiers in a powder field.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/1JOWARPwJMo]
Kids might appreciate 11-year-old Aspen Spora tearing up the Superpipe at Northstar but for me I’d seen enough after the first couple of airs.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/OrfxKeDptNA]
My two favorite segments were, of course, the ones that told a story- Chris Anthony trying to ski on gear used by the 10th Mountain Division and Jonny Moseley, Bob Howard and Thom Brisson ballet skiing. Now, if we had heard more about Canyons Resort “Ambassador” Kaylin Richardson I really would have loved that segment. She’s the story. An apartment at the Waldorf, ski gear, season pass and $60k all to write a few blogs last winter? Show me her pad; show me her day. WM, you missed the boat.
Let’s face it, Warren Miller hasn’t been “Warren Miller” since, well, Warren Miller checked out. However, it does get the job done. As Jonny Moseley says at the end of the film, “Winter starts now.”