Maui Ski Bus

Single. Too most, it means unmarried. To some, a wish, and for some, tired of being. To a skier, a quicker way to get on a chair, to avoid those lines, those lift lines, those lines that deter from the reason to come to a ski resort. At European ski resorts, local skiers push and shove, stand on skis, shout at those that miss chairs, and seemed have a one and only focus. Get on the chair to get another run. At US reosrts, mannerism seems to exist and single can be shouted out to get ahead in line. Many larger resorts have specific single lines, dedicated to making a more effecient lift line process. So if one can ski single and do 23 runs down a 2,000 foot slope, how vertical feet does that make? Is it high enough to reach a star, maybe one that relates to the snow storms that come from the north.

Once visited years ago, once skied all those runs, once remembered for all that vertical, MauiSkiBus returned and skied the resort north of lake Tahoe, the star lake of all mountain ski towns. Glamour had been brought here, a ritzy feel had been added, an ice skating rink put in the middle, a ski resort village of kala, Hawaiian for mula money. The cliche, “If you build it, they wil come”, stands so true here at this north Tahoe ski resort, attracting stars and skiers alike. Akau Hoku, the north star in Hawaiian and the NorthStar of the Vail family.

Locals have seen a sleepy non-known ski resort transformed into a European feel ski resort with amenities galore. Such as 15,000 ladies and gentlemen that want to get muddy here in the summer, turning themselves into mud dudes and mud felines. Skate around the rink at night, sit so close to the open warm flames, enjoy skimming across water on closing day, or hearing the howl of resident coyotes, all are here at NorthStar at Tahoe. Jess van Pernis was there to help, just was not peering around the corner when MauiSkiBus was shown a VIP parking spot late at night by the security of NorthStar. The day was shared with Truckee locals Bill/Helen and Maui locals Alyssa/JP, adding to the delight of remembering the day that ”single” was shouted out to ski all that vertical, so far north of Maui, the star of the Hawaiian Islands.

WWW.NORTHSTARATTAHOE.COM

Contact MauiSkiBus: MAUISTYL@MAUI.NET

Facebook: MauiSkiBusSteve

Lean on me. Sometimes we all need to lean on another. For an individual that is used to doing things on their own, asking for a shoulder can be at times not in the focus of success. MauiSkiBus had a long term goal to ski 100 resorts and it happened. 100 different ski resorts in one season. Many helped along the way, way too many to mention. One of the help along the way was from the marketing departments at the different ski resorts. So many managers were delighted to assist MauiSkiBus with lift tickets, VIP parking, lunches, and gifts. A thanks goes to all and a thanks goes to #102 resort, past the goal of the 100 resorts. Many skiers from this continent that started both styles of skiing were able to see MauiSkiBus, as the Alps are famous for their ski resorts. Alpine and Nordic. One compliments the other.

Next door is a compliment resort, one made famous more for the extreme territory, but lacking in the view of the blue Lake Tahoe. Nordic skiing is hard in this valley, as steep chutes rise from the valley leading up to the alpine skiing. A day here dropping in will feel like dropping out of the busy scene next door and the view on top of Lake Tahoe is an added bonus. A recent merger with the female Indian, soon a trail to combine, and the Squaw will have its feel of the Alps, as in Alpine Valley, CA.

A fine ski resort

Modern day ski bumming is tough. Tough compared to what? A hot shower everyday. Or even twice. What about EZ access to a jacuzzi? Fireplace that lights itself or a remote controlled thremostat that warms your home before you even crawl out of bed. An electric blanket as easy to use as easy to plug in to electic that is easy to get and easy to pay for with automatic billing to easy credit cards to give easy airline miles to fly far way to an easy beach in the tropics. Life on MauiSkiBus does take dedication and at times it is not easy. A professional skier has it easy off the slopes, but on the slopes, dedication and training are a must that is not easy on the body. Joints get worked and really worked when a skier competes in moguls. MauiSkiBus had the honor to make the 100th resort of the 2011/2012 ski season, to ski with, on an invite, a gold medalist, the one and only ski character, Sir Mogul Madman, Johnny Mosely.

The Sierra mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe get snow. Really, at times, so much snow, it has to be trucked out of areas, so snowplows can clear roads and parking lots. The snow that falls in the Sierra are the first stop for the major winter storms that blast along the Californis coast. Laden with moisture, this snow at times is heavy and has a nickname of “Sierra Cement”. A hundred inches of this snow can and has fallen in a matter of a few days. That could mean 8 feet of snow over a weekend. The Washoe Indians that lived here in the past, would always be lead away by their chief to lower less snowy valleys, but in one Tahoe Valley, a Washoe chief left his squaw. This valley of the snow squall, is the same valley Sir Mogul Madman Johnny trained, dedicated to see gold through all the white that fell here.

Olympics of the past were here and a flame still burns for all to see upon a visit to the Valley of the Washoe Squaw. 100 different ski resorts in one year, from comments by numerous ski patrollers had never been done, and MauiSkiBus was invited by a squaw Amelia, the guru-ette of Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.  Red Dog chair front row and center parking was reserved for MauiSkiBus and some filming with the gang from Warren Miller was done on Johnny’s Run. Squaw Valley boasts a tremendous amount of snow and a tremendous amount of world class skiers. Being here with so many rock solid skiers on the day of the 100th resort skied, was eqaul in delight, to a day of skiing in Squaw’s legendary storms.

WWW.SQUAW.COM

Contact MauiSkiBus: MAUISTYL@MAUI.NET

Facebook: MauiSkiBusSteve

Chains. Chain gang. Anchor chain. Neck chain. Rigging chain. Chain letter. Chain of command. Tire chains. A must for mountains, especially snowy icy conditions going up mountain passes. MauiSkiBus drove 13,000 miles on its quest to ski 100 different ski resorts and did not have to put chains on once. Sad, but true, so sad, as it meant a lean snow year. Will MauiSkiBus2 see chains? The last chain mentioned above is welcomed, so welcomed, before MauiSkiBus2 starts, chains will be put on for the first time, at the first resort, and a hommage will be given for a safe journey with a Hawaiian Ki leaf blessing. A blessing was not given by a CHP officer, as MauiSkiBus was driving on a clear road, up to ski resort #99. A ticket was issue for no chains on, a fine was levied, a contest this ticket was returned, another fine was sent by snail mail, “Where is your CHP picture eveidence?’ was sent back, a drop of charges was sent, and off to ski Sha na na sta saying Na Na na to the issuing CHP.

MauiSkiBus drives fine in moderate snow conditions with out chains due to a 6.6 liter turbo diesel, dual rear tires, six snow tires, and weighing over 5,000 pounds. Getting up some of the access roads to ski resorts can be more difficult that the roads leading to them and no serious problems have occurred. Ski resort #99 was different than the CHP agent 99, as welcome was servedby staff, ski patrol, local skiers, and the mother God of snow storms. It came down, a track was laid, it came down again, and the track dis-appeared. Na Na Na was sung all days, as legs played in deep white, and hot mocha MauiSkiBus coffee played inside. The actual name of this volcano is in the distance of this resort. Mt. Sha na na Sta will reveal itself by taking away storm clouds and the resort will reveal itself by taking away Na Na Na.

Mt. Shasta, CA. is run in a little way by a Big Jim, a smile that runs sideways, from slope to slope.

In the 1800, thousands upon thousands of settlers from the east made their way west to find wide open spaces and a dream of a better life. Their mode of transportation? The soles of their boots. Possibly a horse. Maybe a covered wagon. What ever they used to cross the Great Plains as transportation, nothing would compare to the fine luxury MauiSkiBus gave to a tropical ski bum and two Maui beach lovin’ dogs. A dance floor on top with a speakeasy storage area, a Maui sand interior floor to represent a beach, speakers all around to play Brother Israel Kamakawiwiole’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, and a diesel engine to push the bright yellow bus up and over mountain passes over 11,000 feet. So straight and easy for a batchleor that can easily bend, yoga baby! 

Oregon was one of the main destinations for these settlers traveling in wagon trains from the east. Wide open pasture and farm acreage, beautiful mountains surrounding verdant valleys, rivers of clean water, and a climate never too harsh for any soul. Rivers have curves, never seem to go straight, and always have a special bend. Hence, stop here, unload the wagons, set-up camp, make a new home here, under the watchful eye of a batchleor.  This is the spot, the Bend, the unwed male mountain ski resort, the Batchleor of all mountains. The Deschutes River is here, so are a set of sister mountains, and land to be had for all.

Another awesome day to ski another awesome ski resort of the American West. Mt. Batchleor, Oregon, the 98th resort so far, not to be compared to a 98 pound weakling. Vacant black diamond ski runs of MauiSkiBus’ choice were free for the taking. A group from ski.com was there to share some runs, again patrollers were delighted in the ski adventure story, and the marketing manager               set MauiSkiBus up with a premier parking location. The dogs were a hit with all, Franklin with his exact seal sounding bark, and Gykaiya happy to see all, tail wagging at 1,000 rpms!

When is a goal over with? At the end of the finish line. When the timeclock shows 0.00. When one has reached their goal plateau. And at the per-decided end. At #98 resort, the goal seemed to be so close to be conquered. However, mental attitude maintains a focus on every turn, every mile driven, awaiting the pre-determined number.    100.    One Hundred.    Ten times ten.   98 plus 2.   Mt.Batchleor was the 98th and the tropical ski bum batchleor would not be satifised until the additional 2 were added. Off to another resort from here. Another number.

MauiSkiBus is behind schedule. Will get on ASAP. At #97 and only have had two days off in the last twenty. Tired legs.

On the island of Molokai is a heiau, a temple, nearly the size of a football field, that was used as a “luakini heiau”. A temple that has a very eerie feel, one that is not inviting at night, one that has sounds of screams still echoing through the dense jungle that had grown around this luakini heiau. Human sacrifice was done here hundreds of years ago and MauiSkiBus Steve used to do extreme expeditions here by sailboat in the 80′s. On one of those journeys, a solo hike was done with a white Lab named Aleo, into the valley of Ili’iliopae, the temple of human sacrifice. High on a steep Molokai ridge, a Hawaiian burial cave was found, and the protectors of this sacred cave, the stinging bees armed with poison stingers, attacked MauiSkiBus Steve, and an escape down the steep cliff was the only way. A Molokai ski patroller was found at a ski resort that shredded down slopes as fast a those Molokai bees protecting the burial cave.

Upon an an ascent of a chair, me liked a Luke of the Sno quality with an “Aloha” to be shared. The knowledge of Molokai way up upon the slopes of Washington, looking out to the Cascade Alps in the distance, was shared and an invite to the patrollers main lodge was given. Some fresh Hawaiin poi, the starch paste Hawaiians love and tourists abhore, was shared with some poke, a marinated raw Hawaiian fish delicacy. An emegency call, a change of thought, and off was MauiSkiBus Steve and Snoqualmie Luke, to attend what patrollers train for and what MauiSkiBus Steve had seen too many times.

Abbey Lane is famous with the Beatles and an Abby of Snoualmie Summit is famous with MauiSkiBus. From right to left, the party scene was seen and the music vibes, were heard, on a fabalous day at the pass of Sno on the side of I-90. MauiSkiBus shall return, return for the EZ access, for the vibe of Snoqualmie, and for the stinging pain MauiSkiBus thighs had, following Molokai paroller Luke down the steep faces of Snoqualmie Summit, he so protects.

A resort can be the biggest or a resort can be the smallest, but a skier or snowboarder zipping down a slope out of control can have dire consequences. Injurying yourself is one thing, injurying another is the cruel side of enjoying a day at a ski resort. MauiSkiBus has stopped numerous radical skiers/snowboarders, with questions of way too fast. The Luke of Snoqualmie Pass endorsed this, as he attended to an injured skier from someone elses mistake.

Snoqualmie Pass is on the pass and had too miss and pass on I-90, skiers peering down on the semis passing on through to the east.

Ideas come to some and some have no ideas. Often a question can be asked, “What do you want?”, while the answer may be, “I don’t know.” What kind of answer is that, something in the middle of the road, not really an answer, but a sense of still in confusion. Many just pass an answer right on through and still have no answer. Is it a fear of having an idea and getting attention or being ridiculed? Let it pass on through, let it go right on to the pass, pass on through like the master Steve of MauiSkiBus. An idea for everything started somewhere and the mind that came up with that idea, let many comments pass right on through.

Extreme sport athletes are well aware of what they are doing. Injuries and death are just part of the sport. Extreme skiers often live to the edge, often push the limits, often get out of bounds, often go to that line, that line that states, “Death awaits”. Every winter, skiers die skiing. Most are due to avalanches and this particular resort MauiSkiBus visited had skiers that left, left to never ski again. A thought sent in cyberspace goes to them, the ones that passed on through, passed on through the resort MauiSkiBus Steve visited. Turn it around, bring them back, it can not be done, but turn around pass and Steve, and a Steven’s Pass emerges.

Knees of skiers get worked, especially when moguls form on double diamond runs and MauiSkiBus had to NOT stay off these runs. Whether it is lookers left or right or skiers left or right, these extreme slopes were there to be shredded. Work those joints, pop those bumps, hit those deep moguls, hard, so hard on those knees. Barefoot beach runs on Ka’anapali Beach, Maui, made fit legs to handle the extreme slopes of Steven’s Pass.

An idea came to a Bruce Kehr  and Don Adams to make a ski resort where non had existed. They had questions and followed up with answers over 70 years ago and the year 2012 had a Nate Escalona running the show at the Pass. MauiSkiBus had heard of this area and now has some definite answers on Steven’s Pass, Washington, home of some fantastic knee grinding double black diamond mogul runs.

www.Stevenspass.com

Contact MauiSkiBus MAUISTYL@MAUI.NET

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A million dollars is a thousand thousand dollars and that may seem like a lot of money, but in many ski resorts, a thousand thousand dollars does not buy much slopeside. Whistler, Aspen, Vail, Sun Valley, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and then try go to Europe with a thousand thousand dollars try to buy ski in/ski out. What happens when you go to a ski resort that has had OVER a thousand inches of snow in one season? If you owned a thousand thousand dollars condo, you will not ski here. Why? There are no condos here. Just real skiing for real skiers that only want that frozen white stuff falling from the ski heavens.

MauiSkiBus has heard about the legend that bakes a huge amount of snow and was not dis-appointed with the drive to this remote Wash. ski area. A resort has a ski village and those thousand thousand dollar condos, however, Mt. Baker has none. Just snow. Mounds of snow far overheard of MauiSkiBus’s rooftop dance floor. In fact, the snow here was above two MauiSkiBus’ and the season was not over.

Upon delivery of the Maui goodies to the Mt. Baker ski patrol, an invite was given to join and visit special areas of Mt. Baker. “See that gully down there”, a patroller stated going up the chair. “There is over 100 feet of snow down there from all the avalanche control work”, he mentioned, “And this is not even a heavy snowfall year”

In the distance from the ski resort, which is on the flanks of Mt. Baker, the blue ice of Mt. Baker’s glacier can easily be seen. A beauty to the eye as beautiful as any sight in Hawaii, a castle on a peak in the Alps, or the fall colors of Vermont. MauiSkiBus was relaxing and taking in this view, when an “Aloha” was echoed from above. How can one recognize another with ski clothes and googles on? The dude from above was Oliver Schipp, a sailing buddy from Maui that had seen the bright yellow MauiSkiBus in the parking lot. A fine day was had ripping up the snow of Mt. Baker, in some areas with the summer dirt 100 feet below my Fischer Watea powder skis.