My kids are 11 and 9. This thread has convinced me to buy them ski journals for Christmas this year. Incredible - this could be published.
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My kids are 11 and 9. This thread has convinced me to buy them ski journals for Christmas this year. Incredible - this could be published.
Glad to see story this after you threatening to post it at various points.
absolutely love this thread, amazing
thank you so much for sharing
this place is so special
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2-22-02
Red is awesome. They got a couple inches overnight. Ski two laps with these old dudes. One guy was 83 the other was 77, I swear it was just like those guys in P-Tex Lies and Duct Tape. Cliffs, steeps, good tree skiing. This mountain kicks ass. Would love to spend more time here but I need to start heading south. The forum guys are meeting up in Utah and I need to get down there. Tomorrow Targhee. (I can’t remember who, maybe Beaver hooked me up with a voucher to ski this day, I know someone from the board did, I think they were on patrol there but had the day off and left it for me at the ticket window, wish I could remember who it was)
2-23-02
When I crossed the border into Canada they asked what my purpose was and I told them to ski, theirs eyes lit up and they wished me well. When I crossed the border back into the U.S. they asked what I was doing, I said skiing and they asked me to step out of the vehicle put me in a holding cell where I could watch out this little square window as they systematically disassemble my truck looking for whatever border patrol looks for. Within a minute of their search they realized the wolf in the truck wasn’t going to let them search shit, so then they come let me out to bring the dog in the jail with me. Then they pull out everything, even the flooring, insulation, everything in the bed of the truck. It was fucked up. When they are done, and found nothing at all, they leave all my stuff in a pile on the pavement and tell me I’m free to go. I spent an hour putting my truck back together. At this point it’s getting dark, not a big deal except the headlights stopped working on the truck about a week ago so driving at night isn’t the most fun. So I drive to Spokane in the dark and spend the night. Congratulations U.S. border dudes you win the assholes of the day award.
2-26-02
Rolled into Targhee parking lot a few days ago, got there late afternoon so went into the bar, this bluegrass band was jamming out and I scored the last seat at the bar. Sitting between two couples I grab myself a beer. This blond next to me takes an interest and starts talking to me. Her bearded friend is not exactly happy about it but not a dick either so there’s that. I share my story and find out they are just friends (clearly the dude wants more but she ain’t having it). Any way the dude works at Targhee and has a free slope side condo for the night because it’s dumping and it’s provided to employees when it’s dumping. She offers up couch space for me and the dog. Things kept going the way they were going and we spend the night together. A good night then wake up to bluebird with 12” of fresh the next day, Snow was great, terrain was okay, hard to get excited about it coming from B.C. So after a few days, said my goodbyes to my new lady friend, thanked her for the accommodations and headed to Jackson.
2-27-02
Took a day off and rented cross country skis today, all sorts of trails to go on with the dog and I was looking forward to a down day. The shop dudes give me directions to a cool trail that runs along a river in this canyon, sounds cool so I go check it out. Me and the hound get about 3 miles in and decide to turn back. As I come around this bend we come upon a giant fresh pile of shit. It wasn’t there when we passed through so whatever it is is real close. I get P-Tex on leash. Sure enough we go a little further and it’s a giant fucking moose, in the center of the trail and he ain’t moving. The dog is doing everything a giant dumb dog would do using every ounce of his being to get to the moose, I’m on flimsy ass cross country skis holding on tight. It is clear the moose does not want us there so I turn around and head back up trail dragging the damn dog. I’ve heard enough stories of moose stomping dogs to death to know we need to ditch the moose. Unfortunately for us the moose decides to follow us. So we are boxed into this canyon, the only way out is the way we came in. I make the decision to cross the river with skis on, with the dog, there is enough room on the other side to go down and pass the moose then will have to cross the river again to get back on the trail to the parking lot. First river crossing goes great. solid snow all the way across. Other side is a season’s worth of untracked snow, deep as shit. No big deal, after all I got cross country skis on, I can go anywhere. We make good progress as the moose just watches us from across the river, he goes back to eating a tree and we keep trucking. This whole time I am fighting the damn dog because he is convinced if I let me at it he will kill the beast and provide us with dinner. So now it’s time for the second river crossing, one ski broke through the snow bridge, I immediately sink into the water, knee deep, fuck it’s cold. The dog of course is still on top of snow just staring at me like I’m the idiot that decided to go swimming in winter. Took me about 10 minutes to right myself, untangle gear and get back on trail. At this point the sun has just dropped behind the mountains and it’s cold enough that my pants are rock hard. Thankfully the moose had moved on during all this. I tell the gear shop dudes about my moose encounter and they said I was lucky the moose didn’t charge us.
3-02-02
I skied Jackson Hole the last few days. The terrain is incredible. A lot like Kicking Horse with a fuckton more people. It has the vert, it’s huge, and there is good stuff everywhere. I could see this becoming my home mountain. Talking to the locals there are tons of jobs here, they say the problem is there is no place to live. Back to the skiing. I stood on top of Corbetts today for 30 minutes. About a 15ft drop to hard pack to get in. I couldn’t get the courage up to do it. My head just wasn’t feeling it. Okay so I totally pussed out. Then this dude out of no where comes flying down the hill launches, straighlines the whole thing. Me and another guy standing there are blown away. First time I’ve turned back from skiing something in bounds in my life. Guess I’ll have to come back. Hit the road after skiing settled for the night in Ogden Utah. Tomorrow driving down to Snowbird to meet the maggots.
Same as it ever was.Quote:
Talking to the locals there are tons of jobs here, they say the problem is there is no place to live.
Great recounting of a time and places. Thx.
Thanks, easy- x2
skiJ
3-03-02
Arrived in Salt Lake and headed up Mill Creek Canyon to hike with the dog. Went to the top of Grandeur Peak. Just chilling up there these two guys come up, unpack parachutes and just run right off into space. I watch them float down, and am now way less motivated to continue my hike back to the truck. Their way looks way better. From there I drove up to Snowbird to meet up with the maggots. I found beer but no people. Maybe I got my days wrong. Tomorrow skiing Alta.
3-04-02
Another bluebird day. Alta is a maze, all the good stuff is a boot pack, side step, or traverse away. My first few laps were lame as I couldn’t figure out how to get to what I could see from the lift. Finally hooked up with a local girl on the lift who was down to play tour guide. Not a ton of vert here but really cool terrain. Meeting up with the maggots tomorrow.
3-07-02
Last few days have been nuts. I’m not sure how many people are here, maybe 30 or 40. First day at the Bird, in a posse of maybe 25, break up into two groups to go ski different shit. Everybody rips. Learning names but it’s easier going by internet names rather then learn real ones. Skied with Rusty, Greydon Clark, Superstar Punani, Crossover, Meatdrink and GT40. Me and Meatdrink straightened the cirque, GT40 shot pics. The dude rips. Day two was at the Canyons, good company but I’m not sure why people really ski there, just didn’t do anything for me after a day at Snowbird. I’ve never skied with a group of 20+ skiers going full speed everywhere, it’s like a biker gang, people see us coming and get out of the way. Also noted the guys that are assholes on the board are actually nice guys. The whole crew is solid, good people, who would have thought.
3-9-02
Yesterday 16" of fresh at Alta. No crowds, full on powder mayhem. It was soooo good! Today hit Snowbasin, I just followed Meatdrink and crew around, though I bailed on some of the shit because the dude is a freak of nature. Hucking shit I would never consider, but man it’s fun to watch. Snowbasin is a cool mountain, lots of good terrain. Definitely will ski there again. And the rumors are true, some of the nicest toilets in the industry. Tonight was the big maggot party. I met so many people I don’t know who is who anymore. Amazing to be surrounded by a group of people you talk to daily but have never met. It was like catching up with an old friend combined with meeting someone for the first time. What can I say other than this whole trip, this whole experience has been the best trip of my life. I’ve decided I’m either moving to Jackson or Salt Lake for next season.
3-13-02
Been in Carbondale for the last few days. Haven’t been able to write in my journal because I left it in my truck which is stuck up on the access road to Mt. Sopris. My local buddy tells me it would be a good hike for the dog, don’t worry about the road it will be fine. Turns out the road was not fine, it was a fucking snowmobile track. I punched through, the truck is sitting on its axles all four tires are off the ground. I had to walk back to town. Once I got to the main road I tried to hitchhike, no one would pick us up, so we walked about 8 miles to get back to my buddy’s place. After 2 days of being stuck this Mexican dude I met offers to help. Load up shovels and jump on his quad to get back up to my truck. Two days of digging and we got the truck free. I offer to pay him and he refuses, just a good dude. With the truck back now the ski trip can continue. Tomorrow Highlands.
3-14-02
Waist deep pow at Highlands. It was awesome! Heading to Telluride tomorrow to visit Emily.
3-17-02
The truck is on its last leg. It is so bad I just pray it will get me back to Michigan. No stereo, no headlights, doesn’t shift well, rear diff is leaking, something else is leaking under the engine. So many problems I no longer bother to address the issues, doing the bare minimum to get it to go. Telluride was fucking nuts. Hanging with Emily is always a trip. The guy she’s with is a patroller at the mountain, and some crew of patrollers knew some rich somebody and rented a commercial space for nothing at the base that they turned into their own private bar/clubhouse. They call it ’the lounge.” Basically a private bar where all the drinks are free. I can’t make this shit up. The deal is show up with a bottle to leave, drink whatever you want, don’t cost nothing. Multiple shot skis later and off we go for dinner and bar hopping. Met a girl at the bar, spent the night at her place, woke up and have been puking since. I think it’s time to go.
3-18-02
Made it to Durango. It was as far as I could get with this hangover. Thoughts of home are strong at this point. So I got the truck back in order and came across the list I made of every place I wanted to ski this season, I made the list back in Bozeman, what seems like forever ago. Hadn’t seen it since and now it turns up. Of course the universe is sending me a sign. I reread the list. Thoughts of home are put on hold. There is only one resort left……Taos. The truck may or may not make it, I don’t care anymore, I’m going.
3-20-02
Durango kicks ass! Some of the nicest people I have ever met. A possible place to live? The drive from Durango to Taos is a trip, there is nothing out there, just space. Once I got south of Pagosa I think I only passed one or two cars in 3 hours. I can say Taos is one of the stranger ski towns I have ever visited. Actually forget that ski town isn’t the right word. I can’t put my finger on it but something is off here. The resort reminds me of Alta. Short vert but tons of hike to terrain, steeps, chutes, cliffs, etc. Terrain wise definitely would make the top 5 for me. Thing is not a whole lot is skiable because it’s hot as fuck here. Lots of rocks. Man this place would be awesome on a powder day. No competition either the whole place is snowplowing Texans. Will definitely come back for good snow.
Some good stuff here. It’s the people that make the place special. Thanks for sharing.
easyrdr - we’re kin. I just know it. Thanks for sharing! I know I stumbled upon this thread back in the day.
I’m slightly older, but a Michigan maggot too. Born in Dearborn to parents who both came from skiing families. My first time on skis was at age 3 in 1970. I spent my early years at Schuss Mtn in kid’s ski school and still remember my first slush cup there - spoiler - I endoed into the water.
My parents made a trip to Taos in the early 70s and shared their amazement of the area which ultimately inspired me to want to live in the West.
Later my mother befriended the owner and ultimately help run a little, no longer existing ski hill outside Oxford, that I spent my “formative” years skiing more than 90 days a season before high school. It was smaller than Pine Knob, Mt Brighton and Mt Holly, but not built on a trash dump…. We did however have a snow maker and a bunch of stoners working it, so the snow mounds they made gave us some opportunities to huck way above our weight!! Mt Grampian was a unique gem.
Long story short, after winning a bunch of races in high school - I chose Utah over UVM and UC to continue my skiing interests. Turned out I liked drinking beer and skiing powder, and chasing cute girls at the U, then bashing gates. I made it my life’s mission however to live and ski the Wasatch, which I’ve been doing since 1985.
I had previously worked on some prose highlighting my experiences skiing that you’ve helped inspire me to revisit. Thank you for that and look forward to the rest of your adventure!!
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Well said.Quote:
Amazing to be surrounded by a group of people you talk to daily but have never met. It was like catching up with an old friend combined with meeting someone for the first time.
And you nailed the vibe of Taos, lol.
Taos isn't a ski town. Ski towns suck.
3-24-02
Busted it up to Fort Collins, hiked up to Horsetooth Rock with the dog. Snapped a few pictures of him on the cliff just below the summit, I don’t think he liked it very much. Headed up to Poudre to camp. Woke up a fresh inch of snow, decided to hike Grey Rock, we had it all to ourselves. After the hike I drove south to meet a buddy at Winter Park. He called and had to bail, so I said fuck it and headed east. To Michigan I go, c’mon truck, you can make it.
4-2-02
I’m home. The truck died two days ago. Fuck you Chuck Norris -Walker Texas Ranger, making Dodge Ram look all cool even though it is a total piece of shit. It’s cool though I got my landscaping job for summer and my 87' Honda Spree still running strong.
2003-2010
The rest the story:
Moved to Salt Lake the following October. Phunk and Mrs. Phunk sublet their 2 bedroom apartment to me in West Jordan. I put out a mass email for a roommate and the girl I hooked up with in Targhee decided to be my roommate in Utah. Ended being my girlfriend. I scored a snowmaking job at Alta. It dumped and I was laid off for the season the second week of December with a free ski pass. Unemployed for two weeks then got hired driving cats at Alta. Back to MI for summer repeat. Skied with all sorts of mags. DTM, Powderwhore, Crossover, Phunk, MD9, etc. There was a really good crew in those days.
Blew my knee out that second season and bailed. Moved to Truckee the following season. Upgraded my living situation to a 16ft travel trailer with no running water, way nicer than the truck. Sugar Bowl/Kirkwood Pass, worked for Patagonia. That was the year it snowed 25ft in a week. We were skiing the peaks outside the Patagonia distribution center in Reno there was so much snow. Spent majority of my time in the backcountry with such a bomber snowpack. Scored a heli trip to the Rubies, thanks to Patagonia as well, it was for "product testing." Two winter’s there. Splat was making Bro’s by then. At this point someone broke into my truck and stole everything. 2 pairs of skis, boots, 2 helmets, jacket, pants, gloves, backpack, probably some tweaker in Reno. Maggots stepped up again, Splat hooked me up with some Bro’s, within 3 days I had everything I needed to ski again. Dumping in Seattle, jumped on a plane, Buster gave me the grand tour at Crystal. Z-Bo showed me around the backcountry - still one of the best runs of my life. Got to ski Alpental as well.
Met up with Joe Strummer and Pablo Escobar at a bar on Colfax for the start of the Broventure, would love those skis back to hang on my wall, my part was nuts and ended up with me and a stewardess in the ladies room.
Moved to Carbondale drove Cats at Snowmass. Spent my off time in the backcountry up by Marble with side trips to Silverton, bumped into Buster there too.
2010 Finally got the “real job.” Skiing one week a year.
2011 Made good money so booked myself a trip to Points North with a stop over at Alyeska.
2012/13 Met and married my wife
2015 My wife gave me two weeks skiing in Chamonix with buddies in exchange for two weeks diving in Belize with girlfriends……my trip was better. We had to separate so someone was home taking care of the kids. If I could do it all over I would have just moved to Verbier in my 20’s and never looked back.
2021 Suffered a TBI slalom water skiing. Lost the ability to multitask. Had to sell my business. Got the help I needed but it was a full 18 months of 5 day a week rehab. My wife and I decided we needed a change of scenery and sold everything and moved to Durango. The majority of my days are spent in the backcountry these days, lift lines aren’t for me unless under 2 minutes. Lots of trips to the desert too.
2023 I no longer have a “real job”………and it feels fucking great to be back!
Hope to see you guys at the Beaver summit. And keeping fingers crossed I score another overseas pass and get in on that trip in the next year or two.
Last thoughts. While I didn't know it at the time, this trip set me on a life path, one I could not have dreamt in a million years. As I sit here now at 46 with a wife and 3 kids, I can't imagine what life would have looked like if I turned the truck around in Bozeman and entered working society with my peers. Instead I was smart enough (or dumb enough) to let the influence of internet strangers talk me into something crazy. But the lessons I learned on that trip, my faith in this group and the good that you all do, the support I received when I needed it most, it was all life changing. To all the maggots.......Thank you for the trip of a lifetime.
FKNA
FKNA
This is so great and thanks for sharing . I remember when your journey started . You have experienced so many places in the west . What’s been your favorite ?
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What a great trip report!
You must have passed through Roosville.. I was a year or two before ya but 5 dudes from MSU did a whistler, red, WW, and fernie trip our freshman break. It was before I found tgrz but we ended up camping in the client lot at the snowcat op down the street. They had a sick keggar with snow cut steps to the creek with couches and lazy-boys and lots of shrooms and made us Montana boys feel right at home. Somebody might've froze if they didn't steal a hotel comforter. Then we had to cross the border and the driver decided it was better to eat the leftover boomers and we had the vehicle torn apart for 4-5 hours as they found a roach. Then we had to put it back together after much threat of jail time...
Great stories easyrdr.
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The conclusion was awesome
FKNA
Awesome story easy, thoroughly enjoyed following this account of your journey
Thanks for the memories!
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To call this epic is to severely underrate it.
Full circle, love it dude
Hall of fame.
thanks for sharing, rad shit
Sticky for this winter in the ski forum?Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
Sickgnar stoke.
FKNA indeed
Many great places and even better people
Definitely a HOF thread. Thanks for sharing.
You came to a fork in the road, made a choice and the rest as they say is history. Thx.Quote:
I can't imagine what life would have looked like if I turned the truck around in Bozeman and entered working society with my peers.
fkna
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!!
We had a similar glide path, lived or skied at almost all the same areas. But You did in a few months what took us about 15 years. In JH now - Le tits now!
Outstanding.
Love it, fkna!
Bravo. Sounds like you made all the right choices
Enjoyed the trip.
I loved the read because you were right behind me. I left Bozeman after Uni in December 2002, moved to Tahoe. I also know some of the mags you skied with IRL. Maybe more, but I don't know everyone's avatar. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn that we skied together.
You had better luck with the girls, though.
Awesome story. Thanks for that.
This is definitely hall of fame worthy.
Is it better if it gets put in the official hall of fame forum? I sometimes wonder if that place serves its purpose.
And if yes, when?
Hey mod. Don’t move it. Yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
That’s why I suggested a sticky for this ski season.
It’s a wayyy better read than meet the maggots.
Related to this thread, did a quick search, but any pictures from past Summits? I know I went to BC in '03 and maybe following year in JH?
Agreed w/ the sticky comment for this thread
Thank you for this, easy-
I was not aware you stuck with the ski industry for almost a decade ! what a ride it must be ! !!
I hope the effects of your 2021 injury have mostly resolved.
we read Good things here about the Durango scene ( it does read-like You are lovin' Life )
I wish I still had my Print of your 'heating truck bed' thread ; what an ,,, inspiring adventure that was !
Mostly, Just Thanks, easy- it is cool following your adventure !
as several have said, FknA !
skiJ