NovaStorm

For most ski and snowboard enthusiasts, the summer always comes at a bit of a price. Sure, it’s nice to have proper road conditions, and we’ve got a serious goggle tan line that needs to be evened out a little bit, but there’s always a heavy dose of nostalgia as we pull out our shorts and tank-tops.

There are always the people that try to make you feel better by telling you that there are plenty of water sports that are just as good as skiing or snowboarding, in fact they even have water-skiing and wake-boarding, but they just don’t get it. Those people will never understand the irreplaceable rush you get at the top of an exceptional run. They don’t get the fact that it’s supposed to be cold so that it can feel so good when you finally get a mug of hot chocolate and the blood comes back to your toes.

But before you get so nostalgic that you book a flight to Siberia to find your winter wonderland, there are still decent resorts open in the North-Western Hemisphere! Not only will staying here mean that you don’t have to fight massive amounts of jet-lag, but it will also save you enough money that you can buy one of those ridiculously expensive lunches at the lodge.

Thanks to global warming, there have been enough erratic weather patterns this year that the snow-base has remained relatively high. Resorts all around the United States and Canada are promising you decent snow conditions well into the summer.

Don’t be expecting gnarly powder conditions, but they are promising that the runs will be white and not brown. Snowbird Resort, located in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, plans to be open on the 4th of July. It has only done so two other times in its past, and if it succeeds this year, it will have its longest season yet with 202 days open. “It’s very exciting for our guests who started skiing in November and will be on the slopes in July,” said Dave Fields, Vice President of Resort Operations.

So for all of you who have woefully packed away anything with wool or gortex in it, turn that frown upside down and pull it back out—ski season never dies.

It’s been done before. You want to snowboard, but you don’t necessarily want to pay that much, because you’re a beginner, you don’t know if this is serious, or maybe you have a child who you know will grow out of the snowboard and need a new one some time soon and you don’t want to spend that much now and then spend that much again later.

This does not mean that you don’t want a good, sturdy snowboard, because especially if you are a beginner, you are going to fall and you don’t want your snowboard snapping in half too easily, which does unfortunately happen.

Where to Go

So you go to a store. Maybe you go to a regular store, maybe you go to a discount store. Depending on the seller however, they may tell you one of two things.

They may tell you that in order to get the best experience, you have to have the best snowboard. Design is secondary once you have decided what kind of snowboard you want. However, a lot of it depends on your needs. You can spend more money on brands like Burton or Rossignol, but who really wants to in the beginning? Most parents certainly don’t.

Your Other Option

There are some brands notorious for not providing the best experience or being easily breakable, etc. Different people will say different things, but I’ve heard that lamar is a good brand for the beginner who is ready to buy another snowboard should they have a good experience. In other words, it’s not the sturdiest brand, but this does not mean that you have to spend the big bucks.

There are a number of small companies who branched off from bigger names. The idea is that you get the same board without the high costs, because these snowboards do not come with the big names behind them, it’s really that simple. These snowboards are hit and miss, and there are small companies that have a better reputation than some of their competitors. However, even some experience snowboarders will still save money buying from these companies, claiming that the snowboards themselves are just as good and they don’t actually need the namebrands.

Japan was not originally known for its snow resorts or its snowboarding or skiing, but in recent years, it has attracted attention and it has attracted quite a few Olympic athletes with artificial mountains, in some cases artificial snow, and even inside resorts that offer a unique experience that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else in the world.

With high quality snow that is known for being similar to that in Utah, despite the surrounding environment and hot springs and other well-known attractions, Japan has quickly become a major destination. More specifically, most of the resorts are found in Nagano and Hokkaido.

How To Get The Best Experience

The Japanese ski season starts around December and it ends around April with the best conditions found in January and February. Temperatures generally stay moderate, barely dropping below -10 degrees at any given time, and at this time, it’s one of the few areas of the world where the snowboarders actually outnumber the skiiers.

How Much Does it Cost?

Typically, passes in Japan cost about 4000 to 5000 yen, partly because of the artificial mountains and specific conditions that have to be created during the skiing and snowboarding season. Many resorts do have other options such as the typical half day, multi-day, nighter, and of course season passes. Some also have holiday passes, but prices vary.

Should You Travel to Japan?

Japan is miles away, and there are plenty of ski resorts in areas of the world that are considerably closer. However, Japan is one of the few areas of the world that truly provides a unique and pleasant experience that cannot actually be compared to others. Riders are spoiled in a way that most are not used to per say, and without question, we can say it’s a destination to look forward to.

Even though the groundhog declared an early spring this year us in the snow-prone regions of the states have still been dumped on several days in April and May. To some this is a curse–icy roads, frozen tulips, and scraping your windshield are not things you’re supposed to have to deal with at this time of year, but for some, this late snowfall is a miracle sent from the ski and board gods.

In recent news, Alpine meadows ski resort up in Lake Tahoe, California has just declared that their resort will be open for skiers, boarders, sledders, etc. during 4th of July weekend. Last year you were munching hotdogs and trying to keep your popcicle from melting, and this year you can be cruising down the slopes at one of Tahoe’s most renowned ski resorts. For locals in the Tahoe area, this is the snowiest winter they’ve seen in 40 years.

The snow has affected more than the resorts increasing revenue however, a huge cycling race called “The Tour de California” was supposed to start this past weekend up in Lake Tahoe, but the entire race had to be postponed due to “inclement weather” and roads that are too icy to cycle on. You think you’d be safe in the middle of May, but race organizers had to bit their tongues and tell participants that had traveled from across the globe that they had to wait a few days so a new starting point could be decided. The race actually started this morning in Livermore, Ca. a wine-country town about 2 hours west of Tahoe.

Alpine will host the ultimate Independence Day celebration, offering skiing, snowboarding, slopeside parties, and live music July 2 through July 4. Toss on your t-shirt and make sure to sunscreen as you ski all day in the sun and then watch the fireworks from the chairlifts. Avid skiers and snowboarders from all over the states are expected to be in attendance for this once-in-a-lifetime way to spend the 4th on the slopes.

Reading the title, most people were probably confused. This is understandable. Most people think that the Wintersport season ends when the snow goes away, but they would be slightly misinformed!

Just like any seasonally driven industry, the clothing and gear industry must get rid of it’s surplus for the season at the so called “end” of every season. This is how I’ve gotten some of my favorite gear at such an affordable price. You can find coats, pants, goggles, boots, binding, boards, ski’s, helmets, poles, hats and face protection for an average 50-70 percent off. I have even purchased the likes of Burton and other high end name brands for practically Walmart brand prices.

An average 80 percent of merchandise produced in a snow season is actually sold. The other twenty percent is open to you. Chances are if you’re a snow sport fan, you’re a fan of longboarding. I’ve acquired Sectornine merchandise for almost 70 percent off as soon as the snow season started. There’s always a surplus of leftover trucks and wheels after a season. The real trick to finding out the true “seasons” is basically opposites. If you can work the seasons right, you could have enough left over for an extra date or two just off a coat, board, or set of trucks.

Snow season is one of my favorites, and for some people it’s half a fashion show. For those people, season switching isn’t effective. But for those that are in it for the actual sport and not the fashion side of it, this can be a helpful trick for you in the future. One last trick I’ve heard of, if you haven’t yet, is called Whiskeymilitia.com. They have constant deals on all different types of gear throughout the year, supply driven and for an average of 70 percent savings. Stop by for an hourly deal.

Utah is one of the best places to visit and go skiing for many different reasons. This site will explore some different reasons why Utah is such a great place to indulge in snow activities. Utah slogan is the Greatest Snow on Earth. Why does one need to argue any further that Utah is the place to be? Due to unusual salt lake effect Utah’s resort experience some of the best powder snow in the world. The 2002 Winter Olympics were held here and finished with great success.

There are 12 resorts within 12 hour of the Salt Lake Airport. Utah is one of the most accessible places to fly in and ski the very same day. Utah offers much local transportation that will pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your hotel or resort of choice.

The Sundance Film Festival is a yearly event that brings thousands of people to Park City Utah. Independent Filmmakers will gather to view and enjoy different low budget films. One would think with the thousands of people visiting the festival that the Resorts in Park City would be crowded as well but that Is not the case. Actually people are busy enjoying the many films at different locations and all the night life to enjoy the Great Utah snow.

I woke up this morning and saw the most beautiful sight. Fresh snow on the mountains. Now to the every day Joe this might be an annoyance, the fact that the temperature dips down below freezing, or the fact that you have to put on that extra layer of clothing, what ever the case I don’t look at it like this. I see snow as a new escape from my everyday work day. I see it as once I get off work for the day, or the weekend it’s up to the mountains I go whether or not I go to a ski resort or not I have to find that fresh powder. Last year was my first real year back to skiing, after the past four seasons of snowboarding. So with this I was in the market of a new set of skis. I asked my buddy on what I should get. He recommended a set of Bluehouse skis. Bluehouse Skis is based in Salt Lake City, and being a new company are quickly making a name for them selfs! They’re cheep, durable, great for any terrain, and more or less all around awesome! I ended up getting a set of MR 179s, and with my first year back they did great! I know that I’ll always have a set of Bluehouse skis. To find out more about Bluehouse click the following line www.bluehouseskis.com.

Now enough about my skis now it’s time I tell you what I have planned for this up and coming ski season. Like I said this morning I woke up and saw fresh snow on the mountains, and it made me very happy. Now I live in Utah, meaning we have the greatest snow on earth, and every morning I get to look out on to Mt Timpanogos. This 11749 feet (3582 m) towering mountain is my target for a back country adventure. When I plan on doing it is my main dilemma. Due to the fact that my main caution is avalanches. When ever I end up doing it I’m sure I’ll post the photos, and possibliy video on my Timp adventure. Other than that I know that I’ll be hitting up the resorts, and what ever else I can find. Either way stay tuned for posts on gear, resort reviews, backline trails, and other ski community events.

Backcountry skiing can be one of the best experiences you have with your skis. One question is where to go for back skiing? There are many great places to go and explore, but there is one thing to always remember and that is that you must be an experienced skier in order to go for the good stuff. One of the best places to go is in the Rocky Mountains. The tracks are pristine and have untracked slopes just waiting for you. In order to get to the backcountry of the Rocky Mountain you go through the 10th Mountain Division Hut System. The 10th Mountain Division Hut System is the largest trail and hut network in the United States. This is the perfect spot for those craving a great ski adventure but you must place a reservation a year in advance if you want to do this, so what are you waiting for?

Last week I talked a little bit about my skis (Bluehouse MR 179) and to continue that I’ve decided to review other Bluehouse Skis.
First I’d like to talk a little about why I love my Bluehouse. Bluehouse skis are relatively new to the ski world, but are making a name of good recognition. With cheep prices, but amazing quality the boys at Bluehouse are always looking out for their fellow riders.

May I present the amazing “Districts”

The Districts are an amazing powder ski, and although in the past haven’t been the best for the crud, and cut up snow that we all love so much that this last year (2009) the boys at Bluehouse added additional fiberglass layers to make them a more stable ski in all conditions. The districts come in a 176 and also a 187. I would recommend the 187′s due to the fact that with being an amazing powder ski you’ll want the length to float. I’d also reccommend looking at all the other skis Bluehouse has this year for the 2011 season at bluhouseskis.com