Ski Bum Poet

Yep, we both pulled the trigger last night and bought Alpine Touring boots from Backcountry.com.

I’ve been needing boots for a few seasons. It’s been torture cramming into my 5 year old Tecnicas with a performance fit. They are actually a full size too small, with huge blowouts in the toes to accommodate. They’ve been a great hard charging boot for powder days. But after about 3 hours in them my feet were screaming to be pulled out. Enough was enough of that foolishness. I’m getting too old for that type of boot fit…although I still like boots that are burly and stiff.

So which AT boot got the nod? I posted to the Advisors Alley category at AltaCam to find out what AT boot the Altafarians liked for firm and stifness. It didn’t take long for Daddy and Powhound to chime in. I went with the Black Diamond Factor boots  because I liked everything I saw and read on the web, and b/c they had a 26.5. (the Tecnica AT boots didn’t come in half sizes). Not to mention it’s time I take a longer, harder look at BD gear. After all they are right here in Utah.

BTW D got a killer deal on the She-Ride Garmont Touring Boots. It was the last pair they had in stock, and it was her size. Pretty much half off the retail price so we didn’t hesitate there.

We’ll report back to SBP and AltaCam in a couple of months, on what we think of our new boots.

Alta just sent out an email. I’m on their Powder Alerts email list. They’re good about sending snow alerts & storm updates as well as other timely news. If you’re interested in Alta Powder Alerts SIGN UP HERE.

Last week’s storm was kind to us, with a snow total of 49”. This storm, coupled with favorable forecasts, make our projected opening of November 21st look good.

On November 15th and 16th, we are working with the newly formed Westminster Ski Team, Catholic Community Services and our skiers, to collect 500 warm, clean coats for struggling and homeless folks in Salt Lake City. We will give our skiers a day of skiing for a warm clean coat. The Westminster Ski Team will take care of collection and the folks at Catholic Community Services will distribute the coats to those in need. Bring a coat to the Wildcat Ticket Office between 11:00 am and 4:00 either day and receive a day pass voucher* good for a day of skiing and help someone less fortunate**.

Next door the Alta Ski Shop will be having a sale and offering a 30% discount on ski tuning for season pass holders. And of course, this would be a good time to pick up your season pass.

*the day pass voucher can be loaded on an existing Alta Card or loaded onto a newly purchased Alta Card

**passes issued for warm, clean coats in good condition. Limit of 2 passes per person.

KUED and the University of Utah will be airing a documentary on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm (repeats at 8:30pm) called “The Alta Experience”.

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of Alta Ski Resort, a new KUED documentary transports viewers to a mountain town with a history richer than its silver mining past. This colorful glide down memory’s slope features interviews of those who remember the first chairlift in Utah and the personalities who developed early powder skiing techniques. Using archival movies, early photographs, and stunning contemporary aerial footage, this one-hour program chronicles the generations who have carved fresh lines in Alta’s famous untracked snow. Length: 55 minutes, 56 seconds.

Check this out. Jesse’s OGE page that lists all current outerwear deals from Patagonia. Even a daily discounted product RSS feed you can subscribe to. Seriously, retail is for suckers on the web. Don’t pay it.

It’s winter, you need a new Patagonia ski jacket. Go see all the featured outdoor gear stores and their deals. OGE rocks…

Yessir! Our favorite band is swinging through Salt Lake City on November 16th, at Bar Deluxe downtown. Donna the Buffalo is as real as they get. Based out of Trumansburg (the perfect American village), I’ve been seeing these guys perform in and around Ithaca (and way beyond) for well over a decade. They just celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band with the CD release of “Silverlined“. Check out the touching tribute…

Danette’s mother Sherrie is coming down for the night to stay with Ellie and dogs, and we’re getting to take a nice mini vacation downtown SLC Nothing but smiles, Americana and original dance music planned for that night.

Here are a couple more clips…a recent Sugarhill-produced music video (note the Banjo accompaniment by Bela Fleck on this track!) and a classic Jeb guitar solo.

So, join us (me, Danette and several other Altafarians) at Bar Deluxe on Sunday, November 16th!

Yep, it’s on. Alta is reporting 34 inches on their site today…and the lake affect bands are still lined up. There are some good pics posted. Check them out. Cars are buried. Once they archive those pics I’ll grab the references and post here. I also started a thread at the Altacam Skiing Forum just now…2008-09 Powder Season is underway.

If anyone gets up there today let us know all about it!

Last year I skied Gunsight on my Mother’s birthday, October 21st. So I may have to head up this weekend to tag it as well. Get the season off on the right foot

Altafaria!

I was asked recently to post why I support Obama/Biden, and I said I would. But I think this is getting to be a little too much, so I’m done debating politics on this blog.

Sorry all, but I’m going back to content about Utah powder skiing and fat skis. (specifically, my 09 Volkl Gotamas that are on the way!! )

If you want to know why Danette and I are supporting Obama, read his biography.

Thanks everyone for your time, passion and contributions.

I wanted to post to introduce a new company, built from the ground up by our dear friend Julie Keller. She’s started a Utah ski holiday vacation service, working exclusively with several luxury ski chalets in Park City. This is an all inclusive, European style package that includes transportation to and from the SLC airport, ski hosting with a local (and I’m excited to say that includes ski days for her clients with yours truly!), world-class accommodations, meals and even afternoon tea

Anyone who knows Julie Keller (and her husband Tom), know what a class act these two are. Julie is a Cordon Bleu Chef and Caterer with over 20 years experience. She’s got a special way of making people feel comfortable, and at home. She’s also a former world cup skier, with a lot of connections in the ski world! Do yourself a favor, if you’re coming to our state for your dream Utah ski vacation, hook up with “Jools” and team. Tell her the Ski Bum Poet sent ya

About Utah Chalet Holidays

Our business team has been in the ski industry for over 21 years, including back to back winters in Europe, New Zealand and America.

Owner, Julie Keller, has diplomas in Cordon Bleu and Catering with over 20 years experience. As a traveling chef, Julie has managed chalets in the Alps, yachts in the Mediterranean, functions at the British Open and celebrity dinner parties at the Sundance Film Festival.

Julie also has a background in World Cup Freestyle Skiing. She has trained with the US Ski Team, coached world cup skiers, and competed at the 1997 World Championships in Nagano.

Visit the Utah Chalet Holidays website and book your vacation now!