a little piece of [ghetto] paradise

There’s nothing like diving into the deep blue sea to soothe the aches and pains that follow winter…

I’ve always dreamed of celebrating the change of seasons in a little cottage on the sea, waking up each morning to a warm breeze and waves lapping on the beach. This year I found my way to a tropical oasis,  located in Grand Turk one of the Turks and Caicos islands. Teetering on the edge of the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, Grand Turk is the biggest if the two Turks Islands, amassing to 18 square kilometers of  arid land decorated with rustic Caribbean charm enveloped by crystal blue waters and perfect beaches. It is remote and beautiful and unassuming, my kind of paradise.

I took the opportunity to face my fear of slimy sea creatures and get my scuba diving certification while I was there. Grand Turk is a renowned diving destination, with many dive sites only 5-15 minute boat ride from shore.  From the moorings just off shore, we were able to sink deep into the reef, through tunnels, over pinnacles and along the “Wall”. I was blown away by the magical world beneath the surface, vibrant corals, exotic fish and sea turtles galore.

The island is small and time seems to slip by without notice… We spent our days biking past wild horses and donkeys, through shanty’s and shacks, over the hill of half built mansions to various beaches, raking the sand for sea glass and shells and cooling off in the turquoise water.  Rum punches from the Sand Bar erased any hope of moving quickly…and before I knew it each day it was 4:30 and time to stop in at the fish market to check out the daily catch. Each day was started with fresh fruit hunted down from the various Dominican Supermarkets and finished off with a delicious meal accompanied by herbs from the garden and the sounds of the tide rolling in.

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Thanks to my hosts- the Garneaus for sharing their little piece of paradise!

Spring Ski update 2012

 

Ok..Ok So I put off writing a Season end post FOREVER.

It has been on my to do (or not to do) list for some time now… but like most years, spring comes and I get all wrapped up in celebrating winter, retro steeze and leathering the skin on my face by way of harsh glacial sunlight. My aching body tells me its time to put the skis away… but something stops me.. The “what if” of one more great day…
I’d do anything for a few more turns, sunny days, surprise pow, corn and  more time with my friends les montagnes.

retro day 2012

Due rain and warm temps early on, this year the battle was harder than most to keep the ski stoke alive. My skis sat at my back door long after I had made way to muddy trails on my bike. I was refusing to let winter go, but sadly May didn’t bring the long ski days in the alpine that I was anticipating. A few tours of dust on crust and milky skies and my dreams of corn snow and melt freeze stability remained mostly unfulfilled.

Until one friday evening in the middle of May.. my phone bleeps with  a text from my neighbor/ski buddy Christina Lusti : “Begbie Drop. Airport 7:30am” The forecast was calling for a glorious weekend, and before I knew it I was dropping in from the summit of Begbie under sunny skies for my last pow turns of the season. A morning bike ride, an exciting heli bump to the high col on a the mountain I gaze at out of my living room window on a daily basis, my first time to the summit, a few hidden powder turns and highfives from good friends.. (All in good time to get back to town for veggies at the market and an afternoon climb in the sun)That final day of skiing was oh-so-sweet and helped me put the sticks away with a satisfied grin on my face.

Its time for summer now, and a gigantic Thank You to all those around me for a fantastic season. It was a winter of abundance, snow, friendship, experience and opportunity–  There were so many extraordinary moments this winter that reminded me, how my passion for the mountains has guided me through my life. Skiing is the link between me and many of the beautiful people and places I have visited in this world and gives me the chance to explore, experience, and appreciate all that really matters in this world. All the positive mirrored by tragedy and the loss of friends, idols, and mentors we faced this year has pushed me embrace each moment and a meaningful existence.  Living what I love, spending time with my friends and staying true to my passions has guided me, and here I am living my dream! Thank you everyone, and thank you winter… See you next year!

bootpack to the summit

Joey & I top o’ begbie

dropping in Mount Begbie, May 12th 2012

 

 

Baldface Pow

Dave put together this video from our time at Baldface.. Enjoy!

Baldface Lodge

Where has March gone? It has been go go go go go go around here! My truck has many new kilometers on it, my skis need wax and I could use some fresh ski socks! The snow keeps coming though– …

The Gathering

After Selkirk I booted up to Rossland BC to check out the Gathering at Red Mountain Resort- The Gathering, is exactly what the name implies- a coming together of people who live and love skiing. I got to check out …

Selkirk Wilderness Skiing with the Sherpas

I just wrapped up a week of filming with Johnny Collinson, Austin Ross and Leo Hoorn and Eric Crosland of Sherpas Cinema at  Selkirk Wilderness Skiing in Meadow Creek, BC. We had amazing skiing at SWS, which I learned is THE  original cat skiing operation- founded by the late Alan Drury in 1975. Joining a loyal crew who were on their 27th year at SWS, Alan’s daughter Rachel and the family of staff at SWS it didnt take long for us to realize the place is dripping with stories, history and heart.

I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of this trip. Shredding deep pow in the Selkirks and joining the Sherpa crew for a week can’t really be beat! Keep your eyes peeled for the promo video that the Sherpas are producing… If anyone can do the skiing and amazing family at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing justice, it’s them.

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[Austin Ross Photos]

Thanks to the whole crew at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing, Rachel, Jason, Carla, Jeff, Leo, Crosland, Anthony, Johnny and Austin for a great week..

Shit Skier Girls Say!

Dropping!!! Shot/ Edited by Lynsey Dyer Skiers:  Tatum Monod, Leah Evans, Christina Lustenberger, Lynsey Dyer

Another Best Day- Rossignol Shoot

The Rossignol team, Blake Jorgenson and some of the Sherpas were at  Revelstoke Mountain Resort on a Rossignol/Dynastar/Lange product  shoot from March 1-8th. The crew rolled in  just in time for the storm of the season as another weekend storm dropped 40cms of snow in 24 hours, on top of a fluffy 15 from the day before. Long time locals were claiming Revelstoke’s deepest day ever on the first day of the shoot! I was stoked to spend the week hanging out with some long time skier friends Tatum Monod, Lynsey Dyer and Christina Lustenberger.  It was super rad hunting for pow with these girls, high fives to Rossignol for putting together a solid ladies team..

Blake Jorgenson Photography

 

 

Lynsey Dyer photo

Kyrgyzstan

I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Kyrgyzstan with Anthony Bonello (www.b4apres.com) Nicolas Teichrob (www.nicolasteichrob.com) Mike Hopkins and Leah Evans earlier this month.

We spent a week ski touring and exploring the magnificent Tien Shan mountains, overdosed on Borsht, made some Kyrgyz friends and tried our very first Yak Butter tea. As usual with travel like this the skiing was merely a bonus to an incredible adventure.

Big Thanks to the crew, The North Face, Rossignol and 40 Tribes Backcountry for the experience!

Leah Evans Photos

Girls Day Out- Revelstoke 2012

Yaaaaaaay! We had SO much fun! Yet another successful Girls Day Out. Lotsa pow and smiling faces. These weekends just keep getting better and better. For more info check out http://www.girlsdoski.com No Boys on a powder day! Check out Zoya’s …