COVER “The only problem with this rail in Duluth, MN was the perpendicular gate closing off the stairs, the head-high snowbank and a row of windows in the runout. The university where it is located helped us remove the snowbank but denied our request to remove the guardrail. I called campus facilities, explained it was Tom Wallisch’s childhood dream to slide the rail, and the photo and video would be seen all over the world. Soon after, they came back and hacked off the gate with a Skilsaw. Twenty tries or so later, Tom got his wish.” Photo: Josh Bishop TIPS UP 01 • Jeff Leger, aka “Dr. Huckinstuff,” keeping his altitude low among the thick trees and willows of the Jackson Hole, WY backcountry. The first week of February 2019 brought record-breaking snowfall and a storm cycle that kicked the season into hyperdrive. Photo: Greg Von Doersten 02 • “Sun Valley, ID was a great place to be in February 2019. This particular day was part of a string of days tied into the heart of the storm of the year on one of the best seasons in recorded history. With free-refill conditions, it was hard to find anywhere on the resort that wasn’t deep and untracked. Karl Fostvedt styling a safety grab and finding a deep pocket of snow.” Photo: Noah Wetzel 03 • Noah Maisonet taking advantage of everything the world’s only inland temperate rainforest has to offer: frozen waterfalls, tree burns and even double stacks. The Monashee Mountains are part of the Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH) zone (as defined by the BC Ministry of Forests) and said to be home to a greater diversity of tree species than any other interior zone in Canada. Photo: Ryan Creary 04 • “Will Berman is no stranger to heavy urban spots and this gap-to-tail press into a small tranny is further evidence. This park in north Denver was originally a sewage treatment plant but was abandoned in 1966 and ignored until the late ’90s. During that time, taggers frequented the park and it earned the nickname ‘Pirate Island.’ Now a 13-acre city park, the concrete walls that remain offer myriad options for urban photography topped with colorful graffiti.” Photo: Blake Kimmel 05 • “What I like to call ’Super Mario Land.’ A type of playground with lots of smaller features, a mix of burnt trees and live ones. Plus, I love to play with shadows in aerial photography. I might have had more fun getting this shot than Sandra had skiing.” Photo: Christoph Oberschneider 06 • “Forty-eight hours before this moment I woke up in Zermatt with Marcus Caston and Madison Ostergren needing to pack our bags and leave town. Then we got an email from Johan Johnsson inviting us to this little resort tucked away in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the promise of good skiing. We jumped on the earliest train and after three transfers, a bus ride and a cable car, we arrived in M ü rren. Both Johan and M ü rren delivered.” Photo: Cam McLeod 07 • “Light was fading fast and we were warned it was thin in spots. Rob Aseltine floated past and I knew it was the start of something special. It’s not a regular occurrence, but this past winter was one for the ages in southwest Utah. Looking back, I feel extremely fortunate to have had this rare experience.” Photo: Jay Dash 08 • “La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, a once up-and-coming city with a deep history in watch manufacturing, has perhaps found its proverbial time. While the demographic ages with the city, it maintains a harsh, wet winter and, at an elevation of 3,000 feet, it fit our unique needs perfectly. We weren’t sure how to name this trick—Samuel Ortlieb grabbing-over-the-rail-while-sliding-in-between-it.” Photo: Ruedi Flück 09 • The classics never grow old. Julian Carr giving the Jackson Hole, WY tram a proper aerial display. Photo: Elise Sterck 10 • “When there’s enough snow to hit urban features in your hometown, it just feels good to drive 10 minutes from the front door and get work done. During this session with Level 1, Keegan Kilbride, Will Berman and Lupe Hagearty took turns running the winch for each other around Denver. Proper gloves (or mittens) always recommended.” Photo: Blake Kimmel The Ski Journal 017
The Ski Journal Volume 13, Issue 3: Page 15
