Pix from Steamboat Powdercats skiing on Dec. 17th

#1

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12/19/07 at 2:30pm

WILDCAT
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Cat skiing at Steamboat provided deep untracked snow, superb backcountry scenery and some thick Aspens glades. Was it good? Yes it was very good. Finndog roped me into it… my thanks!

Not sure what to expect, I had hoped this would be a comparable experience to several of the more rugged resorts I have skied. The snow was bottomless untracked powder and the ideal conditions for the Volant Spatula I would be using. The terrain was as thickly forested as the Mad River Glen in Vermont, only on a much larger scale. The group dynamic was excellent with skilled personnel who did not minimize the pace of the level II group.

The skiing was challenging, without a doubt. 80% of the vertical is wooded. A skier needs to find a good line and follow the fall line to the pick-up point. Early season conditions meant fallen logs and plenty of bushwhacking. My strategy was simple: quickly find a good line for the next 6 to 10 turns. If the line could be followed beyond that range, keep going. If a new line was needed, pick it and keep going. If a line was not going any further, scrub speed and thread the needle to a better area.

The open meadows were awesome. It was easy to pick-up speed and smear nice GS lines and play with the gently rolling surface. The Spatulas worked as expected. I found my large frame floating right on the surface and accelerating like I was hardpack. I could also scrub speed in a hurry. The ski is really agile, turning from gap to gap without concern.

Cat skiing offers a dependable alternative to Heli skiing, although I would like to try that too. I will say that tree skiing is awesome and I’ll be bushwhacking again soon, I hope. for more pix: http://steamboatpowdercats.com/videos/index.htm

Michael

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Michael

#2

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12/19/07 at 2:36pm

Trekchick
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What's this I hear that you had fun at the expense of Finn's pulled groin?

:

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

#3

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12/19/07 at 3:09pm

ssh
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Wow! Sweet looking, Michael!

No friends on a cat day, I guess...

Stephen Hultquist
Insatiable learner, Truth seeker, Vocabulary stretcher, Friend
...sharing my learning through speaking, a book, guiding, writing, and consulting/coaching
I travel a lot. If you'd like to follow my journeys, I'm on Twitter

#4

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12/19/07 at 3:30pm

Bob Peters
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Very nice.

Thanks for the photos.

Bob Peters Jackson Hole, WY
North40 Realty
Me on twitter - http://twitter.com/bobpetersjh

#5

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12/19/07 at 4:05pm

WILDCAT
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Quote:

Originally Posted by trekchick

What's this I hear that you had fun at the expense of Finn's pulled groin?

:

He got his too, he is the guy in the white pants!

Michael

#6

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12/19/07 at 4:15pm

stevesmith7
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Glad to hear they've got enough snow. My son and I are booked on the 30th.
Can't wait.

Steve

#7

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12/20/07 at 5:49am

Finndog
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Micheal was rockin' on his spats for sure. He was rippin some sick lines. We had some very tight aspens, one run I had no option but to go over a downed tree. Tips up and hands forward. I am not a good tree skier so this was a real trial by fire. Even with a pulled groin, I had a blast. Micheal had perma-grin.

BTW- I pulled my groin getting up after a fall in the open, go figure. I had to traverse the trees to get back to the cat. not like resort skiing.....

Be More Like Your Dog...

#8

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12/20/07 at 5:56am

Trekchick
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You guys look Hawt!!!
Seriously it looks like you all have some awesome conditions and a buncha Bear Grins (not to be confused with bare grins)

Don't let all that Hawtness melt the snow.

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

#9

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12/20/07 at 6:03am

Finndog
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Location: NJ & on my way To Steamboat
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Here's a couple pics of me: gotta love the pow! the last one shows a typical run. look closely towards the center of the pic, you can see the cat below.

Be More Like Your Dog...

#10

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12/20/07 at 6:46am

GotVolkl?35
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That looks amzing, one of those pics reminds me of the valentine's day 40 inch dump in vermont (2/07)....We hiked off the back of Stowe and Smuggs and skiied tight waist deep pow through trees down to the service road and hiked back. crazy experience....looks like a blast, how much was this excursion on the cats.

#11

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12/20/07 at 6:50am

Finndog
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pre-madness season is 299, regular season is 350 I think. that includes a great lunch and pow skis if you don't have them. Transportation to and from. Its really a great deal.

Be More Like Your Dog...

#12

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12/21/07 at 6:36pm

skier219
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Spectacular skiing guys, thanks for the report.

#13

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12/22/07 at 12:17am

dookey67
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dizzam!
way to get on it peoples!

#14

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12/22/07 at 3:17am

SnowbirdDevotee
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Location: Poconos, Pa
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nice pics, but they confirmed the reputatiion, steamboat is flat. gravity seems to be in short supply.

Let Gravity Be Your Guide...
but, if you are going to Snowbird check out the
EpicSki Wiki: The Unoffiical Guide to Skiing Snowbird

#15

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12/22/07 at 3:38am

Philpug
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Location: NTS, PA
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog

pre-madness season is 299, regular season is 350 I think. that includes a great lunch and pow skis if you don't have them. Transportation to and from. Its really a great deal.

Cat skiing has gone up. When I sied Hatchers it was 125/day. Big Mountain was 75 over the lift ticket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowbirdDevotee

nice pics, but they confirmed the reputatiion, steamboat is flat. gravity seems to be in short supply.

Steamboat isn't a killer steep mountain, but the quality of trees and bumps make up for it. Pls you get Utah type snow in Colorado w/o the elevation issues of Summit County.

Click. Point. Chute.

#16

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12/22/07 at 6:14am

Johnnys Zoo
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You all didn't hit the Chrsitmas tree bowl side? That pretty darn steep.

Duh...sorry I guess it was closed.

#17

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12/22/07 at 6:22am

BushwackerinPA
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Location: Stowe, Vt
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so yep only 3ish more weeks till I crash Finndog's party.

this Cat skiing is way to spendy for me when I could skin up the same runs for free and probably get as many in as you guys.

"its not that you cant ski the bumps, its that you cant ski and the bumps prove it"

pbfootnit.blogspot.com/ <<< the start of something good!

#18

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12/22/07 at 7:00am

Finndog
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Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowbirdDevotee

nice pics, but they confirmed the reputatiion, steamboat is flat. gravity seems to be in short supply.

hmmm, ???? don't think so, no, not J-hole sick steep but there are plenty of runs and terrain that will give 90% of the skiers here plenty of challenge. This run is much steeper than it looks. That small thing at the bottom of the pic is a 25' long snowcat so the drop is pretty decent. Look at my picture and you will see the drop there is pretty good as well. Note that this is also what they classify as advanced terrain and not the expert stuff.

Be More Like Your Dog...

#19

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12/22/07 at 9:25am

WILDCAT
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Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowbirdDevotee

nice pics, but they confirmed the reputatiion, steamboat is flat. gravity seems to be in short supply.

Certainly the terrain skied was challenging. Keep in mind these are not familiar trails you could ski in your sleep. The skier is forced to constantly read the conditions and terrain while maintaining very good technique. Gravity was ample and only one aspect of the challenge.

This TR was a was level "II", within a three point scale. Level "III" requires deep snow pack and never opens during early season.

If you need more info, see here: http://steamboatpowdercats.com/ability/expert.htm

Or see this Video: http://www.challengesports.net/right...t/2006/m1.html

Or: http://www.challengesports.net/right...January22.html

Michael

#20

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12/22/07 at 9:49am

WILDCAT
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Quote:

Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA

so yep only 3ish more weeks till I crash Finndog's party.

this Cat skiing is way to spendy for me when I could skin up the same runs for free and probably get as many in as you guys.

Without a doubt. The popular routine in Steamboat is for 3 skiers to share a snowmobile. One skier takes the snowmobile to the pick-up point while the other two ski together for safety.

I wish I could skin up and ski down on a local mountain, I might lose a few pounds

.

Michael

#21

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12/22/07 at 12:04pm

Principal Douglas
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That looks sensational! I'm suffering from major snow deprivation syndrome here in Australia

#22

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12/22/07 at 12:31pm

bklyn
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog

hmmm, ???? don't think so, no, not J-hole sick steep but there are plenty of runs and terrain that will give 90% of the skiers here plenty of challenge. This run is much steeper than it looks. That small thing at the bottom of the pic is a 25' long snowcat so the drop is pretty decent. Look at my picture and you will see the drop there is pretty good as well. Note that this is also what they classify as advanced terrain and not the expert stuff.

That photo is the only one with pitch. Most of the other shots look like the level II terrain on the website. (flat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrettscv

Certainly the terrain skied was challenging. Keep in mind these are not familiar trails you could ski in your sleep. The skier is forced to constantly read the conditions and terrain while maintaining very good technique. Gravity was ample and only one aspect of the challenge.

This TR was a was level "II", within a three point scale. Level "III" requires deep snow pack and never opens during early season.

If you need more info, see here: http://steamboatpowdercats.com/ability/expert.htm

Or see this Video: http://www.challengesports.net/right...t/2006/m1.html

Or: http://www.challengesports.net/right...January22.html

Michael

Did you have a good time? That's all that really matters.
To some skiers, the terrain you skied would be considered flat. It's a factor of experience and comfort level. That doesn't negate your positive experience.

There are some short, steep pitches inbounds at Steamboat and many runs that are steeper than what you were guided to. Last season I was lucky enough to be there during a 100 inch week and I am glad that the cats were sold out. My friends would have had to be on a level II cat and it was easier to satisfy different abilities inbounds.

#23

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12/22/07 at 2:59pm

DonDenver
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Location: Guess
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Quote:

Originally Posted by bklyn

Did you have a good time? That's all that really matters.

Well put...what other's think is last on my xmas list.

Thanks for the share...gave me a nice jones after just playing mall bumper cars...

#24

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12/30/07 at 2:11am

pattongb
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Location: Wausau WI (home of Granite Peak Ski Hill)
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$350 is a good deal?

See its that kind of attitude that is ruining the sport.

When I went in 2000 you could Cat Ski for $120.

There is nothing affordable for most people about an extra $350.

Glad you had fun though.

Oh and to the Steamboat naysayers regarding steepness: there is plenty of steepness at the Boat. Enough for 90% of the skiiers alive.

I dont get this whole "if its not steep your not cool for going there cuss im cool cuss i go sick steep.." blah blah blah epeen crap.

Get over yourself. Noone is impressed by your desire to only ski the steepest terrain, nor how impressed you are with yourself because of it.

#25

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12/30/07 at 5:17am

BushwackerinPA
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Location: Stowe, Vt
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Quote:

Originally Posted by pattongb

$350 is a good deal?

See its that kind of attitude that is ruining the sport.

When I went in 2000 you could Cat Ski for $120.

There is nothing affordable for most people about an extra $350.

Glad you had fun though.

Oh and to the Steamboat naysayers regarding steepness: there is plenty of steepness at the Boat. Enough for 90% of the skiiers alive.

I dont get this whole "if its not steep your not cool for going there cuss im cool cuss i go sick steep.." blah blah blah epeen crap.

Get over yourself. Noone is impressed by your desire to only ski the steepest terrain, nor how impressed you are with yourself because of it.

Still want to go to steamboat for some treeskiing...but for me and the way I ski and on the equipment I ski on, steep makes it easier. Its much less work when you can let gravity do your bidding for you and not your leg muscles.

The reason why you never hear about snowbird great tree-skiing is most of it to steep for you average self proclaimed expert skier to enjoy, but once you get use to it. you wouldnt want in any other way.

"its not that you cant ski the bumps, its that you cant ski and the bumps prove it"

pbfootnit.blogspot.com/ <<< the start of something good!

#26

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12/30/07 at 5:41am

Lonnie
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Quote:

Originally Posted by pattongb

Oh and to the Steamboat naysayers regarding steepness: there is plenty of steepness at the Boat. Enough for 90% of the skiiers alive.

I guess we're in the other 10%?

#27

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12/30/07 at 6:54am

WILDCAT
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Post Count: 4,190

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnie

I guess we're in the other 10%?

I think you & Josh are in the top 3% or 0.3%

.

Many skiers talk like they are in the top 10%, but are they?

However, if anyone is competently skiing the more difficult trees and other off-piste terrain at Mad River Glen, Steamboat or any other similar resort they are in a very small group of excellent skiers IMHO.

Michael

#28

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12/30/07 at 10:35am

tom111869
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Steamboat is plenty steep if you know where to go.

#29

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12/30/07 at 3:16pm

ssh
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Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Post Count: 19,900

I'm grateful that I can find fun skiing pretty much anywhere.

Steamboat is certainly a bunch of fun. Watch out for the bump lines created by those young up-and-comers, tho!

:

Stephen Hultquist
Insatiable learner, Truth seeker, Vocabulary stretcher, Friend
...sharing my learning through speaking, a book, guiding, writing, and consulting/coaching
I travel a lot. If you'd like to follow my journeys, I'm on Twitter

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