Deer Valley Powder

My friend (wife’s cousin’s husband) spent some time up at Deer Valley enjoying some gnar pow… He got a new video camera and wanted to share the love with the SkiUtah blog… Enjoy the freshies.

Josh Ragsdale

The day after Christmas we raced up to Deer Valley because over night they recieved 28 inches of blessed powder! We skied hard all day and Heather got some great pics of me jumping of cliffs, and I even did a back flip and landed and skied away, but the batteries were dead by then.

via Rags n’ Stuff: Happy New Year!.


Josh Ragsdale up at Deer Valley Utah from Jake Spurlock on Vimeo.

Beaver… Hidden Gem

When I read Kendall’s post about Beaver, I had to post this story from my brother who was up at Beaver last week… 
It was the second day of the season as my friends and I drove up the snowy Logan canyon. The locals had been bragging about this hidden treasure all summer long and I couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about.
The beautiful mountain stood before us as we piled out of the car. It beckoned us with overwhelming amounts of powder.
The day couldn’t have been better. The powder lasted all day long. Run after run it was smooth, soft and absolutely perfect.
Throughout the day, we tried to cover as much ground as possible. The face lift was first and the south face runs came next. It was epic! 
Beaver has something for riders of every level. Tree runs, cat tracks and wide open lines are free and uncluttered by other riders. Harry’s Dream lift has plenty of powder with hardly anyone around. When you go, make time for Lue’s or Stan’s Bonanza. And when you can pry yourself away, head over to Marge’s Triple and get lost in some trees. It’s the best tree run I’ve ever been on.
Beaver is one of the best family resorts in Utah. It’s the ideal place for children to learn skiing or snowboarding. Plus, it’s the perfect mountain for families of all sizes to have a great day of skiing. There’s plenty of room for everyone. It’s just the locals and you, no crowds to worry about. And if you come back next season, you might just know the majority of the people on the mountain.
Once you’re done skiing, just head half an hour west and you’ll find yourself back in Logan. A few minutes east will place you in Bear Lake, eating some of the best burgers and raspberry shakes known to man.
Bottom line, Beaver will make a lasting impression on you. You will not forget the freedom this mountain provides. The friendly staff, the warm, new lodge and the endless runs of pure powder will leave you breathless, excited for more.
Pictures are stuck somewhere, will be added soon.

Kitsch

My Canlas Knockoff...
Many of you that know me and read this blog, (namely Melissa), know that I am totally enamored by the photography of Jonathan Canlas. He is local of Lehi, yet renowned in the world of photography. Since I started following his blog, I have been dying to get my hands on a Holga, and have resisted the temptation every time that I have gone into Urban Outfitters for some time now. So, to my Amazon Wishlist it would go; in hopes that someday I would get one. Imagine my excitement when I opened a packeage today from Eric, my brother-in-law. He pulled it off the list and got  me one for Christmas. So then today I was looking across Jon’s blog, trying to find the kind of film that he uses, I came across this gem:

KITSCH

Kitsch is a German term that has been used to categorize art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style. The term is also used more loosely in referring to any art that is pretentious or in bad taste, and also commercially produced items that are considered trite or crass.

Because the word was brought into use as a response to a large amount of art in the 19th century where the aesthetic of art work was confused with a sense of exaggerated sentimentality or melodrama, kitsch is most closely associated with art that is sentimental; however, it can be used to refer to any type of art that is deficient for similar reasons—whether it tries to appear sentimental, glamorous, theatrical, or creative, kitsch is said to be a gesture imitative of the superficial appearances of art. It is often said that kitsch relies on merely repeating convention and formula, lacking the sense of creativity and originality displayed in genuine art.

Though kitsch and kitschy may be terms used to criticize, the term is sometimes used as a compliment as well, with some finding kitschy artwork to be enjoyable for its “retro” value or unintentional, ironic humor or garishness. 

via Jonathan Canlas Photography: Las Vegas.

That is exactly what I am going for. To say that I want to be more like Jon would be an understatement. I love the style, and try to mimic it. It makes me want to be a better photographer.

So Jon, thanks for taking some kitschy photos.

Brighton Powder Day

Great Western

Well, it happened, the whole mountain is open at Brighton. That’s right, from Great Western, all the way over to the slippery slopes of Mt. Millicent; Brighton is all the way open. When I pulled into the parking lot today, Millie was running, but seemingly without any passengers. The lot fellers pointed me over towards Great Western, and I ran up the hill. Probably my favorite part of the day was charging down the face, being a little to confident in my turn, and falling over backwards and sliding down the hill. 

That’s right. I fell.

Gloriously.

In 

I got down to the lift to hear that Millie had just opened. Sweeter words had never passed my ears. After taking the short route across the parking lot, I found 21″ of fresh, new, virgin snow waiting for me. Christmas came early. 

Milly Express

The ride up Milly was quick. Even after a year, I don’t think that I am used to having a high-speed quad over on Milly.

Mt. Millicent

With even more Snow in the forecast, this makes for a great week of skiing.

Brighton

Great Western Opens

Brighton: Monday Dec 22nd, 2008

If have skied at Brighton in the last few weeks, you have likely been staring at Great Western and Milly, ready to trade a limb to get over to the fresh snow. Well, the day has half come with Great Western opening up. If you are headed up today, look for me taking powder laps around Endless Winter. If I’m not there, likely getting air on the huge roller at the bottom of Silver Spur.

Six inches at the base means lots of freshies up top… Viva Great Western!

Are You Ready To Throw Down?

(Personal note, I watch too much food network…)

Then head up to Brighton this Friday night! X96 and Brighton are sponsoring a best trick contest this Friday at 7:00PM. It will take place at the ever delightful, always Majestic Terrain Park. Some details:

  • Ride for 60 minutes, the judges choose the best tricks throughout the session. 
  • Top 3 tricks, plus best slam win prizes! 
  • Contest is FREE
  • Skiers and boarders welcome
  • Register in the bus waiting area of The Brighton Center from 5:30-6:30 P.M.
  • Must be 18 to enter or have a parent or guardian with you to sign a waiver
  • Fireworks begin a 8:00 P.M.

Fireworks, free contest, and prizes. What could be better…

Night Skiing At Brighton Opens!

For those of you looking to get your night skiing fix on, Brighton opened up last Wednesday for formal night skiing. 

Brighton will opening for night skiing on Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tickets will be $32. 
Night skiing is from 4 P.M. – 9 P.M. Monday – Saturday

If you are looking to save a couple of bucks, you can pick up 2-1 passes at Arctic Circle that are good on Wednesday nights.

Barking at the Moon

Barking at the Moon, originally uploaded by JeremyHall.

I set up the tripod and my 40D mounted on a Sigma 50-500 and a lens doubler, both not high end options, but they are adequate for what I typically use them for. I sighted in the moon and then turned on the Live View function of the 40D to make the minor focal adjustment.

What an awesome picture, I was so ticked trying to take pictures of the moon the other day. I am glad that someone figured out how to do it…