Insider’s Guide to the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships

January 19, 2015 / Avery Stonich / Leave a comment

Photo by Kevin Krill

The countdown is on: Thousands of ski racing fans are set to descend on Colorado for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, which take place in Vail and Beaver Creek from February 2-15. For the unintiated, this is a pretty big deal in the ski community. The competition is second only to the Olympics in size, with more than 600 athletes from 72 countries making the pilgrimage to battle it out on our snowy slopes.

Learn more in my insider’s spectator guide to the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships on RootsRated.

Learn to Ice Climb

January 14, 2015January 19, 2015 / Avery Stonich / Leave a comment

Photo courtesy Dan Chehayl

Chatter about the world’s top ice climbing spots will always circle back to Ouray, a sleepy town in southwestern Colorado where more than 20 years ago, a few visionary climbers started teasing streams of water down the walls of a steep, shadowy gorge.

Since then Ouray Ice Park has blossomed into an ice climber’s dream-come-true, where ice farmers carefully tend hoses and showerheads to cultivate a mile-long network of magical ice.

Ice climbing is a delicate art of ascending frozen flows using ice tools and crampons. It’s slow and methodical, requiring careful pick and foot placement on ice formations that range from dangling fangs to chandeliers of fused icicles and lumpy mushrooms.

Learn how to give it a try in my Adventure 101: Ice Climbing in Ouray article on National Geographic Travel.

In Search of the Steep and Deep

January 13, 2015 / Avery Stonich / Leave a comment

Photo courtesy Taos Ski Valley

I’ve been an alpine skier since I was about eight years old. Until a few years ago, I hadn’t given backcountry skiing a fair shake—mostly because an avalanche safety class I took back in the mid-90s scared the shit out of me. I wasn’t sure I was up for the risk. Plus I sucked at telemarking. I bought really skinny touring skis and never could nail a good turn on them. So I retreated to the comfort of my alpine boards and spent the next 20 years happily ripping it up inbounds.

Fast forward to a couple of years ago when I had an amazing day in the Jackson Hole backcountry (on my alpine boards, bootpacking). My soul was so stirred up after that day, I thought I better give the backcountry another look. After all, backcountry gear has come a long way. So I got a sweet alpine touring setup from La Sportiva (yay, I can make alpine turns!) and retook the avy 1 class. Armed with this knowledge, great gear, and some friends who are willing to help show me the way, I’m on my way to becoming a skilled backcountry skier. Some day. There’s a lot to learn, that’s for sure.

Yet there are still plenty of days when the lifts call. When you don’t want to deal with hiking. Or the avalanche danger is so high, you’d rather not take the risk. That’s when it’s nice to know you can hit some rad inbounds terrain without having to worry so much. (Caveat: inbounds avalanches do sometimes occur, so you should never fully let down your guard.)

The good news is that alpine resorts are seeking ways to feed that hunger for big-mountain terrain inbounds. Take Taos Ski Valley, for example, which this season is opening the Kachina Peak lift to haul skiers and riders up to terrain that was previously accessible only by a sweaty 45-minute slog. Some lament the easier access. Others celebrate it. Either way, it’s more terrain for everyone.

Other resorts are also finding ways to provide backcountry-like experiences within their boundaries. Read more in an article I wrote for Outside, my first for them: In Search of the Steep and Deep: A growing demand for big-mountain, backcountry-like terrain is prompting resorts to up the ante inbounds.

Get Your Ski Boots Dialed

January 12, 2015January 13, 2015 / Avery Stonich / Leave a comment

Larry’s Bootfitting in Boulder is something of an institution. For decades, Boulderites have been paying homage to Larry Houchen and his bootfitting prowess. Back in the day (think 20+ years ago—yikes!), when I first had Larry fit me, I could swear that he was squeezing me into a boot that was two sizes too small. Turns out, he was actually finally fitting me right, so my boots wouldn’t start slopping around after five days.

Direct power transfer to the ski: that’s what you need. A boot that fits right is snug and comfortable, allowing you to control your skis with ease.

There’s no need to suffer with uncomfortable ski boots. Go see Larry, the bootfitting legend of Boulder. His place is more like a clubhouse than a ski shop—where you go to get your boots fitted and end up sticking around for a beer.

Read more in my article on RootsRated: Get Your Ski Boots Dialed at Larry’s Bootfitting.

Feed Your Ice Climbing Stoke at the Ouray Ice Park

January 2, 2015January 7, 2015 / Avery Stonich / Leave a comment

Earlier this week, I ventured to the Ouray Ice Park to try ice climbing for the first time. What a blast! Ascending the frozen walls, I was mesmerized by the beautiful, varied textures of the ice, and the chink chink sounds of my crampons and ice tools. The art of ice climbing is methodical and meditative, as you move one hand or foot at a time, tapping in holds. It’s challenging, fun, and so gratifying. I think I might be hooked! I have to give a big shout out to San Juan Mountain Guides for giving me a great introduction to the sport.

Next week is the Ouray Ice Festival, a great chance to try ice climbing, hone your skills, or watch the pros. Read all about it in an article I wrote for RootsRated:

The Largest Ice Climbing Festival in North America

Big. Fat. Blue. The stuff of frozen dreams. For months, ice farmers have been carefully coaxing magical slabs, pillars, and fangs to life in preparation for the 20th annual Ouray Ice Festival, which takes place January 8-11, 2015, at the Ouray Ice Park in southern Colorado. Park workers are now scurrying around like elves, putting the finishing touches on plans for four days of ice climbing clinics, demos, competitions, and parties that will fire up everyone from ice junkies to newbies.