On May 28, 2008, Adam LeWinter and Director Jeff Orlowski filmed a historic breakup at the Ilulissat Glacier in Western Greenland. The calving event lasted for 75 minutes and the glacier retreated a full mile across a calving face three miles wide. The height of the ice is about 3,000 feet, 300-400 feet above water and the rest below water.

Chasing Ice won the award for Excellence in Cinematography at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and has won 24 awards so far this year. Playing in theaters now.

There is a problem facing ski areas across the US, and it’s not global warming. Some think it’s worse. It’s time to get involved… and make a change. Learn more at downhillthreads.com.

You should probably also read this – click here.

The Denver International Airport (DIA) stands as a monument of modern aviation and engineering. Spanning over 33,531 acres, it ranks as one of the largest airports in the world. However, behind the façade of its grandeur lies a curious and captivating enigma—the realm of conspiracy theories. For decades, the Denver International Airport has been a fertile ground for imaginative minds, giving birth to a plethora of conspiracy theories that have captured the public’s attention and sparked heated debates. From mysterious underground bunkers to secret societies, these conspiracy theories offer an intriguing glimpse into the minds of those who passionately embrace the notion of hidden truths and untold secrets.

One of the most enduring and well-known conspiracy theories surrounding DIA revolves around its construction. Critics argue that the airport’s extravagant cost and seemingly excessive size cannot be justified by its utility as an airport. They propose that the airport was built for more sinister purposes, such as serving as a cover for a vast underground base operated by shadowy organizations. These underground facilities, they claim, are meant to house elites during cataclysmic events, or perhaps even to act as a center of control for global manipulation. Proponents of this theory often cite the massive construction project’s delays and budget overruns as evidence of something more clandestine at play.

Adding fuel to the fire, artwork and murals displayed throughout the airport have been interpreted by conspiracy theorists as containing cryptic messages and symbols. One such piece is “The Children of the World Dream of Peace” by artist Leo Tanguma. Some claim that the mural represents the New World Order’s plan for a totalitarian regime, complete with symbols of death and destruction. Others, however, argue that the murals are merely artistic expressions meant to provoke thought and emotion, devoid of any hidden agendas.

Another focal point of the conspiracy theories revolves around the airport’s unusual architecture. The design’s incorporation of various occult symbols and Masonic imagery has led to speculation that secret societies wield significant influence over the airport’s affairs. Some theorists suggest that the airport’s runways and buildings are arranged in the shape of a swastika, linking the airport to Nazi ideologies. These interpretations, while captivating, often overlook the fact that the airport’s design was envisioned by renowned architects and planners, with the intent of celebrating Colorado’s unique landscape and culture.

The most sensational conspiracy theory surrounding DIA involves a supposed underground labyrinth of tunnels and bunkers. According to some theorists, these secret passages are designed to house extraterrestrial beings or to serve as a refuge during catastrophic events. Allegedly, the airport’s management and staff are fully aware of these underground secrets and are sworn to secrecy, further fueling suspicion and mistrust.

In response to these persistent conspiracy theories, Denver International Airport officials have consistently debunked them as baseless and far-fetched. They emphasize that the airport’s construction, while ambitious, is ultimately a testament to human ingenuity and the desire to create a world-class transportation hub. The artwork and murals, they argue, are expressions of artistic freedom and creativity, devoid of hidden agendas. Additionally, airport officials refute the existence of secret underground bunkers, highlighting the transparency of the airport’s operations and its commitment to public safety.

Psychologists and sociologists have long explored the allure of conspiracy theories, particularly in the digital age where misinformation spreads rapidly through social media and online communities. Conspiracy theories offer a sense of empowerment and intrigue, allowing individuals to feel as if they possess exclusive knowledge beyond the mainstream narrative. They provide a comforting explanation for complex events, reducing uncertainty and anxiety. In the case of Denver International Airport, conspiracy theories act as a form of modern folklore, weaving a web of stories that captivate and entertain believers and skeptics alike.

The Denver International Airport conspiracy theories represent a fascinating intersection of imagination, mistrust, and societal dynamics. While they may lack concrete evidence, they continue to captivate the minds of many, fueling a subculture of believers who seek hidden truths and alternate explanations. As we delve into the depths of human psychology, it is essential to remain critical thinkers, acknowledging the allure of these theories while basing our beliefs on evidence and rational inquiry. After all, the enigmatic world of conspiracy theories reminds us that the human mind remains as intricate and mysterious as the theories it produces.

One of the biggest ways to stick out like a sore thumb in the ski community is to misuse ski language. A skier wouldn’t confuse bowls with groomers, they wouldn’t confuse powder with crust, and they wouldn’t confuse freestyle skiing with freeride skiing. Those all have pretty obvious differences, but there’s a good chance some new-to-the-slopes skier has confused them in the past, giving their friends more ammunition to roast them with. But what about the more narrow differences? What about the stuff that even experienced skiers might use interchangeably, despite having a difference? What about the difference between a chute and a couloir?

A couloir, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a steep mountain side gorge”. According to that same definition, in 1997, Chicago Tribune journalist Jim Kochevar stated that “couloir is French for ‘cold, narrow place to die”. In reality, couloir directly translated to “passage” when it started being used in the English language. Avalanche.org states that a couloir is a steep gully usually filled with snow in the winter months, bounded by rocks on either side.

On the other side of the discussion, a chute is defined by Merriam-Webster as “an inclined plane, sloping channel, or passage down or through which things may pass.” Based on these definitions, one could come to the conclusion that a couloir is a type of chute, but that still hasn’t really given us a major difference when it comes to the use of both words in the ski world.

Ski.com’s A-Z Ski Glossary presents us with definitions that may clear up the confusion just a bit more. According to them, chutes are “narrow sections of snow between two rock walls typically skied by expert or advanced skiers or snowboarders.” Alternatively, a couloir is “a narrow, long chute that is often the result of previous, glacial calving.” Sierra Descents, on the other hand, claims that a couloir is simply the “French term for chute (more or less),” while the Avalanche Center states that they are, in fact, the same thing.

So what’s the conclusion here? It would appear that couloir is a term specifically reserved for alpine chutes where snow tends to build in the winter months, usually fairly narrow and usually fairly long. Chute, however, in the alpine world, can be any sort of enclosed slope, snow or no snow, wide or narrow, long or short. It’s probably safe, though, to use the term chute to refer to anything that could be a chute or couloir, unless its name directly defines it (i.e. Corbet’s Couloir).

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A couple of guys in Europe have taken an old VW T1 Bus and put some snow tracks on it making one for funkadelic snow going hippy mover. The sonwcat includes a full DJ setup with a pop-top sound system that is ready to play in under 3 minutes. You can read more about how they made the groovy snowcat here !

Images from Jackson Hole, WY and Sunday River, ME

We are going to take you back to the mid-1990’s with a little East Coast vs. West Coast battle. Here are five observations by an East Coast skier who spent 9 years skiing in the West. 

#5. West Coast skiers have ski outfits just for skiing. East Coast skiers have winter outfits that they use for shoveling snow, drinking outdoors, going to football games and sliding down the slopes.

#4. East Coast skiers will go skiing every weekend even if it’s raining. West Coast skiers will wait till the weather improves before they head up to the slopes.

#3. Skis over 90mm in the waist are called “powder boards” in the East. Anything smaller than 100mm in the waist are called all-mountain skis by Westerners.

#2. East Coast skiers can ski ice. West Coast skiers don’t have to.

#1. Three inches of snow is a powder day to an East Coast skier. 3 inches of snow is “dust on crust” to a West Coast skier.

Although there is nothing like the first early season low-angle powder turns, we’re already looking forward to deep bases and open terrain.

Here are the Top 10 Resorts for Chutes and Steeps.

10) Mad River Glen, VT

Although a 38° pitch might not sound that rad to people who ski Telluride regularly, the Paradise run at Mad River Glen will test anyone’s mettle. The resort only receives 250 inches of snow annually so on many days, the term “ice coast” applies. Hold that edge and if you don’t– you’ll end up at the bottom.

Locals Choice: Paradise Run

9) Arapahoe Basin, CO

The famed East Wall and Pallavicini Lift serve up the steepest terrain in Summit County. So it should comes as no surprise that Front Range hardcores spend more time here than any other resort within a 3 hour drive of Denver.

Looking for a sick chute on a powder day? Wait for ski patrol to drop the rope on the East Wall and head directly for “First Notch,” which is a 1000’+ couloir that chokes in the middle and spills onto a beautifully steep and smooth apron.

Local’s Choice: Pali Face

8) Mt. Rose, NV

Mt. Rose is quickly becoming a new favorite of Tahoe locals looking to avoid the crowds at Squaw and Alpine Meadows. It serves up some classic old school skiing with steeps a’ plently. The north facing, Chutes zone in particular offers 1,000’+ of vertical ranging from 40-55° slopes.

Local’s Choice: Yellowjacket

7) Taos, NM

From iconic runs like Stauffenberg to the famed Kachina Peak, Taos offers the steepest terrain in New Mexico. Its bowls and ridges deliver a seemingly endless supply of both mini-golf lines and big mountain descents. West Basin is famed for its technical billy goating while Kachina peak offers cliffs and long descents, making Taos the crown jewel of the Sangre de Cristo range.

Local’s Choice: Longhorn

6) Bridger Bowl, Montana

Schlasman’s Lift at Bridger Bowl is one of the few lifts in the world that requires you wear a beacon in order to ride. That said, you’ll be glad you did as the ridge delivers plenty of untracked and wild descents.

Local’s Choice: Hidden Gully

5) Snowbird, UT

From The Cirque to Gad Valley, Snowbird offers up the most consistent steeps in Utah. The Aerial Tram and Supreme Chair are go-to’s for those who prefer steep chutes compared to lower-angle powderfields, which Alta has in spades (*not to say Alta doesn’t have its fair share of steeps). That said, Pipeline couloir opens late in the season and when it does, head directly for the hike to couloir that is one of the best descents in the Wasatch.

Local’s Choice: Waterfall

4) Big Sky, Montana

When Big Sky installed the Lone Peak Tram in 1995, the Montana resort went from a mellow, intermediate mountain to a big mountain skier’s dream overnight. The move, which solidified Big Sky as one of the best resorts in the United States, continues to offer up steep terrain to seasoned locals and those travelling to the resort to see what #bigguycountry has to offer.

Local’s Choice: Little Couloir

3) Telluride, CO

It doesn’t get much steeper than the access granted from the top of Telluride’s Palmyra Peak. The Gold Hill Chutes and beyond make up some of the best steep skiing in the United States let alone Colorado and it will come as no surprise that Telluride is in the Top 5.

Local’s Choice: Gold Hill #9

2) Squaw Valley, CA

From the Palisades to the Fingers, and onto McConkey’s (formerly known as the Eagle’s Nest), steep skiing in California is located in Squallywood. Want to show how rad you are right under the lift? This is the place to do it. So check me out… I’m gonna rip the shit out this!

Locals Choice: The Fingers

1) Jackson Hole, WY

Without even including the surrounding backcountry, Jackson Hole rules this list with its in-bounds couloirs, chutes, and steep faces. Although Corbet’s sticks out in the mind’s of most skiers, runs like Expert Chutes, Tower 3, and the Alta’s are all worth spending some time figuring out. And by figuring it out– I mean: “just send that shit!”

Local’s Choice: Alta Zero

The 5 Worst Words in Skiing

1) Progression: Progress, progressing, progressed. All versions of this word are absolute bullshit when referring to skiing. Progression is possibly the weakest word in the English language and its use in skiing makes me sick. You know what is progressive in skiing right now? Not giving a shit about sponsors and the number of likes on your Instagram post. Instead, skiing moguls, wearing sunglasses, and having a good time is revolutionary, which is a word I like much more. (See Progression is Regression: http://vimeo.com/63015232)

2) Dub: I don’t know what it is about bros but they love everything “Dub.”

A substitute for names that begin with the letter W, a type of aerial ski maneuver, and a kind of Electronic Dance Music I hate with all my soul… I’m not going to name names but you bros who cant stop “Dubbing Out”… you know who you are.

3) Rocker: A gimmick name that has garnered permanence, “Rocker” is here to stay. Personally, I like the terms “early rise,” or “reverse camber,” which are the exact same ideas but no, you had to give us ROCKER!!! And all of a sudden everyone can ski powder. Fuck!

4) Walk: Using the verb walk when referring to hiking is about the lamest, most conceited word on this list. All you “walkers” can shove it.

5) Side Country: There is No Side Country For Old Men… Just more places to ski.

[Image credit: Bradley L. Grant via Shutterstock]

While ski resorts across the country claim to be the biggest in (insert state, county, region, and mountain range here) there is one measurement that is hard to fudge– skiable acres. 

We would have included Europe in this list but since they keep lying about the length of their Pistes, we thought we’d stick to North America instead.

Here are The 10 Biggest Ski Areas in North America

10) Mammoth Mountain, CA — 3,500 acres

9)  Squaw Valley, CA — 4,000 acres

8) Lake Louise, AB — 4,200 acres

7) Sun Peaks, BC — 4,270 acres

6) Mt Bachelor, OR — 4,318 acres

5) Heavenly, CA — 4,800 acres

4) Vail Mountain, CO — 5,289 acres

3) Big Sky, MT — 5,800 acres

2) Park City, UT — 7.300 acres

1) Whistler, BC — 8,171 acres

Also Read: The 10 Most Challenging Ski Resorts in The United States

#5. Leaving Your Boots In The Car: After failing to bring your boots in from the car the night before, your ski shoes are now a frozen brick of plastic. Good luck sliding your feet into those deep freezers.

#4. Forgetting To Put On Sunscreen: This ones for all the California skiers out there. Just because it’s winter, does not mean you can’t get a nasty sun burn/ sick goggle tan.

#3. Skiing With Your Pockets Open: Surefire way to lose your car keys, kill your iPhone, and end up with a pocket full of snow.

#2. Failing To Check Your Bindings: Your Marker Dukes have been shaking around all season and now your forward pressure is all out of whack. Because you neglected to check your bindings this year(s), the first time you realize this is when your facedown in the snow doing the penguin slide.

#1. Forgetting Your Season Pass At Home: Nothing worse than getting to the front of a lift line and realizing you left your pass dangling on the key rack next to the front door. Not to mention, you’re about to get heckled as you reverse course out of lift line.