Wild video out of the highlands of Scotland where adventure photographer Dan Milner got a face full of wild stag during a trip to snap pics for the now defunct magazine Transworld Snowboarding around Cairngorm, The Lecht and Glencoe ski resorts back in March of 2011.

Dan got a puncture wound on his nose and scratch on his camera lens which ended up costing him £1,400. Dan had a sense of humor about the incident and posted this quote to his personal blog:

“You’d think I’d be braced for pretty much anything the weather can throw at me by now with 15 years of pro shooting in remote corners of the world tucked under my belt, but hey ho, Scotland was playing its joker when it came to photographer-bashing last week.”

Scottish stags, or red deer (Cervus elaphus), are iconic symbols of the Scottish Highlands, embodying the rugged and majestic beauty of the region. With their impressive antlers, these majestic creatures are a common sight in the expansive landscapes of Scotland. The stags play a central role in Scottish folklore and traditions, often symbolizing strength, resilience, and the untamed spirit of the Highlands.

During the autumn rutting season, male stags engage in fierce battles for dominance and mating rights. The haunting sound of their echoing roars fills the air as they establish their territories and compete for the attention of hind groups. The sight of a powerful stag silhouetted against the dramatic Scottish scenery is a testament to the wild and untamed nature of the Highlands.

Conservation efforts have been crucial in preserving the red deer population, balancing their presence with the delicate ecosystems of the Scottish landscape. These efforts contribute to the overall biodiversity and maintain the ecological balance of the region.

Encountering a Scottish stag in its natural habitat is a captivating experience, evoking a sense of awe and connecting visitors with the untamed spirit of the Scottish Highlands.

RELATED: Pissed Off Elk Smashes SUV Rear Window

“The Name a Snowplow Contest has been a great way to kick off our winter snow removal operations and to engage our residents in a fun activity. We look forward to seeing the winning names on the city’s snowplows during this winter season.” –Director of Public Works, Anush Nejad

If you like puns put on a party hat and pour a drink because The South Lake Tahoe “Name a Snowplow Contest” top ten names have been released and they are incredible. Residents were able to vote from a pool of 36 names for the snowplows over a 3 week period and 1000+ votes were cast. Here are the winners in order of most votes received:

1. The Big LePlowski

2. Plowy McPlowface

3. Scoop Dog

4. Snowbi Wan Kenobi

5. Darth Blader

6. Sled Zeppelin

7. Clearopathra

8. Sleetwood Mac

9. Austin Plowers

10. Snowbacca

Hard to choose which is the best but “Clearopathra” is next level clever. Love it. The names will be featured on decals this winter. Can’t wait to see them maintaining the roads with the new names!

Here’s a breakdown of the votes:

City of South Lake Tahoe tips for snowplow safety:

• Do not play on berms or sled down them. While we know it’s tempting to sled down these tall berms, please do not sled into the street. Snowplows and cars may not see you playing or be able to stop in time if you come flying down into the street on your sled. 

• Stay far away from the road when standing or playing outside. Our plow trucks are big, with blind spots, and a driver may not see you if you are standing too close to the road. A plow driver has low visibility as snow flies onto the windshield. This makes it hard for the driver to see anyone along the road. Plows can also throw large chunks of ice and snow as they pass and the flying debris could hurt you.

• Never tunnel or build forts in the snowbanks along the side of the road. Snowplow drivers will not see you if you have tunneled into a snowbank. If you’re in the tunnel, you could be “snowed in” when a truck plows next to you.

• Wear bright colors so that our drivers can see you better if you are outside. This one goes for adults as well when you are shoveling or snow blowing your driveway. 

• Please keep pets inside or on a leash if they are outdoors. A loose pet can quickly run into the street and a plow driver or car may not be able to stop in time to avoid running into them especially with ice buildup on roads.

images from abc7newsbayarea IG

“This world-class summit experience is now serviced by a modern tram that will open up possibilities never contemplated until now, in both winter and summer.” –Taylor Middleton, Big Sky Resort President & COO

The long awaited debut of Big Sky Ski Resort’s new Lone Peak Tram happened yesterday and its looks like there were a ton of happy campers on hand to christen it. Big Sky is celebrating their 50th year of operations and the new Tram is major feather in the cap of their improvement initiative dubbed “Big Sky 2025” which they are is a 10-year vision for “transforming the Big Sky experience from the moment you touch ground in Montana to the top of Lone Peak.”

The new tram is replacing a gondola built back in 1995 and now can shuttle more passengers up the 2,142 foot climb in just under 5 minutes.

BIG SKY, Mont. (December 19, 2023) – Exactly fifty years and four days from Big Sky Resort’s inaugural opening day in 1973, the new Lone Peak Tram began carrying guests to the resort’s 11,166-foot summit.  The Lone Peak Tram is an engineering marvel positioned to serve as a gateway to experience one of North America’s most spectacular summits on Lone Mountain. 

The new tram is a complete replacement of the original jig-back gondola built in 1995. This state-of-the-art aerial tram technology is newly routed to carry more passengers spaciously up 2,142 vertical feet in just under five minutes.  

“The original tram opened the high alpine terrain of Lone Mountain to skiers and riders, and the new tram is symbolic of the experiential transformation we are endeavoring to accomplish through our Big Sky 2025 vision. This world-class summit experience is now serviced by a modern tram that will open up possibilities never contemplated until now, in both winter and summer.” –Taylor Middleton, Big Sky Resort President & COO

After two years of construction and many more years of planning, the new Lone Peak Tram marks a significant milestone in the resort’s 50th year. It allows for completely new ways to enjoy skiing the mountain’s high alpine eastern and southern exposures, and will open up countless other experiences yet to be unveiled. 

The tram complex will evolve in the years ahead, with the addition of a breathtaking observation experience planned at the upper terminal in both the winter and summer season.  Plans for the tram also include an architecturally stunning lower terminal enclosure and a mountaintop food and beverage facility housed in the old top terminal of the original tram.  

The new Lone Peak Tram is part of a base-to-summit lift network that will more fully come to life by the end of the decade, starting with the addition of the Explorer Gondola, scheduled to open for winter 25/26.  This new lift network will create improved access to the resort’s premier learning terrain, accessible to pedestrians for the first time ever, and complemented with new food and beverage experiences. MORE INFO HERE.

RELATED: Big Sky Breaks Ground On Replacement Lone Peak Tram

images from Big Sky Facebook

“Do a kickflip…like our ancestors.” –Tony Hawk

Did you know that kickflips predate ollies? Interesting bit of skateboard history delivered by the Birdman himself Mr. Tony Hawk. While this fascinating bit of chronology is technically true, the type of kickflip isn’t probably what you’d expect. Sick to see Tony pull off an old school flatland trick in the transition of his personal halfpipe. Thanks Tony!

p.s. you found out can actually get a personalized video from Tony Hawk on the Cameo platform for $199. 24-hour delivery…pretty sweet last minute Christmas gift. BUY HERE:

Professional skateboarder, videogame character, etc. Have phone, will Cameo. Hit me up for requests big, small or strange (cheaper if booked on cameo.com). Business Cameos for inter-company use only.

Came across this intriguing piece of ski luggage on YouTube shorts and had to know more….

Here’s the skinny, lots of seasoned ski travelers fly with their boots as carry-ons for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, if all else fails and the airline loses you checked ski bag you still have your boots and can rent skis and have a good time. If you have to rent boots you may not end up enjoying your time on the hill for obvious reasons.

I’ve seen all types of boot bags in overhead compartment but nothing quite like what Diamant has to offer. Their flagship bag, The Weekend Warrior ($249.99) is specifically designed for air travel and includes a padded laptop sleeve which is a clever addition for sure and something I can appreciate.

Anyways, its startup company with a sweet little product and we love supporting small businesses. Check out the video and find more details below:

The Smartest Boot Bag Ever Built

• All-in-One = Everyday Bag + Boot Bag 
• TSA Personal Item Sized
• Padded Laptop Sleeve
• Waterproof and Ventilated Boot Compartment
• 100% Weather Proof
• Built-in Toiletry Kit 

Features

• Padded and scratch resistant laptop sleeve
• Helmet Canopy
• Water resistant and ventilated boot compartment
• Protective goggle pocket
• Specialized pockets for on-mountain gear
• Massive front pocket for any travel and work essentials
• Multipurpose zippable side pockets

Diamant Skiing is committed to transforming the way skiers and snowboarders experience travel to and from the mountains. We are focused on pioneering innovative gear that streamlines and enhances the entire travel process, making it frictionless and efficient for athletes of all levels. This starts with our first product, The Weekend Warrior, the smartest boot bag ever built. This bag is an all-in-one boot bag and everyday bag with enough room for your ski boots, laptop, and anything else your weekend getaway requires.

Chilling discovery by four-time Australian Olympic snowboarder Scotty James who came across this crevasse smack dab in the middle of a groomer at Saas-Fee in the Swiss Alps. Saas-Fee is located on a glacier so these type of obstacles occur time to time so I guess you gotta be heads up even if you’re on an active ski trail. Sketchy.

Scotty is good about responding to comments on TikTok, here’s a few:

About Saas-Fee:

Saas-Fee, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a world-renowned ski resort that captivates winter enthusiasts with its breathtaking landscapes and exceptional skiing opportunities. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Alps,” Saas-Fee stands out for its car-free village, preserving a charming, traditional atmosphere. The resort is situated in the Saas Valley, surrounded by majestic peaks, including the iconic Dom, the highest mountain entirely within Switzerland.

Skiers and snowboarders flock to Saas-Fee for its high-altitude skiing, ensuring excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The Allalin Glacier provides year-round skiing, making Saas-Fee a haven for those seeking a longer winter sports experience. The resort caters to all skill levels, offering a variety of slopes, from gentle beginners’ runs to challenging expert trails.

Saas-Fee’s infrastructure is modern and well-developed, with a network of lifts, gondolas, and cable cars facilitating access to the diverse terrain. The Ice Pavilion, a unique attraction inside a glacier, adds an extra dimension to the experience, allowing visitors to explore ice sculptures and tunnels beneath the glacial surface.

Beyond skiing, Saas-Fee offers a range of activities, from ice climbing and winter hiking to tobogganing, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The village itself exudes Alpine charm, featuring traditional wooden chalets, inviting restaurants, and cozy après-ski spots. Saas-Fee’s commitment to sustainability and its stunning alpine setting make it a top choice for those seeking an unforgettable winter sports getaway in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

If you’re into backcountry skiing or splitboarding touring you should be aware that there’s a company out of Montana with the sole focus of producing the world’s best skins and they are worth checking out.

Big Sky Mountain Products (BSMP) out of Bozeman, Montana has a goal of providing skiers and snowboarders with the most reliable, durable, and sustainable climbing skins in the world without sacrificing performance.

They’ve been working for years developing long lasting glue that performs well in sub-zero temps, super durable tip and tail connectors, and a plush skin surface that stands up to the most abrasive conditions in world. Their skins have put through quality control tests in extreme environments like Antarctica, The Himalayas, and Denali and have passed with flying colors.

“Our mohair mix and synthetic climbing skins are at least as light and fast as any European climbing skins in their respective classes. Their low-profile build and 20cm tail straps minimize bulk and weight, while their low-angle plush gives them superior glide. Our skins’ blend of reliability and performance makes them the perfect choice for both larger expeditions and shorter tours in your home range.”

One thing that we really appreciate about BSMP is their commitment to the industry’s environmental impact. BSMP offers a state of the art reglue service ($79.99) to keep skins out of the landfill when they’re stickiness starts to degrade. They offer this service not only for their own product but for all skin brands (kudos on that, super awesome).

“REGLUE YOUR SKINS THE RIGHT WAY…BSMP’s mechanized process is the only way to reglue your skins if you want a guaranteed high-quality, long-lasting, safe, and convenient finished product. Rather than dealing with the mess of DIY, fill out the form below and send your skins off to BSMP. In a short time, you’ll receive them back and your glue will be good as (or better than) new.“

If you’re shopping skins we highly recommend you consider a set from BSMP. If you’re looking for a good place to start their Mohair Mix Endurance Ski Skins are a great example of what you can expect from this sweet little Montana company. Cheers!

Here’s a handy guide from Big Sky Mountain Products on how to cut their ski skins:

“Today, history was made in Colorado. For the first time since the 1940s, the howl of wolves will officially return to western Colorado.” –Colorado Governor Jared Polis

The people of Colorado voted in the reintroduction of wolves to the landscape back in 2020 and they have finally been released 3 years later.

5 grey wolves, (3 males, 2 females) were released yesterday in Grand County, west of Rocky Mountain National Park. The animals were captured in Oregon, evaluated by veterinarians and biologists, fitted with GPS collars and transferred to Colorado for their release.

These 5 wolves are just the beginning of the reintroduction efforts. Colorado Parks and Wildlife plan to release an additional 10-15 wolves by March 2024 and another 30-50 in the next 3 to 5 years.

Check out the video and find the Colorado Parks and Wildlife press release below:

PRESS RELEASE:

Today, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) experts released five gray wolves onto public land in Grand County in a historic effort to create a permanent, self-sustaining wolf population and fulfill voter approval to re-establish gray wolves in Colorado.

The gray wolves were captured in Oregon where CPW veterinarians and biologists evaluated them to determine if they were fit for relocation to Colorado. Criteria for release included the age, sex, health and body condition of each animal. 

Each gray wolf was weighed and measured. Staff collected genetic material – tissue and blood samples – before fitting each with a GPS satellite collar for tracking upon release by CPW staff. Then, the wolves were given vaccines and were placed in crates and flown to Colorado for release back into the wild.

Meet Colorado’s new wolves:

2302-OR: Juvenile female, black color, 68 lbs., Five Points Pack
2303-OR: Juvenile male, gray color, 76 lbs. Five Points Pack
2304-OR: Juvenile female, gray color, 76 lbs., Noregaard Pack
2305-OR: Juvenile male, black color, 93 lbs., Noregaard Pack
2307-OR: Adult male, gray color, 108 lbs., Wenaha Pack

Note: All wolves captured, collared and released in Colorado will use the same naming convention: The first two numbers (23) will indicate the year the animal was captured. The second set of numbers informs biologists of the wolf’s gender (males will have odd numbers, females will have even) and the order in which it was collared. *The “OR” suffix indicates the wolves came from Oregon. 

CPW will repeat the process until at least 10 – 15 wolves have been reintroduced in Colorado by mid-March 2024. As outlined in the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, CPW hopes to release 30 to 50 wolves over the next 3 – 5 years using wolves captured from nearby northern Rockies states from several different packs by trapping and darting them in the winter.

Gray wolves are listed both state and federally as an endangered species in Colorado by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the Colorado wolf population as Experimental under Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. This provides management flexibility that would otherwise be prohibited.

CPW’s reintroduction program builds on work started by the USFWS in 1995 when that federal agency began restoring gray wolves in the Western U.S., starting with an experimental population released in Yellowstone National Park in Montana. Wolf reintroduction efforts eventually spread to Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico and Arizona.

The Oregon wolves released represent CPW’s determination to fulfill the wishes of Colorado voters who, in 2020, directed the agency to begin reintroducing wolves by Dec. 31, 2023. The new wolves will be managed by CPW using the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, approved by the CPW Commission in May 2023, after more than two years of extensive statewide stakeholder meetings and outreach via a series of public hearings. 

Ultimately, CPW plans to recover and maintain a viable, self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado while balancing the need to manage interactions between wolves, people and livestock.  

This project marks another milestone in the long CPW tradition of species recovery in Colorado. These include the black-footed ferret, one of North America’s rarest mammals, the 1999 effort to reintroduce the lynx, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the greenback cutthroat trout, and many more. 

“Today, history was made in Colorado. For the first time since the 1940s, the howl of wolves will officially return to western Colorado. The return of wolves fulfills the will of voters who, in 2020, passed an initiative requiring the reintroduction of wolves starting by Dec. 31, 2023. What followed were three years of comprehensive listening and work by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to draft a plan to restore and manage wolves that included public meetings in every corner of the state and was inclusive of all points of view and weighed the needs of a wide range of communities with a deep interest in the thoughtful outcome of this effort. I am proud of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff for their hard work to make this happen. The shared efforts to reintroduce wolves are just getting started and wolves will rejoin a diverse ecosystem of Colorado wildlife.” –Colorado Governor Jared Polis

“Today’s reintroduction of the gray wolf is a tremendous accomplishment for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the citizens of Colorado. This would not have been possible without the tireless work of CPW staff and the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the members of both our advisory boards and the citizens and stakeholders who engaged and weighed in to make our wolf management plan the best for all Coloradans and for wolves that once again grace our Colorado landscapes.” – Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources

“This is a historic day for Colorado. We want to thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their work to complete and approve the 10(j) designation that lists wolves in Colorado as a nonessential, experimental population. This helps us to follow all of the conflict mitigation plans we accounted for in the final Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. Having the rule in place in early December helped CPW to stay on track to reintroduce wolves in 2023 with the ability to use the appropriate management tools. We’ll continue releasing animals based on our plan to have wolves not just survive but thrive in Colorado as they did a century ago.” – CPW Director Jeff Davis

“Pulling off a successful first wolf release in Colorado touched all corners of our agency. This has been two years of work to approve the plan plus another year of work to secure our first source population and get us to this release day. We are grateful to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for working with our agency on an agreement for up to 10 wolves and for all the CPW staff who contributed to this historic day.” –CPW Assistant Director Aquatic, Terrestrial, and Natural Resources Reid DeWalt 

“It was an honor to participate in this historic effort. We were thrilled to have great conditions for capture and early success in Oregon. Weather conditions and information on pack locations provided by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff combined to help us capture five gray wolves on day one of capture operations in northeast Oregon and release them earlier today on Colorado’s Western Slope.” –CPW Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell

Tough day on the slopes for Instagram influencer Kamilla Akmolda who got her legs swept by an out of control snowboarder. Thinking wearing a helmet with this outfit might be considered a bit of a clash but we want to stress a safety forward approach to ski fashion. Ouch.

Here’s couple more of Kamilla’s head turning ski fashion statements. Not super practical but very cool:

Wild dashcam footage out of Anchorage, Alaska where a pickup truck was caught on video flying off an overpass along Seward Highway around 9 a.m. Monday, December 11th. The driver lost control on black ice, vaulted over the guardrail and went airborne before crash landing on the highway below.

Your Alaska Link reports another vehicle was hit before the pickup went flying. The driver in the other vehicle was not hurt. The pickup driver was taken to the hospital where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Great reminder to slow down while driving in slippery winter conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses where the road surface is exposed to cold air on all sides causing them to accumulate snow and ice up faster than roadways on solid ground (more about that below)

Watch the video below to learn about about icy bridges and how best to navigate them safely: