NW Avalanche Center has raised their backcountry avalanche danger warning to “extreme” for 4000-7000ft. in the Cascades tomorrow, Wed. Read the detailed forecast linked to here and avoid all avalanche terrain on Wednesday. We are saddened to hear about the avalanche fatality this past Sunday at Cowboy Mtn. in the Stevens Pass backcountry. Our thoughts are with Riley McCarthy’s family and friends.

I have wanted to hit 49 Degrees North for a while now. So, when the Plakes invited us to ski 49 Degrees North, WA w/ them on their “Down Home Tour”, we were off! If you happen to be Northern Idaho and don’t want to deal w/ crowds, the resort isn’t that much farther than Schweitzer is from Sandpoint, ID and you’ll more than make up the extra time behind the windshield by not having to wait in lift lines. On another note. 49 Degrees North is just a tiny bit smaller than Crystal Mtn, WA, but w/ only 49 people + or – a few skiing there that day, it skis much larger than any of the Big Washington Resorts (people:acres of pow). If you like tree skiing, this mountain is a must hit after a nice storm. Look for Colin Connor whose father is Grayson Connor, head of Hyak’s old race/ski school. Thanks for the epic tree skiing tour Colin! And thanks to 49 Degrees North’s staff for your hospitality! The below vid is a recap of a great day with a real “Down Home” vibe!

Our friend Matt Hefferan out of SLC had a good one yesterday at Brighton catching the sun and deep pow in sync. Hoping to get down to Utah before the end and get a day in with Matt and company. Thanks Matt for the Wasatch stoke!

Pictures from our 3/22 day of skiing with Glen & Kimberly Plake at 49 Degrees North below…Located on the 49th parallel on Chewelah and Angel Peaks north of Spokane, WA, the mountain has 2,325 patrolled acres and amazing tree skiing.

 
It’s the 2nd largest ski resort in WA – just 275 acres less than Crystal (but without the crowds so it feels a lot bigger). We and Glen were delighted to learn from the super friendly staff about their free skiing & riding during the last week of the season – yup, you heard right: FREE – all week April 4-10. And this Saturday, 3/26 is the Oyster Feed – all you can eat oysters for just 16.95 + tax – Yum! 49 Degrees North rocks! We will definitely be back.

Took a trip over to 49 Degrees North to ski the epic trees a few of my bros over here on Snoqualmie Pass, WA told me about. Met up w/ Kimberly and Glen Plake in the lot again – it seems they always know where to go for fresh snow out their RV door (or at least all of the days we have been lucky enough to ski w/ them on the NW part of “Down Home Tour”). The Plakes like to show up unannounced for the real Down Home experience and it is very cool to experience this with them. The skiing was great at 49 Degrees North: pow, trees, and 49 people, yeah that’s right if you like a lot of lift served freshies then hit this one on the next storm. Glen spent the afternoon teaching ballet and tricks. Not as easy as it looks. Below’s a video – Polish Donuts 101 – give it a try. I chose this one because of the Pretzels & Polish Donuts comp happening at the Summit at Snoqualmie this upcoming Saturday the 26th. Will have more videos up soon so check back daily.

Well….. The clearing came after a pretty dense cloud and fog day. Maurer and I were super bored and wanted to play around a bit, so we decided to get Dadali all over Alpental. The best way to shred BC lines is definitely with your jacket unzipped! Our ridiculous and stupid ways were directly influenced by the talented, however amazingly unwise with gear choices in pow, Ahmet.

After ripping gnarly lines on sunshine in the BC we decided to go get redemption on a backflip wamper I had goofed up the week before. I went for a backflip tree jib, got a little too much tree in it! Maurer went for a solid backflip to Avi Gear Deployment! He got so caught up in unzipping things he figured it’d be cool to leave his pack open too! Not so badass apparently.

Got some nice shots into the Alpental backcountry and beyond this past Saturday.  Here’s ski patrol bombing in the bc:

BC panorama:

Here’re the knolls in the foreground then piss pass (w/ the cleaver to right of saddle) and chair peaks shoulder. The peak behind chair’s shoulder just to right is Mt. Roosevelt.

Close up of Chair Peak

Mt. thompson (the big tooth), a piece of Mt. Snoqualmie front left w/ the south peak of Lundin right after it (just in front and left of Mt. Thompson). cave ridge is the round mound in front right of pic, just behind that on right of frame is Red Mountain and the Lehmas are in very back. SICK terrain and it’s ours!!!

All pictures taken with a weatherproof Pentax W90.

Crystal Mountain announced today that it will begin its Late-Spring Season on Thurs., April 21st and operate on the following days until June 12th – AND longer if conditions permit. Schedule:
April 21 to May 1 (Thursday-Sunday)
May 6 to May 22 (Friday-Sunday)
May 27 to May 30 (Saturday-Monday) Memorial Weekend
June 4 to June 12 (Saturdays & Sundays)
~Mt. Rainier Gondola, Rainier Express & Green Valley lifts (and others depending on conditions) will be open 8-3 (or earlier if temps warm).
~All winter season passes expire April 17th. Spring and 2011-2012 winter season pass rates coming soon!
~Day rates for the late-spring season will range from $35-50 depending on lifts and amount of terrain open.

4 Days, 60,000 vertical feet guaranteed, plus skiing with two US Ski Team Alumni- Bryon Friedman and Reggie Crist. It could be the most fun you ever have while helping a non-profit fulfill its mission. SEABA will be your guide. More info below- Contact Megan to sign up: megan@worldcupdreams.org

Congrats to the winners in yesterday’s Ride Shakedown at the Summit at Snoqualmie: 1-K2 rider Matts Kulisek (Can), 2-15yr old Yuki Kadono (Jap), 3-Tyler Flanagan (US). Rounding out the great 8 were: 4-Nick Hyne, 5-Zachary Stone, 6-Scott See, 7-Jeremy Cloutier, 8-Jordan Phillips.