2002 Winter Olympics

With the hype for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics starting to come to a buzz I thought it would be a good time to revisit the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics.

Whistler is such a party town, its going to be one wild Olympics. Wish I could kinda go. I can't believe its already been 8 years. This year's pipe contest is going to be crazy, especially with the double corks and new training methods such as private halfpipes and foam pits.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Boosting!

Snowboard Stadium

More boosting!

I have never seen such a perfect pipe.

Olympic Halfpipe finals. It was pretty incredible. Me, Ian and KB bought some tickets that morning from a scalper and had a blast!! We even made GO USA! and Free Alta posters to wave from the stands. The place was so loud. I lost my voice for a few days afterwards.

The USA swept the medals with Ross Powers (gold), Danny Kass (silver) and J.J. Thomas (bronze). Ross Powers probably did one of the highest airs in the pipe up to that point in history during his medal run. Danny Kass was and still is so smooth. During the warm ups he would be doing straight frontside airs and giving the crowd the horns to show his love for the home crowd. Danny is still one of my favorite riders of all time. Very few ooze style like Kass does. Kass also went on to win a silver medal at the 2006 Olympic Games. I was stoked on JJ Thomas and his performance. I still have a place in my heart for Colorado riders.

The Japanese kids were going so huge and flipping so high that they would only get 6 hits out of their entire run down the pipe. The rest of the guys would get 12 hits a run! Heikki Sorsa was killing it too, but a fall on the last hit of his medal run put him out of contention. Heikki was a crowd favorite behind the Americans for sporting a huge mohawk for the event and absolutely killing it. I am not sure what the Americans knew what to think of Giacomo Kratter's ponytail.

Closing Ceremonies

Utah Cyclocross, Weber Fairgrounds

Melanie lined up again for her weekly sufferfest.

Waiting

Still waiting, dreaming of days like this.

Shane Kelso, Snowbird.

Cigs

Vail Days

All the talk about the snowstorm in CO last week made me reminisce back to my time spent there. I think I need to go back this winter and reconnect.

East Vail fluff 1996.

Measuring the nights snowfall on our patio. This was from the best storm cycle I ever had in CO. 48 inches in 48hrs when it was all said and done. Needless to say that stat has been matched numerous times since I have been in Utah. But for CO, thats a good storm cycle.

Yours truly kicking a method on the Seldom kicker in the back bowls. (1995)

Me and Jason hiking up to Ptarmigan Cornice or on our way to Minturn Mile. Minturn Mile was a mellow backcountry run that took you to the town of Minturn where you would end up at the local Mexican restaurant. Hours later you would be bumming a ride back to town stuffed and a bit tipsy.

Chuck Riggs, my old roommate, hucking the Whaler. This thing was so intimidating back then. You could hit it on either side of the pine tree. Not sure why he chose the side with the rock. Maybe that side had more tranny.

Utah Cyclocross, Wheeler Farm

Double Cross Weekend at Wheeler Farm. Record turnout for a Utah Cyclocross race! We are not Portland yet, but not bad for this neck of the woods. Over 400 racers on Saturday.

Melanie lined up both days and survived a bad crash to finish.

Halloween outfits were out. I wonder if the helmet is UCI approved?

It got warm, snow is melting in the mountains. When is the next storm?

First Shred 09/10

Max nailed it first try!

Winter Storm Warning

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING
TO 11 PM MDT WEDNESDAY...

THIS WARNING IS FOR THE WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80...THE
WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS...THE WASATCH PLATEAU AND BOOK CLIFFS...
AND THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF UTAH.

ONE TO TWO FEET OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THESE AREAS BY WEDNESDAY
EVENING...WITH GREATER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE IN AREAS FAVORED BY
NORTHERLY FLOW.

A SHARP COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THESE AREAS FROM NORTHWEST TO
SOUTHEAST TODAY...BRINGING SNOW AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES. A
BREAK IN THE SNOW IS POSSIBLE FOR A TIME THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. SNOW SHOULD THEN REDEVELOP TONIGHT...HEAVY AT TIMES...AND
PERSIST THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

STRONG NORTH WINDS WILL ACCOMPANY THE FRONT AND WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH WEDNESDAY CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS A MIXTURE OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG
WIND IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY BE
HAZARDOUS. USE CAUTION. BE PREPARED FOR SUDDEN RESTRICTIONS IN
VISIBILITY DUE TO BLOWING SNOW. KEEP A WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT
IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

FOR WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS FROM THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION VISIT...HTTP://WWW.COMMUTERLINK.UTAH.GOV OR DIAL
511.

About time!

View From the Crib

Utah Cyclocross

Since the snow is not flying might as well race cyclocross. As you can tell I didn't take it too seriously in the single speed class. I got crushed out there!

(photo ripped from Brad)

Melanie lined up again!

Fox was handing out cash on the runup dressed in the Sniper outfit! Come race and get paid!

Congrats to Eric for his first Elite win of the year in an epic sprint from behind!

Utah Cyclocross

Mel did her first cyclocross race of the season.

I got to cheer for friends.

I watched the elites go fast.


Then I went home and dreamed of snowboarding.

Windmills

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Sunday Drive

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Green River

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Flaming Gorge

Winter Storm Warning

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until Noon Thursday for the Wasatch Mountains and western Uinta Mountains above 8000 feet. Travelers going over roads such as Guardsman Pass, Mirror Lake Highway and Monte Cristo should prepare for snow-packed roads and low visibilities.

Snowfall will range from 6 to 12 inches in the Wasatch Mountains, with locally as much as 10 to 20 inches in the Cottonwood Canyons above 8,000 feet.

(Click photos to enlarge)

The Season Pass

Yeah, it's that time of year. Time to shell out the coin for a season pass. After seeing an article in the local paper about "deals" at the local resorts, I got to wondering. How does Utah season pass prices compare to other resorts around the country and to each other? Lets take a look. Keep in mind I have a family of 4 that all snowboards(2 adults and two kids age 10 and 13). Also I only include the unlimited passes, no blackout dates, because thats how I roll. I don't have time to sit on the sidelines when there is pow. Also all prices listed are preseason pricing, if you buy late, you pay more. Also I hate the argument that you will only ride the backcountry. That means no riding on storm days, high avalanche days and no park riding, something I refuse to give up. Yes I ride the backcountry often, but having no season pass is not an option. Also doing laps on the lift when there is pow is a no brainer.

Utah

5th/6th grade pass good to all resorts in Utah FREE!!!!! (limited visits)

If you have kids this is an incredible offer. Take advantage of it.

Snowbird $1999 for a family 4 pack. $999 for an unlimited adult tram pass. $649 for a young adult (born after 1984), $629 college pass. My home mountain and personally the best place to ride powder on a consistent basis. I love this place!

Brighton $1887 for my family of 4. $849 for an adult pass. $499 young adult (born after 1986) and college pass. .

Solitude $2356 for my family of 4. $999 adult unlimited. No college or young adult.

The Canyons $2117 for my family of 4. $899 for an unlimited adult pass. $419 College and young adult.

Park City $2675 for my family of 4. $1250 for an unlimited adult pass. $500 College and young adult.

Snowbasin $2000 for my family of 4. $950 adult unlimited. $600 College and young adult.

Powder Mtn Their pass pricing is based on first come first serve. Expect to pay between $690-$85o for and unlimited adult pass and $495-600 for young adult.

Deer Valley and Alta JUST FLIP THEM THE BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colorado

EPIC PASS (good at 6 resorts, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin and Heavenly in California) $599 adult, $299 child (age 5-12) unlimited, no blackout dates. This is the best deal I have ever seen on a pass. When I lived in Vail in the early 90's my young adult pass was $599. Wish this deal was around then. Utah needs to step up and come up with something comparable.

Summit Pass (good at Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin) $399 adult, $199 child. Another incredible deal!

Aspen/Snowmass/Buttermilk/Aspen Highlands (all one pass good at those 4 resorts) $4186 for my family of 4. Glad I don't ride there! $1499 adult unlimited. No College or young adult, only child passes.

Crested Butte $1798 for my family of 4. $899 adult unlimited.

Wyoming

Jackson Hole $3350 for my family of 4. $1675 adult unlimited. $905 under 18. Keep in mind this was August pricing, the prices have gone up quite a bit. I love this mountain, one of my favorite resorts ever. Not a good deal considering they don't open until mid December and close earlier than any other resort I know of. But a good powder day at the Hole is priceless and the hiking is the best I have seen anywhere in the country, especially with the open boundary policy!

Grand Targhee $1449 for my family of 4. $575 adult unlimited. $199 College (not sure what schools are nearby though)

California

Squaw Valley $3966 for my family of 4. $1299 adult unlimited. $999 Young Adult.

Northstar/Sierra at Tahoe $1906 for my family of 4. $699 adult unlimited. $399 young adult.

Kirkwood $1736 for my family of 4. $559 adult unlimited. $359 College.

Mammoth/June Mountain MVP pass if you bought last April, $576 adult, $288-$432 Child. If you buy now expect to pay well over a grand per pass.

Washington

Mt Baker $1740 for my family of 4. $680 adult unlimited. $600 college pass.

Crystal Mountain $2347 for my family of 4. $799 adult unlimited.

Alpental $1716 for my family of 4. $479 adult unlimited.

Stevens Pass $1336 for my family of 4. $399 adult unlimited.

Look it costs money to go on the hill, but if you are a family what other winter activities are there out there? Its money well spent! Better than having the kids on the XBOX all day long. Also I love hearing the boo hooing from people about pass prices that spend a ton of money on their golf habit, their expensive car payments, expensive mountain bikes, etc... Its all about priorities. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I went without fixing my AC in my car all summer to come up with the coin and its hot in the SLC in summer.