Events…Events…Events!!!

I was going to go up into Garnet Canyon today to do some skiing, but after the rain above 10,000′ yesterday and rumors of 5′ slabs being triggered at the ski area are making me have second thoughts. Shucks!!!!!!

SKINNY SKIS AVALANCHE AWARENESS NIGHT

Once again it is time for Skinny Ski’s Annual Avalanche Awareness Night. For those that have attended in the past, you know this is a great event with a HUGE amount of raffle prizes to give away. This year we have Bruce Tremper from the Utah Avalanche Center and author of “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain”, as the keynote speaker. In addition, the legendary Rod Newcomb will discuss the early season snowpack. Meteorologist Jim Woodmency and Jim Springer continue with talks on weather, avalanches and the recourses available through the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center.

All the money from the $5 entry fee and raffle goes directly to The Avalanche Hotline and Teton Country Search and Rescue. We also donate part of the proceeds from selling avalanche gear, at a discount, to TCSAR. In the past, we have had over 500 people attending this event, rising close to $10,000 for the beneficiaries and I’m expecting a good turn out this year as well.

I’m in charge of the raffle and it will be as good as it ever was, with season ski passes to all the local areas and tons of donations from our vendors like Cloudveil, Black Diamond, Dynafit, Arcteryx, Patagonia, Backcountry Access, Marmot, Ortovox, Mammut…and the list goes on and on. Huge thanks go out to all our supporters! Even if you don’t win anything, Backcountry Magazine has stepped up to give away three free issues to everyone that attends. Pretty cool of them…especially if there is 500 people. In addition to the donations, may of the vendors will have booths set up displaying their product and will be able to answer any questions you may have. Don’t miss this great event, Thursday, Dec. 6th, in the Grand Teton Room at Snow King.

SKIING IN INDIA WITH CASTEL

This looks like a pretty cool film and slideshow to check out this weekend. It is by Arden Oksanen and Trask McFarland and part of their CASTEL (Culture, Adventure, Sport, Travel, Education, Life) films. Here, they take us to India and Kashmir to ski and get familiar with the local culture. Bonus slideshows by legendary photographer Wade McKoy with raffle prizes from Cloudveil, JHMR and Mountain Khakis. Click here to watch a brief trailer.

Saturday, December 8th, 6:30 and 9:00
at the Play Mill Theater…across from the Wort Hotel.
$10…proceeds benefit Teton County Search and Rescue.

WIN A PAIR OF IGNEOUS SKIS

Need some new skis and only got 5 bucks? Backcountry Provisions has teamed up with Igneous and Skinny Skis to raise money for Teton Adaptive Sports. Local custom ski manufacturer Igneous is fronting a pair of skis…made to your liking…for the grand prize. I remember skiing on some of the Igneous skis in the late mid to late nineties and I can tell you a lot has changed since then…and all for the better. A 10 person gift platter from BC Provisions and a Skinny Skis gift certificate round out the prizes.

Tickets are $5/ticket or $20/5 tickets…and available at Backcountry Provisions located at 50 West Deloney and across the street from Skinny. While you’re there, try one of Troy’s great sandwiches…my favorite is the Dolomite! Remember, it’s for a great cause in Teton Adaptive Sports who help disabled athletes get back doing the things they love in the outdoors…like SKI! Ticket sales are limited…so don’t be late!!