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

Ready for a Stillwater Preserver Mission

Well, it seems that the last six or so weeks of my life have existed in that place between ‘holy shit, that was awesome!’ and ‘wait, what just happened?’, leaving me in a fluttering state of mind.  Going into it, I knew my time in Canada would pass quickly, but ninety days flashed right on by.  The last few weeks were chock full of new experiences and wild stories.  I had a chance to ski from the summit of Mt. McKenzie and cross Arrow Lake on an inland ferry with my van in the same day.  I drank a boilermaker shot with some Canadian Legion members and skinny-dipped with fellow ski bums Leah Evans and Dersh later that evening.  I swam in hot springs – commercial and natural, with tunnels and diving boards, hot and cold dips – all around the Kootenays , from Ainsworth to Fairmont, Halcyon to Radium. 

Sweetgrass Productions: Signatures

I had the opportunity to catch the most recent release by Sweetgrass Productions in Carbondale a couple of nights ago.  Dos Gringos (my favorite burrito place in C-dale!) offered up their fine establishment to accommodate the over 80 people that showed up to watch some pow riding delight.

Now, I should mention that I have been aware of this project since its early filming this past winter.  Many of my close friends and skiing buddies made the trek out to Japan, where the producers/filmers posted up for over 7 months.  That being said, I was excited to see the action my friends got into while in the land of the rising sun.

Luckily, good news came just hours before I set off with my girlfriend in tow to catch the show, as reports of ‘Signatures’ winning the Best Cinematography award at this year’s IF3 ski film festival in Montreal came in across the intraweb.  Facebook , the TGR boards , and Twitter were all abuzz about this beautifully shot film and its unique approach to winter riding.

Lest the film disappoint, I was already stoked on my ‘Spud Luv’ potato filled burrito, but no worries.  ‘Signatures’ opened in classic Sweetgrass style with a cool narration reflecting on seasonal change and shots of rivers, ocean, and snow falling.  If you are a powder fan, then this is the film of the year for you; there are more slash turns and pillow drops than a bag of marshmallows.

The segment that really caught my attention and will keep me coming back is the night shots.  I have seen night skiing/riding in action sports films before, but these guys really know how to keep your eyes dancing across the screen.  The creative editing allowed each skier’s slash or drop to intermix like a choreographed dance.  Awesome, just plain awesome.  You’ll have to see it to really understand what I’m trying to get at here.

In summary, if you’ve been feeling a little burnt out on the regular ski flick offerings each year, check this film out.  It’s not an MSP, or TGR, or even Level 1 for that matter…but that is exactly what sets it apart and makes it stand out.  And if the judges at IF3 aren’t good enough for ya, just trust this ski bum, I even snaked a poster of theirs to hang in my van for some added stoke.

Jonesing for some pow? Buy these skis!

Hook a ski bum up and click through!

For the third installment of TGR Hot Threads! , I found you a little gem of a video (Right click here –> save as). Turns out one of the best ideas I’ve had all year HAS already been made – and it couldn’t be better! Nothing like a good ‘ole game of PowerHour , and to top it all off, this timer video is set to a beautiful backdrop of skiing clips. And don’t forget, it’s a long hour if you can’t stomach the challenge.

Click here to read the TGR maggots’ reviews. If you have any problems playing the movie, your computer is just too slow. Heh, just kidding, but seriously, read the reviews and you’ll find out all you need to know. And if they haven’t discussed your question yet, just ask.

An hour is a long time in this game - check the time with a Nixon Banks Watch

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The newest TGR Hot Threads is about my good friend Dave Elkan, another TeamAwesomeRadGnar member. Turns out he got a sweet full page picture in the December 2008 Powder magazine for a Snowmass ad, his home mountain. I’m still stuck out here in the city, so it’s difficult to find any ‘ski porn’, but I bet the photo is sweet! (editor’s note: I found a copy in a little ski shop off Hwy101 and the picture IS sweet! )

Click here to read the latest maggot appreciation and virtual high-fives on TetonGravity.com’s forums.

Congrats Dave, and I can’t wait to ski with ya this winter! And, yeah, now you can wear those sunglasses at night, playa.

Be like Dave, and get your own Von Zipper Hoss sunnies

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org