CO/WY LIVE VIEW

(RMNP, CO)

(Cameron Pass, CO)

(Elk Mountain, WY)

(Arlington, WY)

(Snowy Range, WY)

(287 CO/WY Border)

(Hwy 127 CO/WY Border)

(Red Feather, CO)

(Steamboat/Ears , CO)

(Vail Pass, Sundown Bowl, CO)

(Monarch Pass, CO)

(Togwotee Pass, WY)

(Winter Park, CO)

(Grand Lake, CO)

(Wolf Creek, CO)

(Grand Mesa, CO)

(Silverton, CO)

(Berthoud Pass, CO)

(Loveland Pass, CO)

(Breckenridge, CO)

(Abasin, CO)

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(Jackson Hole, WY)

(Pinedale, WY)

jp's blog

Colorado Backcountry: Day O’ Sled Shred Number 1

Submitted by jp on Wed, 10/18/2006 - 17:29

The 2007 Yamaha Phazer Mountain Lite is a killer. Go get yourself one ASAP! Logged 35 miles on the sled today in almost 30" of new snow. So much fun to ride and tons of power, after about the first 20 miles (sled had zero miles) the tone of the sled exhaust changed and I also saw a lot more power -- I guess it's broken in now. The thing rails, didn't get stuck at all - barely got the sled over 9k rpm. I'm so stoked to have a day in on this sled so early, and all my fears about lack of power or other internet naysayer problems have completely disappeared. Thanks Yamaha!

Alex and I saw a couple of crashes each yesterday but mine was the hardest and fastest. I almost had the sled roll over me completely and it took a nice chunk of skin out of my kneee!! Could have been way worse.

And gotta give a big thanks to my boy AKD for helping me with all the sled mods! Here are some pictures of the day by Alex M:

heading up trail early morning:

alex rails above treeline:

phazer mountain lite and CFR gear:

JP in the upper bowl:

alex - hero shot

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Colorado Backcountry: Castle Peak - 14,265ft - North Couloir

Submitted by jp on Sun, 10/15/2006 - 14:02

Castle Peak - North Couloir

Kya, jonpierre, SurfTheEarth, FigureEleven, iskibc
10.14.06 - Castle Peak - 14,265ft
photos by: iskibc

iskibc's TGR report (click here)

The crew started off another adventure 1:00am Saturday morning. After gathering everyone and making the early drive to Aspen we were hiking by 6:30am with bluebird skies. That quickly changed as snow moved in from the south west making visibility near zero on the top of Castle Peak. The North Couloir off of Castle Peak was the target and big line of the day.

Update (10.16.06): A number of you guys asked about snow conditions in the Elk Mountain area. Here is a brain dump from myself and iskibc.

"This time of year really exemplifies how location, elevation, and terrain enhanced weather really play a role in the snow depth across the state. Some high mountain areas have seen rain while others have been getting hammered by heavy snowfall. Some mountain areas (mostly northern mountains) have no snow on the ground, while other areas (Elks, San Juans) have several feet of accumulation." --iskibc

"Underneath the wind slabs we found some faceted snow about 12" deep on top of rock. Not looking good at all. This was the point where the weather went from overcast to downright white room where you couldn't see 15' down the slope. All in the matter of a couple of minutes. The decision to bail on this line came quick and we decided to head over to the north couloir and give that line a try.

The snow in the north couloir was still slabby, but it had been cut up from the previous day and there wasn't that hollow-like feel to the upper layer. After a few ski cuts on the upper half we deemed it safe enough to head down slowly and work from safe zone to safe zone." --iskibc

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Backcountry Gear: Phazer Moutain Lite and Cheetah Factory Racing

Submitted by jp on Tue, 09/26/2006 - 08:16

Cheetah Factory Racing Snowboard Rack InstallInstalling a CFR Snowboard Rack on a 2007 Yamaha Phazer Mountain Lite snowmobile requires a couple of slight modifications to the sled and also to the rack hardware. Below is a series of pictures and brief description of what AKD and I did to get the rack installed. CFR Racks are bomber and I'm really happy with the product, check them out at http://cheetahfactoryracing.com

Disclaimer: This requires you to drill into certain areas on your brand new sled. Double and triple check everything, you don't need to follow these directions 100% - They are meant to serve as a guide as to what we did to get things working. Your install should be pretty close. weknowsnow.com

This method doesn't need an air rivet gun for installation.

Step 1: Read, Understand CFR directions and assemble rack

Step 2: Remove red stock Phazer reflectors from tunnel

Step 3: Remove Phazer rear tunnel box

Step 4: Install snowboard in CFR Rack, place between tail binding or position which ever way works best.

Step 5: Place the metal J hook just behind the first rivet on the tunnel just under the Phazer rear tunnel box. (which you removed earlier)

Step 6: Mark metal J hook upper hole locations with Sharpie.

Step 7: Place CFR U bracket over recently removed reflector area. Mine mounted under the reflector holes almost flush with the tunnel support.

Step 8: Mark locations of lower CFR U bracket.

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Colorado Update: Vail Resorts and Colorado Super Pass

Submitted by jp on Mon, 09/25/2006 - 18:52

I've been a Colorado Super Pass holder for the last five years and it's clearly time to buy if you haven't already. Access to five great mountains, tons of powder and amazing backcountry access gates. Last year was an amazing year with some of the deepest snow totals on record. Last weekend we saw huge snow in most mountain locations! Just a few reason why I renew my pass every year: Late/early season riding at Arapahoe Basin, Vail Bowls, Blue Sky Basin, Beaver Creek Trees, Night riding at Keystone, A51 Park, the vibe at the beach! Don't miss out, as prices go up every year soon. Think about it, you pay for a lift ticket 5-6 times and you have your pass paid for. Super Pass Online

photo: vail resorts

VAIL, BRECKENRIDGE AND BEAVER CREEK SKI RESORTS REPORT NEARLY TWO FEET OF SNOW IN LAST 48 HOURS; KEYSTONE RECEIVES MORE THAN 15 INCHES

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – Sept. 22, 2006 – Another powerful winter storm moved into Colorado’s high country last night and continued to pound Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone ski resorts with significant snowfall. In the last 48 hours, Vail Mountain, Breckenridge Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort have received more than two feet of snow and Keystone Resort has received 15 inches of snow.

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Colorado Backcountry: September Pow - Berthoud Pass

Submitted by jp on Sun, 09/24/2006 - 08:29

Pictures from Berthoud Pass - Saturday September 23rd, 2006

pics: dave j.

jp:

andy g:

ryan:

joe:

jp:

dave j:

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Colorado Backcountry: September Cold Smoke & Blower Pow

Submitted by jp on Fri, 09/22/2006 - 19:29

What better way to end the summer with 18" of pow, cold smoke, and a dawn patrol! It's piling up in certain areas and there's more on the way. Grassy slopes and early season pow mix pretty well. Surprisingly, we didn't hit too much this morning. Goodbye summer, welcome Fall (or should I say winter)

September what??: