“News Flash” is FREESKIER’s online column designed to keep you up-to-date with snippets of outdoor news you need to know about. This article is published weekly on Wednesdays.
This Week’s Weather Forecast
Winter is back in full force
The Sierras and Central Rockies were favored the first half of this week, with heavy storms leaving feet of fresh. The next storm cycle this weekend will land in Canada and the PNW before making its way south early next week. Welcome back, winter!
This Week’s Top Headlines
Colorado Avalanche Information Center releases sobering statistic
Much of the Western United States is dealing with an unusual snowpack, and the last week in Colorado has been especially tumultuous, according to the CAIC. Since February 17, less than seven days, nine people have been caught in avalanches, including one fatality near Crested Butte.
Mt. Bachelor opens 22-foot halfpipe for the season
It’s not at every ski resort that you can find a 22-foot halfpipe. They’re expensive to build and maintain, and only see a select number of skiers and riders inside the massive walls. Mt. Bachelor is officially one of the few ski areas in the country that boasts one of these bad boys, and it’s officially open for the season.
Caroline Gleich hosts first fundraising event TONIGHT
Earlier this year, Caroline Gleich announced her candidacy for the Utah Senate. Both an athlete and an activist, Gleich is defying the status quo of both the ski industry and the U.S. government, and her first fundraising event is going down tonight at HK Brewing in Salt Lake City. Click here to RSVP.
Keystone Resort celebrates Queer Ski Weekend starting March 1
Queer Ski Weekends are nothing new, but never has there been one at Keystone Resort before. The Colorado front range resort will kick off the festivities on March 1 with Sashay on the Slopes.
Alex Ferreira makes halfpipe history
Alex Ferreira is on a tear this year, and the evidence is in the history made. After lacing a fourth straight win in Men’s Halfpipe, Ferreira is the first male skier to ever do so.
What to Watch
Connor Ryan releases new YouTube series, “The New Radical”
“This series is for everyone who finds a way to do what is radical for themselves, for their community and for our planet. This series is for everyone who has learned to live a more radical life from their relationship to the mountains.” – Connor Ryan
Amie Engerbretson calls herself out in new film, “The Hypocrite”
Can you be a climate activist and a snowmobiler? Can you advocate for policy changes regarding climate health and still travel? Amie Engerbretson explores these tough questions in her new film, “The Hypocrite.”
The North Face celebrates 40 years of working with Scot Schmidt
Scot Schmidt was at the forefront of the freeskiing revolution when joined The North Face (TNF) athlete team in 1983. Over 40 years later, Schmidt joins fellow skiers and TNF Athletes Ingrid Backstrom, Dennis Ranalter, Tom Wallisch and Jossi Wells for a round table discussion on the impact he and his outerwear line Steep Tech have had on skiing and culture.
