The North Face

Dec 05 | Snow Safety :: The Inside Scoop with the Hans Saari Fund

By Athlete Parents

NOTHING is better for teenageritis than spending time in the backcountry. Skiing, climbing, backpacking, hunting, whatever it takes to get kids into the mountains, burning off energy and having a blast. For the past five years The North Face has supported the Hans Saari Memorial Fund (www.hansfund.org) with annual Youth Ski Mountaineering Camps in the Teton Mountains of Wyoming. A major part of these youth camps focuses on staying alive in avalanche terrain.

 

If only I was 15 right now.

 

I became obsessed about the mountains at age 11. By crazy luck my parents encouraged and supported my mountaineering. Sometimes they loaded my pack on Friday night and shipping me off for the weekend with the local alpine club. Throughout high school I drove to the mountains every weekend, driving five hours each way from the wheat fields of eastern Washington. If I didn’t make it to the mountains because of rain, or botched plans, I did the regular teenage things: parties, driving around and returning to class on Monday feeling drained. The mountains were everything, and they still are. Since then my life has become dedicated to the mountains and I’ve become an internationally certified mountain guide, IFMGA. Whether working or not working I spend all my free time in the mountains. What else would I do?

 

I wish every kid could experience the mountains like I did. The problem is mountains are known to be dangerous. In winter that danger increases with avalanche hazards. With the advent of wide skis and the opening of ski area boundaries, youngsters have an ever-increasing ability to easily place themselves in harms way.

 

Mountain professionals know that avalanches are the single most difficult aspect of the mountains. Nothing compares. Not climbing a 20,000-foot mountain. Not skiing 50 degrees. Not going 30 hours without sleep on a mountain face. Nothing is as dangerous as being in avalanche terrain and not knowing.

 

The good thing is that avalanches follow some basic principles. If kids learn and follow these principles they can play safer in the mountains than at home. Avalanche safety for kids begins with learning how to use avalanche companion rescue gear, just in case something goes wrong. To avoid getting into bad situations we teach kids how to observe the mountains for dangerous avalanche conditions. These dangerous conditions are called red flags and include factors such as wind transporting snow, whumphing, shooting cracks, and terrain where avalanches are most likely to occur. Finally we learn about that ugly monster called The Human Factor. The most important Human Factor skill is knowing when to call it a day and turn around when the avalanche red flags are screaming DANGER. Turning around even when the sun is shining and the powder is deep.

 

Teaching kids these avalanche safety skills is fun and doable, but they need the opportunity. The Hans Saari Youth Ski Mountaineering Camps provide ski mountaineering mentorship from mountain masters such as Andrew McLean, Bean Bowers, Nat Patridge and Bela Vadasz. Students are taken into the mountains and taught the skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of enjoyment in mountains. The focus is helping young skiers stay safe while skiing hard and learning about the dangers that exist in the backcountry.

 

This year's Teton Camp is scheduled for mid-June 2012. For more information on participating with the Jr. Ski Mountaineering Youth Camps log onto www.HansFund.org

 

Joe Stock - Hans Saari Memorial Fund Board Member

IFMGA Mountain Guide

 

Nov 28 | Snow Safety Month :: The Inside Scoop with Protect Our Winters

By The North Face

Living in Colorado, one plague I dread every spring is the threat of dirty snow.

Blowing in from southeastern Utah, dirt poses two problems.

The first is personal danger, as dirt forms a weak layer and poorly bonds with newer snowfall, resulting in a sketchy layer buried in the snowpack as spring tours come into play.  Simply put – dirt equals danger.

Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies 

The second problem dirt causes is irregular melting and accelerated run off. Irregular melting forms sun cups which wreak havoc on spring corn cycles and have spawned an entirely new vocabulary with my friends. What was formerly thought of as buttercakes or reconstituted spring pow turns into frozen ocean and junkyard chunder. Ever had a ski partner go down with a broken rib from a fall on frozen chunder landing on their beacon?  Not pretty, I can tell you.

 Dirt and avalanches

Beyond the selfish context as a backcountry skier, dirt poses a much bigger issue than just personal safety. The Center for Snow Studies based in Silverton, Colorado has been focused on this problem for years, as it tracks to a much larger macro issue  - that of climate change.

 Note to self, ski the clean snow

The dirt that blows in on the front end of Colorado storms in the form of apocalyptic billowing red clouds is at least in part due to the fact that the southwestern US has been under prolonged drought for years now.  Climate models show we're likely to only see this increase as the planet warms, turning the southwest, eventually, into a dust bowl. While dust on snow has multiple causes (grazing, off road vehicle use, drilling impacts, agriculture), drought only exacerbates the impacts.

The kicker here is scientific research that culminated in a story in the Los Angeles Times by Eryn Brown (September 21, 2010), that shows dirt on snow reduces the amount of water flowing in to the Colorado River by a conservative estimate of 5%. What does 5% mean? 5% translates to over 250 billion gallons annually which equates to twice the amount of water a city such as Denver or Las Vegas uses in a year and equal to what Los Angeles consumes in 18 months.

 Independence Pass, CO. Snow to the left goes to the Atlantic, to the right the Pacific

Dirt also reduces snow’s albedo (reflectivity) by 30%, increasing melting by 50%. It’s akin to putting a black’80s concert t-shirt on during your next sunny spring tour. That rapid melt exposes surface vegetation earlier in the spring which consumes the runoff prior to reaching the river. Additionally, the faster decline of the snowpack negates the positive impact that traditional slower melts have in terms of cooling the atmosphere by reflecting heat.

So, next time you consider burning an old pair of rock skis as a tribute to the snow god Ullr add a few good words to keep the dirt away. And be sure to make good decisions, whether schralping pow in the backcountry with friends or in terms of consumption of plastic, energy and gas.

Penn Newhard is a Protect Our Winters Board member, Partner at Backbone Media and aspiring ski tech for his alpine racing kids.

 

 

Nov 21 | Snow Safety Month :: The Inside Scoop with Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

By The North Face

 

Terrain Parks

Terrain parks are drawing more and more skiers and riders to learn the latest tricks and moves. Terrain parks and freestyle terrain is usually marked by an orange oval. Follow the four elements of Smart Style for a more enjoyable, safer terrain park experience. You should make a plan for any feature that you plan to hit, scope around the jumps and make sure your landing zone is clear, start small and build your way up to bigger features, and show respect to others in the park, as you will get respect in turn. Visit www.terrainparksafety.org for more information.

 

Layering

Dress appropriately for winter to ensure that you stay warm while skiing. A layering system, consisting of a wicking underwear base layer, an insulating layer of fleece, synthetic fill, or down, and an outer layer consisting of a waterproof-breathable layer, will help keep you warm and dry on even cold days. Avoid cotton layers, especially jeans, as cotton traps moisture and will make you significantly colder. For more information, visit the NSP website at http://nsp.org/slopesafety/howtodress.aspx.

 

Sidecountry

Sidecounty terrain is becoming more and more popular, as skiers and riders seek untracked powder runs. However, sidecountry is a misnomer; it would be better to think of it as lift-accessed backcountry terrain. The terrain outside a ski area, even adjacent to the ropes, is not patrolled or controlled by the ski patrol, and is the same as terrain that you would hike to from a trailhead. Lift-accessed backcountry terrain has all the possible dangers of any backcountry terrain, including heightened avalanche danger, hidden obstacles under the snow, and difficult rescues if you get injured. Before going to lift-accessed backcountry terrain, familiarize yourself with backcountry safety protocols, including carrying an avalanche beacon, an avalanche probe, and a shovel, and know how to use them. Check with your local avalanche center and know the avalanche danger, and take an avalanche safety class.

 

Tree Wells

Tree wells are areas of loose, unconsolidated powder at the base of trees, and are a particularly hazardous obstacle that can trap the unwary. In studies, over 90 percent of those who were voluntarily buried in a tree well could not dig themselves out. People die every year from Snow Immersion Suffocation (SIS) when they fall into a tree well. Always ski trees with a friend, and keep in sight of each other at all times. Be especially careful on deep powder days. For more information, visit www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.org.

 Hear what The North Face athletes have to say about Snow Safety:  http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/exploration/know-boundaries/?stop_mobi=yes

Nov 14 | Snow Safety Month :: The Inside Scoop with SOS Outreach

By The North Face

Anyone who participates in snowsports knows that the enjoyment we get from playing in the snow comes with certain inherent and inevitable risks. Obviously these risks can not be eliminated, but they can be avoided by building awareness and practicing safe skiing and riding. While many veterans of resort skiing may see the Mountain Safety Code as something that is merely printed on napkins for the sake of inexperienced tourists, it contains useful information that can be beneficial to everyone on the mountain regardless of skill level. At SOS Outreach, we make sure all of our students are familiar with the Mountain Safety Code and ride safely and in control at all times. For those of you who may feel too experienced to read the napkin, here is a little refresher on the guidelines of the Mountain Safety Code: 

 

             1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

             2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

             3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.

             4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.

             5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
             6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

            7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

At SOS, we teach our students that the code is not only about safety, but also consideration for other skiers and riders on the mountain. Snowsports are something people do for enjoyment, and being a courteous and considerate rider will make the mountain experience better for you and everyone around you. We always teach our students to ride respectfully, have compassion for those they share the hill with, and encourage others to do the same.

SOS Outreach is a non-profit that provides value based leadership and character development training for underserved youth through outdoor adventure sports. Operating in 15 states, as well as New Zealand, SOS works to inspire a love of the outdoors in kids who otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity to participate in the sports we all love so dearly. By exposing kids to new outdoor sports, SOS uses the outdoors as a platform for personal growth of our students. 

Hear what The North Face athletes have to say about Snow Safety:  http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/exploration/know-boundaries/?stop_mobi=yes

Nov 07 | Snow Safety Month :: The Inside Scoop with Ski New Hampshire

By The North Face

As you become a stronger skier/rider inevitably you’ll end up hitting the woods and exploring gladed runs.  Especially on powder days you’ll find aggressive skiers and riders venturing further away from the heart of the ski area.  Often that’s where you’ll still find sweet lines and powder stashes even late in the day.  It’s easy to let the adrenaline take over and just charge down terrain that you dream of without thinking.  Times like that are when you need to take account of things.
 



First and foremost, if you’re getting off the beaten path don’t do it alone.  Ideally you want a group of three.  If someone takes a bad spill and is banged up you then have one friend to go get help while the other friend stays to give aid to the injured skier/rider, especially in case they lose consciousness.

As simple as it sounds, don’t explore terrain you aren’t familiar with.  There’s no explanation for the feeling of hitting the end of a run and realizing you are in a totally foreign location.  Hiking through deep snow is a disaster, especially when disoriented, don’t put yourself in that spot.  Stick with someone who knows exactly where they’re going or ask around to educate yourself.  If you aren’t 100% sure, stick to runs you know.  A cell phone in your pocket is not an excuse to be stupid.

Keep it Safe and Keep it Fun! 

http://www.skinh.com

Hear what The North Face athletes have to say about Snow Safety:  http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/exploration/know-boundaries/?stop_mobi=yes

Sep 16 | Tom Wallisch, Mike Riddle, Nick Martini & Kaitlyn Farrington join The North Face

By The North Face

 

 
 

Tom Wallisch grew up in Pittsburg, PA, about as far away as you can get from the mountain resort scene. Tom was introduced to skiing on family trips to the local hill and quickly became obsessed, skiing every hour of the day on the weekends. After graduating from high school, Tom headed west to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah and take his skiing to the next level. In just a few short years, Tom reinvented what it meant to slide rails on skis and quickly became the “it” kid of slopestyle skiing. 2009 was a breakout year for Tom, with a slew of major first place podium appearances and finishing as the number one ranked slopestyle skier in the world. In 2010, Tom won gold in the slopestyle at the European X Games and grabbed first place at the Snowbasin stop of the Dew Tour. Tom is currently filming with Level 1 Productions, Field Productions and the 4bi9 crew while traveling the world for photo shoots and competitions. “I would have never thought it was possible for a kid from Pittsburgh to make it in the ski industry, but it is. So everyone out there with a dream, stay true to it and follow it wherever it leads you! Good things will come.”

  

Known throughout the industry as an athlete who sets the standard for style, Mike Riddle's trademark is his ability to make the most difficult maneuvers look easy. Originally from Alberta, CA, Mike has been a member of the Canadian Halfpipe Ski Team for the past seven years and now calls Whistler home. Talented yet modest, Mike’s hard work and dedication to progression have begun to pay off during the past few years with impressive results including first place at the 2009 Breckenridge stop of the Dew Tour, fourth place at the 2010 European X Games and fifth place overall in the 2010 AFP World Rankings. Though he is best known for his skills in the Superpipe, Mike is solid all-around rider that is starting to turn heads on the slopestyle course as well. When he’s not competing, Mike is busy filming with Level 1 Productions, dialing in new tricks and coaching the next generation of rippers.

 

 

 

  

Originally from Winchester, MA, Nick Martini began skiing at Cannon Mountain, NH. Though he grew up racing, once he was exposed to freestyle, he hung up the race skis and headed to the park. His passion for skiing brought him to Colorado where he attends school in Boulder in the fall and skis all winter. At just 20 years old, Nick has proven himself as a heavy hitter in the world of freestyle skiing, placing sixth in the Dew Tour Slopestyle at Mt Snow, fifth in the Dew Tour Rail Jam in Portland, and tenth overall for the Dew Tour in 2009. He also received the 2009 Alpha Dawg Award as one of the top Dew Tour athletes age 18 or younger. When he’s not competing, Nick is busy filming with Poor Boyz Productions and running his own movie company, Stept Productions, with his brother Alex. “When I was given the opportunity to work with The North Face I couldn’t have been more excited. The fact that The North Face is dedicating so much to this side of the sport is great.”

 

 

Kaitlyn Farrington grew up on a ranch in Bellevue, ID learning to ride at Baldy Mountain and traveling to ASA contests, her parents selling some of their livestock to fund her early snowboard trips. Originally a skier, the first time Kaitlyn went snowboarding, she struggled with catching her edges and everyone laughed at her from the chairlift. Since then she’s been quietly honing her skills, and well, she’s the one laughing now. Kaitlyn had a stellar 2010 season in the pipe, taking home gold at the European Winter X Games, securing the overall Dew Cup halfpipe title, taking second at the U.S. Burton Open and graduating from the rookie to pro U.S. Snowboarding Team. With a solid bag of tricks including Cab and frontside 900s, McTwists, and switch and backside spins, Kaitlyn has quickly established herself as one of the world’s top female halfpipe competitors. Kaitlyn spends her summers training in New Zealand and has her sights firmly set on X Game gold in Aspen.

 

MORE ON THE NEW TEAM: Click here

Apr 07 | The White Wave TV Show

By The North Face

Watch the entire 30 minute TV show that was created on The North Face Masters of Snowboarding 2010 at Snowbird, UT. Enjoy the powder...

Mar 04 | Masters of Snowboarding - Kirkwood Finals Highlights

By The North Face

Visit, thenorthfacemasters.com

Watch some of the highlights from the best day of the whole tour!

Mar 02 | Masters of Snowboarding - Kirkwood Winning Runs

By The North Face

Visit thenorthfacemasters.com, for more highlights.

Watch AARON ROBINSONS Winning Run

Watch SHANNAN YATES' Winning Run

Watch JOE FORREST'S and RALPH BACKSTRON'S, 2nd and 3rd Place Runs

 

 

Feb 12 | Live Broadcast: TNF Masters - Crystal Mountain Finals

By The North Face

Starting at 12:00 p.m. (PST)