John LaPlante

Many snowboarders and skiers find that mountain biking is a good off-season activity. Even though a few ski areas have opened for business, there’s still some time left this year for riding on the dirt. But while there’s time, it’s worth considering how riding a mountain bike can help you get ready for the alpine season. In brief, it forces you to do some things that are also part of having success on a snowboard.

Stay loose. If your body is too stiff when you go over bumps or rocks on a bike, you may find yourself going over the bars. On the snow, if you’re too stiff when you hit a modest change in the terrain, you may lose your balance and fall.

Lean into the turn. Whether you’re on a bike or a board, stability in motion comes through leaning the equipment into the turn, and letting your body do the same. If your bike or board leans one way, and you’re leaning another, you’re setting yourself up for trouble.

Pick a line and commit to it. Having some hesitation when approaching a new line through a rock garden on your bike or looking down a steep hill while standing on your snowboard is understandable. A little bit of fear can help you. But too much is bad. Pick a line through that rock garden, or the mogul field, or down the ski slope, and commit yourself to it.

Look between the trees, not at them. The rule is the same, whether you’re threading your way through the woods on your bike or on a snowboard. You’ll go to where your eyes lead you. You don’t want that to be the trees.

According to a report on SnoCountry.com, the U.S. Forest Service and some ski areas have taken steps to crack down on “bootleg” instructors on the slopes. That is, some people are going to large, commercial ski areas and offering their services as instructors, but bypassing the host snowsports school in the process.

Rather than showing up at a school and waiting to be paired up with a customer, these renegades solicit business via Craig’s List, word-of-mouth, and activities. Call it another case of disintermediation. In this case, it’s cutting out the middleman of the ski/snowboard school.

Customers, for their part, can see several benefits from such an arrangement. First, they probably pay less, since that is largely the point. While at Heavenly in March, I talked with a man who had arranged just such a lesson for his son; he said that he paid far less to the independent ski instructor than he would have paid to the Heavenly school. Second, they get to pick their instructor, rather than accept whomever the ski school assigns to them. (It is possible, of course, for a student to pick an instructor. It’s called a private lesson, but those are typically far more expensive than the group lessons arranged by the snowsports school.) Third, the customers of independent instructors get some flexibility in scheduling their lessons.

For the renegades,  the benefits are obvious, too. They don’t have to hand over a cut of their earnings to the snowsports school, and they can work when they want. Of course, they do have to convince customers that their services are worth the money, so the onus of marketing oneself falls on them, not the resort operator.

Aligned against the instructors are several parties. The most obvious are the snowsports schools. The second group school instructors who are not working independently, since the renegades are probably taking at least some of their business. The third is the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which owns most of the land that resorts in the western U.S. use for their operations. The value of the payments it receives from a  ski operator depends in part on the revenue stream of that operator, which includes the school. Decrease the operator’s income, and the value of the lease declines. Finally, the association of professional instructors–the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboarding Instructors (AASI)–have an interest in staying on the good side of resort operators, even if some of their members are working independently. In fact, the associations have expressed their sympathies with the resorts in their business models. Not just anyone can take a test from the PSIA or AASI and become a certified instructor; candidates must be affiliated with a snowsports school. Most of those are owned by a resort operator; the rest (usually, traveling schools) make business deals with resorts.

So are the renegades right, wrong, or both?

If an instructor signs an agreement with a snowsports school that he will not give lessons outside the confines and arrangements of the school, and then does so anyway, he is in violation of a contract. The penalties called out by the contract should apply.

On the other hand, there are at least two strains of thought that could lend some sympathy to the renegades. The first is that most of these lessons are conducted on USFS–that is, public–land. Governments can and do control what happens on land that every citizen, in theory owns, but the argument that “it’s public land, the public should be able to use it however it wishes” has at least a tinge of populist appeal, though not legal standing. A second fact giving a bit of sympathy to the renegades is that roughly one-third of all American workers toil in jobs that require a license, a fact that some people use to argue that governments at all levels are too active in hindering a person’s right to learn a living. Occupational licensing, as Milton Friedman pointed out over 50 years ago, limits consumer choice, raises the incomes of the license holders (which is they like them), raises prices for the buyer, and interposes a third party into what could easily be a simple buyer-seller transaction.

So what do you think? Have you paid someone for a lesson, outside of a ski/snowboard school? Do you think resorts or the instructors in the right? Both? Neither. Feel free to offer up your comments

Midwestern ski areas, lacking the vertical of their western or even eastern counterparts, need to offer skiers and riders some options, including terrain parks. But where have the halfpipes gone?

I actually prefer them to some of the standard terrain park features, especially rails.  The thought of falling off a rail makes my kidneys hurt: A blow from a thin, hard object is not good to the body. As for pipes, it’s possible to ride partly up the wall of a pipe, and then back down, perhaps progressing to the point of riding up the entire wall. This isn’t to say that halfpipes lack risk; freestylers certainly can get hurt in them. But for some reason, the prospect of getting injured is, irrationally perhaps, more serious with a rail garden. And jumps? Let’s just say, landing on Midwestern ice is not a pleasant experience.

Despite their advantages, halfpipes in the Midwest are much less frequent than jumps, rails, and other “hard objects.” In Minnesota, Welch Village used to have a pipe, but has not had one for several years. In Iowa, Sunburst will host several freestyle events this coming season–but not halfpipe.

Why the shortage of pipes? A conversation with an official at one resort, which does not have a pipe, provides this clue: A pipe often costs a resort too much money and provides too little benefit. A halfpipe requires an expensive, specialized piece of equipment to maintain, and customer’s image of an “ideal halfpipe” keeps becoming more demanding over time, thanks to the exposure of the Winter X Games and Olympics. So that’s the cost. As for the benefit, at some resorts that have had halfpipes, the pipes have been largely unused.

By contrast, it’s easier to move rails and jibbing equipment around, and create the piles of snow required for takeoffs and landings.

To be sure, there are some exceptions in the Midwest, such as Buck Hill and Spirit Mountain (Minnesota), Tyrol Basin (Wisconsin), and Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and the Otsego Club (Michigan).

No doubt about it, snowboarding can be expensive. You will need to buy (or rent) snowboards, bindings, and boots, not to mention weather-appropriate clothing and lift tickets. But there’s one sure way you can save money on lift tickets: Buy a season pass. While you may some initial sticker shock, you’ll find that the savings do kick in.

Here are some prices for ski areas within easy driving distance of the Twin Cities, for example. Prices are for adults. Children and seniors may obtain discounts.

• Afton Alps: $449
• Buck Hill: $395
• Hyland Hills: $399
• Welch Village: $299
• Wild Mountain: $360

These numbers represent the highest rates that each area charges for a season pass. All offer discounts for buying early. Some offer family discounts, discounts for unrelated people who come together to buy several passes at one time, for college students, or passes that are good for only certain days of the week or times of day.

Whether a pass works out for you depends on how many times you visit the ski area, and when you go. If you plan to go only a few days during the season, during the week, a pass may not be for you. If you’d like to go every weekend, then a pass is probably your best bet.

For example, an all-day adult ticket at Wild Mountain costs $43. At that rate, you can “ride for free” after your ninth visit. On the other hand, the situation is a bit more complicated at Afton Alps, which has different rates for weekends ($43) and week days ($33), meaning that ride free after either 11 weekend days or 14 week days. Again, doing the math is a good idea.

The downside of a season pass, of course, is that you are locked into one area. If you have a pass at Wild Mountain but you would like to join up with some friends for an afternoon at Hyland Hills, you’ll have to buy a day pass at Hyland. But in exchange for that concession, you can spend just a few hours at your chosen resort, and not feel as if you’ve wasted your money. Sometimes, all you need is a few hours on the snow, making the $50 lift ticket that much more expensive.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum (now that’s a mouthful!) is looking for a new executive director. If you’re interested, leave a comment with your contact information. Comments are moderated, so I’ll snag your information before it’s published. Strike that, I won’t publish it–but I will use it to pass along the job announcement once I get it.

Recently a UK-based media company asked for my help in finding older adults who have been snowboard instructors, or who are in the process of becoming instructors. Since that topic is consistent with the theme of this site, I thought it worthwhile to pass along the note I received. It tells you a bit about the company, what it’s looking for, and how to contact the appropriate person.

If you do contact the company, I would appreciate it if you would also leave a comment on this post about your experience. I moderate everything that goes onto this blog, so if you’d like your comment to remain private, just mention that in your remarks, and I will delete it after I read it.

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Seeking SNOW BOARDING OVER 60S!

Electric Sky Productions are an independent TV company based in Brighton.  We are researching an idea all about celebrating life beyond retirement and looking for people to take part who planning to do something new and exciting now that they have more time.  We want to hear from anyone who is seeking thrills from turning their hand to snowboarding/ski instructing.

Please do call for an informal and off the record chat.  Contact Natasha Khidhayir on 01273 224252 or email natasha.khidhayir@electricsky.com

For more information about who we are what we do, please do browse our website. www.electricskyproductions.tv

On its Facebook wall, Arapaho Basin asks, “What are some ski, snowboard and telemark words that annoy you? We don’t like A-Bay.”  It’s drawn over 100 comments.

I’ve been to Arapaho Basin twice, but I’ve never heard the term “A-Bay.” I have, though, used the term “A-Basin,” which has drawn the ire of some people.

Here are some that items that stand out to me as interesting, and, in some cases, annoying. But there are too few ski (ride) days to get worked up about any of them. The list is more of a mental exercise than anything.

Avy. Not much of a concern in the Midwest, where I spend most of my time.

Bra. Isn’t “dude” good enough?

Epic. The current version of “awesome,” I guess.

Gaper. As long as there have been humans, there have been terms that some people use to disparage others. Nothing new here.

Gnar.

Knuckle dragger. I must confess to having used this to describe myself, in, well, mock mocking. Adam M. Croom, a professor of linguistics, among others, has observed that “Slurs are frequently picked up and appropriated by the very in-group members that the slur was originally intended to target.”

Local.

Packed powder. In the Midwest, we groom the powder, when it arrives, into submission.

Pow-Pow. I’m surprised someone didn’t mention “freshies,” which struck me as strange when I read it in a book published in 1996.

Shredding.

Stoked.

Steez.

Congratulations to Kyle Yost, who managed to combine four terms into one phrase: “”Shred the gnar bra, this is going to be an epic day!”

Word!

Is that website an advertisement masquerading as someone’s honest opinion? Read carefully and you may avoid any confusion.

Recently I’ve received some new offers to place new advertisements on this site. “Great!,” I thought. “Some extra income would be handy.”

But my enthusiasm lasts as long as it takes to read the “offer.” That’s because the other party suggests “editing this page” by (cough) helpfully adding some language. It’s bad enough that the result is that I say something good about party X without telling you that I was paid to so so. But it’s made worse (if that’s possible) by the fact that the language usually includes a link to another website filled with spammy badness. (Who knows? The other site may even have a virus.)

So I write back something like this: “Thank you for your interest in advertising. I’d be happy to talk further with you about this, but I want you to know that if I take any money from you, I will make it clear that the text or link I include is an advertisement. In other words, there will be a disclosure. Are you still interested?”

In this latest round of “partnership opportunities,” however, nobody has come  back with a solid pay-for-advertising offer. I suspect that’s because it’s so much easier to try to slip in some advertising into someone else’s site.

Nothing against advertising. It’s necessary and in some cases even useful and informative. But I want to know what is editorial copy and what is advertising. I believe the distinction makes for a more credible publication. You probably do, too.

The most unusual benefit of riding or skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort may be the views you get even before take your first run of the day.

(Photo credit: Heavenly Mountain Resort)

What you see in the background is Lake Tahoe, one of the great alpine lakes in the world. It’s about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide. It’s in class with the Turnagain Arm (Alyeska, Alaska) and Lake Superior (Lutsen, Minnesota). It will often, though not always, be visible to you as you start your descents.

The natural beauty of the lake contrasts with the neon of the casinos in nearby Stateline, Nevada. But if you stay there, you have a short walk to the gondola. The Embassy Suites, in California, is even closer. Once you’re on the gondola, be sure to stop at the mid-way station to soak in a view before starting your day.

Once your ride on the gondola ends, you’ll have plenty of choices, since the mountain sprawls out for over 4,800 skiable acres, more than just about any resort out there. (Mammoth, Vail, and Powder Mountain are bigger). For the most difficult terrain, pass through the gates at Mott and Killebrew canyons, as well as nearby Milky Way Bowl. If you like intermediate cruisers, the runs serviced by the Dipper Express are good; you can also make your way over to the Comet Express, if lines at the Dipper are too long for your taste.

(Did I mention there are lake views? Photo credit: Heavenly Mountain Resort)

Beginner’s runs are few and scattered across both the Nevada and California sides, so if you’re a novice, your choices may be limited. (Complete newbies should head straight for the California Lodge.)

There are of course several lodges on the mountain. The Tamarack Lodge, near the top of the gondola, is the most recent. From 3:30 until 5:30, the place hosts “Unbuckle” an apres-ski/ride party with DJs, music, and dancers known as “Heavenly Angels.”

(Photo credit: Chris Stamey, via Heavenly Mountain Resort)

Nearby terrain serves as a ski school for children, as well as the site of a tubing area. You may even meet “Ripperoo,” the resort’s official mascot.

Snowboarders, take note

Most ski areas have spots that are difficult for snowboarders, and Heavenly is no exception. For example, the Sky Express lift takes you to 10,040 feet, which is roughly in the middle of the mountain, on an east-to-west basis. From the top, Skyline trail takes you over to the Nevada side. Be warned, however: For quite a ways, it is relatively flat, meaning that you may need to unbuckle and walk for a while. You may also have the same problem, though on a smaller scale, if you head over to the Nevada side from the top of the Big Easy lift, which serves a short beginner’s slope near top of the gondola.

Getting home

One odd thing about Heavenly is that you can’t ski or ride down to the base–at least if you want to stay in bounds and on the good side of the management. You have two other choices. The first is to download, which is to say, take the gondola back down at the end of the day. The second is to ski or ride down to one of the several non-gondola bases and then wait for a shuttle bus. The bus works just fine, but you may find yourself stuck with nothing to do for 20 or 25 minutes to do. For example, the Stagecoach parking lot features a repair shop and … nothing else.

From March 5-9, I visited the Lake Tahoe region as one of several representatives of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA), Midwest chapter. It’s always informative to visit different parts of the country, to learn about different aspects of the resort industry and meet all sorts of professionals. Here’s a brief write-up that I posted on the chapter’s Facebook page:

Professional Development

We heard about some plans for the South Lake Tahoe area. Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki briefed us on plans to submit a bid for the region to host the Winter Olympics in 2022. Mike Bradford, CEO of the Lakeside Inn and Casino, laid out ongoing efforts to reshape the South Lake Tahoe area in light of declining gambling revenues. Carl Hasty, the district manager of the Tahoe Transportation District, gave a separate presentation that focused on reworking Highway 50 as it goes through town, to divert most traffic to a perimeter road.

At the Wednesday breakfast meeting, Milena Regos, principal of Out & About Marketing, led us through a discussion of the value and practice of social media for journalists and businesses.

On Thursday morning, our three national chapters (ESWA, NASJA Midwest, NASJA West) held meetings to discuss their futures. Those meetings were followed by the national business meeting.

Thursday afternoon featured a Marketplace Tradeshow, at which we could meet representatives from a number of resorts, hard-goods companies, and other players in the skiing/riding industry. These included Ski Vermont, Brian Head ski area, Liftopia, Ski Butlers, and Seirus gloves and outerwear.

At our annual awards dinner (Thursday), we honored the best in craft, for feature writing, blogs, photography, and other categories.

Great food and drink

At the Taste of Tahoe South Welcome Dinner at the Edgewood Tahoe (Monday), we sampled some of the South Shore’s restaurants, including Latin Soul, Freshies, Red Hut Cafe, Capisce?, and Cakes by Grace. We also heard from a representative of the Sacramentao International Airport, which recently completed a $1 billion makeover of one of its two terminals. Some meeting-goers finished up the meeting with a pub crawl.

On Tuesday night, we held dinner at the Beacon Bar and Grill, at Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina. Though the weather did not permit us to engage in the local tradition of cocktail snowshoe races, we enjoyed some great food and drink. After the dinner, some people attended a concert put on by the band 311.

Wednesday night’s dinner was on the Tahoe Queen for a 90-minute trip on Lake Tahoe. Outstanding views of moonlight on the mountain ranges, reflecting off the lake, were a bonus! People wishing to extend the evening’s festivities went to a show at the Improve at Harvey’s.

On Thursday night, we held the award dinner at Harvey’s, one of the host hotels.

On-Mountain Skiing, Riding, and Learning

Naturally, we spent some time skiing and riding. On Tuesday, we went to Sierra-at-Tahoe, where we explored an innovative partnership between Burton, Lucas Films, and the resort, to introduce young children to snowboarding. On that day, we also held our NASTAR race, in which meeting participants skied and rode on a modified GS course. The highlight of the day, though, may have been the abundant new powder.

On Wednesday, we went to Kirkwood, where some of us enjoyed the steeps from the Cornice Lift–which the management kindlly operated when conditions permitted, even though there was only one hour or so left in the day.

Our final full day of skiing and riding, Friday, found us at Heavenly resort, where we had a bluebird day. We witnessed a rescue dog’s training exercise, and got to see “the beast” (the world’s largest snow groomer) up close.