Snow – Page 8 – SASS Global Travel

Kite Snowboarding: No Mountain Necessary

Although it may not necessary be a new phenomenon, Kite Snowboarding certainly is an undiscovered way to find fresh pow pockets. Naturally, Wyoming and Utah are home to some of the largest mountain resorts, but in the great states lay some of the best untouched powder plains that only can be accessed when strapped up to a kite. Take a look below at a new creative way to travel, featuring roof rides, road gaps, rodeos, and broken trees.

[vimeo video_id=”94811201″ width=”600″ height=”450″ title=”Yes” byline=”Yes” portrait=”Yes” autoplay=”No” loop=”No” color=”00adef”]

Otherwise, join us down in Argentina for more downhill adventures, as the Cerro Catedral mountains provide more than ample lines to be shredded in your greatest summer session to date.

SGT’s Top 10 Snow-Rated Colleges

After finishing their junior year of high school, skiers and snowboarders alike are plagued with the everpresent question of “Where are you going to college?”. Students obviously long for a school where the least amount of classes can e taken in the winter, while the most amount of time can be spent shredding lines and finding pow stashes. Here is the top to colleges/universities where you can earn a degree in the field of your choice, but more importantly students can get their Shreducation. College: where students can grow to be come ski bums.

1. Sierra Nevada College~ now available for summertime courses in Argentina!

Web site: http://www.sierranevada.edu

Nearest resort from campus: 17 ski areas with (45 mins) Squaw Valley Resort, http://squaw.com

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

2. University of Utah

Web site: http://www.utah.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Solitude (26 miles), http://www.skisolitude.com

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

3. Quest University Canada

Web site: http://www.questu.ca/

Nearest resort from campus: Whistler Blackcomb Resort (36 Miles), http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Ski/Snowboard club: Yes

4. Montana State University

Web site:www.montana.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Bridger Bowl (16 miles), http://bridgerbowl.com/

Ski/Snowboard club: No

5. University of Colorado at Boulder

Web site: www.colorado.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Eldora (20 miles), http://www.eldora.com/

Ski/Snowboard club: Yes

6. Western Washington University

Web site: www.wwu.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Mt. Baker (54 miles), www.mtbaker.us/

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

7. Western State Colorado University

Web site: www.western.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Crested Butte (30 miles), http://www.skicb.com/

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

8. Westminster College

Web site:http://www.westminstercollege.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Solitude (26 miles), http://www.skisolitude.com

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

9. Fort Lewis College

Web site: http://www.fortlewis.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Silverton (48 miles), https://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/home

Ski/Snowboard Club: Yes

10. University of British Columbia

Web site: http://www.ubc.ca

Nearest resort from campus: Grouse Mountain (9 Miles), https://www.grousemountain.com/

Ski/Snowboard club: yes

Honorable Mention if you cannot get out of the East Coast:

1. University of Vermont

Web site: www.uvm.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Stowe Mountain Resort (37 miles), http://www.stowe.com/

Ski/Snowboard club: Yes

2. Plymouth State College

Web site: www.plymouth.edu

Nearest resort from campus: Waterville Valley (18 miles), http://www.waterville.com/

Ski/Snowboard club: Yes

A Gringo’s Guide for Down Under: Some Useful Words for Argentina

To expand your vernacular without keeping a pocket shred dictionary, join us down for a summer session down in Argentina, where the snow is chest-deep and the runs are ripe for the ripping.

1. Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding: Making first tracks in fresh powder. It offers skiers/snowboarders a chance to experience challenging terrain in a more natural setting, but offers them the challenge of accessing and ascending the couloirs at first.

2. Backcountry area: The area outside the runs of a ski area or backcountry, away from developed ski areas. Typically on a different face from the resorts, as undeveloped land on ski areas accessible by lift is called sidecountry.

3. Avalanche: A large volume of snow rushing down a mountain. This event can be triggered by weather, instabilities in the snow pack or by a human error. Avalanches can be deadly, but a proper avalanche education can help you stay safe and secure.

4. Probe: A long rod, used to poke through the snow pack to locate people trapped and buried under the snow. The probe is used in addition to two other main tools, all necessary to be safe in the backcountry.

5. Backcountry Shovel: A smaller sized shovel than the typical driveway variety, this tool frequently breaks down into two pieces; the handle and the shovel head. These are made to fit into your backcountry pack, and are used to assess the snow pack and dig out a buried partner. Shovels are also used to partake in sled races, for when standing up or standing sideways just doesn’t cut it.

6. Avalanche Transceiver (Beacon): A device worn when skiing/snowboarding in the backcountry, or out of bounds. The beacon receives and transmits a signal that can be detected by another transceiver, useful when locating party members trapped in an avalanche.

7. Puking: Heavy thick snowfall that accumulates to form good powder snow and freshies for skiing.

8. Nuking: An unusually large or heavy snowfall accompanied by ideal conditions, making it the perfect time to go skiing. Also see puking.

9. POW: A slang term for fresh deep, good snow. Use this term sparingly in the presence of professional skiiers.

10. Freshies: The act of getting first tracks down a run/route with fresh powder. Typically accompanied by the skier/snowboarder claiming it at the bottom with a hoop and a holler, and a triumphant arm pump.

Top 25 Snow Tracks

Josh Trosky in tune with the mountains. Photo: Ben Girardi

It’s only natural that when the mountain is calling, the rider brings along the music. Both skiers and riders can enjoy tunes when carving out fresh pow turns or even throwin’ hammers in the park. 25 great ride tracks are listed below to get the snow-stoke going. Register for the Japanese snow trip today to get your powder fix in an eye-opening environment, or join us for our Argentina Trip for a truly unforgettable adventure.

Answer the call of the mountains today!

Tony Pavlantos demonstrating a method off of a natural hit. — Tony Pavlantos demonstrating a method in the Argentina backcountry. Photo: Ben Girardi

Song With A Mission – The Sounds
Ch-Check It Out – Beastie Boys
You & Me (Flume remix) – Disclosure
Coffee – Aesop Rock
Hank Is Dead – Red Fang
King Wizard – Kid CuDi
Things I Should Have Said – The Grass Roots
Hot Like Dimes – Pretty Lights
Shove It – Santigold
Strictly 4 My Jeeps – Action Bronson
We Own The Sky – M83
Black Cab – Jens Lekman
Antenna – Zion I
Arcane – Supervision
South Of Heaven – Slayer
Charlie Brown (DJ Mehdi Remix) – Ghostface Killah
Dashboard – Modest Mouse
Hold Tight – Goldfish
Radio – Raphael Saadiq
Open Your Eyes (Trap Remix) – Disco Fries
Hypersonic – Jane’s Addiction
Feel Good Music – Ground Up Sounds
You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire – Queens Of The Stone Age
Will Calls (Diplo Remix) – Grizzly Bear
Higher – Just Blaze & Baauer (ft. Jay-Z)

The Skier Who Hated Powder

Johan Jonsson is not the typical skier. In his recent video series, “The Hunt For Likebombs And Sh*t F#%k Conditions”, the crazy Swede set out to tackle what would be the most unique among all challenges; searching for sh*t f#%k conditions. However, Jonsson was sadly disappointed to find that the Alps absolutely no ice sheets to bomb down, and no rocks to smash.

In this manner, Jonsson would have even been disappointed in coming to ski in the United States, as even the South has been featuring some heavy snowfall over the past few weeks.

So next time you’re making an excuse about how the conditions are too poor to strap in, remember; there’s already a pro making a living off of riding slopes barer than yours.

Don’t get stuck looking for Sh*t F#%k Conditions, but rather come join us and float through Japanese powder. Inquire today for some of the best riding of your life!

Go Powsurfing!

At SASS, we understand the powerful feelings behind getting barreled on a giant wave. However, a new boardsport has a emerged, by the name of Powsurfing. Powsurfing is similar to snowskating, with the rider lacking bindings and feeling free when descending down the mountain. Where powsurfing differs from snowskating is that the board is the same size, if not slightly larger, than a typical snowboard. However, powsurfing is not Noboarding, as Noboards feature the front rope-handle to help you control your board as well as steel stomp-pads to help control your descent.

No, Powsurfing is the art of handling yourself on a binding-less board, streaking down mountain sides, and throwing white plumes everywhere.

Take a look below at the video to check out Powsurfers “paddling out” and getting shacked.

Don’t force yourself into your thickest wetsuit to get into the water this winter, but instead carve the powdery goodness with the SASS Global Travel Crew down in Japan for the true unique Japanese culture as well as some of the world’s greatest freshies.

JOIN US TODAY

Surfing the fresh powder?

The North Face recently released a new video “Into The Mind”, which features some of the teams’ athletes in their natural element. A unique part of the film is the demonstration of the likeness between snowboarding through fresh powder, and catching some waves on a surfboard. The video features shots of DCP (David Carrier Porcheron) fully suited to float through the powderfields of British Columbia, but instead paddling out into Costa Rican waters in search of some clean sets. Additionally, the segment features global superstar Tom Wallisch in his first attempt at a triple cork. From the same makers of the truly epic ski/climb film “All.I.Can.”, comes a new concept film that helps break down the barriers between some of the greatest sports on earth.

The Frenchy himself, DCP, capitalizing his worldliness with a line from a typical Puerto Rican adventure.

DCP’s Surf/Snowboard Segment (from INTO THE MIND) from Sherpas Cinema on Vimeo.

Like this update? Check out our article on Powsurfing, the sport that mixes DCP’s favorites.

Guidos Boarding Through NYC!

After Mother Nature let loose the juice on the Northeast, the guidos emerged from their habitats on Staten Island. Casey Neistat (AKA The Situation’s cousin) grabbed his board and caught some snow towing in the most unusual of places. Check out this video of the native New Yorker tearing up 8th Avenue riding a Lib Tech behind a Jeep, getting some clean shots while rocking the state-worker jumpsuit, sunglasses on a cloudy day, no helmet, and a spray-on tan. In the spirit of GTL, the guido looked fresh throughout his whole experience, even pulling some clean tail-butters out of his bag of tricks.

A sighting of guidos in the club. Luckily, rarely do you find these creatures on the Argentina slopes or in deep Japow.

For more unique stories, stay up to date with the SGT blog. In addition, check out this unique perspective on how catching some swell on a surfboard and shredding some powder are similar.

Japan Powder Discovery Trip: Week 2

After a full week of fresh snow every day, it was hard to believe this trip would continue to deliver on such a scale. Lucky for us, it did.

After leaving a few satisfied SASS family members in Sapporo, the rest of the crew took off for Asahidake up in the central part of Hokkaido where the mountains get a bit bigger and the crowds get a bit smaller. As mentioned in our Japan Recon post, Asahidake has a single tramway that helps visitors access a bunch of unpatrolled backcountry style terrain that includes pillowy tree skiing, hike-to open pow fields, big cliffs, small cliffs and one massive high-alpine volcano. With no crowds to speak of and a traditional Japanese cabin to call home, we were set up for success.

Our Japan Program Page

Again, Asahidake delivered and the words “best run of my life” were said at least once. We spent two days laughing, smiling and killing it all over that mountain.

With a late flight out in the afternoon the next day, the crew nailed it for a day at Sapporo Teine. Looking at the weather we expected a bit of new snow, but had no idea it was going to end up being the deepest, face-shottiest day of the trip. Travis was a bit more than excited…

Next stop: Hakuba. We jumped on a plane out of Sappoyro to check out the mountains surrounding Hakuba, located on Japan’s main island, Honshu. Meeting up with SASS Argentina guide, and new Hakuba local, Jon Conway, we spent our first blue-bird day of the trip at Happo One for some early morning resort pow laps and then split up for the afternoon. Half the crew opted for a booze-cruise, Lucas style, around the resort’s many fine drinking establishments. The rest of us continued some recon off of the North-Side and into the backcountry. The terrain was unreal, but the wind and terrain-trap potential were high. After making some choice turns and getting across the river out of harm’s way, it was apparent that 1) this was serious, big and awesome terrain; 2) the snow and weather are, in general, much more variable than on Hokkaido; 3) there is a ton of potential here, but it would mostly be during the spring when the avy danger calms down a bit. Hence our decision to focus on Hokkaido for our SASS Japan program in the future.

After one more day in Hakuba the crew packed up for a final day exploring Tokyo. Dinner and debauchery ensued, but everyone managed to make their flight out the next day.

Overall the Japan Powder Discover Trip was a huge success. Endless amounts of snow helped, but the crew made it even better. Looking forward to helping make experiences like this happen for more people in the future… Could be you next time.

Our Japan Program Page

Japan Powder Discovery Trip: Week 1

We are here in Japan on a discovery trip with some of our favorite clients to find out what everyone has been talking about. For years, we have been discussing the possibility of opening a new SASS trip in Japan. Our plan was to put together a trip based on the advice that many seasoned Japan skiers and snowboarders have been offering us over the years as well as some preliminary recon of our own. We decided to bring along a select group of some of our favorite SASS family members to gain feedback and see which spots put the biggest smile on their faces.

Our Japan Program Page

For the first week our itinerary was loose and we freestyled our way around the north island of Hokkaido hitting as many spots as possible…

The crew met up in Sapporo and were immediately introduced to traditional Japanese cuisine in order to fuel up for the coming powder filled days.

After deciding that the snow wasn’t up to snuff at Sapporo Teine, we switched it up and spent our first day at Sapporo Kokusai. Kokusai was the perfect warm-up to skiing in Japan. 15 cms of new snow, perfectly spaced trees and simple sidecountry access gave us the opportunity to shred and get through some beacon drills to refresh everyone’s memory.

Next we headed straight for the Niseko area with our eyes set on the lesser-known Moiwa ski area. It simply wouldn’t stop snowing for the next three days. We spent the first two lapping through the top gate of Moiwa playing in the trees, jumping off of pillows and avoiding the crowds of the famous Niseko United resorts. Despite our love for Moiwa’s privacy and ski-in-ski-out access, we wanted to explore what Niseko United had to offer as well. We dipped over to Niseko Annupuri to get a few laps in the morning. Our recently discovered off-piste zones delivered newly deposited knee-deep freshness and the crowds seemed to be unaware of their existence. Skipping over the less desirable terrain of Niseko Village and Grand Hirafu, we continued to wrap around all the way to Niseko Hanazono for more stashes of gate-accessed side-country that we had all to ourselves.

After two days of heavy snowfall and sun in the forecast (a rarity at a ski area that seems to get endless strings of daily dumps) we made the short drive from the base of Moiwa to Rusutsu. The sun was out and the famous Japanese powder was deep. The views from the top almost distracted us from the blower that was to be had below. The recon we did before the trip began proved effective as we spent the day shaking our heads unable to believe that every day just kept getting better.

We snuck in one more unforgettable day at Moiwa as it began to feel more and more like home (plus the surprise 20cms didn’t hurt). Next we head north to Asahidake for some backcountry missions Japan style…

Our Japan Program Page