Snoqualmie Pass, WA (October 2002 ) – The first time I crossed the Cascade Mountains was in November 1999. I was moving from Dallas to Seattle for a work opportunity. My German shepherd Max was along for the journey, riding shotgun in our white convertible. We were about 2,100 miles away from home by the … Continue reading The Summit at Snoqualmie: There’s No Place Like Home
McCall, ID – I popped out of the woods and found myself on yet another deserted cruising run in the middle of nowhere. It was time to test out the snow again, time to see if I would find that perfect carve I’d been seeking all day. This time, my skis cut effortlessly through the … Continue reading Brundage Mountain: An Idaho Powder Paradise
Huntsville, UT – Looming over the east side of Ogden, Utah, the city’s namesake peak rises roughly 4,000 feet above the bustling streets and avenues. On the far east side of Mt. Ogden, though, lies Snowbasin, Utah’s "newest" ski resort. n Snowbasin. (photo: David Quinney) Mt. Ogden looms above Snowbasin’s slopes. (photo: Marc Guido) How … Continue reading Snowbasin: Utah’s “Newest” Ski Resort
Nakusp (BC), Canada – Heliskiing is considered by many to be the ultimate way to slide downhill, and British Columbia is widely regarded as perhaps the best way to enjoy the experience. Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) is the largest and oldest heliski operation in the world, and operates in no fewer than 11 regions within … Continue reading Hootin’ and Hollerin’ in the Kootenay
Heliskiing and snowcat skiing are perhaps the sport’s ultimate vacation, but each carries distinct advantages and disadvantages for the experienced adventure seeker. The choices at times can seem overwhelming. Let’s look at the world of British Columbia beyond the chairlifts. n GEOGRAPHY 101 Let’s start with a geography lesson. Highway 5 is the demarcation between … Continue reading Snowcat vs. Heli
Courtenay (BC), Canada – It has cruisers, it has steeps, it has trees, it has snow … tons of snow. It has pubs, it has cross-country trails, it has lift- and car-accessed backcountry turns. It has mountain views, and it has ocean views. It has a tube park, it has events and it even has … Continue reading Mt. Washington Alpine Resort: A Perfect Destination
Sun Peaks (BC), Canada – The snow fell so fast that I couldn’t concentrate. It reminded me of Han Solo sending the Millennium Falcon into warp speed. Snowflakes obliterated the dark sky with lines of white. I was transported from driving a pleasant mountain road to steering with "The Force." I blinked and squinted, trying … Continue reading Sun Peaks: Space by Design