Northwest Recreation

There’s still tons of snow left in the mountains, all you snow-loving, winter-avid fans.  Don’t put your boards away yet, and hold off on the spring tune-ups for next year.  You will want to keep them out for at least another month as the ski season comes to an end.  I know for me, I have been up three times this year already, and it’s been a great experience being able to take a break from busy classes.  Consider checking out some good deals on snowboards, too.  Sleeves, waxes, etc, will all be on sale as spring starts to roll around and new stock comes in.  Here is what I would do for the last of the ski season:

• Lookout for deals.  They will be all over the place and will offer you a good way to get some nice gear.  Online sales are especially good at this point, too.
• Start looking at deals for waxes and edge sharpening services.
• Keep up on the maintenance of your board and start to inspect the bindings and straps.  If you have toe and ankle straps, inspect the plastic pieces where they are screwed onto the binding.  The constant bending can cause them to snap.  I know, trust me.

Besides that, keep looking for clear skies, huge air, and great powder.  See you on the slopes!

Here are some good deals I was able to find on bags, bindings, and a snowboard. The snowboard is a freestyle snowboard, so you are looking at tougher and less flexible materials. Definitely semi-pro/intermediate riders. The bindings are men’s LTD Men’s LT250 Snowboard Binding, and would look great with the board. Then you have the standard bag to stuff it all in.

Price: $209.96

Price: $24.99

Price: $19.96

Price: $109.96

Bluewood, located just outside of Walla Walla, WA offers its guests premier mountain views and terrain with only a short drive, quite unlike the passes in the northwest like Steven’s Pass, White Pass, etc.  Of course, a shorter drive means no getting up at the crack of dawn to head up, and that means more energy for you as you take to the runs.  Here are some stats on the mountain as taken from their website:

Overall, the mountain is very easy to navigate and a pleasure to ski or board.  They have some of the best tree skiing and boarding around, but beware: snow can be icy in the trees, and I had a problem with my board trying to keep from crashing into things.  Go after a fresh snow for the best powder and run conditions, but expect groomed runs pretty much anytime.  See you out there!

 Bluewood’s Website

As promised, a review of White Pass, WA, is due!  Although this is short, a few quick facts about the ski area, conditions, and times to go will be listed.  Stay tuned for more reviews and other awesome ski areas to go to!

WHITE PASS, WA

Location: White Pass, WA
Elevation: Bottom=4500′/Summit=6000″
Ski Runs: 32
Special Features:  Excellent terrain and tree skiing.
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5

Conditions:  Can be extremely foggy with visibility reduced to <100 feet at times.  Views are spectacular when sunny.  Check prior to going for conditions at their website.  Trails are usually groomed or powder, offering excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions the majority of the time.  Crowds are thin on weekdays, even during most holiday times, but lift lines can become extremely long on weekends.

The Story:
Leaving early in the morning, we arrived at White Pass at 8:35 am.  Crowds were thin and tickets were purchased quickly.  Ten minutes later the lifts open and no lines were present.  Powder was excellent and covered most runs, although snow was sparse in some areas due to the recent opening of the ski area.  Most terrain was open and the runs were either groomed or powder.

The best part about White Pass is the superb terrain.  The trees along most runs offer you some of the best challenges you can tackle, and my favorite activity is boarding quickly through the trees in a fast paced, adrenaline pumping sport bordering on survival.  Jumps are present on the most runs as well, offering excellent opportunities to work on your freestyle and aerials.

If you plan to go, expect fair weather only 50% of the time, but skiable conditions 90% of the time.  White Pass is a smaller ski area, but offers far superior terrain and conditions present at larger resorts.  Happy skiing and boarding!

Winter is here and it is time to start thinking about season passes to ski resorts.  Although not all resorts have good sales regularly, many will be having Christmas deals, making the possibility of skiing both cheaper for you and giving the chance to give a pass as a gift to a family member or friend.

When purchasing a pass, try to calculate how many times you are really going to use it over the winter season.  At some ski resorts, a lift ticket is $55 and a season pass is $650.  If you don’t ski around 15 times, you won’t even make it close to bringing it below the lift ticket price, so unless you like to pay all at once, it isn’t worth it.

Also remember that location is key.  If you buy a lift ticket there, you are going to be skiing or snowboarding there a lot, so keep that in mind.  If you do decide to get a season pass and use it regularly, you can stand at the bottom of the run at the end of the season knowing you did well in making your purchase!

It’s official!  Official ski resort coverage for this year will include the following ski resorts in the pacific northwest.  The list may be added to as time goes on, but for now, this is the base resorts list that will be visited this year and reviewed on Nwrecreation.today.com:

• White Pass, WA:  A place of phenomenal terrain, this is one of the editor’s  favorite places to hit the slopes on either a snowboard or skis.  Endless skiable terrain within thinly treed slopes makes this a keeper if you like challenging terrain.
• Ski Bluewood:  A small resort outside of Walla Walla, WA, Bluewood offers tri-city folks a close place to ski at.  As the editor’s first time going, expect a fair and balanced review on this resort.
• Anthony Lakes, Oregon: As the highest base elevation in Oregon, Anthony Lakes promises to offer fantastic views or terrain.  Again, as the editor’s first time up, a fair review will be given.

Also expect to see plenty of high quality pictures of both ski resorts!

Snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts, the fluffy white goodness is on its way, and I am excited about this winter and about a new season of boarding.  As winter approaches and you have already gone over your gear checklist, it’s time to grab a checklist of all the stuff you need to do before heading up to the slopes.  Here is a small list to help you get started:

• Get chains or snow tires for you car
• Make sure your leashes and snow brakes work good
• Check your winter clothes
• Get appropriate first-aid kit and survival kit in your car
• Check around with ski resorts to see what the expected season will be like this year
• Make objectives list (if you’re that type of person)

Remember, winter is on its way folks, so get ready for some awesome winter fun!  See you all out there!

October first marks the 1 1/2 month period before the lifts possibly open.  As such, it is only fair to list what is the tentative schedule for ski resorts and ski areas that will be covered this year.  Although not an extensive list, and bearing the chance to get smaller, it is still a tentative list to look at for possible areas covered.  Granted, dates are unknown at this point, but will be posted as soon as schedules and opportunities allow.  The following ski areas are being considered for inclusion in the “Runs for Life” Ski and Snowboard category:

• Ski Bluewood:  A small ski area outside of Walla Walla, WA
• Crystal Mountain, WA:  A Boyne resort and ski area offering some of the largest territory in the N.W.
• White Pass, WA:  A terrain laden resort featuring some of the sweetest rides in the region!

Stay tuned for more info and reviews in the coming months!

As you start to think about snowboarding, remember to grab a few additional things to make your life easier when up at the slopes.  Although the essentials such as boards, snowboard clothes, and lift ticket passes are important, there are other little things to consider taking with you to make your excursion a more pleasant one:

• Lip Balm:  Your lips dry out easier on the slopes, so a good lip balm is an essential to bring along in your pocket.
• Quarters:  If you use the lockers many ski resorts have, you’ll need quarters.  Bring along a couple dollars worth, and you are good to go.
• Backpack: Whether you are going to use it on the slopes or stuff it away in a locker, a backpack is a great way to keep things neat and compact.  That way you don’t lose stuff on the runs.
• Snacks:  For the slopes when the last run has you tired and hungry.  I like taking granola bars up, but whatever you find good works.

This is an incomplete list, but the general idea can apply for other items as well.  Just make sure you have the little details planned out, too.  That way you won’t forget or regret a decision and/or visit to the ski runs.  See you out there!

Snowboarding is not only a tough sport on an individual, it’s hard on the equipment, too.  With all the bone jarring wipe outs while performing aerial stunts, gear is going to be an important investment when maintaining commitment to such a sport.  For the hardcore snowboarding, Atomic has been making reliable boots of fantastic quality for many years, and it’s no surprise that they’ll be in the business for many more.

As a leader in snowboarding boots, Atomic has devoted more than their share of quality in their boots.  Whether that’s shredding some major powder in the bowls, or hitting the back trails and boarding through the trees, their boots can withstand even the toughest abuse.  Both beginners and experienced boarders alike will find that their quality and comfort are matched by no other company in the area of snowboarding boots.

Beginners can expect boots that will hold up to the crashing and spills that a novice skill level will bring.  Advanced riders will find all the comfort they need to stay on the slopes all day and come back without tired, aching feet.  When it comes to quality and comfort, Atomic has it down to a science!

As the winter season approaches, snowboarders are starting to think about getting out on the slopes.
As one such individual myself, I know I am!  Besides the prospects of new gear, maintenance and service needs to be performed on boards and equipment, and repair considerations should be taken into account to avoid long waits.  Here are some basic things to keep in mind:

1. Waxing:  If you want your board waxed and the edges sharpened, do it early so you don’t have to wait into the winter season to get your board back.
2. Clothing:  Inspect your clothing and take note of any gear that is ripped and torn or needs repair and/or replacement.
3. Goggles and helmet:  If you wear a helmet (highly advisable, but it’s your choice and your risk) and goggles, check to make sure they are not cracked or loose.  Repairs and replacements may need to be made if you have defective goggles or a cracked helmet.
4. Gear racks:  If you have a gear rack for your car, remember to inspect it for soundness to ensure safe usage.

That’s a basic list, but it’s all things you should definitely consider when gearing up and preparing for the winter season.  Get ready to hit those slopes and do some major powder shredding!