Johnny Style

Nice article, thanks for sharing. The pictures make the area look pretty steep, unlike the reputation that some around here gave the place. I may have to add this ski area to my list. Thanks for posting something topical about skiing. But of course you realize, unless you are talking trash about former PASRS or debating who has the best cheese fries, the thread will get no traction. I’m done posting topical stuff here. I’m glad you are not.

Check out this segment with JP Auclair and Tom Wallisch shredding the nighttime streets of Calgary, AB. The cinematography is outrageous. Seriously, Hollywood should be able to incorporate this type of footage into the next "Fast and the Furious" sequel at least. http://ow.ly/qPa2s Some of the urban stuff the guys do these days is just insane. Freeskier just released an issue about skiing Detroit!

How was the show? Any TGR athletes show up? Any good swag giveaways, posters, etc?

ESPN E:60 will broadcast a new feature on Bill tomorrow night (Tues 10/29) at seven p.m. http://youtu.be/dY7C3OUhqNQ

Can't edit my mess, what I meant to say was "That is a considerable accomplishment, or Quite an amazing feat."

Head's up. The first races are this weekend in Soelden, Austria. There is no better time to sign up than now, as U.S. ski racing is at it's all time apex. For the jibhonks out there that think racing sucks, you can root for Jon Olsson this weekend. Yup, 11 times X-Games medalist and forefather of the New School of skiing Jon Olsson has made the Swedish World Cup team this year and was given a starting spot for the Mens GS on Sunday. Quite an amazing feet. Go cheer him on. He probably pulled up to Soelden, Austria in one of his fine rides. I think his latest is the "Winter edition" Nissan GTR. Oh to be a World Cup ski racer.

I have a good skiing consultant who advised me accordingly.

I'll be ready for the fifty year storm with my new Volkl Shiros. Well last year's model at least. These are 119mm underfoot and should only see duty out West.

That is too bad, especially with Blue's commitment to racing. Razorback seemed like a nice way for skiers to use Razor's Edge but still let us do some NASTAR racing. Oh well, Bear Creek it is then. I would have much preferred to put the money in Blue's hands. Blue's pacesetter is really good. Too bad we cannot race against him anymore. In fact, their whole NASTAR crew did a great job over the years that I participated. It always seemed like a well run operation. Cheers to them. Sorry they will not be doing it again this year.

I heard a rumor that NASTAR will be discontinued at Blue but I cannot confirm it. Anybody here with any inside info? They still list NASTAR on their website but it is also for the 2013 season not this year.

In six weeks the snowline will meet the street and Aspen/Snowmass will be open.

I know that there are race fans on this site that prefer to remain lurkers. This post is for you. I like to participate in fantasy football. I am in a few leagues. If you like fantasy football there is now a way to participate in fantasy ski racing. www.fantasyskiracer.com is a portal that offers two fantasy games. If you have enough people you can create a league and compete against each other. (That will never happen here) But there is also a top ten “Pick em” league which allows one to play individually. All you have to do is pick the top ten finishers in each race to score points. The more correct picks in the correct slots, the more points you score. It is super easy and fun. “I want to participate but how do I watch the races to get more information?” Firstly, you don’t have to watch the races to participate. I find myself doing better if I haven’t kept up to date on what racers are hot. Kinda of like my Sister picking football, “I liked the color of their helmets so I picked them.” But if you like to watch the races you can do so on Universal Sports TV. “I lost Universal Sports on Fios over two years ago.” It is back. It is now an upper tier sports channel but it is now back on Fios and I assume Comcast. Just in time for the Olympics. The first race of the year is in two weeks, so start doing your research and sign up and participate. If you miss the first race, no big deal, as there is no minimum number of races you need to participate in. I know what you are thinking, this is so lame. How lame? I was at a party in West Chester last year and I had to get my picks in by the start of the race at 3 a.m. I made the picks on my phone but when the group asked what I was doing they erupted in a roar of laughter. I got comments like “I am trying to comprehend what you just told me, did you just say fantasy skiing?” It became the joke of the night and took on a meaning of its own, kind of like European delivery has around here. Anyway, before you make fun of fantasy ski racing, try to beat me. If you think you are so great, strap it on and participate. I finished seventh in the World and third in the United States last year. There were only two people better than me in the country last year, can you be one of them?

Are those beers in their hands while they jump?

At least Teton Gravity Research (TGR) is doing a premier in Philadelphia this year. They will show their new film, "Way of Life" at the Troc on 11/13. I could be wrong, but I believe this is the first time TGR is coming to Philly. http://www.tetongravity.com/films/way-of-life/tour/

I will pick up a copy for sure, but I wish they would show it around here. MSP movie premieres have hit the Philadelphia area for the past five years but nothing has been listed so far.

You know Sib, I always wondered what your connection to PASR was. How could somebody from Montana care about our little site? Now I know, you were once a resident. Wick's goes way back. Their father came over from Eastern Europe and started a shop in Springfield, PA. His two kids each opened up their own shop (Nancy in Exton, and the brother in DE.) The DE store has been closed for over twenty years.

Good post Getfoward; keep em coming, we need more positive input like yours.

Wick's in Exton will hook you up. They have a grizzled old race guy there that can make you custom insoles, and has every trick in the book to get you the best fit. Just call in advance to make sure that he is in that day. They carry some nice lines including Dalbello and Lange. Their ski line includes some nice choices with much variety. Yes, you can even get Bacons there. http://www.wicksskishop.com/ The shop gives you the true mountain experience. They are located in an old house that feels like a lodge. From the cowbell that rings as you enter the shop, to the fire they have going during the season. If you look closely you may notice a kitten sitting next to you as you try on boots. Not just cats, but dogs, heck, even a Vietnamese pot belly pig. Yup, it's a cool experience. Going to the store actually gets me pumped up for the season.

Just realized, not dead. Mods please delete.

Brash American skier elects to leave hospital, pull plug: https://skiracing.com/?q=node/21941 Why he matters... His Olympic run and bio piece: His movie: http://www.downhillbill.com/ The image above influenced many skiers back in the 80s. I switched from Olin to Atomic after seeing him. Anybody from my generation knows what "Ride the Red Sled" means because of Bill. When Bill tried a comeback at age 41 he still wore that sweet pink striped Descente suit. He put Flexons on the map. He signed his posters with the saying he had tattooed on his arm, "SKI TO DIE." Of course he burned out as quickly as he lit the ski world on fire back in 1984. His is an exciting yet tragic story. Heck, he even had a movie made about his story starring Anthony Edwards.

In case you don't know what those weird looking tips do, they deflect the gates if you get too close to them. What would once take off your ski, is now deflected out of the way. Look out podium. You now have a dedicated left and right ski. I see lots of people on Monday night that have those things on backwards. How do I know this? Check out my 203cm (true 207) Atomic SL skis from the 80s. This picture was probably taken the year you were born, but check out those old school tip deflectors I have on them. This was back when Alberto Tomba was Tomba La Bomba. Oh yeah, those are sweet fluoro orange Kerma Corrective Angle racing poles. I wish I still had them but they were stolen by a Jackson Hole local in 1993.

Did you know that Colorado has an award for snow groomer of the year? Neither did I. I'm sure Blue has something similar, but you get a tshirt and stickers instead of a medal. The dude on the left of this photo won it. For you young people out there, the guy in the middle is Billy Kidd, Silver medalist in the Slalom at the 1964 Innsbruck games. He lost to Austrian Pepi Stiegler who has been kicking it at JHMR for the past forty years. His daughter Resi is on the U.S. ski team.

Aspen patrol dogs belly up to the bar at the Red Onion.

Great photos, plus a Klaus Obermeyer sighting. He is skiing royalty.

Awesome. PASR trip next year?