Ski

Well, there's only 10 World Cup downhills each year... But consider wanting to really experience life as a downhill racer. Maybe you've raced a couple of Eastern FIS Opens, or some Masters SG's, and you get hooked on that speed. I bet a number of people on this MB have had at least a small taste of running your skis all-out, getting to the point where if you blew out, you'd get seriously hurt. And there are a whole bunch of SG's to add to those 6 DH's, so you're racing every weekend at a different Rocky Mountain resort.

People have moved to Colorado for winters just to ski Masters downhill races, where I believe they hold six, plus SG's. New England Masters don't have downhills; just SG's that are usually held at Mt. Snow and Sugarbush.

The obvious: Bode gets Head!

I had a closer look today and Boomer looks skiable down the headwall on skier's left...

There's just two small patches that are visible on the upper trails from Rt. 81. I can't imagine there's much more left on the North Face.

Maybe Salomon? Both Atomic and Salomon are owned by Amer, so everyone would save face and Bode would get a fresh start and could just take a cut from his $1.6 million/yr contract which expired.

Wait... Hold on... Wiser? Hahahahaahahahahaaha. Sorry.

Not on my Mac with Real Player, but it is a working link. Thanks, 'Dude, I'll check it out tomorrow from the library.

There are just so many thing Metzy might have died from...

When we were living full time in Central Jersey and were looking for a vacation home, we picked a spot that was central to more things than just skiing. It's nice to be close to where you have your season pass, but it's also nice to be close to hiking trails, good parks, camping, lakes, and other year-'round stuff. It also cuts your cost way down. Ski Chalet-style homes near us still list for around $129,000 and probably sell for $120,000. That's 2 bedroom, 2 bath, on 1/4 to 3/4 acre. IDK, I just hate the idea of a condo neighbor falling asleep smoking and burning everything down. Upkeep also really depends on the property. I used to dread mowing the lawn in CJ, but now we have a Pocono house and a shore house, and not one blade of grass at either place. And shoveling snow is a labor of love to me...the more the better.

Great time to learn DIY, Beachie...

Wrong guy, Doug. Same brand snowboard...

Couldn't find it on the abc4.com website. Do you have the direct link? I'd love to see Gary hiking to finish a race.

Yeah, stone grinds were almost a fad for a while...race team kids were having it done two or three times a season, until it was realized that it slows you down. It creates sharp little peaks and valleys, which drags...you have to round them off by skiing. I can only guess that 10 grinds would have you down to the wood/foam.

I had a small section of edge replaced at the tail of one of my skis a few years ago...I was surprised at how well it turned out, although I'd have retired them if they were race skis. Sharpening? I can't speak for shop tunes, but I sharpen my edges with either a mill file or diamond stone before every race (for race skis) and every couple of times out for my recreational skis. A mill file is for tuning dull edges, while a diamond stone is for touching up the tune and getting rid of burrs. If you are gentle with your mill file and only take off a minimum of material, then use a diamond stone for polishing and touch-ups, you can do more than 50 tunes and touch-ups.

One of the classiest guys ever... Just posted on skiracing.com: Extreme skiing legend Doug Coombs was killed in an avalanche in La Grave, France, early Monday. The news was originally reported on the Web site for Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, the company Coombs founded in 1993. Coombs also founded Steep Skiing Camps Worldwide, and was a two-time winner of the Valdez Extreme Skiing Championships. "Words can't describe the loss his friends feel now," read a statement on www.valdezheliskiguides.com. "His impact on Alaska heli-skiing, alpine guiding and just plan fun-hogging is immeasurable." A former racer for Montana State, Coombs moved to Jackson, Wyoming, and worked as a geologist before embarking on the big-mountain freeskiing scene. An internationally certified (IFMGA/UIAGM) mountain guide, Coombs spent his seasons guiding in the Tetons, Alaska, Greenland and France. He had guided everything from first descents down steep powder runs to technical testpieces such as the Grand Teton?s Ford Coulior. On his Web site, dougcoombs.com, he relayed some thoughts on the spectacular setting of La Grave: "When I first arrived at La Grave and stared at the majestic glaciated peak of La Meije (13,065 ft.), I imagined endless ski runs that would last a lifetime! After 5 seasons in La Grave, I am still discovering new descents off the lift served peak." Coombs leaves behind his wife, Emily, and young son, David Douglas.

"Forty-four years ago Pepi Stiegler skied into Olympic history, winning a silver medal in giant slalom at Squaw Valley in 1960. Four years later he claimed gold and bronze medals in slalom and giant slalom at Innsbruck." I remember watching one of Resi's earliest World Cup races on TV and one announcer said, "She certainly has good genes." Then the other announcer replied, "Yes, and when she's a year or two older I'd like to get in her jeans."

Sib, I remember a PA Cup GS at Elk where the final gate was just below the headwall near the finish and 10 girls missed it. Maybe because most that missed it were ranked in the top 20, they just let it slide, saying the gate was "too deceiving". That was pretty lame for anything older than J5's.

Ha, it would have been a CLASSIC photo, though.

It's now official that we call Skidude "Mr. Skidude". He gave his first autograph today, to a J4/5 kid... Skimom failed to get a picture of Mr. Skidude giving the autograph...bad job, 'Mom.

Just got back from a sunny, warm day at Belleayre. Pretty good coverage on the upper mountain throughout the day and most of the trails are still open. I'm exhausted, so I'll let Dug handle the report, unless he's back at the Brazil chick's room learning Portugese... Overlook Lodge Last Day before #6 Lift is Replaced Diamond bumps above Seneca Dug bumpin' 1 Dug bumpin' 2 ski999

180 racers, along with mostly non-skiing families. Otherwise, totally dead. But the rain had a lot to do with it. I imagine the timing of the weather will really cut into tomorrow's ticket sales. I'd definitely head back to Elk tomorrow, if I weren't going to Belleayre. As a matter of fact, I'd have headed back after shipping film, if it weren't for the rain...instead, I'm off to hike our hill now that the sun's back out. And, yeah, 'Dude looked awesome. He screwed up a flush at the top, which made him push the lower part and he was on the pace of the top guys. Very cool. Maybe he'll put two together tomorrow. The course held up really well until just before 'Dude's run. If it were a World Cup, they'd have put a 'hold' on. There's no way 'Dude could have seen anything. The top female, Resi Stiegler, who is ranked 15th in the world, hooked a tip right after the gate in the picture and had to hike.

Just got back from a deadline assignment shooting the Elk Corn Snow Classic, in which a number of US Ski Team members took on some of PA's best junior racers. I could only stay for the first run, which began with decent conditions for the women, followed by the men. The morning started off partly cloudy and warm, but about 10 racers before 'Dude went off, the clouds rolled in, the temps plummeted, and the RAIN came down hard. Really hard! I had to shoot film for AP and FedEx it on my way home, but I had a second camera body for a few action shots... USST member Lauren Ross USST member Resi Stiegler USST member Kara Crow 'Dude 'Dude USST member Ted Ligety

Local (AP)- Construction contract delays and a change in architectural firms have put the Blue Mountain Ski Area 2006-'07 season in jeopardy, according to mountain spokesperson Lawrence Reynolds. "We had a timetable to begin construction on numerous projects, but our contracts with Uehberling Brothers likely won't be signed until mid-June," said Reynolds, during a telephone interview last night. "And another problem that needs resolution is with the architects. We need to send it back to open bids and that will put us months behind schedule." Reynolds worries that next ski season might be delayed, or even lost altogether. "The new Valley Lodge needs to be complete and open for business before we can open the slopes," explained Reynolds, referring to the new lodge at the base of the mountain, planned for replacing the current run-down structure. "We simply won't be insured for guests on our slopes until all heavy equipment is packed up and gone." "I'm not sure what I'll do," complained Douglas Slifkinikski, 26, of Allentown, a season pass holder that has been camped out in the upper lodge since hearing the news, refusing to leave. Authorities considered removing Slifkinikski by force, but instead accepted vouchers for 20% savings on memorial tombstones for their family members.

Man, first RomeOP is busting on my hair, goggles, upbringing, and now you're tossing sh*t at my 11's? This has been one nasty evening. Which pocket?