downhill skiing

[Joe Ferguson forever]

who's into it?  any exciting trips planned.  fav mountain.  equipment etc.....

Edited November 1, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Joe Ferguson forever]

let's see if I can get this rolling....Taos in Feb.  my fav in US is Big sky.  racing cup run in wv in Feb.  can provide link if anyone interested.  it's 1.5 mile downhill course.  winner aves 60 mph.  I was a little more than 1/2 that fast last year but in the masters division (old guys).  + have repaired ACL and unfixed MCL on the other knee.  Park city a close second.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Joe Ferguson forever]

i'm not in this vid but it's pretty cool race

 

 

[Augie]

Park City is beautiful. That was the last place I skied, and I’m OK if that was the last time I ski in my life.

 

I love the trips, the falling snow, tubing, snowmobiles and sitting by the fire with a beverage. It’s the actual skiing that I don’t love about “ski trips”. I have no desire to experience ACL surgery. I just had my annual eye exam and my Doc recently tore her ACL taking the kids skiing. I don’t want to join that club. 

 

 

.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Augie

[Joe Ferguson forever]

17 minutes ago, Augie said:

Park City is beautiful. That was the last place I skied, and I’m OK if that was the last time I ski in my life.

 

I love the trips, the falling snow, tubing, snowmobiles and sitting by the fire with a beverage. It’s the actual skiing that I don’t love about “ski trips”. I have no desire to experience ACL surgery. I just had my annual eye exam and my Doc recently tore her ACL taking the kids skiing. I don’t want to join that club.  .

 

 

.

yes, no fun at all.  but the adrenaline rush....live for it.  both injuries spring skiing hitting rocks under my skis...Davos is my all time fav.  12 mile trail thru 2 towns. One was an egg beater yard sale....u never want a sled to bring u down.  twang like breaking a guitar string.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[SinceThe70s]

I would have been highly active in this thread 5-10 years ago. Sadly I haven't skiied much the past few years.

 

I was never more than an upper immediate skiier and didn't start until my mid-20's. Our go-to mountain was Mt. Snow in Vermont - best combination of mountain size and distance from home for us. I've been to a number of resorts out west and there was something to like about each of them. Never made it to Taos, but that was definitely on the to-do list. Wasn't that one of the hold-outs that didn't allow snowboarders? 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

I would have been highly active in this thread 5-10 years ago. Sadly I haven't skiied much the past few years.

 

I was never more than an upper immediate skiier and didn't start until my mid-20's. Our go-to mountain was Mt. Snow in Vermont - best combination of mountain size and distance from home for us. I've been to a number of resorts out west and there was something to like about each of them. Never made it to Taos, but that was definitely on the to-do list. Wasn't that one of the hold-outs that didn't allow snowboarders? 

and Breck

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

I would have been highly active in this thread 5-10 years ago. Sadly I haven't skiied much the past few years.

 

I was never more than an upper immediate skiier and didn't start until my mid-20's. Our go-to mountain was Mt. Snow in Vermont - best combination of mountain size and distance from home for us. I've been to a number of resorts out west and there was something to like about each of them. Never made it to Taos, but that was definitely on the to-do list. Wasn't that one of the hold-outs that didn't allow snowboarders? 

and Breck  Ok rossi 83 exp.  got annoyed when a lifty told me my bandits were antiques.  Head rock skis.  marker racing bindings and solomon boots.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[SinceThe70s]

1 hour ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

and Breck

and Breck  Ok rossi 83 exp.  got annoyed when a lifty told me my bandits were antiques.  Head rock skis.  marker racing bindings and solomon boots.

 

When I do go, I'm on old equipment (and wearing old clothing). Atomic Beta Ride circa 2000. Still love them. Before that it was Salomon Force 9, I still can't believe how long and skinny those were, definitely not made for the powder as I found out.

 

Vail was my favorite out west. Great combination of resort town, night life and the back bowls. Plus it isn't too far from Denver. But the best skiing I ever experienced was at Alta. Had a few epic powder days there. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

When I do go, I'm on old equipment (and wearing old clothing). Atomic Beta Ride circa 2000. Still love them. Before that it was Salomon Force 9, I still can't believe how long and skinny those were, definitely not made for the powder as I found out.

 

Vail was my favorite out west. Great combination of resort town, night life and the back bowls. Plus it isn't too far from Denver. But the best skiing I ever experienced was at Alta. Had a few epic powder days there. 

back bowls are a nightmare.  powder skis i don't have,

[SinceThe70s]

31 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

back bowls are a nightmare.  powder skis i don't have,

 

The Vail back bowls are a nightmare or back bowls in general? 

 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 minute ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

The Vail back bowls are a nightmare or back bowls in general? 

 

 

vail.  i lost a ski

 

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

vail.  i lost a ski

 

 

I was at a sales meeting at work and they did a “guess who this was” thing.  Buried after an avalanche in Switzerland for some ridiculous time. 

 

Not sure if he got his ski back. 😂 Crazy story! 

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

vail.  i lost a ski

 

 

Damn, how'd you get back? 

 

Had a friend who dropped a pole in the back bowls and we spent awhile looking for it in the powder. He finally decided to give up, let out a curse and slammed his other pole down. Clink! Right on the 'lost' pole. Good times. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I was at a sales meeting at work and they did a “guess who this was” thing.  Buried after an avalanche in Switzerland for some ridiculous time. 

 

Not sure if he got his ski back. 😂 Crazy story! 

got mine back.  never again.  grooming is good in this category even black ice with sharp edges,

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

got mine back.  never again.  grooming is good in this cat  even black ice with sharp edges,

 

Powder straps are a must.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

10 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Powder straps are a must.

fast and furious

 

 

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Joe Ferguson forever]

3 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

When I do go, I'm on old equipment (and wearing old clothing). Atomic Beta Ride circa 2000. Still love them. Before that it was Salomon Force 9, I still can't believe how long and skinny those were, definitely not made for the powder as I found out.

 

Vail was my favorite out west. Great combination of resort town, night life and the back bowls. Plus it isn't too far from Denver. But the best skiing I ever experienced was at Alta. Had a few epic powder days there. 

i have atomics.  185's.  not powder skis for me.  Orange and black? first rossi racing were the same.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[ExiledInIllinois]

My son and myself 5 years ago... Lutsen Mountains, Minnesota... Between Duluth and Thunder Bay, Ontario.  That's the sunrise over Lake Superior in the Arrowhead of Minnesota @ almost -30°F... Why I covered my goggles going through the snow gun... Son went through woods to avoid the plastering... Coffee run cruiser on a flat hill... But Gitchee Gumee looks beautiful and we were basically the only ones out that early w/the snow patrol...

I got one comment a few months ago... Can anyone explain it, or make heads or tails of it... Is it religious???

[Joe Ferguson forever]

4 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

My son and myself 5 years ago... Lutsen Mountains, Minnesota... Between Duluth and Thunder Bay, Ontario.  That's the sunrise over Lake Superior in the Arrowhead of Minnesota @ almost -30°F... Why I covered my goggles going through the snow gun... Son went through woods to avoid the plastering... Coffee run cruiser on a flat hill... But Gitchee Gumee looks beautiful and we were basically the only ones out that early w/the snow patrol...

I got one comment a few months ago... Can anyone explain it, or make heads or tails of it... Is it religious???

here's a comment:  ice box of N america,  Cool vid.

[ExiledInIllinois]

49 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Powder straps are a must.

Ribbons work... You can spot the ski.

3 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

here's a comment:  ice box of N america,  Cool vid.

Coldest I ever skied. Actual temp was almost -30°F. Mid-January... Still open water on Lake Superior!

 

Not too much vertical in MidWest... Mount Bohemia on The Keweenaw in Michigan probably the biggest vertical. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

17 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Ribbons work... You can spot the ski.

did you have a block heater to stop your oil from freezing?  try snowshoe race= get a nice tee shirt too.  $50.  and north face bumper stickers..  see u there

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[SinceThe70s]

31 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

i have atomics.  185's.  not powder skis for me.  Orange and black? first rossi racing were the same.

 

My Atomics aren't strictly powder skis but they perform really well in the powder. Probably around 180-185. Which was a far cry from the Salomon's which were over 200. Those were a lot of fun for skiing in the east but unmanageable (at least for me) out west.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

7 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

My Atomics aren't strictly powder skis but they perform really well in the powder. Probably around 180-185. Which was a far cry from the Salomon's which were over 200. Those were a lot of fun for skiing in the east but unmanageable (at least for me) out west.

skied a lot in Lake placid.  holding an edge on Niagara falls was crucial.  talk about N Face....F'in nets with rips on the corners,,,

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[SinceThe70s]

17 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Ribbons work... You can spot the ski.

 

 

Yeah but if you just use ribbons then you miss out on overspending for powder straps at the base lodge. Same premise though.

4 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

skied a lot in Lake placid.  holding an edge on Niagara falls was crucial.  talk about N Face....

Lake Placid, so Iceface Whiteface? Never made it up there.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

12 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Yeah but if you just use ribbons then you miss out on overspending for powder straps at the base lodge. Same premise though.

Lake Placid, so Iceface Whiteface? Never made it up there.

Ice face,  ncaa race,  geez did Bodie change the sport.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[ExiledInIllinois]

35 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

did you have a block heater to stop your oil from freezing?  try snowshoe race= get a nice tee shirt too.  $50.  and north face bumper stickers..  see u there

No. That trip I took my old 2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler... I got up every 2 hours or so to run it for a 1/2 hour.

 

Lots of practice doing that @ work with our old compressors years ago...

[ExiledInIllinois]

 

2008 in Baraboo, Wisconsin... People were bringing their batteries into the hotel. Screw that shi... I put an SAE pig tail connector on my batteries to facilitate charging it easier OR putting the pack on it.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

3 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

 

2008 in Baraboo, Wisconsin... People were bringing their batteries into the hotel. Screw that shi... I put an SAE pig tail connector on my batteries to facilitate charging it easier OR putting the pack on it.

Wv is not so cold...microclimate but still...pretty great

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[ExiledInIllinois]

Just now, Joe Ferguson forever said:

Wv is not so cold...

I never did Snowshoe... But would like to go there!

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I never did Snowshoe... But would like to go there!

great deals,,,,try allegheny springs or soaring eagle.  Nyt in the spring

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[billsfanmiamioh]

Wife and I bought a condo in Whitefish, MT a couple years ago so it’s been hard to go anywhere else since then. Last year I got three trips in, probably only two this season. Will be heading out there this weekend though to work on a couple projects so I’m sure looking up at the mountain every day will have me chomping. 

 

Our place is only like 10 minutes from the ski resort so it’s super convenient.  5-6 minute walk through our neighborhood and can catch a free bus up to the mountain or into downtown (bout a mile). Even though it’s so close, we’ve done a bit of exploring. Did a day trip up into Fernie, BC last year (2 hrs) which was pretty cool. Conditions were brutal (horrible vis & light rain) but we still had fun. The bowls there are no joke, pretty steep stuff. 
 

Also checked out a locals hill about 45 minutes away down near flathead lake called blacktail mountain. It was a real hidden gem, especially with our 6 year old. Old school, family friendly, no frills type place with friendly workers and great runs. Had perfect weather and incredible views all the way to Glacier National Park. 
 

Have some friends that live out in Tahoe that we will probably get out to try and see next year so should be able to check out Palisades. 
 

Also high up on my list of places to try is Sun Valley. Columbus is getting nonstops to SLC back next year I believe so probably will try to get out to one of the Utah resorts at some point as well. I could spend every day on the mountain and be happy. 
 

 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

Fernie, BC l

have u done cloud heaven in

whistler?  not a fav,  banff?

[ExiledInIllinois]

Just now, Joe Ferguson forever said:

have u done cloud heaven in

whistler?  not a fav,  banff?

We did Banff YEARS ago.  1980s on straight (210s) skis... Sunshine, LakeLouise and Mt.Norquay...

 

Never got back to ski except for honeymoon in June of 1994... Banff/Jasper that is.

 

 

[billsfanmiamioh]

1 minute ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

have u done cloud heaven in

whistler?  not a fav,  banff?

 
Have not. Fernie was actually the first time I’d ventured north of the border to shred. Would definitely go back for a day trip but would probably do it on a whim when conditions were good. Banff is like 4.5 hrs from our place, will probably have to do an overnight up there sometime. Would love to take a couple weeks and do a big circle on the powder highway, looks like an absolute blast. 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

 
Have not. Fernie was actually the first time I’d ventured north of the border to shred. Would definitely go back for a day trip but would probably do it on a whim when conditions were good. Banff is like 4.5 hrs from our place, will probably have to do an overnight up there sometime. Would love to take a couple weeks and do a big circle on the powder highway, looks like an absolute blast. 

yup,  not been to banff either.  looks amazing,  Taos looks tough tho...groomers

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[billsfanmiamioh]

4 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

yup,  not been to banff either.  looks amazing,  Taos looks tough tho...groomers

Taos is on my list too. Certainly don’t think it’s geared towards beginners! Some of those steeps there look crazy. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

I used to ski straight Olins. Comp SL... With a wood core. 210cm.  That was their slalom ski.  😆🤣😂... Even took 'em to Jackson Hole... 

 

HOLY MOLY did tech ever change in 40 years!!!!

 

Last pair of straights, circa 1990... Atomic Arcs... Turned them into a dog sled for my son's Boy Scout troop... Tore up the competition @ the Klondike Derby! 😆  These flatlanders here never seen anything like those Arcs... 😆 

[Joe Ferguson forever]

2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I used to ski straight Olins. Comp SL... With a wood core. 210cm.  That was their slalom ski.  😆🤣😂... Even took 'em to Jackson Hole... 

 

HOLY MOLY did tech ever change in 40 years!!!!

if your'e in the southeast,  great club, races, parties   cheap

https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleSkiClub/

[ICanSleepWhenI'mDead]

For many years, I had a job out west with frequent last-minute schedule changes, so it was hard to plan vacation travel.  The one exception was the week between Christmas and New Year's when I knew I could get away.  Used that week to try out new places, usually with my significant other:  Snowbird, Breckenridge, Park City, Taos, Northstar, Whistler, Angel Fire, Heavenly Valley, Squaw Valley, Vail, Lake Louise, Sun Valley, Mammoth.  Lots of great memories - - loved leaving big city air pollution and getting up into the pristine mountains.

 

Favorite was probably Snowbird - - learned to ski there at the age of 27 while skipping classes for a week with some grad school buddies and was hooked.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

Heavenly is pretty damn good.  //still have a long term sleeve shirt- with holes,  not going anywhere.  great deals if you're not a gambler.  Some random degenerate said to me in the elevator at 6 am     - oh.it's the ski team.   said random degenerate... my 205 rossi rocs are likely still hanging in an Aspen shop as art.  traded for the fattys (at the time)

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever