BE A SKI BUM and SAVE OUR PLANET-soapbox comp
This latest “Big Dump” came at a more critical time than any other snowfall I can remember. Until this week I felt as though the winter was passing us by without any proper visits from Ullr. While this storm certainly brought desired snow, to me it also brought the realization that our climate is changing and the reality that these changes will undoubtedly affect what so many people love about winter…SKIING.
In 48 hours the temperature in the south Kootenays raised from -140C with no hint of precipitation to +110C with 30cm of wet snow sitting on the ground. While this weather phenomenon certainly isn’t abnormal it did coincide with a variety of other bizarre weather conditions that have plagued us over the winter. Strong weather and temperature differentials have been the story, which has left a variety of surface hoar, crusts or faceted layers throughout our snowpack and generated exceptionally strong winds. These instabilities will likely make for dicey conditions until warm spring temperatures completely consolidate the snowpack. Not even Al Gore could correlate this years weather patterns to elevated CO2 induced global climate change but if you remain a denier go pour yourself a strong cup of coffee, take in a big sniff and read this article titled “The End of Snow” published in the New York Times Newspaper. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02.....e&_r=0
November in the Coastal Mountains?? Nope its January folks!!
This is a frightening article if you like skiing as much as me with hopes that my unborn children get as many face shots as I did growing up. I read this article last week just after I witnessed the shocking realism that our current climate is F@#^ed up. It hit me like dropping a 30foot cliff to flat landing. One thing the article did not talk about is whether we can minimize the effects of global climate change to save skiing and more importantly how we do so. I will touch on my beliefs right here with an aim to convince even one reader to go ski touring Monday morning instead of going to work. Besides your worst day ski touring (the one where snow sticks to your skins all day and you forgot your lunch) is still way better than your best day at work. This is true even if you’re a heli-ski guide because they would all prefer to be touring than dealing with rich Europeans who don’t know how to ski powder. Trust me!!
Inversion in the Rossland Range end of January: -5 degrees in the valley, +5 degrees at ridgetop
The Rossland Range a week later: -25 degrees and blowing like mad
This week in Kootenay Pass_ Deep but Unstable
One important way to minimize the negative effects of global warming on our precious snow commodity lies hidden in the heart of ski touring culture. BE A SKI BUM! That’s right, each individual skier can help counteract the problem of climate change, save polar bears and more importantly save our precious winter season by becoming, remaining or returning to an absolute SKI BUM. Lets face it, every time money exchanges hands there is a carbon cost and a negative environmental impact. The secret then is not necessarily to spend less money; it’s to make less money. So hear me out, if you want to continue to ski that deep, white, cold smoke throughout this century you must ski that deep, white, cold smoke each and everyday in the winter instead of going to work. Sound RAD to me!!! Sure you need some money to survive. Work as little as you have to in the summer, save for the winter, ski as cheap as you can all winter (don’t waste your money on the ski hill or après drinks; ski tour and brew your own après) and put any extra money towards a cheap early retirement. What I can promise you is that a 120 day ski touring season on older skis and a 8 year old jacket is way better than being a weekend warrior with brand new skis and an Arcteryx jacket. The best ski season I ever had was in 2008 when a resort opened in my home town of Revelstoke and rental prices sky rocketed. I decided that instead of renting a 500$ room I would spend the whole winter living in backcountry cabins with transition nights on friends couches (also 2 months in a van in Mexico). I doubt I will never have a better season than that one.
One of my rental suites in 2008. Over 30 nights in this beautiful condo.
Many people I know enjoy ski touring because it is a temporary outlet to their otherwise busy, hectic and stressful work lives. They ski tour because the smooth consistent movement of skinning is meditative and during the rewarding decent their negative thoughts are completely cleared. While this is obviously a good reason to ski tour, I suggest these people take it one step further and ski tour for a long-term escape of your busy, hectic and stressful work lives. Besides, during each and every kick-turn, pow-slash and summit attempt you will be saving our wildlife, our earth and our skiing.
LET IT SNOW