“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

On December 14, 2022, Thomas Elbrecht was backcountry skiing with his dog in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah when he heard 35-year-old Travis Haussener calling for help. A 200-foot wide, 2 foot-deep avalanche avalanche caught him, covering his everything but his head and one arm. Elbrecht heard the calls and found the man, helping to save his life.

Now Elbrecht, a Unified Fire Authority firefighter, is set to receive the Carnegie Medal, the highest honor for civilian heroism in North America. Each recipient will receive a financial grant, with nearly $45 million being given out since Andrew Carnegie established the Carnegie Hero Fund 119 years ago.

Upon hearing the calls, Elbrecht followed Haussener’s tracks to the bottom of the avalanche debris. He then hiked up to the man and managed to dig him out of the snow. Due to multiple major injuries, including a broken thighbone, Haussener was unable to return to safety, and Elbrecht couldn’t move him alone. Instead, Elbrecht called for the authorities and alerted them to his position, created a makeshift splint with a ski pole to stabilize Haussener’s leg, and built a small shelter to protect the injured man from the cold.

Over the next several hours, Elbrecht stayed with the injured Haussener. He kept the man dry and warm, swapping out wet clothes for dry spares. A responding rescue helicopter was unable to land because the slope was too steep and the trees were too dense, but a ground crew of two rescue personnel eventually found the duo. More than seven hours after initially being found, Haussener, with the help of Elbrecht, was moved to a toboggan, then to a snowmobile, and finally to an ambulance. Haussener spent several days in the hospital, but was okay in the long run.

It’s super awesome to see this kind of effort awarded. If anyone deserves recognition, it’s people like Thomas Elbrecht.

Related: Northern Escape Heli Skiing Awarded ‘World’s Best Heli Ski Operation’

Image Credit: Unified Fire Authority via Facebook

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.

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:

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could just build your own skis? Rip a nice big hole in the bottom of your all-mountain skis? Just build new ones! Need a super wide powder ski for an unexpected powder day coming up? Make that 120mm ski, you can do that!

Honestly, if you’re a skier who grew up doing any sort of woodworking or general workshop work, you’ve probably thought of building your own pair. I grew up with extremely little workshop experience, but I still dream of slapping together my own set. Unfortunately, the equipment needed to build an actually useful pair of skis is extremely expensive and not very easy to get your hands on, basically making it impossible unless you have access to an existing ski shop with the necessary tools.

Getting access to something like that usually means working in a place like that, or at least being really close to someone who works in a place like that, which most of us probably aren’t. If you’re spending a bit of time in the Chamonix Valley, though, and have a few days to spare, you can head over to Ronin Skis, where Build Your Own Skis experiences are available.

YouTuber and IFMGA guide Dave Searle went to Ronin Skis to build his own skis, and he filmed it all and shared it with the world. So far this is just a part one, so he doesn’t actually finish the skis in the video, but it is pretty darn interesting to see the early stages of the process.

“In this video we meet Jonno, the owner and creator of Ronin Skis Chamonix (https://www.roninskis.com/) and we begin the process of making my Custom 108 LTE skis. The process was fun and rewarding and I learnt loads about ski building and sustainability in the ski building industry. I would strongly recommend checking out their ski range and remember you can also build your own ski’s in Chamonix.“

Related: Skiing on a Budget: 15 Ways to Save Money While Skiing This Winter

Image Credit: Dave Searle via YouTube

Sugarloaf, Maine’s largest ski resort, is closed today, December 19, due to major road and infrastructure damage. Yesterday’s storm, which left hundreds of thousands of people without power along the East Coast, damaged the mountain, parts of the resort’s village, and roads leading to and around the resort.

Sugarloaf has not yet released an estimate on when they will reopen, but an update is at some point today. Carrabassett Valley Police posted an image of a washed out Route 27, the road leading to Sugarloaf’s access road, at the Redington Bridge near Tuft’s Pond Road North. The police department requested early this morning that nobody attempts to access Sugarloaf at this time.

Other posts show water rushing over the major roads throughout Carrabassett Valley, washing out the bank along the side of Route 27. The nearby Carrabassett River can be seen rushing nearby, and water flows can be seen flowing towards ski cabins.

Farmington, Maine, home to the University of Maine Farmington, the small Titcomb Mountain, and one of the major routes to both Sugarloaf and Saddleback (which is also closed), can be seen suffering from major flooding in posts made to Facebook. Some images show what appear to be washed out sheds, near fully covered vehicles, and water up to the top of street signs and the large McDonald’s sign in town.

If you’re in an area affected by this storm, please stay safe! If you’re at Sugarloaf, stay dry and try to avoid driving anywhere. If you’re not at Sugarloaf, don’t try to go. Road closures will certainly prevent you from getting there, and road conditions will likely make any drive unsafe.

It’s sad to see all of this damage throughout New England. Hopefully these mountains, including Sugarloaf, Saddleback, and Sunday River, can get things repaired quickly, and hopefully some snow will hit the ground in the near future so the East Coast ski season can get going once again!

Related: One Of Sunday River’s Roads Washes Out Due To Heavy Rain

Image Credit: Carrabassett Valley Police Department via Facebook

There really is a sinking feeling that comes from a massive lift line at the resort. You wake up early, fuel up, get everything on, and head out the door, only to see that you’ll need to wait a cool 15-30 minutes just to get on the chairlift for your first run. Or maybe you got to the mountain before everyone else, wound up among the first few, and didn’t even realize how big the line got until you made it onto the chair or made it back down after the first run.

I know it’s cliche to complain about lift lines these days. But man they really suck. (I know, I know, by riding the lift, I’m part of the problem). Even worse is when the route to the lift line is crowded. That’s when you know your day is gonna be rough.

Maybe it’s a massive line at the shuttle stop. Maybe it’s crowded walkways around the resort town. Maybe it’s a clogged-up stairwell. Swedish skier Emil Granbom found a way to skip those clogged up stairwells, based on his recent Instagram clip.

Okay, okay. This isn’t the most remarkable video on first view. Few resorts even have escalators for you to skip the stairs, so this probably isn’t a helpful tip for most people. In fact, it’s probably best to not do this even if there is an escalator, as it could quite easily lead to an injury.

But take a minute to think. Granbom is grinding up the down escalator in ski boots, with skis in hand. That’s pretty absurd. I know I’d fall trying this, or at least give up an eighth of the way through. Talk about a pre-ski warmup!

Related: I Had No Idea How Dangerous Stuck Mountain Bike Shocks Can Be

Image Credit: Emil Granbom via Instagram

Professional skiers almost always need to grind incredibly hard to get to the top. Not just in training, either. In order for them to actually earn sponsorships and places in competitions, so they can build a life around the sport, they need to market themselves and their skills to companies and organizers, and that takes a lot of work.

Lupe Hagearty is a pretty darn well known name in the freeski world. Filming alongside the likes of Tanner Hall and Tom Wallisch, it would be hard to argue that he hasn’t “made it big”. But it hasn’t been a cakewalk. Lupe’s mother passed when he was five and his father struggled with addiction throughout his childhood. He fell in love with the sport while on a ski trip in Vermont with his extended family. Financial hurdles still impact his life, despite working towards being among the best for most of his life.

We got wind of Lupe’s documentary, titled ‘Lupe’, back in September, and have been eagerly awaiting its release since then. The near 40-minute film (posted to the X-Games YouTube channel) covers his childhood and adulthood grind towards the top and the struggles he continues to face despite already being there.

“Now 30 and living in Salt Lake City, Lupe has had a successful career as a pro-skier for over a decade, filming with legends Tanner Hall and Tom Wallisch and competing in X Games Real Ski in 2021. But the challenge is far from over. Despite living out his dream, Lupe still struggles to have the financial security to one day have a family of his own, grinding each year to renew sponsorships and continue living out his dream. As the Christmas holidays approach, he travels home to his family in Hartford, CT, confronting his difficult past and reflecting on his career, trying to figure out what is next…“

Image Credit: X Games via YouTube

Around a year ago, a trailer for a ski documentary managed to really catch our attention. “Going Greenland” promised to be a renewable-energy-powered skiing adventure through the fjords and mountains of, you guessed it, Greenland, alongside professional skiers Rachael Burks and Jessica Baker.

Rather than taking helicopters, planes, snowmobiles, or big ol’ gas guzzling boats around the arctic territory, the two (and their crew) rely on a sailboat run on renewable energy, allowing them to enjoy the land without contributing to its destruction.

“In this award-winning documentary, Going Greenland, MHW athlete Rachael Burks and her ski partner Jessica Baker combined a renewable energy sailboat with an arctic ski expedition in Greenland, enduring a harrowing and inspiring journey along Greenland’s west coast fjords and towering mountains.”

The short documentary actually premiered back in January of this year (nearly a year ago), but online access has been unavailable until last week. If you’re looking for something to watch while eating your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or you’ve just got twenty minutes, I highly recommend this award-winning documentary.

Related: New Documentary Covers Unique New York Ski Area

Image Credit: Mountain Hardware via YouTube