A Different Kind of Big Mountain Experience

[hikingmaineac]

What about a separate, non-hiking related section?

hmm... What to call it?

 

[una_dogger]

hmm... What to call it?

"A Place For Everything Else"

 

[adktyler]

What about a separate, non-hiking related section?

hmm... What to call it?

"General Backcountry"

 

[Michelle]

Squaw Valley and Granite Chief! Nice! Skiing the PCT! Sounds like a blast! I used to ski all the time, then got into the whole winter hiking thing and the prices of lift tickets sky-rocketed and hiking was free..........and so, I hike!
But still love to hear about the fun times on the slopes!

 

[Neil]

What about a separate, non-hiking related section?

hmm... What to call it?

Facebook?

 

[skiguy]

I didn't answer the poll because there is too much contrast between the choices.

In spite of what looks like an amazing trip (looked at the pictures and turned the pages) I don't have any interest in forum reports of lift-served skiing. I began downhill skiing at age 5 and have no bias against it.

This looks like an issue where it would be up to the admin to impose his vision/leadership.

Dry Canadien Woose Bag Snow must have been tough enough to spoil the planks off your weeny once I knew how to ski on Boiler Plate....( fill in the Blank). Nothing will ever make me loose the fever. Now get up and remember what it felt like to be an all emcompassing Mountaineer. Certainly let's be up beat about our opinions in thoughtfulness of our peer's enthusiasm . This must be a case of dry Canadien humor we have here I'd like to think and not just a squelch of what one once felt.

 

[hikes-with-him]

Wow...wicked pictures!! I don't really care what you are doing up there in the mountain...the point...you are up there...getting GREAT "Views from the Top"...

Supurb

 

[una_dogger]

Hey Chickety -- thanks for pointing out that the PCT runs through Granite Chief, I didn't know that and your reference provided me with hours of serendipitous googling and internet exploration tonight!!

Imzadi -- thank you and welcome! I think I recognize your handle from Summitpost.org?? (I'm an infrequent lurker)

And Wayne..you have such a way with words....<insert smiley face here>

MichaelJ has worked some of his GPS/Google Earth overlay magic -- if he ever makes it by this way maybe he'll post some links. Hint hint.

 

[hikes-with-him]

Yup...you guessed it. I found VFTT from Summitpost...

 

[The Lisa]

I enjoyed reading your report - yes it involved lift-served skiing but it was an area very far from the northeast, nice to hear about other parts of the country and the photos are amazing. It was great to read your enthusiasm come through too. I am a fellow ski noob loving the learning process and developing confidence (although today's runs in Tuckerman Ravine used all the courage I could muster and then some ).

We get to those see those 'views from the top' using many tools - boots and snowshoes and skis and mountain bikes - so I personally have no problem with any means and methods. I have really enjoyed reading about the backcountry XC tours in the Whites, everyone please keep em comin'!

 

[wardsgirl]

Sure, your ski trip belongs here. By the way, your pics are awesome! I, too, think things like this should be in the "Trip Reports" section. That way, people can read such posts at their leisure. I think if our fellow VFTT folks take a trip to some weird land outside of the Northeast, a "Trip Report" entry is warranted. For example, my 13 year-old and I are planning an AT section hike in New Jersey later this year. It's not the Whites, but I think he will want to post that he went on a big hiking trip. Yeesh, New Jersey, I know, but it's a state he hasn't done yet!

 

[mookie]

post away!

i say post away!
if people dont like to view trip reports related to any non hiking activity then they dont have to view them. ive said it before and ill say it again, awesome photos! cant wait to get back out west!

 

[Shardik]

Another Canadian here

Physical versus assisted
Seems that the poll requires a fit of tweaking...I couldn't vote either.

Downhill skiing is very popular.
Popular enough to change this board.
Wouldn't that be a suprise , once regular trip reports start flowing in and then , is that what you really want.

IMHO ,just doesn't seem to fit in with the natural character of this board.
Hiking,backpacking,rockclimbing,kayaking,telemark,and backcountry skiing down Tuckerman's after a tough climb seems to fit in.

Big difference when someone else is doing the hard work for you.

Dave

 

[cbcbd]

I think Una Dogger is getting the message...

...all she needs to do is invest in a touring setup

 

[DougPaul]

Physical versus assisted
Seems that the poll requires a fit of tweaking...I couldn't vote either.

Downhill skiing is very popular.
Popular enough to change this board.
Wouldn't that be a suprise , once regular trip reports start flowing in and then , is that what you really want.

IMHO ,just doesn't seem to fit in with the natural character of this board.
Hiking,backpacking,rockclimbing,kayaking,telemark,and backcountry skiing down Tuckerman's after a tough climb seems to fit in.

Big difference when someone else is doing the hard work for you.

Downhill skiing generally involves mechanized transport (unless you earn your turns by hiking or climbing up), an in-place support and rescue crew (the ski patrol), and on site restaurants. Many also consider downhill ski areas to be frontcountry.

As such, I wouldn't make a fuss over an occasional report, but I would prefer that it doesn't be come a major topic on this board.

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

...all she needs to do is invest in a touring setup

Earn your turns!

Doug

 

[una_dogger]

I think Una Dogger is getting the message...

...all she needs to do is invest in a touring setup

Amazing mind reading powers, Doug!! My old Fisher Hobacks just won't cut it where I'd like to go.......

Yes, I would LOVE to earn my turns and escape to backcountry stashes -- however, I think I need a season or two more experience before I take the plunge to Telemark. It is a goal of mine. In the meantime, I play in the lift assisted parks. And, I seriously doubt I will ever stop, because I do appreciate hot tubs, ski villages, and other things that type of experience has to offer. Not to mention the fact that its a great way to spend time outdoors with non hiking friends!

As such, I wouldn't make a fuss over an occasional report, but I would prefer that it doesn't be come a major topic on this board.

Doug

Agreed! I really don't want to read trip reports from NE ski reports here, that's what Alpine Zone is for ! As was brought up several times by others, I felt this report worthy of VfTT because it was outside of the Northeast.

 

[mookie]

Agreed! I really don't want to read trip reports from NE ski reports here, that's what Alpine Zone is for ! As was brought up several times by others, I felt this report worthy of VfTT because it was outside of the Northeast.

agreed! we dont need trip reports from every ski trip to cannon(or other northeast lift serviced area.
But......... i think anything Backcountry or lift serviced ski area out of the northeast (with photos of course) would be acceptable.

 

[ADKdremn]

As always, your trip report was a great read. Especially for me, who has always been intrigued by skiing/snowboarding. I've only skiied once in my life yet I'm always googling Youtube backcountry skiing videos, watching the latest Warren Miller DVD, Tv show, whatever. It just looks so fun and freeing (if that's a word) to me.
Sure resorts make it easier, but your trip definitely looked special to me! Most of those pictures, which were amazing btw, you couldn't even tell you were at a resort. I liked it and it's always fun to read about something different....such as freedans and Dave Metsky's skiing reports!

 

[DougPaul]

ountry stashes -- however, I think I need a season or two more experience before I take the plunge to Telemark.

Don't forget that there is a whole range of skiing options available in addition to Alpine and Telemark: AT, BC, XC. Each has its aspects that many find enjoyable.

Doug