Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt Trip

Classic Hut-to-Hut Ski Mountaineering in the Alps

by Rich Meyer Alpine Guide, Skiing, Climbing, & Avalanche Education

March 25-April 1 2013
Rich Meyer (in partnership with Dave Miller & International Alpine Guides) will be back in the Alps again this winter. Join us for a world class backcountry skiing adventure. Here’s a blog post I created after last seasons trip! If you make it to the bottom there is a link to more photos and to the IAG website. Cheers, Rich

Starting in Chamonix France and ending in Zermatt Switzerland, the Haute Route is often described as the ultimate European ski tour – and for good reason. It does not disappoint. There are a handful of variations of the route and some serious terrain, but it is VERY accessible for experienced backcountry skiers. The Alps are littered with high elevation mountain huts that allow you to travel from hut to hut with a very light pack. This is NOT backpacking on skis.

Ski touring from one glacier to the next, and from one hut to the next makes the Haute Route a unique experience. Most folks are blown away by the remote alpine beauty and massive terrain that does not ever seem to let up. Culminating on the final day with a brilliant ski descent down to town of Zermatt, with views of the Matterhorn the entire way.

While it is possible to ski the route own your own, most skiers elect to do the trip with a guide. The benefits of going guided are plentiful. The serious alpine terrain requires expertise in ski mountaineering, route finding, glacier travel & crevasse rescue, avalanche awareness, whiteout navigation, and a host of logistical hurdles.

Most guided adventures begin in Chamonix with a classic ski of the Valle Blanche. The Aiguilles du Midi Tram can take you from town to over 12,600 feet in 20 minutes! If the stunning views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks are not enough to blow you away, the heavily glaciated ski run back down to Chamonix will. This day is often used to access skills, acclimatize, and prep guests for the next seven days of ski touring.

After another night in Chamonix, most parties begin the Haute route with another tram ride boost up to 10,700 feet at the Grand Montets ski area. Once folks ski out onto the Argentiere Glacier it is a succession of high mountain passes and huts all the way to Zermatt, over 100 miles away.

The Huts all have their own unique character and design. All await your arrival with treats like cold beer and Rosti. This is an excellent choice after day of ski touring. “Rosti” is a Swiss-German dish of potatoes, often served with cheese, onions, bacon/ham, and the occasional fried egg on top!

As you might expect, most days begin early with a basic breakfast and an amazing sunrise, with the goal of moving safely and efficiently thru the day’s objectives. Managing the peaks, passes, glaciers, avalanche hazard, and other dangers requires due diligence.

Some days might cover as much as 10-20 miles and 3000-4000 vertical feet of climbing, others much less. Along the way, you might summit a third or fourth-class peak like the Rosablanche, or rappel down from the Col du Chardonnet. Each has its own character. The high point of the tour is the summit of Pigne d’Arolla (12,455 feet) on the way to the Vignettes Hut.

After arriving at the hut there is typically plenty of time to hang out with new friends, enjoy a cold beverage, go for a little bonus ski tour, take a nap, or just relax on the sunny deck. The final day of the tour takes you (literally) into the town of Zermatt. Where you could easily hang out for days skiing and relaxing under the watchful eye of the Matterhorn. Don’t worry, your guide has arranged for your bags to be waiting for you.

Sound good? Here are some tips for your Haute Route adventure:

Bring the right gear. This alone can make or break your trip. You will enjoy the trip significantly more if you ditch many of those little extras. Think fast and light! Don’t worry: the huts will provide pillows, blankets, hut shoes, and all the food & drink you need. Keep in mind; it’s perfectly acceptable to hang out in smelly ski clothes. That’s what the guys at the table next to you are doing.

Consider skis 85-95 mm under foot and not too long. To quote a long time ski mountaineering friend, “Of course you can turn a longer/fatter ski, the question is whether you need to?” For this year’s trip, I brought a pair of K2 Sideshow Skis that were 92 mm under foot, and only 181 cm – a small ski for me. I also used Dynafit bindings and Dynafit ski crampons, which are very light and very durable. Along with C.A.M.P. light aluminum crampons and ice axe.

Practice your ski touring skills. Good skinning technique is learned with a lot mileage… Especially those kick turns!

Be prepared for all conditions. You will inevitability encounter variable snow and weather. Some days will be epic corn and powder, some will not. Be ready for: cold, wind, sun, firm snow, wet snow, whiteout travel, and all sorts of crusts in between. This year I partnered with Dave Miller (Good friend and fully certified IFMGA guide) and we had to divert into a local town so as to avoid a really nasty storm! Having a well-prepared tour plan and the appropriate gear made it a minor inconvenience, instead of an epic.

Check out this year’s slideshow! 2012 Haute Route Photo Album and Slideshow

March 25 – April 1 2013
Cost: $2475 – remember to say you read about this trip on Snowpals

Contact Rich for details: 

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About Rich Meyer

Rich Meyer Bio PictureAfter graduating from college in 1994 Rich made the move to Tahoe City California, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was there that he began to immerse himself in backcountry adventure. Skiing, hiking, biking or climbing was the daily focus. As things progressed Rich was drawn into guiding and began to immerse himself with courses and organizations like the AMGA, NOLS, WMI, AIARE, PSIA, and others. One of Rich’s first guiding opportunities was leading a 39 day trip to Alaska for a dozen 16 year old kids, that included sea kayaking, backpacking, ice climbing, and rafting. He was hooked. Guiding has taken Rich to places like: Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, Denali, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, France, Switzerland, and throughout the western United States.

Guiding on skis or on foot, Rich strives to make every day educational. Teaching is a large component of every trip. Rich teaches avalanche courses, glacier seminars, backcountry ski skills, climbing courses, and trains aspiring new guides. From the Haute Route in Europe to the Andes of South America, Rich has made an effort to enhance his clients experience with effective communication. Giving folks the information and skills not only to follow, but to become confident backcountry skiers and climbers. After extensive travel and training over the years, Rich has been able to educate hundreds of guests as to the importance of taking care of our natural world. Along with safety (and fun), traveling with respect for the mountains is always a priority. Join Rich on an incredible mountain adventure!

 

Free & 1/2 off VIP Tickets to 2014 Snowbomb Ski & Board Festival

snowfest

 

 

 

Get 1/2 off Powder Pass & VIP wine and beer tasting tickets with promo discount code – snowpals

POWDER PASS:  ($12.50 Discounted 50%), regular $25
POWDER PASS admission comes with FREE LIFT TICKETS. See below for details.
 
VIP PASS:  ($25 Discounted 50%), regular $50

Festival hours 10-6 / VIP admission includes wine or beer tasting 1-5 / Also includes FREE LIFT TICKETS included w/ Powder Pass PLUS a BONUS Free Squaw Valley/Alpine lift ticket (buy one get one free)
 
FREE Friday Night Pre-Sale Entrance – 3 to 8 pm Fri Night
This ticket will get you into the sale on Friday night. It does not include free lift tickets. You must buy a POWDER PASS or VIP admission to get free lift tickets.
 
DATES & LOCATIONS
  • San Jose – Friday, November 7, 2014, 4:00 PM to Sunday, November 9, 2014, 7:00 PM at McEnery Convention Center 150 W San Carlos St San JoseCA 95113

buy tickets at

2014 San Jose Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by SnowBomb.com

  • SF – Friday, October 31, 2014, 3:00 PM to Sunday, November 2, 2014, 6:00 PM at Fort Mason Center 2 Marina Blvd San Francisco, CA 94123

 

2014 San Francisco Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by SnowBomb.com

 

 

* Win 1 of 5 VIP wine/beer tasting entry tickets by retweeting (RT) the following to help us get the word out..  ” @SnowPalsDotOrg Get 1/2 off Snowbomb Ski & Board Fest VIP Wine/Beer Tasting tickets at http://www.snowpals.org/2014/free-half-off-2014-snowbomb-ski-board-festival/ “ .. winners will be announced via our twitter feed @SnowPalsDotOrg 

 

Powder Pass & VIP Pass Include the Following Lift Tickets/ Perks

Bear Valley Lift Ticket

  • Valid Sun-Fri, non-holiday
  • Holiday sates defined as: December 26 – Jan 4th, January 17 – 19th, February 14 – 16th 2015

China Peak Lift Ticket

  • Valid Sunday – Friday, non-holiday.
  • Holiday dates defined as December 26-31, January 1-4, January 17-19, February 14-16.

Badger Pass Lift Ticket

  • Valid Sunday – Thursday, non-holiday.
  • Holiday dates defined as December 14 – January 3,  January 17-18, February 14-15.

VIP Pass Includes the above plus

Unlimited Tasting

  • Saturday – Wine
  • Sunday – Beer

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

  • Buy one get one free lift ticket.
  • Valid Sunday – Friday, non-holiday.
  • Holiday dates defined as December 20 – January 3, January 17-18, February 14-21.

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Kirkwood Under New Management: Oh, By The Way — Part 2 of 2

24 December 2012 

By Vicki Olds, aka Shibumi – “Snowpals Reporter At-Large”

Last week we asked some “locals” how they felt about the new management at Kirkwood. This week we’re highlighting a few dining destinations, and one historic B&B, along the way, and in Kirkwood Valley.

Let’s face it: Kirkwood is Big Mountain Fun—so close to the San Francisco Bay Area, you can practically smell it in the tule fog that makes your passage through the Central Valley, at times, harrowingly poetic. Yet getting from here to THERE can be a long haul, chomping 6-8 hours of your waking life in the to-and-fro, and that’s not accounting for a traffic accident (drive safely, always!) on two-lane Hwy 88. Boo. Goodness gracious, aren’t we lucky to have SnowPals to ride with to make the time fly?

Certainly, hitting the road in the pre-dawn to make the slopes and back by 9pm in a whirlwind, mission-from-God-type, herculean effort, is something many of us have done because, like, there’s no good reason to dally in the valley? Are you one of those people who feels lost if your smart phone can’t find a Starbucks near? Do you race along the byways of the Sacramento River delta, determined to put as many miles behind you as your gas tank and bladder will allow with no favorite pit stop?

LOCKEFORD, CA

On Hwy 88, and about fifteen miles northeast of Stockton, you will find the hamlet of Lockeford, home of the COUNTRY CAFÉ that opens every day at 5:30am. This is the place you bring your big appetite, to leave it behind. Breakfast burritos ($7), chicken fried steak and eggs ($9), and the Combo Special of waffles plus 3 eggs plus 3 sausages ($8.50) are eye openers. Fish & chips, homemade salsas and generous Mexican dinners, such as Chili Verde Steak with rice & beans ($10.29), are served until 8pm—except on Tuesday when the cafe closes at 2pm. Have a beer and try the Gnarley Head house wines, locally-produced by Oak Ridge Winery in nearby Lodi CA.

THE INN AT LOCKE HOUSE is a beautifully restored bed and breakfast operation on property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, about 1,000 feet north from town center on Elliot Road. Proprietors, Lani and Richard Eklund bought the original estate of Dr. Dean J. Locke, founder of Lockeford, twenty years ago; fixed it up with love of finer things for six years, and now offer guest rooms with private baths—some with their own fireplace—all with views of English gardens. They’ll make you an Early Bird breakfast to-go if you want to hit the road before breakfasts are served between 7-9:30am. (209) 727-5715 http://www.theinnatlockehouse.com

JACKSON and PLYMOUTH, CA

Hwy 88 takes a dogleg in Jackson, to merge, briefly, with Hwy 49 in Gold Country. You’ll pass lots of eateries and hotels here. If you want sushi, OKO SUSHI is a gem for tempura lovers. It’s by the Safeway and other fast food joints at the north end of town on Hwy 49. If you keep going north just 12 miles, the town of Plymouth is the unlikely home of Zagat’s “#1” rated restaurant in the whole Sacramento Region, TASTE. Dinner entrees range from $31 to $50; yet we have filled-up on an array of appetizers … and wines! Plymouth calls itself the gateway to famous Amador Wine Country, and Taste is a five-time winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. But it’s not fussy. And you can’t miss it as it seems the only bustle on Main Street. (Gee, I just can’t say enough about this place, so I won’t.) Try it, someday.

KIRKWOOD, CA

You’re here! Before you buckled your boots, there are several hot BREAKFAST options to hold out for. MONTE WOLFE’S MOUNTAIN KITCHEN is to the left of the Kirkwood tickets office, off the main Mountain Village plaza. Daily, from 8a-4:30p, Starbucks coffee is served alongside pastries, eggs, salads, sandwiches and soups. Say hello to Chef “Daddy Wolfe” (he’s a burner) who makes a mean Wolfe Burger with chipotle aioli, cheese, bacon, and sautéed onions—totally non-fattening! There’s a “baked potato” bar and the full-service THUNDER SADDLE BAR here to hoot in, too. Or, slide into the Red Cliffs lodge where the KIRKWOOD GENERAL STORE offers “the best breakfast sandwich on the hill,” with a full service espresso bar, at their deli, as well as other sundry comforts, 7:30a-6p. SNOWSHOE THOMPSONS at Timber Creek, Chair 7, has hot pastries, burgers and pizza—no wonder the kids love it! Open 10a-4:30p, 7 days a week.

Did you know the KIRKWOOD INN & SALOON offers a Saturday Night Prime Rib Dinner ($26.95), and $2 tacos during Happy Hour, Monday through Friday 3-5p? BUB’S PUB (nee Cornice Grill) with nine beers on tap, and veggie and casual menu options served in the glow of big-screen TVs, is everyone’s favorite sports bar. It’s been getting a facelift lately, yet when Bub’s reopens they’ll be serving Pizza & A Pint ($7.25) and Dirty Blonde Ale pints for $4 from 11a-9p. Dinner reservations are required at OFF THE WALL BAR & GRILL but you can enjoy their primo location, and upscale wine and bar choices Sunday through Thursday, with a lunch menu on Friday and Saturday only, from 11a-5p. 209-258-7365

For a full list of Kirkwood noshes, please visit http://winter.kirkwood.com/site/resort-services/resort-dining.

Why not enjoy the ride, on and off the hill?

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Kirkwood Under New Management: What Does It Mean For Us Locals? — Part 1 of 2

17 December 2012 

By Vicki Olds, aka Shibumi – “Snowpals Reporter At-Large”

What does this mean for us Bay Area Snowpals, and the local Kirkwood crews who have faithfully served us for years–some of us for decades? Find out in this exclusive, two-part Snowpals report.

When Vail Resorts, a premier mountain resort development company based out of Colorado, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, announced in March 2012 that they were joining forces, some fans of the Kirkwood resort community in California braced, defensively, for big changes; others took a big sigh … of relief.

Kirkwood is a four-season township and recreational services development, located just 11 miles south (as the crow flies) of the Lake Tahoe basin and a 35-mile drive from the city of South Lake Tahoe, on Hwy 88 in California. In the winter, Kirkwood Mountain Resort focuses on skiing and snowboarding, and hiking and mountain-biking activities in the summer. A long-time favorite of San Francisco Bay Area snow riders in-the-know, Kirkwood is famous for its epic vistas (more reminiscent of European valley ski experiences), deep snow, and challenging stacks of terrain. Now, Kirkwood is Vail Resorts’ most western and southern star for this corporation whose mission is the “experience of a lifetime” for luxury, destination-based travelers and property owners.

WHAT’S UP WITH NEW MANAGEMENT

Kirkwood opened their 2012-2013 ski season with all ski lifts operating on Friday, December 7, 2012. It was a shake-down week; a trial run for newbies and employee associates that had stuck around after the Vail Resorts buyout. We spoke with some “olde timers” who have lived, and worked, on the mountain … trying to ascertain the local’s zeitgeist in the valley.

“A lot of people wanted to leave when the new management came in. They’re really liability-minded. I mean, Kirkwood (old management) used to be ‘OK, whatever, make it work,’ and now there are all these rules and regulations. But it’s probably for good … I mean, Kirkwood was losing its ass; up to here in a lot of debt and big ideas. They had a vision for development of the valley that just didn’t fulfill as fast as it could … all these time-shares, condominiums. I blame it on global-warming.”

— 4-yr Kirkwood Maintenance Associate

“Whatever everyone says, I love it. They’re coming professional and we’re in it for the long haul. Now we don’t have to worry about the Big Picture. Vail knows what’s it’s doing. This place is going to be more beautiful than ever.

— Kirkwood Meadows homeowner, since 2002

“A lot of my friends are all ‘no’ … but they just don’t know what’s going to happen. Personally, I think things will get better because if VR hadn’t bought us, no one would be skiing Kirkwood this season. It was that bad. Now we’ll be able to do the right thing for the valley (environmental) development and us skiers. You may not notice it but by this time next year you’re going to see some changes!”

— 3-yr. Kirkwood Ski Rentals Dude

Vail Resorts also owns the venerable California mountain ski resorts of Northstar at Tahoe and Heavenly (aka The Heave) which spans Kingsbury Grade in Nevada to the east, and Ski Run Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, California to the west. All three resorts are recognized world-class snow riding destinations, with Northstar being more “chic; family-oriented”; Heavenly serving “the masses”; and Kirkwood having a higher concentration of locals saying, “WTF! Let’s ride!” … IMHO.

So, expect Kirkwood to be spruced-up a bit; the facility equipment better maintained (not left out overnight); the walkways and byways around the Mountain Lodge ‘chopped & trimmed’; and signage for services, escapes and splurges a bit more defined. Around Kirkwood Valley, Caples Resort is under new management, and valley restaurants, and the venerable Red Cliffs Lodge, are having face-lifts, too (more on this in Part II of this report).

Safety and guest service considerations are paramount for the sugar daddy, Vail Resorts, whose affiliate, Rock Resorts, is a hotel development concern with operations in the U.S., Caribbean and Jamaica. I couldn’t find much on Vail or Rock Resorts environmental track records, operating in some of the world’s most pristine environments as they do. Yet, the slick “Echo” program video at http://www.vailresortsecho.com/ indicates a long-term, “local ecology”, marketing savvy.

Let’s hope the new mountain resort management comes through for the locals and the communities around NorthStar and Heavenly … and now, Kirkwood, in California—good for us who have been patronizing this year-around, off-the-beaten-path, treasure, and for all who care about preserving the unique environmental resources of Kirkwood Valley, Caples Creek and Silver Lake wilderness areas—and, HECK, the whole Lake Tahoe Basin, in general!

NEXT WEEK:

Kirkwood Under New Management:

What FUN! — Part 2 of 2

+++

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkwood_Mountain_Resort

Kirkwood Mountain Resort opened its ski lifts in 1973. Now Kirkwood is a year-round resort, headquartered in the hamlet of Kirkwood, California, 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood, CA 95646, 209-258-6000.

Kirkwood has 2,300 skiable acres, 12 lifts, and 65 trails. With lodge accommodations in the valley (tel. 800/967-7500), and dining options, this is a great year-round destination. The shuttle service to downtown/State Line, South Lake Taho, is $5 each way.

Kirkwood Tickets, Passes, Frequent Flyer Programs

http://summer.kirkwood.com/site/tickets-passes

Vail Resorts, management company

http://www.vailresorts.com/Corp/index.aspx 

Vail Resorts, resort sales & information

http://www.snow.com/

Kirkwood Mountain FaceBook Friends (please “like” on Facebook: it’s good for the locals and will prompt Vaile Resorts to pour more money in to Kirkwood Valley’s future)

https://www.facebook.com/KirkwoodMtn

Map of Kirkwood Valley:

Kirkwood-vallley-map

POWder Parties, Ski Bus Deals, Ski & Ride Vacation Getaway

POWder Parties, Ski Bus Deals, Ski & Ride Vacation Getaway

 

Help us celebrate our 14th Season as a ski and ride community: engage in some fun at our annual season kick-off POWDER parties happening around the SF Bay Area – view photos from previous events!

 
 
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Tahoe Resorts Powder Alert, Snow Totals & Videos

photo source: http://www.squaw.com/the-mountain/photos-and-videos photo source: by Grant Barta of Sugar Bowl

2012-13 Winter Season Tahoe Ski Resorts Opening Dates & Videos Straight from Resorts

December 25, 2012: Happy Holidays SnowPals!

Tahoe POWder Alert Updated on Dec 25 2012, 12:45 pm PST. Light Snow and 32 F at Truckee, CA. Winds are South at 9.2 MPH. The humidity is 75%. The wind chill is 24 F.  – “A very Merry White Christmas Day with another two feet of snow expected by this evening.” – weather-geek

Tahoe Resorts Snow Totals as of Dec 25

tahoe-resorts-snow-totals

 

Source: tahoetopia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got lift tickets? Eight Sundays, eight Squaw/Alpine lift tickets giveaway; starts Nov 11, ends Dec 30, get dialed in.

 

tahoe-city-weather-forecast 

 

 

 

Heavenly is opened Trail Map | Live Resort Cams

Click on ‘Play’ to watch 

Sierra at Tahoe is opened  Trail Map | Cam

 

Kirkwood is opened Trail Map | Cam

 

Squaw Valley USA is opened. Night skiing and snowboarding daily until 9pm. Trail Map | Cam

 

Alpine Meadows is opened Trail Map | Cam

 

Northstar-at-Tahoe is opened  Trail Map | Cam

 

Sugar Bowl is opened  Trail Map | Cam 

 

Boreal is opened; Boreal is typically the first resort to open(opening date was Oct 31, 2012) Hours: 9:00am – 9:00pm; night skiing from 3:30pm to 9pm. Trail Map | Cam

 

Homewood is opened  Trail Map | Cam

 

Diamond Peak is opened Trail Map | Cam

Mt. Rose is opened Trail Map | Cam

Tahoe Donner  is opened Trail Map

Donner Ski Ranch  is opened Trail Map

Bear Valley  is opened Trail Map | Cam

 

China Peak  is opened Trail Map

Dodge Ridge  is opened Trail Map | Cam

Soda Springs  is opened Trail Map

Yosemite’s Badger Pass® Ski Area  is opened Trail Map | Cam

Mt. Shasta Ski Resort  is opened Trail Map | Extended night skiing/riding hours 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

 

Granlibakken Resort  is opened Trail Map | Cam

Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort  is opened Trail Map

Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area  is opened Trail Map

Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area  is opened Trail Map

Southern California/Sierra

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is OPENED Trail Map | Cam

 

*All opening dates posted above are based on snowfall and could change. Check with the resort before you go for the most updated information.

Map of Lake Tahoe Area Ski Resorts
 
 

 

 
For a detailed listing of Tahoe ski resorts, check out our handy guide to all the Lake Tahoe area ski resorts! It’s the fastest way to scan lift ticket prices and compare the resorts to find the perfect one for you.

 

Question: Will the 2012-13 season be an El Niño or La Nina winter season?

Answer: The probability of an El Niño event is high according to “computer models developed by long-range weather forecasters project a wet winter across most of Northern California with above-average snowfall for Tahoe, the high Sierra and the Rocky Mountains.” – Tom Stienstra of Slope Dope. In addition, the World Meteorological Organization supports this finding with their detailed analysis.

 

You’re invited, join Bay Area skiers and boarders for our annual snow season kickoff parties to connect with skiers and snowboarders near you for ridesharing to your favorite  Tahoe resort. Looking to join a Tahoe ski lease? Browse our listing, or list yours.

 

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SPOTLIGHT: Help skiDUCK.org give disadvantaged kids an opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard.

 

*If you spot any error on this page or would like to make a suggestion, please email .  Advance thanks!

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

September California Ski Co Parking Lot Sale

August & September 2012 – California Ski Company will hold their annual Parking Lot Ski Sale from 10am to 6pm. Here’s a chance to buy skis on sale and discounted gear. Drop by and mingle with members in the East Bay & Berkeley, CA. Save the following dates to your calendar and drop by on:

Aug 25, 26
Sep 1, 2, 3
Sep 8, 9

California Ski Company
843 Gilman Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 527-6411
[gmap width=”600″ height=”400″ address=”843 Gilman Street Berkeley, CA 94710″]

Last year’s gear reduced up to 60%. Great deals on 2013 equipment.
Manufacturer reps and staff will be there to answer any and all questions.
Deals on pre-season ski tuning and waxing. Arrange for a boot fitting or custom
insole. Backcountry gear in stock this season.

Win $299- Leki Special Edition, adjustable carbon poles with carrying case!

Win Sugar Bowl Resort Lift Tickets!

Get info about joining Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol or other volunteer NSP’s.
http://www.sugarbowlskipatrol.com/
http://nsp.org/
http://www.californiaskicompany.com/

 

 

Join us to enjoy Fleet Week

Join us for the 2012 Fleet Week!

Drop us a line via  if you’d like to join our gathering to watch the 2012 Fleet Week Air Show in SF on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM. Bring drinks to share and something to sit on. Food vendors onsite or pack a picnic. Here’s your chance to mingle with local skiers and boarders and get a head start on connecting for 2012-13 Tahoe trips. New members welcomed.

Drop us a line with your first name and phone number and we’ll let you know the exact meetup location for this event. If you can’t make it to this event, bookmark our events page for upcoming meetups.

Fleet Week Schedule of Events
8am-5pm    Weapons Display at Alameda, near USS Hornet free
9-5               Humanitarian Assistance Village on Marina Green
9-4               Free Ships tours aboard LHD 8 USS MAKIN ISLAND
10am           Powell St. Cable Car Turn around 1st Marine Division Band Concert
11am           Parade of Ships (Ships coming in under GGB to their piers)
12:30-4        Fleet Week Air Show
1pm             PIER 39 USN Sea Cadet Corps Band of The West Concert
9:30pm        Fireworks sponsored by Hornblowers, Pier 3

 

Attending the Fleet Week Tips: start early and make it a day. Get there before 10 am otherwise you will probably run into both heavy traffic and parking difficulty.

  1. A good strategy is usually to park a distance away from the crowds and walk, bike in or take public transit(in addition to being less expensive, it is much easier to escape when, later in the day, traffic snarls develop).
  2. Generally, when visiting San Francisco, dress in layers(bring along a light jacket/wind breaker). The climate is usually moderate but if you move around there will always be places where you will be too hot or too cold depending on the sun, wind, fog, and time of day.

Jeremy Jones’ Further Film Show in SF on Sept 12

If you’ve missed Jeremy Jones’ “Further” Film Showing in SF on 9/12/12, there’s another film in the works…

Dream Factory” by Teton Gravity Research(TGR) is scheduled to be shown on October 30, 2012 in SF.

________________________________________________________________

Second city on the (Teton Gravity Research) TGR’s film tour of Jeremy Jones’ Further is in San Francisco with two showtimes on Wednesday September 12, 2012 at the Palace of Fine Arts:

(1) 6:30 PM

and

(2) 9:30 PM

Address:

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon Street San Francisco, CA 94123

Freebie Bonus: All attendees will receive two free lift ticket coupons (valid midweek M-F, non-holiday); one to Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows(a $92 value), AND the other lift ticket to Mt. Bachelor.

One lucky person will win a 2012-13 Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows Ski Season Pass at the show.

Discount promo code: enter ‘snowpals‘ promo code to get $4 off every film ticket pre-purchased online. Discount is only valid online with pre-purchased eticketing.

Buy tickets at https://www.tgrtix.com/tickets/further/

Where do I enter the discount promo code?

After you click on the link “proceed to checkout”, the next page will ask you to enter the ‘snowpals’ promo code.

Send our page link to invite your family and friends.

Watch “Further” Film trailer:

 

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The World Film Tour of Jeremy Jones’ Further kicks off in Squaw Valley, California on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 8:00 PM. Meet Jeremy Jones and the rest of the athletes, enter to win swag(prizes from O’Neill, Clif Bar, Jones Snowboards, Contour & more) and watch the film under the stars.

The world premiere of Further is the second installment in the Jeremy Jones snowboarding adventure film trilogy, Deeper, Further, Higher presented by O’Neill. Further will explore some of the world’s most remote terrain while continuing Jones’ mission to camp deep in the backcountry and on the summits of unridden lines to access nearly vertical spines and wide open powder fields. “Further” will open at Squaw Valley’s KT Base Bar Friday, September 7. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m.

“The premiere of Further will kick off with an opening DJ set by DJ Treez, and Squaw’s own JT Holmes will be skydiving into the event at approximately 7:30 p.m. accompanied by members of the Red Bull Air Force. Jeremy Jones and other athletes from “Further” will be on-site for the premiere and the evening will wrap up with a star-studded after party at Rocker at Squaw.

Prior to the show, music lovers can check out legendary sounds of Santana with Caravanserai, a leading Santana tribute band. Acclaimed for their attention to detail and their repertoire of material from all eras of Santana’s 30-plus year career, Caravanserai is sure to get concert-goers on their feet.” – Squaw

Freebie Bonus: All attendees will receive a two-for-one lift ticket coupon offer(valid midweek, non-holiday) to Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows, AND Mt. Bachelor.

Address:

Squaw Valley USA
1960 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146

Snowpals got you dialed in for a discount: use ‘snowpals’ promo code to get $3 off every film ticket purchased online before September 7, 2012. Discount is only valid online with pre-purchased eticketing. Buy tickets at https://www.tgrtix.com/tickets/further/

Where do I enter the discount code?

After you click on the link “proceed to checkout”, the next page will ask you to enter the ‘snowpals’ promo code.

 

 

 

Free screening of Burton’s film “The 13” in SF

Free event – Come by SFO Outdoors / Snowboarding shop on Saturday September 15th at 5:00 PM to see Burton’s movie premier of “The 13”! Free BBQ, beers and spin to win prizes! Go with some Snowpals,  join us!

1630 Haight St
(between Belvedere St & Clayton St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

(415) 626-1141

Watch the movie trailer:

From the team that brought you Standing Sideways, comes the latest in snowboard cinematography from Burton Snowboards. 13 features footage from state-of-the-art cameras showcasing the top riders at exotic locations around the globe including Whistler, Alaska, Lake Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Heavenly, Sun Valley and Europe. Featuring Danny Davis, Mikkel Bang, John Jackson, Mark Sollors, Mikey Rencz, Jussi Oksanen, Terje Haakonsen, Jeremy Jones, Zak Hale, Ethan Deiss, Seppe Smits, Werni Stock, Roope Tonteri and more.