Snow Season Is Upon Us!

Regardless of the fact that a bunch of you have already made your first powder turns and regardless of the fact that I have yet to, I want to welcome you all to the winter months. So whether you ski nordic, alpine, xc, or tele, or you snowboard groomers, back country, terrain parks or simply wear goofy ass sweaters and belly up to the local pub all winter just remember to get out there and have fun!

Try something new and get out of your comfort level to open your mind. There are a ton of ways to experience that other sport, rent or borrow the gear and sucker a few friends into doing the same. If you haven’t tried the quad burning ever elusive tele turn go for it! Unsure about how to build a snow shelter, well get out there and surprise yourself. There are a ton of great resources to help you learn the basics and after that it become adapting to the skill set and overcoming your fears. Just remember to bring someone with experience and if you don’t know anyone experienced bring someone responsible that you trust. You can also try and find a local climbing gym to learn ice climbing, or your local gear shop for any of the other skills. Most ski resorts/nordic centers offer classes as well and some even have rescue areas set up so you can dial your PLB skills. Also I know that the college I taught at has mini classes where you can learn all of these skills!

As with any activity regardless of season be prepared. Pack the 10 essentials plus which ever additional snivel gear you might need. Be aware of staying hydrated, in the colder drier months we seldom realize how dehydrated we are becoming so drink plenty…of water, smartass!

Some of the things I can think of off of the top of my head to experience this winter are the following:

All of the above mentioned Ski and SnowBoard styles

Ice Climbing, fit crampons use an ice axe or set ice screws

Snowshoeing

Shelter building

Any winter gear maintenance skills…ever waxed your own planks?

Search and Rescue skills, do you know how to use a PLB and a probe?

Learn to read the slopes for avalanche danger.

Can you glissade safely?

Mountaineering skills

Read weather patterns and learn to navigate in snow

As you can see there are a ton of things out there to learn and if you know them all and were proficient the chances are you are rusty and should get out there and brush up or at least teach some one else.

What ever you choose get out there and do it have fun and tell us all about it on our facebook page!