Surfrider's Snowrider Project

[Platinum Pete]

I went to a Surfrider Foundation meeting last night and found out more about their Snowrider Project. It seems like a damn cool thing and a good group of folks. I've been aware of Surfrider for a long time and have only heard good things about them. I'm just about ready to join up and pledge some time, but I want to do some diligence here first.
Anybody know of other sustainable slopes, snowrider-like groups or projects operating in the PacNW?
Anybody have anything to say that might convince me that Surfrider/Snowrider is a bad group to fall in with?

[tibaher]

I don't know of any other groups like this.
I have done some clean up days at Snoqualamie for these guys before. It is a rewarding thing to be involved in. Also met several folks we stil are friends with. It's hard to believe all the trash that accumulates over a single ski season.... on the hill

[watersnowdirt]

I don't know of anything like Snowrider.

Surfrider is a fantastic group. They are staffed well (including LOTS of volunteer help), they spend their money wisely and well, and they generall do great work.

There are lots of groups addressing the sustainability issues around ski resorts (Colorado Wild) and some that have attempted to link up with snow sport advocates, but I don't know of anything like Snowrider.

Sounds like a great project. Know if they have a website or anything?

[The Reverend Floater]

[buzz]There's something bigger and better coming..eh, WSD?[/buzz]

[Platinum Pete]

Originally posted by The Reverend Floater
[buzz]There's something bigger and better coming..eh, WSD?[/buzz]

elaborate or at least give better clues.

[MT]

Can't speak about the entire mountain division of Surfrider, however I can share some info about the Bozeman chapter. You never see or hear anything from the group all year until the various ski movie tours roll through town every fall. Their annual speaker of choice is an illiterate, under-informed, "bro brah" hippy girl who gets on the stage and seizes the opportunity to ramble about loving your mother for 10 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I for one, am all about responsible use of our natural resources and preservation of the landscape. However, when engadging in a public function such as addressing hundreds of potentially like minded people, I would assume that they selected their sharpest person to explain their mission statement. If indeed she is the cream of the crop, I can't imagine what the other local members are like. The crowd reaction was so negative several years ago, that the theater errupted and a storm of objects came raining down upon her pedestal. The only way to pacify the masses, was to call Scot Schmidt down to the stage. Instantly the place went silent, and he suggested that they start the movie in the most timely manner possible.

That prolly doesn't answer your question, but it has been my experience with the mountain chapter.

[FreakofSnow]

True dat MT, that chick is wacccccccccko. She was about to get mobbed, but in strolls Scot to save the day.

[watersnowdirt]

Originally posted by The Reverend Floater
[buzz]There's something bigger and better coming..eh, WSD?[/buzz]

heh, damn straight!!!

[TomK]

I found this web page on the Seattle Surfrider/snowrider project:
http://www.seattlesurfrider.org/Snowrider.html

Not much yet scheduled, but an FYI on when they plan thier mountain cleanup would be appreciated if you stay involved.

Topic drift:
I know this isn't snow-specific, but if you're in the mood to contribute to outdoor recreation, consider doing some trail work with the Washington Trails Association.
www.wta.org
I do one or two trail parties each spring/summer and get an annual forest pass for the 2 days of fun effort.
It's kinda fun to hike over trail structures you helped to put together years ago.