The Black Diamond Guide Glove is the warmest glove made by the fine folks at Black Diamond. It features the best possible materials available to keep your hands warm and dry, including Gore-Tex XCR, four-way stretch Schoeller nylon, Pittards goatskin leather and PrimaLoft insulation. To make the guide gloves extra bomber, BD even capped the fingers with Kevlar-reinforced stitching. And while they may be warm, they are still remarkably dexterous, allowing a firm grip on your ski poles, or ice axe if you are an ice climber.
Suggested Retail Price of the Guide Glove: $160
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You can buy these ski gloves from Backcountry.com, and have them shipped free if you live in one of the lower 48 states.
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Between Sunday and Monday Alta racked up about 11″ of snow. With only 4″ on sunday, we went looking for some low angle pow, since it was still a bit hard underneath. Mark, Jesse, Christian and JJ found just what we were looking for on Race Hill.
Then on Monday, with blue birds chirping and 11″ on the ground, the Backside finally opened after noon. Here’s a clip of Christian in the High Notch soon after the rope dropped and Titus let everyone in. We were probably #30 or so in the lineup but still managed to find the goods. Had to be careful down low though, as there were avalanche chunks buried underneath the pow. And I was pretty out of breath while filming so I apologize for the shaky hand and heavy breathing in the background.
I reviewed the The North Face Redpoint Jacket back in 2005. I loved this insulated jacket then, and still love it now. I am happy to report that even though my Redpoint is now 5 seasons old, it still looks good, and most importantly, is still warm. This jacket is the first thing I grab out of the closet when it’s cold outside. It must have over 750 days of wear and tear on it. Yet, the Primaloft insulation is still perfectly in place and all the zippers and pockets still function as they should. The new Redpoints are made with the same care that The North Face used way back when. You can still stuff it down into the big hand pocket. The only difference with the new jacket is an addition of a touch of fleece on the coller. I think I may have to buy another one just for that touch of fleece, as well as to add another color to the repertoire. A couple years ago, I also added a Redpoint vest to my collection and I wear that under my ski jacket on the coldest days. Just like the jacket, it works great and I plan to use it for several years to come.
Suggested Retail Price of the Redpoint Jacket: $150
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Suggested Retail Price of the Redpoint Vest: $100
Check Price & Availability From Backcountry.com (Men’s)
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You can buy these Redpoints from Backcountry.com, and have it shipped free if you live in one of the lower 48 states.
Browse the entire product line from The North Face.
Over 80″ fell in this last Alta storm cycle. Below is some footage of the gang getting some POW on the last 2 days of the cycle.
Jesse and Johnny get some turns in the Ho on January 23rd:
Here are 2 clips of John Murphy crushing the fresh pow on January 24th:
Here are 2 more clips of Jesse and Johnny from the 24th:
We couldn’t resist the untracked powder on Goldminer’s Face above the gmd bus stop:
And finally, Tim Couch finds the last couple of face shots in the afternoon of the 24th:
It’s been dumping all week. Alta has recorded over 80” in the past 6 days, with 19” in the past 24 hours. It’s going to be an epic day. Well… maybe later on it will. With all this snow in a steep canyon, there’s no guarantee that highway 210 will open, let alone the Alta ski lifts. Today is a day that usually means “country club” skiing for those that spent the night in the Canyon. (That means that they have the resort all to themselves while the powder slaves in Sandy wait and wait and wait for the road to open.) But today, not even the folks in Alta will get their share. Alta is interlodged until at least Noon.
Is too much really never enough? When it comes to powder in Alta, too much can unfortunately shut you down. No matter though, when we finally do get out on the hill, you know it’s going to be good and deep. So keep praying for snow, but be sure to include a prayer or two for a stable snowpack.
Backcountry.com has a great promotion going on right now. When you buy a lift ticket to Beaver Mountain, Wolf Mountain, Sundance or Brighton from Backcountry.com, they will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Utah Avalanche Center.
We literally owe UAC our lives. So what better way to show UAC the love than by saving yourself some cash on local ski passes? That’s right, only Backcountry.com knows how to work this kind of deal. Purchase special discounted ski passes to 10 of Utah’s killer ski resorts on Backcountry.com, and ALL—100%, everything, el dinero todo—of the proceeds go straight back to fund the gang who’s been keeping you unburied all these years. Reward yourself for funding UAC—it’s that simple.
The Alta Town Race Series begins on January 19th and ends in April. The series is open to anyone who wishes to participate, 18 years old or older, regardless of racing experience. The series consists of 8 races; including 4 Slaloms and 4 Giant Slaloms. Races are held on Tuesdays at the Sunnyside Area; with the exception of the finale race which is an “FIS” Style GS held on a longer trail. There are Alpine and Telemark divisions for both men and women with “A” and “B” leagues determined by ability level. Participants are welcome to race as part of a team or as individuals. Points are awarded cumulatively throughout the series. The town series culminates with a party/awards ceremony, and a great raffle held the evening of the finale race.
The Alta Town Series offers an organized, professionally run racing experience in a relaxed, affordable and fun atmosphere.
For more detailed information about the Alta Town Race series, please contact the Race Department at (801) 799-2278 or 742-3333 (ext. 278) in the town of Alta.
The Arc’Teryx Stinger Bibs are definitely not your average shell ski pants. No sir. First of all, they are made from the top of the line Gore-Tex Pro Shell material, guaranteed to keep you dry in the burliest storm, yet breathable for any backcountry excursion. There is no insulation whatsoever, so the bibs are super light. While they are not baggy, you can fit several layers underneath as need be for the coldest days. And when the temperature rises, you can get some air flowing with the outer thigh zippers. The pockets are well thought out, with 2 smaller pockets up top in the front and two larger cargo pockets above the knees. The thigh pockets are really roomy, yet they aren’t floppy like you see on snowboard cargo pants. Aside from snacks, hats and other accessories, I’ve fit a Gatorade bottle comfortably in there. At $450, these pants certainly are not cheap. However, they come with Arcteryx’s lifetime warranty and they are built to last. I’ve got over 100+ days in mine and they are still going strong. Another nice touch from Arc’Teryx, the pants come in short, tall and regular sizes. These are the first pair of ski pants I’ve had that don’t drag when I walk, but still keep the snow out of my boots.
Suggested Retail Price: $450
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You can buy these ski pants from Backcountry.com, and have it shipped free if you live in one of the lower 48 states.
Browse the entire product line from Arc’Teryx.
Congratulations Christopher Lisle on winning the January 2010 AltaCam Pic of the Month Contest with this shot taken in Grizzly Gulch:
We were all saddened to hear the news of Bill Levitt’s passing. I did not know him, but he married us in Alta on September 20th 2003. For a day or so we had the privilege of interacting with him, and he definitely had an impact. I remember him describing “Romantic Alta” to us while eyes sparkling, sitting at the Alta Lodge in the lobby. He explained that we were close to the (or possibly the) 50th couple he had married since 1971…the year I was born. Our ceremony was presented perfectly by the Mayor with a Superior backdrop. Below is my favorite quote from the Alta Lodge Eulogy… Gary M
His priority was never his own enrichment; it was always community, nature, open spaces and people. Bill fought for what was important to him; his principles, Alta, its community, its people and its future. He was always looking to the future. -Bill Levitt (1917-2009) A Memorial for an Alta Legend
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