widsix
Powder Panic
Resorts and ski areas across the country have experienced an interesting phenomenon this season: powder panic.  Now, don't get me wrong, skiers and snowboarders have always had that mob-mentality, freshies-frenzy when it comes to new snow and chairlift lines.  People have been known to shove, push, pole and also to be shoved, pushed, poled in the mess that is the rush for first chair and tha...
The Bitch is Back
La Nina has been a cold nasty lady this winter...well, at least for the shredheads in B.C burrowing through their streets en route to the snow encrusted mountaintops. We in Aspen have had it lucky.  We haven't had the slightest issue with parking in town or with having to decide if the furnace room or the fireplace is the best way to dry your ski gear. Yep, instead of shred outfit maintenance p...
Saddle Up with Pat and Tats: Episode 1
The Pat and Tats Show is back on program, and we've kicked it off with our first season of Saddle Up with Pat and Tats, presented by Tecnica/Blizzard. With minimal snowfall this early season, Pat's dreams have been full of powder shredding and good times from last season's escapades. Throw in some dirt skiing and you can call it early season! Watch this and pray for snow...it's time to shred ...
TatsVision
Quick edit courtesy of fellow Backcountry.com and Aspen/Snowmass team athlete, Chris Erickson. What a series of beautiful, bluebird days! So much fun out there in Aspen shredding with an amazing group of rippers. Keeping me on my toes and wind in my hair!
Trew Crew Posse Day on Ajax
Had a great time the other day with our local Trew Crew: John Pew, Casey Vandenbroek, Pat Sewell, JF Bruegger, Colter Hinchliffe, Parker Olson and more. It snowed 1/4in overnight and we took advantage of the freshies with slash-turn faceshots on every run. With this group, everyday is a powder day.  

“Need to Get Out” contest by Tecnica/Blizzard

Posted By: Tats on December 26, 2011 in All New Posts, Ski News - Comments: No Comments »

It’s December, and it hasn’t really snowed much in the Lower 48.  That’s ok, because you’ve been holding the reins while desk jockeying and no snow doesn’t affect your daily routine.  In fact, it probably makes for a much easier commute.  Well, guess what – It’s going to snow, and when it does you’ll be jonesing to get out and play!

That’s why we at Tecnica/Blizzard designed the “Need to Get Out” contest in conjunction with Teton Gravity Research.  We know you are only slaving away behind a desk so you can earn enough dough to get out and road trip with your buddies.  Well, we want to make it easier for you and that friend to get out West and come slash some turns with the Tec/Blizz pro team.

Head on over to Teton Gravity Research’s website by clicking the photo above, and learn how to enter the contest.  Tell us your best story, include a rad photo, and come choke on some powder with us at Monarch Snowcat Skiing.  Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

-Tats

Shaun Raskin’s ‘The Life Unbound’ – Episode 2: The Strike

Posted By: Tats on December 23, 2011 in All New Posts, Friends of the TatsVan, Video - Comments: No Comments »

Check out more of Shaun and her winter exploits at TheLifeUnbound


 

EarlyUps.com Pro Playlist

Posted By: Tats on December 21, 2011 in All New Posts, Ski News - Comments: No Comments »

EarlyUps.com has a weekly series which features pro skiers and the music they jam to.  This is a great way to update your music selection and get in the head of your favorite shredder.  It’s interesting to hear what pumps people up for the big moves on snow, or to find out how skiers get their groove on in the off-hill part of their days.  I was honored to be included in this list of athletes, following none other than Julian Carr the snow yeti himself.  Click the picture below to link to the feature and listen along to the mix provided courtesy of Spotify.com.

Click above to view the feature and listen to some Talking Heads

Traveling Circus Freaks

Posted By: Tats on December 18, 2011 in All New Posts - Comments: No Comments »

Trew Gear team rider Garrett Russell is back on skis after a knee surgery. Check him out and his wacky tricks in the new Traveling Circus. I love his approach to park features…so fun and so ego-less. Ya Garrett!

Dew Tour Breckenridge – POC it Up!

Posted By: Tats on in All New Posts, Photos, Ski News, TatsVan Chronicles, Video - Comments: No Comments »

Alex Ferreira boosting in the pipe (Photo by Brian Walker)

My week as head chef and stoke coordinator for the POC house at the Breckenridge stop of the winter Dew Tour has come to an end.  It was a special treat to meet and hang with the athletes we have representing the brand in the park and pipe scene.  Kids like Alex Ferreira, Kyle Smaine, Broby Leeds, and Robby Franco had a chance to hot tub, chow food, and relax right alongside some of the bigger names in the sport like Joss Christensen and Tucker Perkins and Alex Schlopy.  It is great to see the camaraderie and teamwork that thrives between these athletes in an event where egos reign supreme.  I was impressed to see how down to earth and motivated each of them were in dedication to this wild sport, and then, to see them take on the massive superpipe and park features Breckenridge likes to build was truly awe-inspiring.

Throughout the week we had all walks of life from the competition scene visiting the house, with team reps from ski brands, GoPro stoke monsters, parents, world-class coaches, and web gurus.  Willie Ford, the new POC team manager, and I kept everyone well fed and full of beer (those of age, of course!) as the week went on.  I learned a lot about cooking for an army and how to manage a dishwasher and trash compactor all without losing a finger or scalding myself with hot water.  Whew!

Check out the following video from the prelims for superpipe:

Tats’ Twitterings