It’s been three days since I landed at DIA and felt the brisk, December air brush against my sandaled feet. It’s been about six full months since I last stuffed my feet into ski boots, and I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my purple steeze Tecnica Agent 130s, but I’m currently missing a toenail on my left big toe. Oh the timing…

So, there I was, wrapping up our last WME show in Pasadena, and I was lifting the last of our promotional gear through the delicate doors of the Rialto Theater which was built back in 1925. I was taking care not to damage the doors by slamming them around, and in a moment of frustration, I accidentally swung the huge speaker towards my foot, thereby ripping the toenail off in one fell swoop. The pain was manageable, but my ego was wounded as I quickly remembered all of the warnings paid me by stage hands throughout the tour. They had told me that sandals are dangerous, and now this ski bum/raft guide wishes he had heeded their advice.

Now, with my new Blizzard Answers mounted up with some Marker Duke bindings, I am antsy to get out and make some turns. I just have to wait for this toe to scab up…at least I have my beautiful girlfriend Jamie and her dog to play in the snow with.

Well, Emily and I made it back to Aspen without much of a hitch. The drive out to Vegas was a little hairy at times, and we had to pull over twice due to the whiteout blizzard conditions. But, with it all said and done, SIA was really fun; it’s hard not to have fun though, when you’re in Vegas with a bunch of pro skiers and free booze. Luckily, the call of the powder back in CO gave us a little foresight when accepting the plentiful libations offered. I know I thankfully declined a few in hopes that my body would last until I was back on the gondola at Ajax.

There’s some sweet pics from my cell phone from the show; check out my Facebook profile for the shots.

I’m making my way to Vegas, and after negotiating rides out to the city of sin, I’ve teamed up with Emily from FreeTime Goods for the trip. We’re going to Vegas for the annual SIA (Snowsports Industry Association) tradeshow to go and support our friends at Discrete and High Society. Emily’s gonna play the part of navigator/full-throttle energy consultant/hat designer&crocheter while I man the wheel and burn rubber all the way to the Strip. Check out my Twitter -ing down in the green box below and Facebook me back any comments or ideas of what to do on this most epic of adventures!

If you’re in Vegas, come find us at the Blizzard/Tecnica or the Discrete booths!