Ryan Hudson
It feels good to be back to be honest. I got here Nov 7th and there wasn't any snow! The barest I've seen it so far I got here the same day last year and we'd gotten a 4 foot dump and Snowbird aka "The Bird" had already been opened.This year was much different, there was no snow, The Bird wasn't opened and it wouldn't be for another two weeks. So to pass the time we'd take long night hikes up a trail toward Flagstaff Peak, which is literally in our back yard. We'd hike for about an hour or so to indulge in the night beauty, then make our way down. The Bird opened on Nov. 20th. I was bummed cause we really didn't have any snow yet, guess you can say it was a slow start to the season. I moved in to that same room I had last season only 2 otehr roommates, Jesse being one of them and Grey, a Telemarker Skier I met last year. We started work just a day or two after opening day and life's been on cruise control ever since. We've got 7 guests in-house and for a dishwasher, man, I don't mean to be cliche but its definitely like having your cake and eating it too haha. I love my job, I love my schedule. I work all nights so I really never miss a day of riding. Most people tell me I should be working in a different department, that I should get out of the "Pit", all I really ask is "Why?" I only work at night, I don't deal with guests, my job is stress free and I work at my own pace, ya its low in the chain but I answer to no one and that gives me more time to focus on my riding and filming. I'm here for one reason, the snow, plain and simple.
Two nights ago we had the coldest day of the year! 0 degrees with a -15 degree wind chill factor. Its like walking outside and feeling yourself freeze from the inside out. Coldest weather I'd ever been in. In fact the weather report was making claims that this cold front would make it "Too cold to snow"... WHAT!? Just before that we actually got some snow just a couple inches of some light stuff. We really need a good base going, in order for that we've gotta get a real wet cycle to come through and start us off but, I still had fun with what little we got. Tomorrow I hear they are opening another side of the mountain, which in these condition is by far the funnest side to be on. I definitely plan to get some good footage on that too. I actually take back the statement I made earlier about being on cruise control, I've actually been busy with networking and trying to connect with photographers and other riders I'm meeting through friends and just trying to get my name and face out there. We've been connected with The North Face, they've sent us some outerwear and are giving us VIP privileges, allowing us to enter the North Face Masters Of Snowboarding Competition, its the biggest big mountain competition in the US and people come from all corners to compete. The competitions first day is on January 22nd and its hard to train with no snow. For now, all we can do is pray for snow!
Jesse Delgado
11/15/09
My girlfriend and i spent all night rummaging through what remained of our empty room for anything we might have forgotten. Half asleep, and way over packed we tossed our luggage in the truck and rushed to the airport to make our flight at 6 am. We finally get there and the line to check luggage is backed up all the way to the parking lot. After literally running through the airport for over an hour, we finally received our passes and boarded the plane on our way to our new home for the season, the Alta Peruvian Lodge. A little tired and jet lagged we stumbled off the plane in full winter gear expecting a blizzard. haha. There was no blizzard, just a red pt cruiser that somehow managed to hold our 9 bags.
11/16/09
Walked over to Alta ski resort, hiked up and built a kicker next to Collin's lift. I drop in switch, spin a 540 land clean, and plow through what is said to be the best snow on earth. its gonna be a good season!
12/20/09
I have now been here a little over a month. I am one of the 4 dishwashers that work here. Being a dishwasher i get to ride bell to bell 6 days a week. Our housing situation is pretty awesome to say the least. We live in a separate housing unit, called "the Fort" It is much like a college dorm. There are two bunks per room, four people. I think Its amazing that this place can bring so many diffrent people together, all for the same reason.
12/29/09
Today was a long day. It started out cold and snowing, The visibility was low, not many people were out. I enjoy riding on days when most others wouldn't. Being able to ride under any conditions is what makes a good rider. I have been training for The North Face Masters competition, coming up at the end of January. I'm not sure what to expect but I'm getting out everyday, riding hard and learning a lot.