BOZEMAN , MONTANA

On January 1, 2008 we head west to Montana. Snowboarding at Bridger Bowl. This was the first mountain resort I boarded at, back in 1999.

To prepare for the mountains back then, we had gone up to a resort in northern Minnesota, Lutsen, it was on the north shore of Lake Superior. 1000 vertical feet. Lutsen was steep enough to scare me, and the runs were long. It's the Minnesota mountain resort. Now I go to the western mountains 4-5 times a winter.

This trip will be both in the resort and I'll take the snowmobile up into the back country north of Bridger Bowl a couple of the days. I explored up there last year when I rode in and snowshoed up to a ridge and boarded down. The snow pack was a little thin last year. It's been snowing good up there this year. Should be great!

Merry Christmas

Enjoy your winter season, it looks like fresh snow covering most of the West & Mid-west. Keep your heads up & be safe.

Tragic incident at The Canyons in Utah. An inbounds avalanche, sounds like quick response saved a young boy, while 1 young man died. Thoughts go out to all involved.

Thanks for all the effort put in by the Patrollers.

Northern Colorado Sledboarding

The first western trip is filled with new gear and expectations. The biggie was the new Polaris 700 RMK. It was awesome!! The 155 length track with 2.4 inch paddles and 140 horses, just plain hooks up when the going gets vertical. The other back country tool was my 166 Burton Malolo powder board. It floated great and it popped over the logs in the trees, that were just below the snow surface. The Dakine pack, Poacher was also a new addition. The framing and capacity, along with some nice inside pouches was on the money. It felt very balanced on my back.

Snowboard rack system on 08 Polaris RMK

Rack on 05 Polaris RMK.

Powder tool, RMK 700.

Nothin' like a ham sammitch and a diet Dew at the end of the day on top of the mountain.

If you look hard you can see Weez in the trees.

Next trip Bozeman, Montana. Early January 08. In the mean time, back to the hill in Minnesota for some Ski Patrol action.

Dang Wabbit!! (Darn Rabbit!!) Ears Pass

This is our December snowmobile and snowboard trip. It is a road trip, we will drive about 2400 miles,west to the Colorado and Wyoming mountains. We like to drive overnight, Sleep in the truck on the way out. On this trip we left Sunday at 1:00 PM, and we were snowboarding Monday afternoon at 1:00 PM, 1150 miles later.Rabbit Ears Pass. Shot from a moving truck.
If you look to the extreme left of the ears (two tall rocks), there is an opening in the trees. that is where I launched my 800 RMK off a 50 foot cliff in the spring of 2005. In mid air I realized the landing was going to be a huge pine tree. I bailed at the last second and rolled down the mountain, the snowmobile impaled the tree, to the tune of $3000 damage. I was able to ride it back to the truck that day and it was a lessen learned. Don't go full throttle up over an unfamiliar ridge. Weez and I rode out to the Rabbit Ears last spring.

The view out the truck window after I poked my head out of my sleeping bag, we had driven 960 miles, pulled over at 3:30 AM. Slept for 3 hours, it was about 7 degrees outside.

A great day in the Mountains!! Good Times!!

Up top Buff Pass.

Heading out on Sunday / Sledboard Rack Polaris Mountain Sleds

We are taking off in about 2 hours. As soon as I finish this, we pack the truck & trailer & hit the road. We will leave Minneapolis about 12 noon Sunday & be snowboarding in Steamboat by 12 noon on Monday, about 1200 miles. The catch is we are heading right into the storm that just dumped in Colorado. I'm sure we will be locked in 4-wheel drive several miles this trip, good times! It will be a sleeping in the truck night I am sure. Sledding & boarding the next 4-5 days! Should be fresh powder in Colorado.

Gettin crazy on a 2 degree slope doin da heel grab, Ya!!

Can't wipe that happy smile off dat face.

It just puts me in the mood to drive 1100 miles to hunt for the deep white stuff.

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple. The gear bag on the back is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergences.

Let the Powder Games Begin, eh

Got out to the slopes today, doing some boarding and ski patrolling. Got my new Burton boots set up with my bindings . While hanging out in the patrol room a few of the elder patrol chit chat about past winters on the hill. Good times! It's great to be out on the hill. Some day these will be the past winters.

Here's a few pics from the last few days. Gettin crazy on a 2 degree slope doin da heel grab, Ya!!

Can't wipe that happy smile off dat face.

It just puts me in the mood to drive 1100 miles to hunt for the deep white stuff.

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple. The gear bag on the back is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergencies.

Last Years Adventures Riding into 07-08

A few pictures from last year showing the sled set-up on the 800 RMK & the 600 MT Cat. Check Weez's Burton Fish snowboard, I've got my new Burton Malolo that just rocked last spring also. Going to be setting the 700 RMK up this week(snowboard racks).

Our garage on wheels, Floe 14 ft. double axle enclosed trailer, I'm liking the mountains framed in the background. Northern Colorado.