Mantana | January 8, 2011
Super bad visibility today at Bridger, they reported 4″ overnight so we headed up. We got up there around 9:30 and the place was practically empty, when we left the parking lot was completely full. There was more like 8″ of snow over at Slushman’s where we spent most of our day. Slushman’s lift is a very unique one, it was bought a few years back from Alta and services a previously backcountry only area. The spot where the lift is was once a secret spot for most of the Bridger locals. At the bottom of the lift there are to hanging beepers to beep in your avalanche transceiver, there aren’t many lifts in the country that use a system like this. Hopefully I’ll have the camera back soon and I can take some photos of the terrain that the Slushman’s lift accesses including the ominous Saddle Peak, a 9,172 foot gargantuan that is hike-able through the Bridger ridge.
Even with the terrible visibility we still got a few good clips, check it out..
Screen shot from Thursday at Moonlight
Moonlight Basin | January 6, 2011
Took a trip out to Big Sky today to check out Moonlight Basin, as we got closer to the resort we noticed there was significantly more snow than the day before at Bridger. Unfortunately it was much more wet and sticky, still skied until 4pm and had a blast. Looks like maybe a backcountry day for tomorrow. 
Bridger Bowl | January 5, 2010
We got to Bozeman safely and immediately indulged in some fast food and cheap beer. The time zone change is a little hard to get used to but things are coming around. We got up at 8:00am and saw Bridger was boasting 7″ of 5% water content blower powder. Like every new snow day that I’ve experienced here, Bridger welcomes you with avi explosives going off up on the ridge throughout the morning. It’s a little intimidating putting your boots on in the lot and hearing the bombs going off but something about it gets the blood flowing. 
NOAA is forecasting 25″+ here by Saturday night, looks like it could get pretty ****** insane! Time for bed..
Still without a camera I had to rely on the trusty GoPro. Here is what we came up with, Day 1 of 18. Enjoy!
The New Year
Well, I’m finally on my way.. sitting in this god forsaken rocketship of death, cameraless I may add — en route to Bozeman. I will highlight cameraless because I’ve gone the last year pretty much glued to the DSLR and now that it’s gone I feel like I’ve lost my child or something. With little to do, strapped in — I cannot wait until this stewardess brings the cart by so I can purchase a 9 dollar Heiniken and drift off into this influenza cave.
On another note, Roberto jus returned from Alta…actually we’re crossing paths both leaving respective locations at almost the same time. Rob saw some pretty blustery temps out there in Little Cottonwood Canyon as well as some serious POW. Stoked for Rob — here is a little sample of what he’s been doing.
I’m out, beers here – looks like Bridger Bowl could see some flakes over the coming days…GoPro at the ready (argghh) we will be blasting off with steep, deep and exposed stuff right off the bat. Stay tuned and enjoy – hopefully will be posting daily.
Alpine-Live.com | Travel Season
As I pack for my 18 day trip to Mantana I can’t help but be reminded that this time of year is awesome, pre-season is over and winter has set in – our legs are finally getting a break via Dopplemayr lift transport and we’re all around in better moods. Most ski areas are open East and West and theres snow at lower elevations all up and down the East Coast. All of the Alpine-Live team guys are traveling and it’s just an awesome time to be a skier.
Lucas just got back from his Christmas break in Vail, Colorado. I’ll add Part 1 of his video series and his .02 on the trip:
“My 2010 Christmas was spent in Vail, Colorado with family & shooting for alpine-live.com. And I couldn’t have asked for a better present. From the 24th-30th the back bowls accumulated a total of 12”-18” of fresh. I managed to hook up with a friend in town who knew the area better, and could show me all the secret stashes. ‘Getto’ didn’t disappoint, we hit the furthest point of the Vail backcountry range, Earl’s Bowl. Where we got some unreal first tracks in the morning, before retrieving our lunch & brews from the snow, and grilling out in the continuing snow showers. After eating and drinking a little too much, we decided on heading back to Earl’s for some glory turns in the fading sunlight before heading home.”
Another buddy Robby and his friend up and left on a last minute powder journey to the Wasatch, he hasn’t returned just yet but I got a few shots through e-mail that were astounding. Hope they’re killing it! Here is a little taste of what they’ve been getting into:
Andy, the other Alpine-Live partner is also headed west to CO, he will be leaving later this week and surely will bring back some documentation from the trip. Stay tuned right here to Alpine-Live.com because it’s about to get wild.
Lastly, we’re stoked to be bringing on a new friend to the AL family, Outdoor Technology. These guys produce some awesome gear. Check out their Facebook Fan site: Outdoor Technology
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