Whole Sun of the Jacktram

There are multiple ways to get up a mountain. Walk, run, snowshoe, skin up{special scaled skins under skis}, snowmobile, snowcat, helicopter, rope tow, pommel lift, rolling carpet, crawl, horse, mule, chairlift, and gondola. Skiers want to get up as fast as they can, especially when there is new powder snow or if it too cold to stand in line. Then there is the tram. Holding masses of Jills and Jacks on board whole heartingly holding snowboards and skis.  This TRAM, is owned by a cowboy on a bronco.

Jackson Hole post ski day BBQ

A drive to this Wyomng resort may start at the White Buffalo, cost a Million Dollars, pass the Beware of Deer, see the Elk Crossing, bypass a Moose Creek, and venture through the frozen fog. The sum of these will make the Whole, as Jack and Son, pointing to the TRAM of the Cowboy and Bronco. The skiers come here for many reasons, however, and a frozen however, they come here for Jackson Hole. Other resorts live above zero, Jackson Hole lives below zero. However, step on that TRAM, the one with the cowboy on the bronco, and hear the numerous languages spoken.

Post Jackson Hole ski BBQ with JBudd and friends. Zero degrees.

Jackson Hole has a taste of the real Wild West in the winter more than the summer. Anyone can handle the easy part of warm weather, however, Jackson Hole attracts a real hard core soul. Add in the morning sun on the Tetons, the migrating animals, the clean crisp air, the simple living with the lavish, and that terrain of Jackson acessed by that TRAM. Bring a wide angle lense, as the vistas tend to tickle yours eyes and can only be put to print in a wide way.

When in Jackson Hole, the only place to stay and eat is the White Buffalo Club

Bill, of the ski patrol invited me to do a sweep with two visiting patrollers from Kicking Horse, BC, and we did homage to Wally, a patroller that left JHole in a mishap avalanche. The Hobacks were our destination and the moguls were a delight to my heart. Anna Cole, marketing manager, had her reins on MauiSkiBus, with her Google alert of Jackson Hole. A post-ski day BBQ party was held by JBudd and friends in the JHole Village at the base of that TRAM. Jackson Hole, Wyomng, the wild cowboy ski resort of the west. Wanna ride that TRAM with the cowboy on the bronco?

www.jacksonhole.com

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Tet on Pin Es

Jackson Hole is in an area of the USA that is like visiting a wild winter zoo without cages. It is amazing that in an area that often sees temperatures of -20 and -30 degrees, it is easy to see elk, deer, moose, and buffalo. At times so easy, the wild animal is in the front seat with you, if there is a collision on the numerous remote roads. The Teton Range overlooks this valley of beautiful 360 degree vistas. Downhill skiing is world known here, as the terrain offers some of the most treacherous steep decents found anywhere on the planet. Hearts pound with terror and excitement at the top of the Teton Range. Your heart can pound even harder at the bottom of the Teton Range at ski resort #43.

Cross country and skate skiing often is looked down upon by downhill skiers and snowboarders. Why? It is because one does not have gravity to move you, you must move yourself by your own heart. Spendin 6-8 hours on a downhill run is done often, but raely is it done on a cross country course. MauiSkiBus visited the Teton Pines, at the base of the Teton Range, on Super Bowl Sunday{Go Giants}, when the temperature was 10 degrees. This cross country course is mainly flat, as it happens to be above the Teton Pines Golf Course. If one is a beginner, this is a perfect place to start. Want to have a heart beat rate equal to a Tour de France cyclist on the Tourmelet climb? It is all up to your own heart and how hard you want to push yourself. Be prepared for sweat, even at 10 degrees.

Jack Bellorado, owner and the dude at Teton Pines, will entertain your children with tales of wild bears and moutain hikes to see wolves. Randy, shop tech and chararcter twice, was like a little kid with questions upon questions about MauiSkiBus. Europeans visiting Jackson Hole love this course and you may see many training for the numerous races in the area here. A full moon will add a twist, as Teton Pines offers full moon tours. Keep eyes wide open, as moose visit this area often, and they will always win in a collision. This little perfect resort should be on your hit list, while visiting the famous Jackson Valley.

www.tetonpines.com

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King of Frozen H2O

One winter sport that is not real well known is snowmobile racing, jumping, and hill climbing. These four hundred pound winter warriors and their drivers can look back on 100 mph, do front and back flips in the air, and climb the steepest slopes around. The World Championships of hill climbing are held at this King of ski resorts, in an area of common below 20 degrees temps. With tempertures like this, frozen H2O is common, so is a collision with an elk, deer, or moose. When in this famous gateway town to a yellow stone, visit this King of Frozen H20, to see if you fall off the mountain.

Moguls. Steep slopes. Vertigo. Money left in your wallet. High level of ability. Challenge yourself to Hollywood Alley.{Runs under the chair} SnowKing, in the heart of the forever wild Jackson Hole, will bring all your senses of height to your throat. A look down upon the town of Jackson Hole will for sure give you a feeling of falling off the mountian into the heart of Town Square. Greg Smith and Adam Shankland greeted MauiSkiBus with 100 degrees of Aloha to cancel out the 20 below to go to the 80 of Maui. 1939 was the year that Snowking was opened, in a town that would later be famous as one of the best places in the world to ski and the BEST place in the world to see wildlife. Add in some of the human wildlife, a ski resort that is also for the hardy uphill souls, add in the view of views of the Tetons, you will have a King of the frozen H2O, SnowKing, in the heart of Jackson Hole, Wyomng.

www.snowkingmountain.com

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AwesomE Special Platoon> Enemy Network

Aspen 10th mountain division

When the eye is focused on the mark and the breath is held for deep concentration, the frozen finger must pull the trigger. Against the soldier is another, facing the same challenge, facing the same bitter cold, the breath from the north, the scavenger of warmth. Bitter cold is an enemy that both sides fought during WWI/WWII. An elite group of determined soldiers made history during WWII, pushing the limit of what could be tolerated by the human body in the bitter cold of war. Named the 10th Mt. Division, trained in the high mountains of Colorado, numbering less than 1,000, were the hardiest winter warriors ever seen on planet Earth. Post war, these elite survivors designed, financed, and built many of the modern ski resorts of the west. One of these resorts recieves an award to date from MauiSkiBus.com. Ajax, as called by the locals.

Lifeguards on the beach are like ski patrols on the mountain. Down time is the boredom that must be endured by both. One sits around and watches bikinis. The other sits around and watches bunnys. One can get a sunburn, the other frostbite. One must be an excellant swimmer, the other an excellant skier. Both need to know CPR and first aid. To tolerate the sun, one can get in the shade. To tolerate the cold, one must get real tough. One sits in a tower, the other in a hut. This is where the Aspen Ski Patrol wins the award for the best hut so far in MauiSkiBus’s winter tour.

At the top of Ajax Mt., overlooking the world famous former mining town of Aspen, is Aspen Mt.  Furs, jewels, wine and dining are found in town and the hut of huts is at the top. A visit here is a must. Upon entering, you will see the king of ski bums repair shop and tuning room. Trail maps adorn the ceiling from other resorts, momentos collected over the years cover the wall, and the smell of years of mountain stories lingers in the air. Forget the time in the lodge at this resort, drop in to the Aspen Ski Patrol hut on the top of Ajax Mt.

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SSam of the Snow

If a pro athlete is so good, why do they have a coach? If a coach is not better than the athlete themselves, how can a coach guide the athlete to do better? Is the higher wisdom of the coach the reason they are in a position to instruct an athlete to become better? The masS of energy that it takes to go downhill on snoW takes more than just skis, muscle, and guts. Races are won or lost by the slightest blink of the eye. Wanna get better? Wanna have that racers edge on the slopes? Get a lesson by a ski school coach. Even if you may think your good, you can get better. Make your own masS better on the snoW.

A finger was pointed my direction and a man named Vance strolled my way. “I have a video business{AspenAdventuretv.com} and would like to film you here on the Big Burn”. ”Sure”, was my response and off we went on the chair to the largest ski resort in the Aspen area, Snowmass. The drive up to Snowmass will reveal a larger ski area the higher you drive. Lift lines, hmmm, that was the string the construction crew used on the concrete forms. Trees, none to be seen at the peak, 12,500 feet up, accessed by the pommel lift. The snow at this height is the same consistancy as the baby powder I use to help get my boots on in the morning when it is 10 degrees.

Big Burn. What is it to a skier? Famous. Wide open slopes, dotted with trees, easy to ski for most, fantastic on a powder day, and accesible to get to by the numerous lifts. Snowmass is the planned resort area of Aspen, as the other three evolved from the mining town of Aspen. Wide open space is what can be found here, with the right feel of a resort that will cater to the modern skier. A full day skiing here, with little or no lift lines, will be the perfect reward for a day off of skiing spent in the spa. Try to move you masS here on this snoW.

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Aspen Times Article

MauiSkiBus recieved a tremendous amount of exposure in the Aspen area. From driving around this delightful ski town with Brother Israel Kamakawiwiole playing on the outdoor speakers, parking front row and center for the X-Games at Buttermilk, radio interview with David Bach of KNFO Aspen radio, Plum TV interview, and this Aspen Times article. Longtime Maui friend, Steve Wraith set us up with showers{an Aspen resident, a successful Everest summit, future attempt on K2 }, Mickey/Susan Spalding{great dinner guests}, “Firstrak” Vance for video work{www.aspenadventuretv.com}, “Aspen Digger” Chuck for the hike/decent of Aspen Highlands Bowl, plus to add in all the ski patrol men/ladies, Nate Holland/John Teller{Team MauiSkiBus for X-Games}, and everyone on the streets that loved MauiSkiBus.com.  The Limelight, at the perfect edge of Aspen, was the place to be and set-up a portable MauiSkiBus office{www.limelightlodge.com}. Aloha Aspen, Here Today, Gone to Maui!!!

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120202/NEWS/120209976&parentprofile=search

Take Two Asperin, Your Highness

The northern Europeans must have been the first to strap on to their feet a pair of wooden narrow planks. How ancient compared to modern skis that must have been, however skiing had to start somewhere. Now it is not just skis that are used on the snow for fun and delight. Snowboards are the most recent and successful addition. Then there is tubing, bike skis, mono-skis, different devices for those that have some sort of handicap, paragliders on skis, kite skiers, and more. However there is one form to play on the snow that is reserved for the experts, the male and female Highness of the winter. Backcountry.

Not an expert but want to know what it is like to backcountry. It starts like this. Load up a camera, extra warm gear, check camera battery, sunscreen, ski carry backpack, beacon, probe, shovel, emergency kit, bandana, two Asperin, and load onto to Exhibition, follow to Lodge Peak, and then look up to see the ants moving High up the ridge. Ants will not what you will see on this Land, it will be backcountry skiers hiking up to 12,392′, the peak of Aspen Highlands. Double black is the only way down unless you walk up, look around, and then walk down. Be careful of frozen sweat, loose footing, the no mistake zone, and the bone chilling wind. Backcountry death is on every skier’s mind out here.

Not an expert but want to meet these sort of souls, go to Aspen Highlands, and you will be sure to see them riding in Deep Temerity. This is the real deal of a ski mountain to meet the real hard core skiers/snowboarders.  A terrific location that will attract the winter soul that desires a mountain that is a mountain first. Whether young or mature, beginner or expert, Aspen Highlands has terrain that is at levels of the best in the world. Maybe the single line therapy is what the troubeld child needs, to sit on the chair next to an Aspen Highness skier, to explain a bit of backcountry ideas. Fools are not welcome out there.

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Get Your Ash Up Here

Ashcroft

The isle of Maui has a dormant volcano, Haleakala, that is over 10,000 feet high. Starting at sea level and going to this high point is higher than starting at the base of any Rocky Mountain. Two world rated sporting events take on this height differance, Run to the Sun and Cycle to the Sun. Then there is an annual 13 mile off road run at 9,000/10,000 feet through the crater and some of us have even mountain biked from the top to sea level on unmarked trails. There is a 22 mile offroad run from the top to the bottom down an ancient Hawaiian trail. Many try to do these different events, but some get there Ash kicked by the difficulty.

A different type of ski resort residing in the proximity of Aspen will kick most peoples Ash, as in Ashcroft Cross Country Ski Resort, sitting at over 9,000 feet. “Where is the oxygen?”, is what your lungs will ask you. Your eyes will overpower any hurt that your lungs will cry about with the scenic beauty of this area. Numerous 13,000 treeless peaks will surround you, the ghosts of the old mining town of Ashcroft will spoke the timid, and the ultimate challenge will be to take a drink of water right from the ideal mountain stream.

Speak softly when you are in this area, as avalanches glue themselves to loud voices. Never mind you forgot to bring a snack, just ski or snowshoe to the Pine Creek Cookhouse and enter into a forest hut with a warm woodburning stove. The shortcut home will be the easiest, however allow yourself to burn those newly added calories and make it out to one of two warming huts, Hunley or a bit further, Kellogg. Upon your return, have a quiet conversation with Jed about life and you will be sure to leave with a fantastic feeling for Ashcroft Cross Country Resort.

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Milk X Butter=Tie

Buttermilk....like butter

Often I am asked, “Which resort is your favorite so far?” I add that the idea for MauiSkiBus.com is not to find out what resort is the best, but to attempt to ski 100 differet western USA/Canada ski resorts. Many of the 38 resorts{current count} I have skied before, some were very open to MauiSkiBus more than others, some had great marketing managers, some were a complete surprise, and virtually all have done an excellant job with the light snowfall year that the west has experianced. I must not pick favorites, which would spoil the milk. Trying to be as smooth as butter, I must say that the 38 ski resorts would end up in a tie.

X marks the spot for this resort, as in the perfect score of 100 at the 2012 X-Games by the redheaded snowboarder named White. Stir in the Butter and Milk and see the Tie-Hack side of Aspen, site of an easy to get to ski resort at the entrance to the heart of Aspen. Leave it to the Aspen ski company that resides in one of the most expensive zip codes in the USA to offer FREE coffee in the AM, apple cider at mid-day, and hot cocoa as you end your day. Skiers right will lead you to the Tiehack side, center chair will delight your vision at the top, and skiers left drops you into the land of the snow animals.

What goes up must come down and many locals walk, run, and uphill ski Buttermilk as a workout. This is the relaxed ski resort of the four that encompass the Aspen area. I tried unsuccessfully to get the ski patrol to trade night for night in their luxurious ski shack for MauiSkiBus with no heat. Mike Hutton donated his X patrol badge and Carolyn got a stuffed moose for her birthday, but no warm night in the ButterShack. A perfect beginner mountain and also one to burn the thighs, since lift lines here not here. Upon our exit, Ambassader Jay and his queens were a last impression delight.Aspen needs this quiet resort named Buttermilk/Tiehack.

Buttermilk ski patrol rocks! Thanks for the moose M.Hutton!

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The Dancing Steps to the Sun

Sundance

The darkness of the night is an asset to this predator. Utmost concentration. Eyes wide open. Wings with fine tuned feathers. Talons as sharp as needles. The hoot of the dancing owl, the owl that has a history, that came from a vision of a kid. A head of flowing reddish hair, not at all a butch. Class mingles here with the hooting owl, setting the bar high, to high for a kid. Step up here and you will feel it, the dance of the sun in the midst of the owl. Is it this day or 1890? Let out your own hoot, do your own dance, step up to this era, step up to the Sun, Dance away the night. Dance with the hooting owl.

Drive up this canyon, walls so steep, the sun is hidden. Listen to the perfect stream, what does it desire to share with you? Enter the rustic lodge with steps made of wood, the walkways of wood, hallways of wood. Wood that will make modern high heels sound as old leather cowboys boots. Doors will creak open, woodwork will not have a finish, and the Owl Bar wants your change left behind. Stop to view, the angles of old, the feel of the west, the sound of the stream. Sit on the porch of your bungalow overlooking that running brook, sip that fine wine of the class society. Nestle in the built in sofa with your book, feel the pages flow through your fingers, order your favorite meal, while away the day. The Sun will Dance for you anyway.

 

A cozy reading nook in Sundance

Want what a ski resort should have? A sore neck from the soaring cliffs to the right of the chair, where the eagle nests, where the owl sleeps. Steep and deep. Groomed and smooth. Off piste. Carve turns under the pines. Send the kids to the Sundance Kid Ski School. Settle on the top, in a hut made of old wood. Locals and the hidden celebs, side by side, on the same chair. All happy together or all dancing on the snow somewhere in the 5,000 acres under the sun. Sundance is yours to be shared due to the vision of the kid with flowing reddish hair.

Lucy Ridalfi, vibrant in speech, happy with a smile. Kevin Kindred, eager with energy, show the assets of Sundance. Proud they should be, with the most popular winter film fest in the world, sharing the same name of Sundance. Romance is here. LA class comes here. The eagle soars high above here. The 1890′s bar was brought here. The Kid Dances under the Sun here. The wooden steps will echo here. The hooting owl lives here. Add one more to what should be here. A visit here to experiance the sound of wooden steps, the perfect stream, the towering mountain cliffs, to Dance of the footsteps of the Kid of the Sun.

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www.sundance-utah.com