A great avalanche resource

Video: LINO’, an Animated Surf Flick

Check this video out...I've watched it ten times already. The music is super mellow, vibing well with the impressive stop-motion animation that makes those little Playmobil figurines look like they're just shredding some epic waves. Lino', made by Karim Rejeb of KarimRejeb-SurfArt.com, is a masterpiece fit for anyone who has played with plastic toys. His vision of the world of surfing, a...

Friends of the TatsVan: Scott McBrayer – Bull Rider

Scott McBrayer, better known on the Freeskiing World Tour as McSlayer, just rode his third bull at the Carbondale Thursday night rodeo. Known for tossing frontflips to a stomped landing off of 40 foot cliffs, it's his background as a hunting guide and cowboy that makes Scott really stand out. He didn't make eight seconds (the minimum time for a score) in this ride, but as any cowpoke knows...

Mobile Lifestyle: The Mobile Office

I have found two activities to occupy my time, each of which helping to engage the frontal lobe or get my heart pumping hard. On sunny days, the choice is easy: I grab my inflatable stand-up paddleboard (iSUP) and cruise with the bus and clients to the river put-in. I help unload the boats, ditch the deflated iSUP board and paddle, drop the bus at the bottom of the Shoshone Rapids section ...

Pingu Goes Skiing

This is a funny viral video that has hit the winter audience. Stop-motion animation is so fun! (WARNING: some adult language and themes) For those who haven't been following ski design innovation over the past few years, rocker technology is an ancient design that has found a new life in current ski brands. Ski companies are adopting the early-rise tips and tails of the old carved, wood...

Friends of the TatsVan: Leo Ahrens

This is especially true for the junior competitors, whose parents have had the foresight - and made the sacrifices - to know that these competitions are helping to groom their kids into the more well-rounded skiers which the greater skiing audience can identify with. For 17 year-old Leo Ahrens, that barrier has been broken, and he's got two shred-sticks on his feet ready to continue smashing...

Posted By: Tats on December 19, 2008 in All New Posts, Ski News - Comments: No Comments »

I recently stumbled across this little gem of a website. The Forest Service has done a great job of updating their site with skier-oriented and snowmobile-oriented avalanche tips, information and videos. In light of the unfortunate recent tragedies at some of my favorite ski areas, this information is ever more important for anyone even thinking of going out and playing in the snow.

I especially like the ‘A Day in Avalanche Country’ section. It provides a nice checklist of things to do and think about as you prepare to head outdoors for some backcountry skiing or snowmobiling. This is a great resource for all the questions we need to ask ourselves yet find it difficult to line up in the haze of an early powder day morning.

So, click here , check out their website and get those beacons out for some good ‘ol practice. And remember, you’re only as safe as how well your buddies know their gear too!