I spent the last few days up in the West Elk Range in Colorado for a Black Diamond photo shoot. Jacqui Edgerly, Mark Welgos, Nick DeVore, Penn Newhard, Sandra the BD photo editor, Photographer Andrew Burr, and myself all skinned into a hut for some good times and deep pow. It was the first time yet this season that I have skied off the resort. The avalanche danger has been pretty bad so far in CO but it has begun to settle out or at least bridge up over the buried weak layers. Because of this we stuck to shorter slopes and trees but were still able to find amazing turns everywhere we went.
It is always good to get out on a few low key outings in order to get everything from equipment to confidence dialed in. We were also able to test out next year’s BD gear including some of the new skis which absolutely killed it in the blower pow conditions. The hut we stayed at was awesome as well with a steep shot literally ten feet off the front porch that we lapped all day. After skiing we enjoyed some fresh elk and pheasant along with cold beers and Ullr peppermint cinnamon schnapps from the shotski before falling asleep and dreaming of the pow turns to come the following day. Despite the fact that it pretty much snowed the whole time we were there, Andrew and Penn were able to capture some awesome deep pow shots as well as some steezy airs off a small launch pad we stomped out. Overall it was a great time shared with good friends, good food, and deep pow! Here are some pics hope you enjoy.
Jacqui E seeing white
Nick D showing not telling
Mark Welgos cold smoke
Me in the white room
Scoping the next pow turns
Photos: Penn Newhard
So It has been a bit since I last got my blog on, but as usual life has been extremely busy. Between early season training, ski season getting underway, work, and the Holidays, I haven’t had much time for much else but eating and sleeping. But now that the frantic Holiday season is over I can finally take the time to get organized and prepared for the rest of the season.
So far Aspen has been doing really well in terms of snow. As usual everyone was a little worried around Thanksgiving as we were skiing the white ribbon of death past patches of dirt and sticks. But it did start snowing and by the end of December we had reached the 100 inch mark. The snow has been amazing and light and despite a week long high pressure that hit us this last week allowing for big hard moguls to form, the snow came again and the amazing conditions are back. After having such an amazing season last year it has taken a little while to get back into the groove. This feeling also has a little to do with the fact that the backcountry has been extremely sketchy. Natural slides from wind loading and buried depth hoar have been occurring and it has kept everyone on piste. Hopefully the snow continues to fall and the backcountry settles out but until then we will continue to enjoy the fresh snow in bounds.
On another note, “The Ripple Effect” a film by Futuristic Films had it’s world premier this Friday at the Wheeler Opera House in the Center of Aspen. The film, produced by Aspen Snowmass was a project focused on capturing the epic winter of 2007-08. It also pays tribute to Snowboarder Wallace Westfeldt who died during a backcountry shoot for the film. Wallace was an extremely talented snowboarder and I am very fortunate to have called him a friend. The film also features my sister Kate Cardamone, Chris Davenport, Stian Davenport, Pat Sewell, Gretchen Bleiler and myself. It is a beautiful film, shot entirely in 16mm and remastered in HD. It features amazing lines skied all around Aspen and Snowmass both on Mountain and in the backcountry. Many lines featured could only be skied last season due to the large amount of snow. I highly recommend checking out this film if you get the chance.
Here is a sequence of me from the film. Pillowlicious!
Here are some early season pics to check out. Hope you enjoy.
Calling upon Ullr to bless us with freshies
Early season blower
My sister Kate making it look good
