Beware a false sense of security.

The Ski Channel featured an article today about the ABS Avalanche Airbag System, and how it helped Elyse Saugstad survive a recent avalanche in the Tunnel Creek area near Stevens Pass, Washington.

This is very exciting technology, but we must not forget the recent death of Nathanael Soules who was also wearing the ABS Avalanche Airbag System.

Beware a false sense of security, backcountry/sidecountry skiers...

98 years old!?! That's obsessive.

Wolf Creek is a ski area in southwest Colorado. It often gets a crazy amount of snow. One of the first people ever to ski there-- more than 75 years ago-- was Charles Elliot. He’s hardly missed a winter since. Today, Elliot is 98. He’s still a regular on the lifts and he was recently inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.Click here to listen to a recent interview of Charles Elliot by Ryan Warner on Colorado Matters at cpr.org.

Don't be a gaper.

Gaper (n.) -

A gaper is a skier or snowboarder who is completely clueless. Usually distinguished by their bright colored clothes and a gaper gap, the gap between goggles and a helmet/hat. Gapers also do the "Gaper Tuck" which is an attempt at being a ski racer by tucking, however, it is done incorrectly with the poles sticking straight up like thunderbolts and lighting. Gapers also sit at the bottom of jumps and try and go big off table tops in the park.

1. My eyes are burning from that gapers bright colored clothes.
2. I fell off the chair laughing at that gaper tuck.
3. Did you just see that gaper get landed on because he was sitting underneath that jump?

Happy Valentine's Day

This is an idea whose time has come.

Peak 2 Peak Mountain Academy.

A not for profit mountain academy for youth and family outdoor education.
The Obsessive Skier is looking forward to getting to know these guys.