I’ve gotten behind, and the boxes are piling up! March’s Cairn box is sitting on my dresser begging to be revealed but he can’t come out to play until I have finally posted about my February Cairn box. Here it is in all it’s glory.
This box comes with four to five new products from companies you probably have never heard of. It’s meant to introduce adventurers to new brands, and over the last four months I’ve discovered some favorites (the Coffee Bar) and some misses (Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Tattoos that disintegrate in the wash). The box costs about $25/mo and contains items retailing around $45. Granted, you probably would never go out and purchase everything if it didn’t arrive in your box so you can’t boast that you’re saving money but that’s the beauty of this gift- being the first in the neighborhood to learn about what’s out there in the outdoor market. If you really don’t like an item you can always re-gift it.
Personally, I can’t wait to see what’s in each box each month. I’m a sucker for gadgets and this box is loaded with them. When my annual subscription runs out I’m putting it on my Christmas wishlist just in case someone needs a gift idea for me. By the way, I’m also recommending BarkBox for dog lovers. Talk about your fun pet products.
Enough typing. Onto the reveal for February’s box:
Two more days. That’s what I need to reach my annual (average) goal of 60 days of skiing. I’m close yet I still can’t believe that 1) I’ve skied that many days in the first place (given the decent yet less than consistent snow conditions) and 2) the season will be over for Parkites this Sunday. Another week and only Snowbird and Alta will be left standing. Snowbird says they’ll operate Fri-Sun beginning May 9 but if these 60-degree days continue and they get rained on, that could be a pipedream.
Our 2015/16 ski season is almost over and it certainly didn’t feel like 60 days of skiing. I’m by no means a rock star. Plenty of friends have broken 100 so I’m not bragging. I had hoped for more. The season started slowly but then a massive storm in December finally kicked things off. The Ski Utah folks will gauge that this was a better season than the last but we won’t have final figures until at least July.
Hotel bookings were solid and the holiday morning lines at Park City and Canyons were off the charts. It would be safe to say that Utah resorts fared better than last season. The dirt didn’t start to show through until March. Even during the Sundance Film Festival 2016 guests were playing in fresh snow instead of sauntering Main Street in short sleeves.
But then the dry spell hit. Warm temperatures and two-week stretches without a storm were the norm. Cold fronts that slammed into the Sierras and British Columbia missed us. Today it’s 60 degrees in Salt Lake City and it hasn’t snowed in nearly two weeks. The mindset has transitioned to golf, mountain biking and rock climbing. As depressing as that is, it’s also exciting that we can have multi-sport days.
There’s still time for me to make those 60 days then get on the rock in American Fork Canyon. I haven’t seen the wall since November even though I had vowed to keep up my climbing at Momentum Climbing Gym but all of a sudden it’s five months later. Had I done as promised I would have had the complete workout but it’s here now. Pushing mashed potatoes until your quads scream then reaching for holds until your lats, shoulders and forearms cry, “Uncle.” You’ll have just enough strength to toast the day with a margarita from the deck of your favorite watering hole. Billy Blanco’s is a top choice.
A lot of people will poo poo Spring skiing, saying they hate the slush, it’s too much work for three hours of skiing, the sun is too hot, a ticket is too expensive when half the mountain is closed. But, seriously, People, how can you beat a sunny day in the Wasatch? There are spring ticket deals out there if you hunt and you have three more weeks until the resorts are closed. You can also head into the backcountry (if you have the gear and know what you’re doing). Spring corn is better than a Deer Valley groomer any day. Why not make the most of it?
Spring is the time to try and buy if you are in the market for new gear. In fact Alta hosts their annual free demo day today. But if you miss it, call around and find the area reps for the skis you’re interested in; you might be able to talk them into meeting up with you for a few runs on next year’s product.
Spring Gear
Now that I’ve got you convinced to wait a bit before storing your skis, here are a few items that will help make the most of the last weeks of winter:
Hydration is even more vital in the springtime so carry that bladder around in the Dakine Heli Pro DLX 24L. The pack is beloved by pros for its dedicated tool pocket, front helmet loops, breathable/padded hipbelt and backpanel, and diagonal ski carry.
Underwear is everything on hot days on the hill. The Champion Freedom Seamless medium-support sports bra comes in crazy Easter egg colors and provides day-long, soft, breathable, non-chafing comfort. And for “down there,” Knix Wear’s FitKnix Athletic undies put the rest to shame; zero panty lines, moisture-wicking lycra and a shape that moves with you without riding up, hallelujah!
Goggles get sweaty, heavy and claustrophobic in the spring but glasses don’t usually jive with helmets. That’s where Aspire Eyewear comes in. The “barely there” feel of the Celebrated frames comes courtesy of a material called SDN-4 that is extremely lightweight, pliable, and durable. The arms lay thin and flat against your temples and you’ll never worry about falling and crushing them whether they’re on your face or in your pocket. The lenses are a premium polycarbonate UV 400.
HEADS UP ON CLOSING DATES
Alta: April 17 closure – Reopen April 22, 23, 24 with Collins, Sunnyside & Wildcat
If you hate skiing alone, you can’t be shy. I had the ultimate dilemma today. None of my friends could come out to play. It was a Tuesday; a work day for most and forecasters had called Wednesday the day to catch the Powder Flu; not today. Yet the 7 a.m. SkiUtah report touted 16 inches of new snow. The Cottonwood Canyon resorts finally reached over an 100″ base. You see, I couldn’t miss a day like today just because I didn’t have anyone to ski with.
Often I lack motivation so if no one wants to ski, I stay home. But not on a serious powder day. Alta it was. The reason I chose Alta and the reason I choose that resort every time I ski alone is because I’m alone for about one run.
My friend Rachael jokes that I picked her up on the Collins Lift. I also met a good friend, Brad, one year in Catherine’s, and my fellow Parkite Sarah was cruising off Wildcat. Ten years later we still ski together; we also yard sale in the summer, go to dinner, and chat on Facebook. But it’s a Tuesday and no one was available. (Although they should be.)
As I pulled into the Rustler Lodge parking lot my anticipation for fresh tracks was growing along with the size of my bladder. I desperately needed a bathroom. It’s easy to make a pit stop without irritating your friends when you start your day by yourself. Soon, I was riding the Collins lift and looking around for other singles. One woman was heading in to chef at the Collins Grill. Another guy had one run before he too had to get back to work. No takers from the first chair ride so it was time to ski. I knew it would be great in Eagle’s Nest. Halfway down, there they were three ladies whooping it up and charging hard. Turns out their fearless leader -Susan Hagen- is a part-time instructor at Alta and the other two gals used to work up on the mountain in the old Watson Shelter. It was now or never. We were all panting and praising the 900 vertical we had just chewed up, with another 900 or so to come, below us. I said, “Hey, can I join you?” Only at Alta is the answer “yes” 100 percent of the time.
There’s something unique about this classic big mountain area located in the rear of Little Cottonwood Canyon. It holds the soul of skiers past and present – you never really feel alone in the first place. No other place in the Wasatch feels this communal. Singles skiing at other resorts seem to have an agenda and they are not to be bothered. At Alta, they’re happy to share their turns with strangers.
For the next two hours, we followed Susan through Regal Chute (twice), Eagle’s Nest, North Rustler and finally a hike up to the High Notch. The fresh snow was bottomless in most areas. It was tracked out quickly but still pillowy and forgiving. I made five runs, 8800 vertical, in two hours- including the hike. The peer factor. These ladies made me ski harder than I would if I was skiing with Ryan and definitely harder than if I was alone. Had that been the case I probably would have meandered down two runs and called it. This morning was filled with spirit, laughter, smiles, burning thighs and deep breaths as we carved up the deep spring powder that was both untracked and soft crud. At noon my new posse headed in. I waved goodbye but not before I got everyone’s last name and said I’d find them on Facebook. I wondered if they’ll be back on the hill tomorrow. If not I’ll just have to go back to Alta to make more ski buddies.
There are three things Deer Valley is famous for- grooming, turkey chili and carrot cake. If you ever wanted to bring a little bit of the “difference” home you can pop into the local Smith’s, Fresh Market or The Market at Park City to pick up DV’s signature mixes and marinades or… you can test your culinary hand with these official recipes found in my own vault (I begged the chef when I was teaching there in the 90s).
Yield: (1) 9″ Round pan
DEER VALLEY’S CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
4 Eggs
1.5 c Sugar
.5 c Oil
2 c All-purpose flour
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
.25 tsp Baking Powder
.75 tsp Baking Soda
.5 tsp Salt
.5 c Walnuts, ground
1 lb. (about 3-4) Carrots, grated
PROCEDURES:
Prep the pan by brushing with butter and dusting with flour. Line with 9″ parchment paper circle.
Beat sugar and eggs until thick and light in color
Add oil slowly
Sift dry ingredients and add. Scrape bowl well. Add nuts and carrots and mix well.
Pour into prepared pan
Bake at 350 degrees until cake springs back, about 20 minutes. Cool.
FROSTING:
5oz Soft butter
1 lb, 4 oz Soft cream cheese
1 tsp Vanilla
12oz Powdered Sugar
PROCEDURES:
Cream butter at high speed 5-10 minutes until soft and smooth. Scrape bowl.
Add cream cheese, beat until smooth and lump free, scraping bowl several times
Add vanilla
Add sifted powdered sugar, beat 15 seconds at low speed, then 15 seconds at high speed.
Ever dream of filming for Warren Miller? And do it with free schtuff? Warren Miller Entertainment (WME), HEAD and Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows have joined forces for the ultimate POV video comp. “HEAD to Squaw Video Contest” wants your user-generated videos and the winner will rake in the ultimate prize package.
The grand prize includes a ski and boot package from HEAD and an invitation to film with WME at Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows during the 2016-2017 season. The winning video will also be presented on-screen before every Warren Miller Film Tour screening in 2016.
“The HEAD to Squaw Video Contest’ is the ideal platform for Warren Miller fans to demonstrate their talents in an organic setting where their peers influence the decisions,” says WME Managing Director, Andy Hawk. “We hope to see footage from mountains and ski towns far and wide and we are eager to work with a skilled individual on production of our 68th feature film in Squaw.”
Ok, so they’re using a format I absolutely hate- begging everyone you know to vote for your work. It’s as bad as asking all of your friends to sponsor every 10k you enter but so be it. Contestants will upload their video to the WME website and can share their entry on social media to gain votes. Voting will be tiered and open to the public until the third and final round. At the end of the third round on Aug. 26, the 4 videos with the most votes will be put before a panel of judges including Jeremy Jones, JT Holmes, Jonny Moseley and representatives from Warren Miller Entertainment, HEAD and Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows.
The panel of judges will select the GRAND PRIZE winner based on the entrants’ talent either as a cinematographer/editor OR as a winter sport athlete. Of the remaining three finalists, the video with the most fan votes will be awarded the Fan’s Choice prize.
The winning footage should showcase either your skills as a rider or as a cinematographer/editor will demonstrate and amplify the mountain lifestyle.
The submission period is from 9am MST on Monday, Mar 14 until 5pm MST on Friday, May 20.
The rounds are as follows:
VOTING ROUND 1: June 1- July 1
* Period of fan voting, where a unique visitor can only vote one time during this period
* The top 16 videos will advance to the next tier
* At the end of this period, all vote counts reset to 0
VOTING ROUND 2: July 11- August 5
* Second period of fan voting
* The top 8 videos will advance to the next tier
* At the end of this period, all vote counts reset to 0
VOTING ROUND 3: August 9 – August 26
* Third period of fan voting
* At the end of this period, the top 4 videos will be brought before the panel of judges and a winner will be chosen.
