Katchup – February 2005

The 2004-2005 season has already surpassed the highest avalanche death total since keeping track in 1951. The heavy snow conditions for the months of December and January where prone to natural and unnatural slides triggered in the backcountry. This week, January 31-Febuary 6 is Backcountry Awareness Week, whose purpose is to familiarize the general public with safety in the snow, whether it be on skis, snowboard, split board or snowshoes. “Know Before You Go” is the motto and educational tool used when dealing with the elements and their potential hazards. The Utah Avalanche Center is partnering with Snowbird Ski Resort and will be hosting a fund raising dinner at The Cliff Lodge Ballroom on Friday, February 4 – Speakers include David Breashears (climber and IMAX cinematographer), Apa Sherpa (world holder 14 Everest Summits) and Lhakpa Rita (World Famous Climber). Silent Auction for the night and full day events for Saturday and Sunday.Thanks to Benny and Milosport for hosting two avalanche classes last month in Orem and Park City. Speakers from the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center, Cameron Carpenter (local snowboarder), Brett “Cowboy” Kobernick (Split Board Inventor) and appearances by local pro snowboarders.

February 5 – Winterfest at Park City Mountain Resort – Freestyle Snowmobile Exhibition, live music, BBQ and Amstel Light Beer Garden. All activities are free to the public and will take place at the base of the skiway (near the First Time lift): Freestyle Snowmobile Exhibition featuring Slednecks riders at 3:30-4:30 pm, International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race at 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, Fireworks in the Eagle Race arena at approximately 8:00 pm

February 12 – Vertical Express MS Fundraiser – Solitude Ski Resort – Chances are you or someone you know is one of the 400,000 Americans affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). I know I am. The Heuga Center, a charity MS organization based in Edwards, Colorado has announced that on Saturday, February 12, 2005, 22 resorts nationwide are holding the Vertical Express for MS event. To participate, individuals or teams can register in advance of the event or on-site Saturday, February 12, at Solitude Ski Resort. Everyone who skis or rides, or has a vested interest in supporting programming for people living with MS and their families is invited to take part in the event. Participants can expect a full day of celebration, including interactive activities, après parties and prizes. All donations are welcome; those of $100 or more will get you a lift ticket and event gifts. To learn more about The Heuga Center, visit www.heuga.org, or call 1-888-DO-IT-4MS.

February 12 – OP Girls Learn To Ride Clinic – Park City Mountain Resort and Brian Head Resort – There have already been a few female-only Learn to Ride clinics and there are a few coming in the months ahead, so stay tuned. The clinics are designed for girls that have little or no experience with snowboarding and include equipment rental, lift ticket, instruction and surprises. Cost: $62

* 2 hour beginners snowboard lesson
* Lift ticket for lower mountain
* Snowboard & boot rental
* Op Girls Learn To Ride gift bag
* A donation to Boarding For Breast Cancer

February 12 – Volcom Stone’s Peanut Butter and Rail Jam—Park City Mountain Resort – Think about all those nights laid out watching Transformers eating Peanut Butter Sandwiches as a kid. Re-live all those special moments at the year’s best free contest. With two divisions, -16 or +17 and only 30 participants per division, it’s a sure sell out. Located on the Pick-N-Shovel Park at 10:00. Check out www.volcom.com for more information and news from the stone.

February 12- The Canyons Rail Jam – The Canyons will be putting on a rail jam, a wild event that will test the abilities of both skiers and boarders. Contestants will be judged on their every move, trick, grab or rail slide. The Canyons Rail Jam will be held in the SoBe Terrain Park, located off the Sun Peak Express (formerly known as Snow Canyon Express)

February 1 – Brian Head
$10 Tuesday
All-day lift tickets only $10 per person!

February 8 – Brian Head
$10 Tuesday
All-day lift tickets only $10 per person!

February 15 – Brian Head
$10 Tuesday
All-day lift tickets only $10 per person!

February 19 – Annual Presidents Day Weekend Fireworks & Torchlight Parade – Brian Head Celebrate all the old presidents who weren’t idiots with our famous pyrotechnic party, starting after dark at Giant Steps Lodge.

February 4-5 – Powder Mountain Resort – Special Olympics Alpine Races – Powder Mountain will host the Special Olympics Alpine Races at the Sundown Lift area.

February 12 – Powder Mountain Resort – Powder Mountain will be one of four resorts hosting competitions for the Wasatch Freeride Tour. The Terrain Park at the Sundown Lift will be the only site on the tour offering a nighttime contest. Registration for the competition is $25. For more information on the Wasatch Freeride Tour, call 1-801-541-3317

February 19 – The Winter Jam – Powder Mountain – The Winter Jam is held at the Hidden Lake half pipe and is open to anyone with a Powder Mountain lift pass. All ages and all abilities are invited to try out their skills on the half pipe. Burton and Blindside are donating prizes for participants. Music by Sallad Productions, barbecue and snowskate demos round out the festival.

February 26 – The Junk Show – Brighton Ski Resort – The first in the SLUG Games Series will take place on Mt. Millicent at Brighton, UT. Inspired by Mack Dawg’s yearly photo shoot at Mammoth, this year we are opening the junkyard to the public with one-of-a-kind rails that will appear the day of the contest. This contest will push competitors to be inventive to win out the prizes in a jam format. Register the day of the contest at the Millicent Chalet at 8-9 am. Cost is $25 with season pass and $35 w/ out. More information at www.slugmag.com