Chasing That Feeling- Christmas Party Ski Trip

December 22, 2009 in Video, Winter 09/10, skiing

The Assiniboine Lites and Landscapes Christmas trip is an annual affair for blowing off steam after the summer and fall seasons of hard labor. Once it is all over and only winter lays before us, we venture into a backcountry hut for week of ski touring and partying.

This year the Assiniboine crew headed into McMurdo Cabin in the Purcell Range, south of Golden. It started out good but not epic, then the it went blue and -30°C and was too cold to really get out there. But then it settled into a constant state of snowing for four days straight. And that's when we really starting venting and blowing out the stress of a summer landscaping for some, and hanging christmas lites for others.

A veritable smorgasboard of festive faceshots is the perfect gift to one's self I would say.

Found that Feeling

November 23, 2009 in Video, Winter 09/10, skiing

The past weekend redefined epic. A 9 hour sled approach up to the Davie Whyte hut had us digging for hours, wandering the meadow in a blizzard and stumbling into the that hut at 5am while it continued to dump. A few hours of sleep had us back on track to venture out into the great white deep, and was it ever deep. Need I say more...

Finding that Feeling

November 17, 2009 in Video, Winter 09/10, skiing

I have been offline for a while here. Life is super busy working in Calgary hanging Christmas Lights to finance my trip to Kashmir this coming winter to make a film with b4apres. I spent the last 2 weekends in Banff at the Banff Mtn Film Festival watching a copious amount of great films. All work and television though left me really eager to get out and breathe some fresh mountain air.

Colin Puskus and I ventured into a hut over the weekend just gone to get our ski legs underneath us and run my new video camera. I picked up a Panasonic HVX 200 P2 from the Sweetgrass crew in Banff and am excited to get some experience with it. Below is a quick edit from the weekend with my new favorite toy.

I can't wait for next weekend.

Published in the Swedish Ski Magazine Aka Skidor

October 07, 2009 in Published, skiing

I learnt today that a photo Jordan Manley shot of me skiing up the Duffey two winters ago was published in a Swedish ski magazine Aka Skidor. The full page shot on the right side is yours truely.

This was an amazing day of skiing where we simply went exploring above and around the Anniversary Glacier. We spent a night at Keiths Hut and ski toured both days finding some incredible snow and magic light. This was on of my favorite ski trips that season.

Kashmir Secrets Revealed- POV

April 05, 2009 in Kashmir, Winter 08/09, skiing, travel

I have a wee dilemma on my hands here. There is this incredible place to ski that I discovered with friends and normally I would never make its whereabouts public on the World Wide Web. But, you see, this particular place is rather removed and the local people are crying out for visitors to kick start tourism again in this black listed part of the world. If you hadn’t guessed, it is Kashmir. But inside I’ll give you the finer details.

Last Day of Skiing in Gulmarg, POV

March 13, 2009 in Kashmir, POV, Winter 08/09, skiing

This was our last day skiing at Gulmarg this year. The conditions weren't especially inspiring, but the need to get out and get some blood pumping proved enough to get us onto the gondola. Hiking and traversing to this zone inspired even less inspiration than that which could be seen from the hotel. But, sure enough, our bet bet on decent snow came through and we enjoyed soft snow, and as this video more than conveys, a long, long fall line that is so representative of Gulmarg. There is always incredible vert no matter the snow.

VIO POV camera courtesy of Helmet Camera Central

Pahalgam POV

February 28, 2009 in Kashmir, POV, Winter 08/09, skiing

A quick update on the last week. Lots of thoughts, photos, etc to come, but here is a POV vid from our trip.

Line of No Control- Steep Chutes in Gulmarg

February 20, 2009 in Kashmir, Winter 08/09, skiing

Gulmarg has reveled itself to me far beyond my expectations. The last week has been blue skies and with the Avalanche Advisory at Low, we ventured a little further and were rewarded with 3 incredible descents, not to mention the epic descent the sun made, casting some of the most incredible light over the mountains and ourselves as it set.

Gulmarg POV

February 16, 2009 in Kashmir, POV, skiing

After playing the waiting game, a few false starts and the stars aligning, we were granted access to the upper gondola in Gulmarg for an uber bluebird day and copious amounts of creamy powder.

Check out the video inside.

Yotei POV

February 04, 2009 in Japan, POV, Winter 08/09, skiing

The most commanding peak outside Kutchan, Yotei, allowed us to savor some pow on it's flanks.

It wasn't the deepest day of our stay in Niseko, but probably the most fun and most gratifying.

Yotei POV from Anthony Bonello on Vimeo.

VIO POV camera courtesy of Helmet Camera Central

Hirafu POV

February 03, 2009 in Japan, POV, Winter 08/09, skiing

Here is a little helmet cam edit from the last few days skiing here in Niseko. The snow isn't what Niseko is known for, which is to say deep, but the most significant things to note are the clear skies and visiblity.

Hirafu POV from Anthony Bonello on Vimeo.

Today we ski toured on the lower flanks of Yotei and it was probably our best day skiing here in Japan. Not becasue it was so deep, but the most fun and gratifying. Ill have a POV edit from today shortly. Hopefully...

VIO POV camera courtesy of Helmet Camera Central

Skiing in Japan... Exactly

January 27, 2009 in Japan, Winter 08/09, skiing

This is what skiing in Niseko is all about, all the time.

One minute it is like this. (actually most of the time)

The next minute, quite literally, it can be like this...

But it is always deep.

Deep Times in Niseko POV

January 26, 2009 in Japan, POV, skiing

The last 2 days have been great, not especially epic, but deep none the less. Check out the helmet cam footage inside.

Hokkaido= Lots of Pow & Little Light

January 21, 2009 in Japan, Winter 08/09, skiing

The skiing has settled down a little here in Niseko the last week after a furious start. We skied the remnants of the last system surrounding the hill, mostly touring off of Moiwa. I would go so far to claim that Moiwa accesses the most slackcountry terrain for such a small lift ever. At least in my experience. In comparison to the mega 3 of An'nupri, Niseko and Hirafu within a stones throw from Moiwa, Moiwa offers the best bang for your buck and the resort manager even invited us back to his place to his private onsen. Not as wierd as some of you might be smirking about. The Japanese are so generous and friendly that you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

First day skiing in Japan= 60cms

January 15, 2009 in Japan, Winter 08/09, skiing, travel

We opened our powder account today at a small resort, Niseko-Moiwa. Lastnight brought a full 60cms of blower pow, but it was blown around by equally copious amounts of wind. The resort has 2 small lifts, one of which was closed. We paid our 350yen for a one lift and went and toured the steeped pitch we could find. We had the place to ourselves while people poled across the flats below. Backcountry quite literally in country. But a picture tells a thousand words and a short video a few more.

Mid-Winter Blues

September 01, 2008 in Earnest Musings, skiing

Mid-winter blues kicked in a little while ago. What are midwinter-blues? Its that feeling when you have skied more powder than your legs can handle, it isn't snowing 10cms everyday, and people you know are dieing in the mountains. Thats the blues. But one bluebird day in the gloomy, overcast heart of winter can be like overdosing on Prozac.