FREESKIER

Beartooth Basin Ski Area opens for summer skiing May 26

Montana’s very own summer shred destination is set to open up this weekend. Check out the press release for all the pertinent info and watch the video for a look at the terrain and a little insight into the area’s history.

Press Release by Beartooth Basin Ski Area

RED LODGE, MT (May 23, 2013) Beartooth Basin Ski Area, formerly known as Red Lodge International Ski and Snowboard Camp, announced today that its lifts will start spinning Memorial Day Weekend. Located near 11,000’ in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, Beartooth Basin offers big mountain, racing and freestyle terrain for camps and individuals until early July, conditions permitting. The scenic Beartooth Pass Highway, accessing the ski area from Red Lodge, Montana, is scheduled to open Friday.

“The crew has been hard at work digging out the lifts and getting everything ready for the season,” says Beartooth vice president and co-owner Justin Modroo. “As always, we’ve got a great variety of terrain. We have freestyle bump lines, race lanes, a terrain park and also the big mountain aspect, so there’s really something for everyone–from the professional that wants an edge on their competition next winter to someone that just wants some June corn skiing.”

Established in 1962, Beartooth Basin has long been a destination for international skiers to hone their skills during the late spring months. While originally organized as a summer racing camp by a group of Austrians, the area has evolved to host a variety of camps, events, and competitions, as well as daily skiing and snowboarding for the general public. From its humble beginnings in racing, Beartooth now offers a unique summer skiing setting, surrounded by wilderness and national forest.

“Beartooth Basin offers a great, wilderness experience mixed in with lift access skiing for big mountain skiers, racers or whoever wants to improve their skiing skills in the off season,” says Beartooth president and operations manager Austin Hart. “These lifts were put in by a group of Austrians that were Olympic athletes and racers that trained across the world, so there’s a great historic value along with having good fun and keeping summer skiing alive.”

Prices for 2013 are as follows: $45-full day; $35-hald day; and $20-power hour, in which skiers can take as many laps as they can in an hour. For more information consult http://www.beartoothbasin.com or call (307) 250-3767.

Skiing’s next big thing: 1 year old Rohan McClaran

From Tristan McClaran on YouTube:

“My little boy this year skiing his butt off! He doesn’t really know how to turn so the hockey stick helps keep him under control. Some of this footage was from before he turned 2! Big thanks to The Little Ski Hill: Best freestyle terrain in Idaho, night skiing, and 10 dollar tickets!”

Ditch the harnesses ski parents, hockey sticks are the best learning tool. Think about how good this kid will be in just a few short years!

Still plenty of skiing to be had at Killington

From Killington’s Conditions Report:

3:45 p.m. 5/22/13–Here at The Beast we don’t let Mother Nature run the show. Even with the warm temps and precipitation she’s been serving up, we’ll still be skiing and riding this weekend.

Weekend Update
We will not be open Friday, May 24 due to inclement weather in the forecast and snow preservation and preparation for the weekend.

The Superstar Express Quad will spin 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Monday.

We’ll be offering advanced terrain only on the Superstar trail. Late spring season conditions exist and some walking may be required. Lift tickets will be $29 for all ages.

Toss the clubs in the car too, because the Killington Golf Course will be open daily starting Friday, May 24. Plus, purchase a Golf Season Pass and your turns are free!

The K-1 Rental and Repair Shop will be closed for the remainder of the 2012-13 season.

June Outlook
We will assess snow conditions by Thursday, May 30 and determine if we can reopen for the June 1 weekend at that time.

Unfortunately, Killington will be forced to succumb to Mother Nature’s will:

1:32 p.m. 5/23/13–Given the intensity of the rain we received last night and the forecast of significant rain starting tonight through the day on Saturday, our operational plans have changed since last night’s communication. This weekend (May 25th & May 26th), we will be offering FREE skiing and riding for all at Killington! Walking between snowfields will be required in several spots.   Ma Nature is charging into summer and has other things in mind for us other than skiing, like golf and Mt Biking? To push any remaining snow to make connecting bridges would only hasten the melt process.  Please note we are now going to operate Saturday and Sunday only, from 8-5, on the Superstar lift and trail.

We gave it our best shot to get into June, thus at the end of business on Sunday we are calling it a season. We thank all for your patronage and support this year. Don’t forget to buy your season passes for next year’s greatest value opportunity by June 13th!

Remember only 130 days until we’re at it again for 2013-14!

Spirit of Sarah Scholarship awarded to 15-year-old Carly Lavielle

Press Release, by Momentum Camps — Whistler, BC

After much deliberation, the 2013 ‘Spirit of Sarah Scholarship’ has been awarded to 15-year-old Carly Lavielle, from Orangeville, Ontario. Carly was a runner up last year and impressed the judges this time around with her passionate video entry and original song about Sarah. Check out Carly’s entry here:  https://vimeo.com/64457623. Carly will receive a free all-inclusive week of training at Momentum Ski Camps in Whistler, BC this July.

Carly has been skiing on the Ontario freestyle ski circuit for the past few years and is currently competing at provincial level in slopestyle and halfpipe. She is a previous 3x camper and was fortunate to have been coached by Sarah, who taught her to land her first 360.

As well as receiving the free ski camp, the Sarah Burke Foundation has kicked in an additional $500 to help Carly fly out to BC.

Carly, who has dreams of one day being an Olympian, says, “Sarah Burke is the main reason I am where I am today. She always had this inspiring smile on her face and it brought out the best in people. One of the most important things Sarah taught me is how to believe in myself and how never to give up, no matter what!”

There were many worthy entries this year from all over the world and the panel of judges, including Sarah’s mother, her husband Rory Bushfield, National Team Coach Trennon Paynter and Camp Director John Smart were moved by all the stories, dedication and passion of a new generation of skiers following in her footsteps.

Smart says, “Sarah was a true role model to young women and we will always keep her memory alive by offering this scholarship to our Girls Week at Momentum each year. It’s been really inspiring to see what a wide impact Sarah has had on these young women, many of whom never met her. Carly’s presentation truly captured this spirit of Sarah and is reflected in her own personality. She was fortunate to have connected with her in person and was clearly deeply influenced by her.”

The ‘Spirit of Sarah Scholarship’ was created in honour and memory of long time coach and former camper Sarah Burke, who died in a tragic ski accident in 2012. One of the causes dear to Sarah’s heart was encouraging young girls to follow their dreams and believe in their skiing abilities. She inspired so many young women through her incredible skiing talent, but more importantly through her demonstration of modesty, kindness and her wonderful approach to life. Sarah was a camper with Momentum for 4 years and a coach for 11 years.

Also Read: Sarah Burke Foundation announces first annual scholarship award winners

Your best #goggletan could win you a trip to Valle Nevado, courtesy Ski.com

Press Release, by Ski.com — Aspen, Colo.

Ski.com announced today the launch of a photo contest that’s sure to catch the eyes of skiers and snowboarders interested in extending their season in the Andes this summer. To help one lucky winner keep the #goggletan they worked so hard on over the past winter, Ski.com is giving one lucky winner a vacation in Valle Nevado, Chile and gear from POC.

To enter, participants should first take a photo of themselves or others doing what it takes to keep their #goggletan this summer. This could include lying on the beach, mowing the lawn, playing volleyball or hanging out on a boat—while wearing a pair of goggles. To submit the photo, participants can post it to their Instagram account using #goggletan and tagging @skicom and then visiting Ski.com’s Facebook Page, click on the Photo Contest tab and fill out the form, including adding the name of the Instagram account that posted the photo. For users who don’t use Instagram, photos may also be uploaded from within the Page’s Photo Contest application.

Participants can submit photos from now until June 16, 2013. A panel of judges from Ski.com will then select their top 21 photos to become finalists. From June 17, 2013 to July 1, 2013, everyone is invited back to Ski.com’s Facebook Page to vote for their favorite photo from the list of finalists. The photo receiving the most votes will win the grand prize of a seven-night stay at Valle Nevado’s Hotel Puerta del Sol, lift tickets for Valle Nevado, El Colorado and La Parva, breakfast and dinner daily, a pair of POC Lobes goggles and a POC Fornix helmet. The four runners up will also receive Lobes goggles from POC.

Winners will be announced in the July 2, 2013 Ski.com Inside Track eNewsletter.

Hollywood comes to Niwot, CO—home of Freeskier

The quaint town of Niwot, CO—home to Storm Mountain Publishing—has been transformed into Manteca, CA, circa 1960. Reason being: crews are here shooting part of Dear Eleanor—a film centered around two young girls road tripping on a quest to seek out Eleanor Roosevelt. Directed by Kevin Connolly (better known as “E from Entourage”), the film stars Luke Wilson and Jessica Alba.

Below, SMP’s own Zach Berman and Susie Floros pose with some of the talent on-site. I also included a snap of one of the many impressive cars they’ve brought in.

http://instagram.com/p/ZlqpkVI6sm/

Update, Sammy Carlson Invitational: 80-ft wallride coming together

Sammy dropped a shot of the wallride coming together for this weekend’s SCI. It’s mighty big, as promised. [See Sammy's tweet below.]

Watch the event live this Saturday, May 25. Here’s all the info you need.

Day 2 of the Wallride build.Getting so stoked to shred this with everyone this weekend! Make sure to tune in! #SCI twitter.com/SammyCskiing/s…

— Sammy Carlson (@SammyCskiing) May 21, 2013

Smith Optics donates $26,000 to Sarah Burke Foundation

Press Release, by Smith Optics

With the passing of Sarah Burke in 2012, Smith Optics lost a key member of our family. Sarah had been a leader on our ski team for close to a decade, and we all felt blessed to have her involved with Smith. While her ability and talents brought her all the accolades in the skiing world, her willingness to include others in her life, this brand, and the sport of skiing were her biggest achievements. Sarah embodied what Smith is all about; she was the best at what she did, yet remained humble and inclusive, all while pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

To honor Sarah, we created a limited number of I/OS goggles, inspired by her favorite colors, sayings and designs. In just a couple of months after releasing the Sarah Burke Memorial I/OS goggle, we are proud to announce that we have sold out and will be making a donation of $26,000 to the Sarah Burke Foundation. This donation will be used to assist Sarah’s favorite charity, The St. Jude’s Children Hospital, as well as make it possible for future generations of winter sports athletes to achieve their dreams.

Also Read: Freeskier’s Photo Annual exhibition raises $4.7K for Sarah Burke Foundation

More on Aspen’s Memorial Day Weekend opening

Press Release, by Aspen Ski Co.

May 20, 2013 – Aspen Skiing Company announced today that with the start of summer operations, the top of Aspen Mountain will be open for skiing and riding on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27. Heavy spring snowfall has left the top of the mountain covered in snow as the traditional summer operating season begins.  With a base depth of 33 inches up top, the mountain will open with 16 runs and nearly 90 acres of mostly intermediate terrain, served by the Ajax Express chairlift.

Skiing and riding will be from the 11,212-foot summit with uploading and downloading on the Silver Queen Gondola from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The gondola will be running from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with last ride down at 4:30 p.m. for regular summer operations. The Ajax Express chairlift will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Open runs will include Silver Bell, Pussyfoot, Silver Dip, Blondie’s, Dipsy Doodle, Dipsy Headwall, Summit, Buckhorn, Pumphouse, Tourtelotte Park and North American. The Sundeck restaurant and Ajax Tavern will be open for dining and beverages.

“We’ve received nearly four feet of snow since Aspen Mountain closed,” says Rich Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, Aspen Skiing Company. “In fact, it’s snowing at the top of Aspen Mountain right now. If it won’t quit snowing we shouldn’t quit skiing.”

Aspen/Snowmass Premier, Premier Silver and 6-and-under passholders ride free with their 2012-13 winter passes.  All other Aspen/Snowmass passholders pay a discounted rate for skiing and riding; adult, senior and youth passholders (age 13 and up) will pay $18 and child season passholders (age 4-12) will pay $9. Skiing/riding tickets will be $36 per day for ages 13 and up. Children’s (age 4-12) tickets will be $18. Tickets will be sold at the Aspen Mountain ticket kiosk on Gondola Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular summer rates will be in effect for sightseeing tickets.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.aspensnowmass.com and over the phone by calling 970-923-1227.

Four-Mountain Sports, located at 520 E Durant Street, will be renting skis and snowboards for $29/day and will be open for rentals from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, enjoy the spring season by renting skis and a bike on the same day for just $50 (based on 4-hour Cruiser bike rental).

Grind Media reportedly purchases Transworld Media

Reports today suggest Source Interlink’s Grind Media—the “action sports, adventure, and lifestyle group,” owners of magazine titles including Powder, Surfer, Surfing and Snowboarder—has purchased Transworld Media from the Florida-based Bonnier group.

The big question among industry insiders is, “What will Source do with the various titles?” Now living under the Source umbrella: Surf, Surfer and Surfing, along with Skateboarder and Skateboarding, and Snowboarder and Snowboarding—among many others. How Source will choose to organize these titles is of great interest (and perhaps concern) to many.

How would you like to see Source proceed? Share your comments below.