14erskiers.com hopes that everyone enjoyed their New Year’s celebration! Crested Butte was bombarded with cold temperatures yesterday and last night, with high’s remaining in the single digits and lows around -10 degrees F. Most of our celebrating was done inside this year, including this capturing of the torchlight parade.
New Year’s Eve 2010 from 14erskiers on Vimeo.
We wish all of our readers the best that 2011 can offer!
It seems that Crested Butte Mountain Resort has initiated a new rope drop policy that requires skiers to wear a beacon during the opening of new terrain. All of this seems to have come about suddenly- just in the last week- leaving some locals slightly aghast at the new policy.
The first we at 14erskiers.com heard about this new policy was when this email showed up in our friend’s inbox.
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – December 20 – Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has been blessed with an abundance of early season powder and that means terrain is opening quickly. In preparation, the Crested Butte Ski Patrol has created new guidelines for terrain openings to maximize safety for all guests. The new protocol goes into effect immediately and has been designed to create greater awareness of the inherent risk in skiing and riding extreme terrain. The resort also wants to recognize those who take extra precautions that can be helpful in the instance of an in-bound slide.
“We are all excited about the incredible snow Mother Nature has provided already this season,” said Ken Stone, chief operating officer at CBMR. “As resort operators we are constantly focused on the safety of our guests and with this new policy we hope to encourage courtesy and preparedness. Tackling the Extremes should not be taken lightly; this terrain demands respect and focused attention.”
While snow safety and mitigation efforts reduce the risk of avalanches, slides may still occur at ski areas, both inside and outside posted boundaries. Avalanches are an inherent risk of the sport due to the nature of snow and its presence on steep mountainous terrain.
CBMR Terrain Opening Protocol:
· Ski Patrol will allow skiers and riders with transceivers (avalanche beacons) to enter first at terrain openings
· Ski Patrol will now use a gate rather than a rope lifting or dropping to allow more space between skiers and riders
· When the gate is open, skiers and riders will proceed, one at a time, through the gate
· Any ducking of ropes will result in the loss of lift passes and a delay in the opening of terrain for everyone
In addition, the Crested Butte Ski Patrol reminds all extreme terrain users to always ski or ride with a partner and keep them within sight at all times; to obey all signs and closures; and to carry avalanche equipment such as beacons, shovels, probes and Recco chips, and know how to use them.
For more information contact Erik Forsythe, Ski Patrol Director – 349-2220, Frank Coffey, Snow Safety Director – 349-4137, or Chris Corliss, Mountain Manager – 349-2341.
Now, the new policy can be seen on CBMR’s website:
http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/info/mountain/beacon-policy.aspx
A quick snapshot of some of the new rules as stated on CMBR’s site:
In an effort to encourage and reward standard practices for travel in avalanche prone terrain, the Crested Butte Ski Patrol will be allowing the users of avalanche beacons early access to said terrain on initial openings and re-openings after avalanche mitigation procedures.
Q: When and where will this apply?
A: This policy with be in effect all season. Any time we are opening or re-opening terrain initially or after new snow and/or any time the public has gathered awaiting terrain opening with potential avalanche danger, no matter how slight, we will be providing avalanche beacon users with access to that terrain ahead of those without.
Q: Will patrollers be checking skiers’ beacons as they pass through the gate/line?
A: Yes
Q: How will this work at the High Lift and North Face Lift?
A: There will be an “Avalanche Beacon Users Only” lane that will load the lift before other lanes are allowed to alternate into the mix. Only those that are in this lane when the lift opens will be given priority. As soon as the first wave loads, the “Avalanche Beacon Users Only” sign will be pulled and the lane will be open to all users and will alternate as usual.
Q: Will this happen at any other lifts like the Silver Queen or Paradise?
A: No
Q: How will this work at gate openings?
A: As the opening nears, the Ski Patroller at the gate will ask beacon users to move to the front of the group. Once the group has been organized, and the terrain is ready for opening, the gate will be opened and beacon users will proceed, one at a time, through the gate. Once the initial wave of beacon users has passed through the gate, all others will be invited to pass through the gate one at a time. Any disorderly conduct or ducking of ropes will result in the loss of lift passes for individuals and the delay of terrain opening for everyone.
My Opinion on the Matter
In some ways, we can’t be surprised the CBMR is initiated such policies. As the ski industry progresses, more skiers are finding themselves entering “extreme” terrain than before. In addition, many skiers are adding backcountry skiing to their repertoire. Recent in-bounds avalanches such as in Jackson Hole, Snowbird, and A-Basin have caused some CBMR patrollers to take a deeper look at the safety issues at hand. And, let’s face it. We do live in the most litigious country in the world. In some ways, I can’t blame CBMR for initiating this policy.
But, at the same time, I don’t really like this policy. CBMR has always been really conservative about terrain openings. They don’t open it unless it is fully safe- no questions asked. One would hope that this new beacon policy would help CBMR patrollers open terrain a tad bit earlier or perhaps provide some “slackcountry” access gates. But, I don’t think that this is the case. Crested Butte is not Whistler- where there is so much terrain patrollers are seemingly lackadaisical about control work in certain areas. Nor is it Jackson or Snowbird. Here, patrollers are, for lack of a better word- anal. They rarely leave things untracked. Terrain is often bombed to death, ruining many of our favorite lines sometimes for the whole season. And I have rarely felt any need to wear a beacon inbounds at this resort (a testament to the safe-keeping of ski patrol), whereas I have definitely felt the need elsewhere. This new “beacons at rope-drop” policy is simply a case of CYA – Cover Your Ass. And, it’s truly unfortunate for those friends of ours who do not have a beacon because they don’t venture into the backcountry. We spend $900+ on season’s passes. Now, CBMR wants skiers to pay an additional $300 or so for a beacon too, just to ski fresh tracks in bounds- and no place to rent them, unlike Bridger Bowl which requires beacons on much of its terrain. If you ask me, CBMR needs to take a better look at their new policy and provide a supporting infrastructure for it before suddenly dropping the ropes for those only with a beacon.
Ever get that hankering for ski porn but you’re tired of the movies in your library because you’ve watched them so many that you have all the words memorized? Those old favorites are great. But, sometimes it’s good to mix it up. Let’s face it though- the local Blockbuster (if there’s even one around- they are fading fast!) doesn’t have ski videos and Netflix has a limited selection of Instant Play. Until recently, ski enthusiasts have had to wait patiently for the prized DVD of their choice to arrive in the mail- sometimes taking 2-6 weeks and often costing somewhere around $30. But, now there is The Snow Network. TGR, among other favorite producers, has teamed with this on-demand video site to provide some of the latest and greatest ski videos at the touch of your finger tips. So, be ready for instant satisfaction. After all, that’s the way we roll these days 
The Selection
The selection is big, and keeps getting bigger. TGR has most of their movies available to download including their latest movie, Light the Wick. But, many other productions have movies available, including MSP, Level 1, and Warren Miller.
The Cost
The prices I saw for watching a video ranged from $9.99 to $14.99, about half the cost (or less) of purchasing most of the DVD’s. Once you have purchased a video, you can watch it over and over again though multiple mediums.
How Can I Watch It?
Videos can be watched on your computer, television, or portable through a few different mediums including iTunes or GoogleTV. If you’re like us and not an iTunes fan, you probably should choose the “Boxee” application which allows you to watch it on your computer or TV (if it is hooked up to the internet). We typically watch videos by connecting our laptop to our television using an HDMI cable. More details on how to watch the videos here.
This sounds great. What’s the site again?
thesnownetwork.com
Promotion
Currently, if you buy 2 videos which cost $29.98 ($14.99 each) you can get a third video free!
We Recommend
Jeremy Jones’ Deeper among many others!
Okay now, go watch some movies!
From Wikipedia
About a year ago, I wrote a blog about Ullr after coming upon the realization that this Norse god was indeed not the god of snow, but rather the God of Skiing. Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to Skade through the book Two Planks and a Passion. In this book, Huntford refers to Skade as the Ski Goddess. Could she be the female counterpart to Ullr? I decided to investigate.
Who was Skade?
Skade is the Viking and goddess associated with bowhunting, skiing, winter, and mountains. She is commonly referred to as the Goddess of Skiing and the Goddess of Winter. In my opinion, this automatically gives her a step-up on Ullr. Ullr is not the God of Winter! Sometimes Skade is called the Goddess of Winter Hunting, Snow-shoeing, and of the Shadows.
Other names for Skade
Skaði, Skadi, or Skathi
“Ondurdis” – goddess of skiing
Skade’s Story
Skade is the daughter of the giant Thiazi. Thiazi’s death has a is detailed in a few different accounts that differ. But one story says that Thiazi was killed by the Gods for stealing apples. The Gods wanted to pay Skade for her father’s death in gold, but she demanded a husband instead.
Though Skade lusted after a beautiful god named Baldur, she supposedly made a bargain with the other Viking gods that she should choose her husband by looking at his feet rather than his face. She did so, and choose Njord, the lord of the seas. Njord wanted Skade to live by the sea, but Skade’s heart was in the mountains (yeah, another reason why she’s a super cool goddess). The two could never agree on where to live and their marriage did not last.
Skade’s marriage with Njord is consistent in multiple sources, but beyond that, accounts of Skade’s story differ. Some accounts say she then married Odin, God of Wisdom (among other things). Odin was eventually killed by a wolf, Fenrir, a who was the son of the Fire-God Loki. Loki was a shape-shifter and there are numerous sources who detail hostile encounters between Skade and Loki. Some other accounts say Skade eventually ran off with Ullr himself, since they obviously had so much in common.
My Opinion
Like many females, Skade is overlooked. We’ve heard of the Norse gods Odin, Ullr, and Loki. But, who has really heard of Skade? Those people are few and far between. Still, no one can deny Skade’s importance to skiers and winter-lovers alike. Ullr and Skade should be thought of together, not separate, as the God and Goddess of Skiing. And when it comes to “pray for snow”, we should look to the skies for Skade instead of Ullr. Afterall, she is the Goddess of Winter
Depictions of Skade
 Photo courtesy of Valhalla
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 Photo courtesy of Absolute Astronomy |
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Resources
Norse Mythology by Rasmus Björn Anderson
Norse Mythology A to Z by Kathleen N. Daly, Marian Rengel
http://www.castle8.com/statesofmelba/vikingGods.html
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Skiing
http://evergreenwicca.tripod.com/norse.html
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/norse-mythology.php?deity=SKADI
http://www.dankaufman.org/sorn/Essays/skadi.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska%C3%B0i
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/skadi.html
http://eirsinitiate.wordpress.com/the-gods/skadi-winter-goddess-of-the-north/
http://www.matrifocus.com/SAM02/wheel.htm
http://www.norse-mythology.cba.pl/page,342,skade.html
http://www.ancient-mythology.com/norse/odin.php
Fall seems to be going by so slowly. I’ve been riding my bike religiously since mid-June. That’s four months on two wheels with only a couple of days of skiing in mid-June and July. I’ll be honest- I used to love the bike more than I do now. I don’t love it like I once did. Four months on two wheels is plenty and it’s time to move on. It’s time to ski!
We woke this morning up to our first real accumulation of snow on the ground here in Crested Butte. While it won’t stick around here in town, it will be contributing to our base up higher. I was happy to see the snow, but sad to see it melting away as I type this very blog.
I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m antsy. Full of anticipation. I’m tired of the bike. I did my 100-mile bike race and rode to Aspen and back- my two big goals for the summer. I even spent two weekends riding in Fruita, Grand Junction, and Moab. Now I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things. I’m ready for snow. If I can’t be downhill skiing I at least want to be cross-country skiing. I want to be doing something other than riding my bike.
I’m excited to say that skiing can and will happen soon. Loveland ski area will be opening tomorrow, two day’s after Maine’s Sunday River. (Wow, is the East Coast set up for another big winter?) While I won’t be at the Luv tomorrow, I’ll surely be there next weekend. And I’ll be all the happier to be on two planks instead of two wheels. Pray for snow!
Some shots from the Loveland web cam:
Today, I received an email from Bill Kerig. Many of you may know him for his book and film The Edge of Never, documenting Kai Peterson’s coming of age story in Chamonix. Anyone who has read Kerig’s book knows that he initially looked to friends and ski fans to raise money for his amazing documentary. Now, Kerig has a new muse- a documentary called Ready to Fly. This film tells the story of Lindsay Van and her ski jumping career, which is stifled by the fact that women’s ski jumping is not allowed in the Olympics for “medical reasons”. Ski jumping is the only sport in the Olympics that does not have a female competition. Kerig’s movie documents the efforts of female athletes at the forefront of women’s ski jumping who are trying their best to make it an official Olympic sport. As is the case with these admirable athletes, Kerig also is asking for support.
Hello,
Bill Kerig from The Edge of Never here. I’m writing to ask for your help on a new endeavor: www.GetReadyToFlyFilm.com
A year ago, I showed The Edge of Never to people in small theaters from Seattle to Vermont. In Rockport, Massachusetts, a sold-out theater laughed, cried, and kept me answering questions for hours. In Madison, Wisconsin, a Dad told me that he was headed straight home to hug his son. The film inspired some to embrace their friends, others to go skiing with their moms — many to live just a little bit more. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
After the tour, I started looking for another story that could inspire me (and hopefully, you) I found it in the story in Lindsey Van, who set out to conquer the world, only to have it line up against her. I found it in the story of Peter Jerome who saved his daughter’s ski jumping team, taking on a multi-billion-dollar foe, armed with only a Non-Profits For Dummies paperback. I found it in the story of women’s ski jumping, the only Olympic discipline that allows men to compete but not women. And I found it in the eyes of my own young daughter who is not a ski jumper, but hopefully will never be denied the chance to pursue any of her dreams, merely because she’s a girl.
I figured that this story that spoke so loudly to me would be a slam-dunk with sponsors and investors, studios and broadcasters. Six months later the constant door slams have put a hundred exclamation points on just how little I know.
This is a story of underdog outsiders who risk everything to upset and change the arcane, outdated ways of an unthinking establishment. And yet I was asking the establishment to support the message – repeatedly. I may be dumb, but I’m dogged.
Now, I’m trying something riskier than anything I’ve ever done: I’m asking all my friends for a little help.
They call it crowd funding, a fancy term for a simple concept: community coming together to create and inspire change — grassroots giving gone high-tech.
With a little bit of your help, I promise to make the best, most inspiring film that I can. And if you give even one dollar, I will list your name in the credits.
What I’m asking is 4 minutes and 13 seconds of your time to watch the pitch reel here: www.GetReadyToFlyFilm.com.
If it speaks to you and you want to help, donate at the site. I will be forever grateful.
If it doesn’t move you, maybe you can send this email on to someone it might touch.
Thank you for your continued support,
Bill Kerig
Director
Ready To Fly
Ready to Fly Trailer:
This film interests me for several reasons. First, I’m a firm believer in equality for everyone- whether it be gender, socioeconomic, or race-related. Second, I can identify with these women who have had to fight harder for something, simply because they lack a Y chromosome. Third, who doesn’t like an inspirational story? Fourth, my favorite quote comes to mind: “The greatest thing in life is doing what people say you cannot
do,” by Walter Bagehot. Fifth, it’s about skiing and female athletes who deserve their showroom for their sport. Though I have not seen Ready to Fly, knowing Kerig, its a genuine story full of laughter, triumph, obstacles, laughter, tears, and a lot of heart. I’m sure it’s destined to be great. Take time to support him and these female athletes if you can
It happens every year. It’s a tradition in Crested Butte. The people of the community come together to celebrate the passing of another summer, welcoming fall and the impending winter in the festival of Vinotok. Though it’s not yet the New Year, Vinotok allows Buttians to start anew- they are asked to write their gripes down and put them in a boxes stashed all around town. These gripes become part of the infamous “Grump”. Every year, a new grump is built, housing the gripes of the Buttians. And every year, this Grump is put to trial. The Grump stands no chance for any hope. Every year, the Grump is sentenced to burn- in the name of Vinotok, in the name of the endless cycle of death and rebirth, and in the name of Crested Butte.
The trial of the Grump.
Inevitably, the Grump was sentenced to burn. A procession was lead to the burning site.
About a week ago, the fall colors were at their peak. I had the opportunity to enjoy them while on a ride on Deer Creek with my friend Sonya. Beatiful September day!
Gothic.
Sonya riding down the “yellow leaf road”.
Owen.
Mother Nature is undoubtedly beautiful. She inspires many, and gives solace to other. Still, every now and then I am in awe of the destructive forces Mother Nature can also exhibit.
In the last few weeks, Colorado has experienced a lot of rain, resulting in numerous washouts and landslides. We saw one on our own local 401 trail earlier this week.
The Durango-Silverton Railway experienced this, causing the passenger train to come to an abrupt halt:
