Well, it’s been a solid three weeks since I last visited this little world of virtual compilation.  I have decided that ski bumming and blogging are the two most difficult activities to simultaneously attempt.  So, whatever.  I’ve been in Vegas for about four days now, and boy oh boy, have the stories kept rolling in.  Some I can recall without fail; some have drifted away with the taste of last night’s final vodka-energy drink into the recesses of the casinos’ recirculated air vents.  What I do know, or can at least piece together from this run of excess is that our little industry is ever hopeful and even excited about the good times ahead.

Sure, the economy has tanked and everyone is worried about their sales figures or which product will get eaten up in last year’s failed trend, but the idea that a few turns on a familiar mountain are just ahead.  It is this understanding and acceptability that has continued, nay strengthened, the bond amongst us snowsports enthusiasts.  Word of recent snowfall by way of text messages and gloat-filled phone calls has spread like wildfire throughout the maze of displays washed in bright lights.  Yet, instead of jealousy raising its ugly head, the people of winter have been quickly reminded of why we find ourselves leaving the concerns of society to the cities and escape to where the mountains are capped by the sky.

I’m sitting here in a hotel room with some good friends listening to the musical manifestation of pure rock and skiing stoke, waiting to fill my soul with good food and even better conversation.  I hope you, the reader, understands that winter will always happen, and the mountains will forever be home for those who seek their truth and reverence.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WATCH THE “SUBARU SESSIONS – A DEEPER LOOK AT BIG MOUNTAIN FREESKIING” – LIVE FROM SNOWBIRD, UTAH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2009, FROM 1-3 PM MST, ON WWW.FREESKIINGWORLDTOUR.COM

Dubbed the David Letterman of freeskiing, the Subaru Sessions live webcast will also air on www.newschoolers.com, www.backcountry.com, www.powder.com, www.biglines.com and www.skipressworld.com

Dubbed the David Letterman of freeskiing, the Subaru Sessions is a one of a kind live webcast hosted by legendary Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) announcers Dak Williams and Frankie Alisuag and produced by Mountain Sports International (MSI). The first stop of the Subaru Sessions will stream live beginning at 1pm MST, Friday, January 16, from the Tram Plaza at Snowbird Mountain Resort, Utah.

Watch live interviews and highlight footage of past, present and future big mountain freeskiing champions. A veritable who’s who of the sport, featured athletes include Ingrid Backstrom, Cody Barnhill, Julian Carr, Kent Hyden, Brant Moles, Rick Greener, Chris Tatsuno, Scott McBrayer, and more.

The voices of big mountain freeskiing, Dak Williams and Frankie Alisuag will also be talking to Rob Greener, mentor to the next generation of big mountain freeskiers, about the new Junior Freeskiing Tour, the upcoming Junior Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird and the progression of the sport.

Special guest Derek Taylor, Editor of Powder Magazine, will be dropping by with a sneak peek of the 2009 Powder Video Awards. Backcountry.com’s frontman and “Athlete Wrangler” Jonny Atencio will stop by to introduce his 2009 freeskiing team and show video highlights from their adventures. Other video highlights include Nick Greener’s notorious crash during the 2008 Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals, Julian Carr’s 100-foot front-flip, clips from the 2008 Freeskiing World Tour and a 2009 FWT teaser.

Watch live online, or come by and enjoy beats by DJ Knucklz as well as athlete poster-signings on Snowbird’s sunny tram plaza. Join the athletes and hosts at the official after-party at Snowbird’s newly re-designed Tram Club for live music by the Neighbors.

The Subaru Sessions moves next to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, January 23, 2008. MSI will again be satellite broadcasting from all FWT stops. Live coverage of the best freeskiing in the world can be viewed from the comfort of your desk chair on www.freeskiingworldtour.com.

Special thanks to our Subaru Sessions sponsors;

Subaru

The North Face

Corona

Snowbird Mountain Resort

Backcountry.com

Powder Magazine

2009 Freeskiing World Tour Schedule of Events

Subaru Telluride Freeskiing World Tour Qualifier, Telluride, Colorado. February 5-8, 2009

Subaru US Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte, Colorado. February 18-22, 2009

Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, Utah. March 10-15, 2009

Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood, California. March 19-23, 2009

Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, Alyeska, Alaska. April 8-12, 2009

For more information log onto www.freeskiingworldtour.com

Special thanks to our Freeskiing World Tour sponsors:

Subaru of America

The North Face

Corona

Nordica

Powder Magazine

Emergen-C

Ski Press Magazine

Mt. Olympus Water

Lynden Transport

Sports Insurance

Grabber

V.I.O.

Beyond Coastal

IFSA

Special thanks to our Freeskiing World Tour resort partners:

Telluride Ski and Summer Resort

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Alyeska Resort

Here is a new release from Tatsunobird.com Productions:  Goat Sighting – Teton Pass, WY

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VID!

Blizzard Answer IQ skis with Duke bindings

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org

So, I still need to find the time to sit down and catch up on all the stories from the past three weeks of life in the snow and on the road.  However, until that happens, you will have to just put up with this most recent news:  The TatsVan is on her last legs.

Now, if you’re one of my Facebook friends, you may have already noticed the pictures of the TatsVan being towed from the side of the highway outside of Victor, ID.  Or you may have watched the video update I made from my phone within the confines of the van’s cab in sub-zero temperatures in Jackson Hole.  Well, it’s true.  The TatsVan has gone kaput and is now sitting in Wilson, WY awaiting whatever fate comes to a immobile mobile home.

The silver lining in it all: any publicity is good publicity, especially for a ski bum vehicle like the TatsVan.  Expn.com’s Tim Mutrie called me yesterday for a phone interview about the recent vehicular turn of events.  Read the article , leave a comment and lemme know what you think should happen with the good ‘ol TatsVan.  Her story can’t just die here…

p.s. – The Van in the picture above is not the TatsVan, nor is it the new van I’m picking up in Michigan.  It is a good friend’s van in Sun Valley that has given me inspiration to continue being a van person for the rest of my life.  Thanks Dave!

The TatsVan2 will definitely need one of these: Yakima Rocketbox 16

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org