Author: admin

Graduating Ski School with SGT’s South America summer camp

This story was written by SGT camper and intern Scott Waxenbaum. Scott, who is helping with 2013 SGT marketing and sales initiatives, is a Marketing and Finance Major at Boston University. He first came down to SGT Argentina in 2009 and he returned for a subsequent session in 2010. Here he has written an account of his experiences below the equator and how he has gone from sitting through ski school, waiting to be able to shred with his pops, to sitting at the bottom of the ski slope, waiting for his pops to catch up.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Every winter growing up, I would go on family ski vacations. Some of my earliest memories are composed of me skidding down bunny slopes at mountains in the Northeast, like Belleayre and Mountain Creek, where I took my first ski lessons. My family would take trips up to Smugglers Notch, Vermont where my dad would throw me in ski school. Although I loved learning to perfect my form with the coaches, I couldn’t wait for the chance to get out of my lesson and shred with my pops. I worked my way up from level to level until I was comfortable riding anywhere on the mountain. This was a dangerous time, because now I was confident enough to want to push the boundaries of my skiing, but I didn’t have the experience on snow to back up my newfound ballsiness.

It was time to step it up. Weekend warrior trips in the winter didn’t cut it anymore. I had to satisfy my constant craving for snow somehow. Now was the time to end my usual summer vacation and devote some more time to the mountain. So, I packed up my stuff and headed for a week long camp on the Whistler Backcomb glacier. There I was really pushed by my coaches, enabling me to learn all sorts of new tricks. In an environment where everyone is skiing at a higher level than you, that is where you get pushed to try new things and improve as a skier. You can observe the other skiers technique and take not on their style. I would ask for tips on how to nail that one down rail or lock in that 360.  My time park skiing in Canada was the first step of realizing my full potential as a skier.

The winter after my time on the glacier I headed back for more skiing with my family at Whistler. During a chair lift conversation with a mystery skier, we talked about how it had been a weak snow year for Whistler, and how it was going to hurt the glacier camps that summer. The skier told me that I was an idiot for going to ski summer slush when I could ski fresh powder all summer. How is that possible I wanted know. By going down to Argentina on a program called SASS Global Travel. I pulled up the company’s website and a phone call later I was all lined up to spend 2 weeks of my summer in Argentina shredding the gnar.

When in Argentina my skiing progressed to levels it never could have reached at home in the northeast. Here, I entered a new world, the world of backcountry skiing. No longer was I a park rat, hitting icy jumps and hiking homemade rails. I now had to be aware of avalanches and all the other dangers that come along with riding big mountain terrain. Argentina was so awesome that I extended my trip an additional two weeks and I came back the next summer for a month again. This time was so valuable because every second you spend on the snow you learn something new, whether it be how to build a jump or how to drop a cliff. I learned every thing I know about backcountry skiing with SGT.

After all the days I spent on the snow, I knew I could take on anything. No more ski school for me, time to crank some turns with my pops. He was the one that had to catch up with me now, as I sat waiting at the bottom of the trail for him.

Go Skiing in Argentina, it will open your eyes to new culture, new terrain and hey you just may get good enough to ski with your old man!

Check out our program in Argentina!

Top 10 Ski Resorts in South America: Cerro Castor

The Best South American Ski Resorts: #10 Cerro Castor

Located in Argentina’s southern Patagonian region known as Tierra del Fuego, Cerro Castor claims notoriety as the southernmost ski area on the continent. Although lacking the extreme terrain found at other South American ski areas, the bountiful powder spread deep across the spacious slopes of Cerro Castor makes the effort to discover this “secret” at the “end of the world” worthwhile.

Also (ir)relevant, Cerro Castor’s has two of the creepiest mascots we’ve seen yet. Whoever thought a human sized rat and a giant “tickle-me-here” Elmo make great mascots… We may never know.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Skiable Terrain: 600 acres

Vert: 772m (2533 feet)

Number of Lifts: 9

Nearest City: Ushuiaia is 30 minutes away

Terrain Park: Yes

Country: Argentina


View Ushuaia Cerro Castor x Valle in a larger map

Best of 2012

 

 The Best of 2012
_______________________________ 

Social

Ski Machine:
Michelle Parker – If you don’t know, I can’t explain it

Best Bar:
Kiosco
 

Best Intsagramer:
KC Deane

Best Song:
My D#@k – Big Pun (what up Burnsy)

Best Dance:
Kate Upton – Cat Daddy

Best Shredder:
David Gonzalez – I know this is a skate part, but he is hitting snowboard sized rails on a skateboard. And doing it well.

Best Person to get a Churro with:
Robin Van Gyn
 

Best Night Out:
Burns’ Birthday @ DUSK – still recovering

Chief Handler:
Tikos – never home before 1:00am and always up and ready to shred
 

Best Attitude:
Michelle Parker – ski, smile, run, smile, eat, smile, ab ripper, smile, hang out, smile, sleep & smile (I assume)

Biggest Bad Ass:
Chirs Coulter – should just name this award after him
 

Mellow Cat:
Piers “Semi-Swiss” Solomon – hola
 

Best Food:
lomoito @ TAGE & anything @ Alberto’s (tie)

SGT Staff

The Garrett Russell Award (words can’t explain this):
Garrett Russell

Best House:
New Hampshire Shanty Crew (Burg, Lucas & Crockett – featuring guest appearances by Burns)
 

Best idea:
Travis Moore – acquiring Rincon Surf School
 

Safe as Heck:
Miguel (off-hill) – don’t try to go in the pool after 11:00pm
Skylar Holgate (on-hill) – bringing everyone home

Best Smile, Hair & Bottom:
Nicki Slectha

Best SGT Staff Member:
David Burg – for handling everything
 

Gnarliest Adventure:
Jon Conway – over 100 hours to get to Bariloche

Biggest Crap Talker:
Fran – in a run away

The Man & Internet Beast:
Skylar Holgate
 

Over shoot the landing:
Ben Girardi – JESUS!!!!!! He went so far past his normal consumption of none. Twice.

Most things engaged in:
The Lucas – Watch a movie, check clients in, g chat, listen to new track from some crappy band, talk (in spanglish to Samuel), correct a mistake by Burg, . . .

Staff MVP:
Tony Pavlantos – for taking every difficult assignment without complaint

SGT Family

Sendiest Camper:
Blaine Galivan & Chris Poe (Tie)

Funniest Name:
Sam Shopland Reid (say with bad british accent)

Most Stoked:
Chelsey Wells

Wisest & Most Impressive:
Evan Axelrad

Biggest Cojones:
Sparky

Most Fun Had:
Wes Mills & Wes Mills jr.

Best Intern:
Oscar Jacob

The Major Awards

Rookie of the year:
Tony Pavlantos
 

Most Improved:
Nicole Harris

Best Edit:
Session Uno – Snowboard (by Jon Conway)
[vimeo video_id=”47491271″ width=”600″ height=”400″ title=”Yes” byline=”Yes” portrait=”No” autoplay=”No” loop=”No” color=”00adef”]

Best Photo:
Tikos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Coach/Guide:
Pete Connolly
 

Best Camper:
Chase Josey

______________________________________________________________________

As the foremost authority on all things snow I take the end of the season honors very seriously. When I chosen from the nearly six applicants to attempt to fill the vast chasm left by the departure of the immensely talented Dunfee, I know this would be the most difficult part of the job. It took the last three months of research, opinion gathering, video watching  and the occasionally stress related panic attack to deliver the definitive list for SGT Argentina 2012.

Now that this lomo of a list has been consumed, I must rest in an attempt to muster the courage to once again document Argentina in 2013. For you. . . I will go once again go into the depths of insanity and bottomless powder to overcover the truth behind SGT, the people & Argentina.

Thank you to everybody for being part of the best year in SGT history. We anticipate next year to be even better, so make sure to get down to Argentina so you can make the best of 2013.

-Dr. Crockett

 

Dr. Crockett’s Interview Hour: Skylar Holgate

This is Dr. Crockett’s interview hour

Where based on the subject’s intelligence they are asked a serious of questions and then scored on how deeply they search their soul.

Skylar Holgate is the head guide at SGT Argentina and has been for some time. He also spends his “off” time guiding at Silverton Mountain in Colorado, owning and operating the Bonnie Belle Cabin, Guiding in Alaska and he happens to be pretty nasty on his board as well. Skylar is a man’s man, if that man lives in the backcountry, enjoys a pint of ale and holds strong opinions on gun control. On this very special holiday edition of D.C.I.H. Skylar checks his ego and submits to certain emotional breakdown.

Today’s subject is Skylar Holgate

Mr. Holgate’s questions are:

________________________________________________________________

View on rocker vs. camber vs. mustache boards?
Flat till just outside my bindings rocker tip and tail.

Describe SGT Argentina Lodge in one story (not featuring Crockett)?
Non stop action, lots of laughter, easy access to the mountain (about 100 yards from Gondola), lots of food, and epic pool parties for après

Bets x-mas/Kwanza present ever received?
First snowboard, thanks Mom and Dad.

Where do see snowboarding evolving to?
That’s up to the young guns.

Vote on the following:

Rider of the year?
Fabio Grasso, Dude shattered his hip in a climbing accident 4 months ago, and is already back at a professional level guiding.

Video of the year?
Haven’t seen too many this year, TGR “Dream Factory” was epic.

Hottest chick in Snowboarding/Skiing?
The P.S girls, Hana, RVG, hot chicks slayin POW can’t go wrong.

Dude you want to spend a couple of nights in a tent with?
Anyone with good roll up skillz and clean socks.

Best trend in shredding?
Taking a avalanche class!

ROTY (Rookie of the year)?
Any of Jeff Moran’s (Adam Moran’s brother) kids with The Jackson Hole Snowboard Club. Those kids are insane!

Last time you crapped your pants? 
when I was little I guess?

Is Travis Moore a kook?
Travis is in a league of his own.  He turns Kooks into rockstars (look at Dr. Crockett for example)

Marriage, when is that going to happen?
Haha sometime!!

What type of facial hair should Garrett Russell grow next?
I don’t think Garrett can grow facial hair, he was born with that mustache!

Do you feel like a failure because do not know how the “fiscal cliff” will effect the resale value of your properties?
I only own The Bonnie Belle Cabin, and it’s not for sale, but I’ll rent it to you!!

Any advice for the kiddies?
Cotton kills, tall tees in snow make you look like you have a frozen skirt on!  Stay away from wearing your little sister’s pants!

Have you ever fallen on a snowboard?
OH yeah!!

[vimeo video_id=”21806546″ width=”600″ height=”400″ title=”Yes” byline=”No” portrait=”No” autoplay=”No” loop=”No” color=”00adef”]
State the best of the following:

Grab
method

Trick
with style
Band
Beastie Boys
Celebrity
Ever try and walk to TAGE with Garrett Russell?
Beer
light and free
SGT Legend
John Sang Wilbur, J Rags, Raul Pinto
Country (there is a right answer)
The one with the best snow at the time.

Hair Color?
Mine is brown

Do your parents hate your snowboard friends?
No

Biggest Cliff you have dropped?
On purpose?

Claim your sponsors:
The North Face, Smith Optics, Venture Snowboards, The Levitation Project, Burton Boots, Air Blaster, Spark R&D, MTN Approach, Silverton Mountain Guides Alaska Heli, SGT, and The Bonnie Belle Cabin.

Better movie Top Gun or Art of Flight?
Top Gun can’t beat that sound track!

Are the Red Bull contests legit? Who is going to win in 2013 and why?
2013 what??  Have you seen the Red Bull Rampage!!

Murder, Make-out, Marry (Kim Kardashian, Katie Holmes, Katie Perry)?
Who? Do they snowboard?

Lucas Moore, great or greatest ever? 
Mas Blanco, great at picking bad music to wake up SGT campers every morning, Greatest Dancer to get the club going from okay to epic.

How many nicknames do you have? Please list them and how you got them?
In Argentina I go by skilar but pretty sure that’s a language barrier more than a nickname!

Party story, go.
Anytime, The A-Team is together, Garrett, Billy Mac, Mas Blanco, Burns, T-Bird, Sang, Luke. Join the fun or stand back….That Just Happened!!

[vimeo video_id=”54799379″ width=”600″ height=”400″ title=”Yes” byline=”Yes” portrait=”Yes” autoplay=”No” loop=”No” color=”00adef”]

Last time you were in jail? Why?
Argentina, no comment.  But lots of Mate!

How many double corks do you have?
I like Malbec, it usually only has one cork per bottle!
Best way to pick up a chick hanging out in front of Tage?
Be about 16 years old! TAGE is for Coffee and fuel for the day of shredding as you walk to the Gondola, and for an aprè pancho or empanada at the end of the day! Best food on the mountain!!

What is your greatest accomplishment in life?
Getting paid to shred 300+ days a year for the past ten years.

Any advice on how to hook up free drinks at Mute?
What’s MUTE?? Kiosco!

Final Score and Rating:

Skilar stayed true to his roots. Answering the questions on his terms, which is also the way he snowboards. For a brief moment I felt him gaze into the abyss of the unknown and contemplated letting go to fall into untold horrors. Luck for us he held on and will remain champion of the night and the best story teller at camp. For that he receives 46 points. 

Dr. Crockett’s Interview Hour: Tony Pavlantos

This is Dr. Crockett’s interview hour
Where based on the subject’s intelligence they are asked a serious of questions and then scored on how deeply they search their soul for the answer.

Today’s subject is Tony Pavlantos, Tony is a rock climbing, mountaineering, backcountry shredding bad-ass. “Big T” lives in SLC with fellow SGTers’ Chris Coulter & Ben Girardi. Tony is seriously a really good person, probably the best person at SGT. His dark skin and easy on the eyes appearance helps make SGT the best looking company in the industry. Tony is the bees knees, he gets honored by the honored, he shows up on the heros lists of mountain men and true adventurers. Tony is what passion aspires to be. Tony is who Brad Pitt’s dad wishes his son was like. We seriously love this dude (No homo).

It is now time for Tony to sit in the honesty chair and cut open a vain.

Tony’s questions are:

________________________________________________________________

View on SLC? 
It was really good from my bivy camp last week on Mt. Kessler with my Boy Ryan Lehner. We ran out three pitches of mixed climbing to try and sleep in a cave and ride a couloir. Instead, we slept on the summit with 3 million people below, woke up and rode some rocks with snow on them.

Describe SGT Argentina Lodge in one story (not featuring Crockett)?
Well, Soul Max is just that  “Soul to the Max” At 12pm my first night in Bariloche after unwinding the evening ending in a midnight swim in the heated pool I thought I would go hit the hay. Instead the door was locked with the key inside. No roommates answered calls, texts, banging door… 2 am came around and the Roma “coaches apartment” foyer got cold.  So back to Soul Max I went. And who other than Miguel “our night security guard and good friend” greeted me at the door laughing. He preceded to stoke the fire in the grand hotel entrance and brought me a blanket so I could sleep fire side on one of many common room couches where I was awoke four hours later by the smell of sizzling bacon as the kitchen staff prepared breakfast. Not a bad night locked out. Garret got keys made… and my assurances that Soul Max is truly home was justified.

Best x-mas/Kwanza/Hanukkah gift ever received?
My first beacon probe and shovel at fourteen.

Where do see table tennis evolving to?
[embedplusvideo height=”400″ width=”600″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/SncapPrTusA?fs=1&hd=1″ vars=”ytid=SncapPrTusA&width=600&height=400&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=1&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep4600″ /]

Vote on the following

Rider of the year:
I think he/she is lurking under the radar somewhere

Video of the year:
Further

Hottest chick in Snowboarding/Skiing:  
The one with the most Down, I think she wears turquoise

Dude you want to spend a couple of nights in a tent with (must answer):
I assume a man…? So… Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bruce Lee, Mark Twight, Conrad Anker, I will get in trouble if I list the girl I want to spend a couple nights in a tent with.

Best trend in fashion:
Tight Yoga Pants

ROTY (Rookie of the year):
Honestly probably Carly Joseph she has an all around love for and ability to snowboard so great that she dedicates her time to all aspects from park to big mountain and at 17 actually takes the time to learn the technical education side which if she wants would make her a huge asset to the snowboard community… to progress your knowledge and skills so broadly is great because I see her doing more than all the up and coming boys her age..

Last time you cried?
February 16,  2012

Is Travis Moore a kook?
Nope I don’t think he could run a surf and shred camp so well if he was.

Secret crush (can’t say Crockett)?
Natalie Portman

What type of facial hair should Garrett Russell grow next?
I didn’t know there were different types of facial hair. Maybe rabbit fur cuz its soft

What is the longest amount of time you have gone without lady company? 
That question is too broad. but there has been ample distance is both space and time.

Any advice for middle aged people, that have yet to reach their dreams?
Follow them. Dreams are meant to come true or at least die trying to make them.

How often do you lie?
If I don’t lie then I don’t have to remember anything so, I prefer to not lie.

State the best of the following:
  1. Grab
    Switch Method
  2. Trick
    Stale fish grab carve to back 180 to switch backside triple cork 1440
  3. Polka
    dance
  4. Celebrity
    They are unique
  5. Champagne
    Cooks brings back memories of childhood digging at Windells
  6. SGT Staff
    Ya the staff is the best! Irreplaceable if you ask me
  7. Headwear
    Balaklava
  8. Position
    “depends” on what you are trying to accomplish
  9. Hair Color
    Black like Stallion Black

Who are you jealous of?
Trustafrians Mon!

If you were going to commit murder in a movie, what song would be playing?
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata

Claim your BFF:
Zach Meisner

Best song to dance naked to?
Never Danced naked but I would like too Really soon and I will be sure to let you know what song.

Rocking climbing, you do that?
Try too.

Lucas Moore, great or greatest ever?
Greatest Lucas Moore the world has to offer.

How weird is Ben Girardi?
He is a unique individual that has an incomprehensible work ethic and creative talent with motivation to produce any thing he wants.  I am enjoying being his roommate this winter. But he is probably pretty weird if he lives with someone as crazy as me.

Best Coulter story
All my Coulter stories are so crazy I would ruin their gnarliness by trying to tell one. Lets just say he is good at life! Real Real Good! He also dropped into hang fire after I got caught in an avalanche just to come help me out. That shows a dedicated mountain partner more than I can describe.

Party story, go
Mine are really bad like teenage mischief bad. other than that I don’t remember.

Last time you clipped for a lift ticket? Where?

I clipped peoples lift tickets at Brighton in 2004

Most drinks you have had bought for you?
My last shipment of Amy and Brians Coconut Water was 96 – 20 oz cans so probably that many.

Favorite type of energy bar?
ProBar

What is your greatest accomplishment in life?
Peeing in my doctor’s face when I was born. Or tanning elk hides to make gore-tex leather guide gloves. Eeww.

Do you think I (Crockett) would look good in a zoot suit, like 1920’s style?
Yes

Beer, shots or coffee?
Its all water based

You make a lot of split boards, do you wish that you were a skier?
I am a skier the whole way up!

Who is the secret boss of the company?
David Burg

How mad are you at Dr. Crockett (me) for kicking you out of the pool when you “lost” your suit?
Really glad u did. Except you could have handed me my shorts first.

One thing you would take back if you could? 
Not telling Cornelius to just hold on to the back of the truck with me as we waited for the light to turn green. And instead watched him speed wobble on his short board as he let go of the truck at 35 miles an hour and crushed his torso under the rear wheel. I tried to bring him back but he only made it to the hospital. Speak Out!  If you think you should say something please say something it could make a difference.

What are you looking for in a lady or man?
One who does more for everyone else than her self, but still knows what she needs to be happy and healthy.

Solve for x:     x + 16 = 6x – 9  

X = 5

Final Score and Rating:
After careful observation and a couple of vinos I have decided that Tony P. was honest and handsome. However, I often feel that his kind heart makes him a better person then me. So he gets a score of 8.

Dr. Crockett’s Interview Hour: Andrew Burns

This is Dr. Crockett’s interview hour
Where based on the subject’s intelligence they are asked a serious of questions and then scored on how deeply they search their soul for the answer.

Today’s subject is Andrew Burns. Andrew is one of the talented coaches at SGT Argentina and in his spare time he snowboarders professionally. Ol’ Burnsy claims to be a real Canadian, even though he is part AMERICAN (The good part). He status at the top of  the medical miracle charts is unquestioned. This kid (well he is old, but younger than Dr. C, so that makes him kid) has been through more crap then a toilet in a Wisconsin truck stop, yet he brings it ever day and any night you want. Burns and his meat flavored breath have a way of challenging Dr. Crockett on almost everything. But now he is in the chair of honesty and must yield to the most suffificanted mental barrage of craium cracking questions ever posed.
Mr. Burns’ questions are:

_____________________________________________________________________

View on rocker vs. camber vs. mustache boards?
I like camber with a little rocker at the nose and tail. So there.

Describe SGT Argentina Lodge in one story (not featuring Crockett)?
Wake up, shred, pow, epic, après, pool, dinner, Jacksons, fernet, and repeat. The details are unimportant, everything is pretty rad to the max after you wake up.

Bets x-mas/Kwanza present ever received?
Lift pass one year when I was super hurting. That was top notch.

Where do see snowboarding evolving to?
Wherever people want to take it, whatever they want to do with it

Vote on the following:
  1. Rider of the year
    Mikey Rencz
  2. Video of the year
    DOPE 3
  3. Hottest chick in Snowboarding/Skiing?
    There’s a lot of them.
  4. Dude you want to spend a couple of nights in a tent with?
    I don’t, plus I live in a trailer anyways.
  5. Best trend in shredding?
    Trends
  6. ROTY (Rookie of the year)?
    Layne Treeter

Last time you crapped your pants?
Never have believe it or not.

Is Travis Moore a kook?
No but he’s a little nuts!

Marriage, when is that going to happen?
hahahahaha

What type of facial hair should Garrett Russell grow next?
Mustaches under his eyes.

Do you feel like a failure because do not know how the “fiscal cliff” will effect the resale value of your properties?
I don’t have properties, so no.

Any advice for the kiddies?
Be awesome.

Have you ever fallen on a snowboard?
Obviously not.

[vimeo video_id=”50118687″ width=”600″ height=”400″ title=”No” byline=”No” portrait=”No” autoplay=”No” loop=”No” color=”00adef”]

 State the best of the following:
  1. Grab
    method
  2. Trick
    fs 3
  3. Band
    Slayer
  4. Celebrity
    Bruce Willis
  5. Beer
    PBR
  6. SGT Legend
    The Dunf
  7. Headwear
    Toques
  8. Country (there is a right answer)
    Wrong, it’s Canada
  9. Hair Color
    That’s just stupid

Do your parents hate your snowboard friends?
Only you pal!

Biggest cliff you have dropped?
Big…

Claim your sponsors:
Capita, 32, The Levitation Project, Union, Dragon, Etnies, SEABA, MyPakage

Better movie Top Gun or Art of Flight?
Top Gun.

Are the Red Bull contests legit? Who is going to win in 2013 and why?
They  seem pretty cool. Who knows, pow’s like that.

Murder, Make-out, Marry (Kim Kardashian, Katie Holmes, Katie Perry)?
I have no real preference. Maybe I’d start with a game of Russian roulette, then see who annoyes me the least out of those two, then bang the other I guess.

Lucas Moore, great or greatest ever?
There is no word yet properly describing the Lucas.

How many nicknames do you have? Please list them and how you got them?
Shit I don’t know… I have lots, don’t you think the nickname question is pretty played out? Call me Burns. Or Andrew. Please don’t call me Andy. Thanks.

Party story, go.
It was crazy! On my way to the club in centro and then… wait I blacked out, you’ll have to ask someone else my best party story haha.

Last time you were in jail? Why?
No comment.

How many double corks do you have?
Some. Less than 23.

Best way to pick up a chick hanging out in front of Tage?
That’s not where you want to pick up chicks.

What is your greatest accomplishment in life?
Surviving? haha

Any advice on how to hook up free drinks at Mute?
Be awesome. For reference, see me (Andrew Burns), Skylar (Holgate), Nicki (Slechta), and (Chris) Coulter.

If T-Rice rules big mountain and Terje is the legend of legends then how many miles do you have to ride on your bike to be a man?
I don’t have a bike, I like machines better. 

Final Score and Rating: 

Even though Mr. Burns feels that he deserves a prefect score and will probably attack me (& lose) he will not receive one. The standards and traditions of Dr. Crockett’s Interview Hour have long been a pillar of journalistic excellence, and will not be bullied. In conclusion, Andrew answers were honest and thought provoking. He challenged his inner Dr. Phil and combined it with the sensibility of a Hallmark movie of the week. In consideration of this – 43 points are awarded.

Dr. Crockett Interview Hour: “Sneaky” Pete Connolly

This is Dr. Crockett’s interview hour
Where based on the subject’s intelligence, they are asked a series of questions and then scored on how deeply they searched their soul for the proper answers.

Today’s subject is Pete Connolly. Pete is a guide at SGT Argentina and Silverton Mountain, CO. Pete’s own company Solid Citizen Design handles all of SGT’s graphic design making him the only person on staff that gets to tell Dr. Crockett he is an idiot. Pete is an easy going, tall drink of water from the East coast that snuck into the SGT Family a few years back with a vast skill set and a tireless work ethic. Pete enjoy’s thoughtful conversions, design, music and medium to short brunette ladies.
Mr. Connolly’s questions are:
______________________________________________________________________

View on living in a mountain town?
Wouldn’t live anywhere else. Access to the backcountry without competition is the key. Hence my Silverton residence. Attractive girls can’t be the reason for every decision you make.

Describe SGT Argentina Lodge in one story (not featuring Crockett)?
What happens in the lodge stays in the lodge.

Best x-mas/Kwanza present ever received?
20 pairs of ski socks. There is no such thing as enough ski socks.

Where do you see skiing/snowboarding evolving?
Time will tell. My only hope is that there is further unification between skiing and snowboarding. I am so sick of the unnecessary rift between the two. Old skiers, shut the fuck up. Young snowboarders, who gives a fuck.

Rider of the year:
Anyone that truly fell in love with this sport of ours for the first time. I’m talking that real love though. More that love that makes you push until your heart can’t take it, that love that makes all stress melt away, that love that helps you endure the pain, that love that consumes you and opens your eyes and makes you laugh uncontrollably. Not so much that love that is all, “oh, you’re a skier? Me too… I LOVE skiing… I get out every once in a while… no, I don’t own a beacon… what’s a DIN setting?.. you mean I’m not supposed to carry these with the tips facing behind me?.. do you like spring corn or powder better?.. really, I like corn better…  why are you walking away?”

Video of the year:
Don’t watch many videos due to the fact that they make me insanely jealous to the point of frustration. But just watched Xavier’s White Noise and I dig the particular way he looks at riding and the mountains.

Hottest chick in Snowboarding/Skiing?
Nicki Slechta (damn, that girls has a nice butt)

Dude you want to spend a couple of nights in a tent with?
I’ll sleep next to any dude in a tent as long as it is in Alaska.

Best trend in shredding?
The decreasing rift between skiers and snowboarders.

Last time you crapped your pants?
Less recently than Jon Conway.

Is Travis Moore a kook?
A kook? Not sure. He is one of a kind, that’s for sure. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

Marriage, when is that going to happen?
Seeing as my addiction to skiing has been the end to every recent relationship… not any time soon.

What type of facial hair should Garrett Russell grow next?
He’s been rocking’ that stache for so long it has become a part of him and I wouldn’t change a damn thing about the Garrett Russell I know.

Do you feel like a failure because do not know how the “fiscal cliff” will effect the resale value of your properties?
You think I have enough money for a property, let alone multiple properties?

Any advice for the kiddies?
You can make plenty of money doing what you love as long as you commit. Once you do, everyone will tell you how ‘lucky’ you are. Fuck that. You made it happen. Luck had nothing to do with it.

How often do you fall?
A lady never tells.

State the best of the following:
Grab
Method (just wish there was a straight air grab on skis that looked even moderately as awesome as that shit does on a snowboard)

Trick
Anything smooth off of anything natural

Band
Traffic (listen to low spark of high heeled boys and try to tell me otherwise)

Celebrity
Physically couldn’t care any less (but I will take this opportunity to point out that it is in fact, “couldn’t care less,” not “could care less.” If I “could care less” there would be room for less care, whereas if “I couldn’t care less” then I am devoid of care entirely.)

Beer
Long Trail Ale (holding onto those east-coast roots)

SGT Legend
Jay Ragazino (J-Rags)

Headwear
Coal

Outerwear
TREW

Country (there is a right answer)
The United States of America. Not even moderately kidding. Not saying there aren’t some changes I would like to make, but I have been many places and very much choose to live right here where I have the freedom to be poor as hell and still enjoy every second.

Hair Color
brunette (preferably between 5’1″ and 5’4″)

Do your parents hate your snowboard friends?
My parents are the reason I have skier/snowboard friends. They are the ones that fueled this fire, not my fault.

Biggest cliff you have dropped?
Doesn’t matter how big it is. Its all about style and flow.

Claim your best friend:
Sumner Dickenson Widdoes. Whitest name ever, no idea what to do with snow, but a damn good guy nonetheless.

Better movie Top Gun or Art of Flight?
Top Gun. No question. Art of Flight should have been about 15 minutes. Max.

Are the Red Bull contests legit? Who is going to win in 2013 and why?
Red Bull contests couldn’t be more legit. Its one of the only companies pumping money into this industry in the right way. Letting their athletes set the stage and create the atmosphere is helping to propel the industry and push the limits of what we see as possible.

Lucas Moore, great or greatest ever?
I’m going to go with… all right?.

How many nicknames do you have? Please list them and how you got them?
Sneaky-Pete (Travis Moore, due to my ability to show up out of nowhere and work my way into the job I wanted without anyone noticing)

Pedro (good for radio traffic)

Solid Citizen (Rick Means, due to how physically difficult it was to lift me as a child.)

Last time you were in jail? Why?
19 years old. Thought the justice system would be just and that the judge would be a rational person to whom I could explain the absurdity of the situation. I was just a bit naive to say the least.

Best way to pick up a chick hanging out in front of Tage?
Lean more forward, be more confident, be more aggressive.

What is your greatest accomplishment in life
Getting to where I am today… Multiple jobs doing multiple things that I love while still having the time to push that love even further.

Any advice on how to hook up free drinks at Mute?
Fuck Mute. CHIMANGO’S 2013.

If T-Rice rules big mountain and Terje is the legend of legends then how many miles do you have to ride on your bike to be a man?
No idea how many miles of bike-riding, but you would certainly have to put up some serious vertical in order to compete with those two.

 

Final Score and Rating:

I thank Sneaky for his candor and honesty. In grading Pete I had to explore my soul and react to the knowledge that he maybe better looking then me. After a long look in the mirror and renewed self confidence, I believe that Pete has it. It being height. He is tall and that is his most striking feature. He towers over others imposing his superior high-angle optical skills while simultaneously brandishing his opinions of the world unapologetically.  In the end Pete is a worth adversary and someone to take seriously. With that in mind – 38 Points have been awarded to Pete Connolly.

Waiting for an Answer: Southern Smiles

Daniel Ochoa came down to SGT in the summer of 2012 with a knowledge of the world and a good understanding of travel. Ochoa had also caught my eye by producing some very nice photos on his blog – http://www.fotochoa.com. I decided to ask him for his view of SGT Argentina to help us get more feed back on the program. He is what Daniel had to say:

There is something so addicting about southern hemisphere snow. Walking through Cancun International Airport with a bag full of snowboards is surreal and stepping off a jetway right into winter with your flip-flops and board shorts on is magical. The chill on your toes, a cool you haven’t felt in months, means that the promise of pow in the summer has just turned from a day dream to a reality. If you’ve already had a good summer shred you know what I’m talking about and if you are reading this you and I are already on the same page. You don’t need me to tell you how good the snow can be or how great the terrain is, you already know. What I can tell you is that while the powder turns, big lines, and promises of untouched backcountry can leave you speechless, the people you’ll meet and the cultures you will experience leave are guaranteed to leave the longest lasting impressions. My two weeks with SGT Argentina were no different.

When I scooped up the last spot for SGT Argentina’s 2012 session three weeks before departure, all I knew is that I would be snowboarding in beautiful Bariloche, Argentina with campers, clients, world-renowned guides and some stoked pro coaches, and really, that’s all I needed to know. I couldn’t wait and I’ll just tell you right now, the experience didn’t disappoint. The mountains are as advertised, SGT staff is even better than advertised, and one of the most memorable days I had with SGT Argentina wasn’t advertised at all.

I almost missed out on Burg’s brewery tour. David and I talked about it the night before at Jacksons and I was definitely into it but my number one priority was to ride and ride I did that next day. I barely made the “cambi” bus pick up at 5pm after a great day on the hill with the crew. I’m glad I did because Barilcohe has some of the best craft beer breweries south of the equator.

Stop 1, Cerveceria Blest: I could have sworn we were in Germany and actually, David informed me that the German immigrant population was well represented in Bariloche. This was our first stop and it felt like we were gearing up for Oktoberfest. Try the Frambuesa Lambic for something different. A cross between a beer and a raspberry cider, this was a mellow way to get the tour started. The amgios agreed.

Stop 2, Cerveceria Berlina: The rustic yet warm confines of Berlina were perfect for a sunset beer. The brewery sits on a duck pond beneath the Andean peaks and the locale combined with the beers made this place memorable. Try the IPA or the Stout. In my experience a beer in Latin America generally amounts to little more than a homogeneous lager from a nationalized brewery but my first Berlina brew surprised me with something different. Argentines actually appreciate a good, hearty, well-crafted beer.

Stop 3, Cerveceria La Cruz: If you are a local, this is where you come for an Après Ski beer and pizza after a day in the mountains. The vibe is family and the beers are good. No messing around here, the brewery knows what its doing and the locals appreciate it. If I lived down the street from La Cruz, the bartender and I would be on a first name basis regardless of my Spanish comprehension. Try the Double IPA if you are a hophead.

The brewery tour was a great, unexpected, evening with new friends and SGT staff. The kind of experience you have when you decide to drink up as much life as you can. As always though, the best part about going out late night in a mountain town is that you are almost guaranteed a fresh dump of white when the sun rises. 7 am arrived early the next day but with it came the white stuff and another deep day on the Cerro. Salud!

Words & Photos: Daniel Ochoa