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

Japan Powder Recon Trip

After years of hearing about the magic that is skiing and snowboarding in Japan, we finally decided to see what all of the fuss is about in order to create a new SASS Global Travel experience in the future. We spent the fall months researching the ski areas, terrain and weather in Japan, spending hours on the phone with experienced skiers and riders who have spent time all over both islands on piste and in the backcountry. Our resources were vast thanks to the eternal SASS Family. Next we set up a flexible itinerary for a select group of core clients, but first we obviously had to get feet on the ground.

Our Japan Program Page

I was the first one to hit Japanese soil. Heading straight for Hokkaido, my mission was to check out as many areas as possible to get an idea of the Japanese ski terrain and how it would relate to our future clients. Hitting up Sapporo Kokusai for untouched deserted laps, I was properly introduced to skiing in Japan. I raced to the biggest, steepest pillow line I saw from the gondola worried it would get skied if I didn’t capitalize on it early. After figuring out the convoluted moves required to stand atop it, I soon realized that no one ever went within 100 meters of that zone (probably due to the maze required to get there). Totally worth it.

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Now even more excited for the months to come, I took the train over to the more famous Niseko area, known for its abundance of snow and the close proximity of its numerous ski areas. It was somewhat difficult to get the lay of the land due to the amount of snow falling from the sky and hitting me in the face. It snowed over two meters in the first three days. Utilizing on a few brief patches of clear sky and lots of pow laps, I figured out the lay of the land at Moiwa, Niseko Annupuri and the rest of the Niseko United resorts. All of Moiwa seemed to be a secret stash, but the rest of the resorts required a bit more work before I put together a strong lists of must-hit-earlies, wait-til-laters, and seemingly-undiscovereds.

Watching the weather I chose the right day to take a shuttle over to Rusutsu (high on the recommendation list) for the deepest day of my life. Snow was packing up my nose so much on every turn on the first run that I literally got brain freeze from all the Japan powder. No Joke. Nipple deep, free refills and playful terrain made for an unreal day. I also figured out where to pass powder for way more powder for future reference. Also this happened:

The crew started getting bigger when SASS family member and helpful shred partner, Gabe Ciafre met me in Sapporo. The next day The Lucas and David Burg, logistics guru, joined us. A three-hour-left-side-of-the-road drive later and we were up at Asahidake to check out the lesser known, unpatrolled, off-piste, backcountry tramway. We were not disappointed by the 30 cms of new snow that morning. Asahidake delivered coldsmoke all day and it even went bluebird in the afternoon allowing us to push onto the further ridges for longer pitches. Plus it gave me the opportunity to get this dope shot of Gabe in Japan powder:

Day two at Asahidake was spent on skins with a thwarted attempt (thanks wind) at some of the volcano lines that rise up above the tramway. We still skinned around to figure out how far we can push it and what it requires to get back. The day added some less-than-obvious ridges and numerous pillow zones to our bag of tricks.

Oh, and we found a bar made of ice…

Back in Sapporo, Gabe and I went on a scouting mission over at Teine and found some serious lines that everyone seems to avoid as well as some more playful tree skiing all with views overlooking the city.

With more time later in the the trip scheduled for backcountry recon, now that we know the lay of the land it’s time to test out our knowledge on some eager clients…

Our Japan Program Page

So Much Snow – A Photo Gallery

We have been receiving some massive storm totals down here in Patagonia. We apologize in advance for having to put you through this kind of temptation during your summer beach time. It’s just that the energy down here at the SGT Compound is turned all the way up to 11, and minds are being blown, while quads are burning. Enjoy and if you still want to make it down then we still have spots available in Session 3B August 31st to September 7th make this your year.

Get in touch and make it happen

mikegordon Mikey Gordon having a nice laid back kind of day. Photo: Ben Girardi

landscape

The Views are alright. Photo : Ben Girardi

Check out our program in Argentina!

lucasmoore

Program Director Lucas Moore still has it. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Josh Trosky and Garrett Russell sharing a nice Chairlift Ride. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Mauri Cambilla having some Deep Thoughts. Photo: Ben Girardi

pierssolomon

Such style, such class he has to be European, Piers Solomon. Photo: Ben Girardi

tage

Diego when he isn’t serving us our Tostado Americanos, loves his old tractor. Photo: Ben Girardi

Get in touch and make it happen

joshtrosky

Josh Trosky this kid was just everywhere, out for another hike. Photo: Ben Girardi

group

Too many to name all of them, but top of the bottom of the world…yeah that makes sense. Photo: Ben Girardi

joshtrosky

Josh Trosky again, not just riding lifts and hiking, he also can ski, quite well. Photo: Ben Girardi

Check out the New Video As well

So Much Snow – SASS Global Travel Argentina – SUMMERized Episode #1 – Ski from SASS Global Travel on Vimeo.

Backcountry skier’s best friend stomps Corbet’s Couloir

While you sit waiting in between now and shredding Argentina backcountry with us at SGT this summer, we thought we would share this video posted by Unofficial Networks. Check out this dog stomping Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole. This crazy pooch is certainly a big mountain backcountry skier’s best friend.

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!!

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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

Headwear
Levitation Project

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!!

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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?
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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:

Grab
Switch Method
Trick
Stale fish grab carve to back 180 to switch backside triple cork 1440
Polka
dance
Celebrity
They are unique
Champagne
Cooks brings back memories of childhood digging at Windells
SGT Staff
Ya the staff is the best! Irreplaceable if you ask me
Headwear
Balaklava
Position
“depends” on what you are trying to accomplish
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 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.

A Little Culture

As we get ready for 2013, we decided to bring out some hidden gems from the past. Check out this unreleased ad from 2011 featuring Coach Andrew Burns and SGT resident genius David Burg.

We could all use a little culture… from SASS Global Travel on Vimeo.

The 2012 Photo Annual

The 2012 South American winter had the SGT media office fielding calls all July and August. The question, “How do you guys have so much snow when no one else does?” This was not only a honor to our unbelievable button clickers Jon Conway, Ben Girardi and Thomas Tikos-Kadji, but a testament to our coaches and guides. Why? . Because our Patagonia treasure chest was not overflowing with white gold this year, but we did know where to find the snow that made it to the ground. Apparently at a much higher frequency than the rest. Essentially this is what SGT is all about: knowledge and family.

The 2012 campaign was all about fun and SGT was holding all the cards and played every single one. Snow, steak, simple living, the olympics, hiking, sleeping-in, going to town, not coming home from town, Albertos and everything in between. However, the most incredible part of the summer was the people. The secret of SGT is very simple, our people are the best people to hangout and ride with. This year our family, friends and clients added a considerable boost to the experience. Those people are experienced veterans of the education, who breathed a sophistication into camp with reflective dialogue and an inviting smile to anyone lucky enough to make eye contact. Young ladies learning how to get their necks above their heads and bruises on their heels. A sure-fire crew of snowboarding stars from Jackson Hole that tenderized their soft tissue into a cut of meat that rivals the finest veals. Our new British friends that found smiles in every adventure. Some good old boys from Colorado that took in every experience that they could find. These are just a fragment of the powerful personalities that made 2012 the best year in SGT history.

The other part of the people puzzle I previously alluded to is the staff. Six and a half weeks of no sleep (especially Tony P.), constant hiking, late-night entertainment and more red meat than a Wisconsin dairy farm, left only smiles and plans for next season on the staff’s lips. Skylar Holgate, SGT’s answer to James Bond, again led our skilled guides and coaches up Catedral and into the fray. Literally, as there were several trips to the backcountry huts that took place this year, setting the tone of the contrasting styles of master photographers Ben “Condor” Girardi and Thomas “Gypsy” Tikos-Kadji. The pictures below maybe worth a thousand words, but I only come up with one: “Wow”.

Thank you to every client, sponsor, friend, onlooker that made 2012 possible. A special thank you to our staff – Travis “T” Moore, Skylar “Skywalker” Holgate, Michelle “Black Panther” Parker, Lucas “El Mas Blanco” Moore, Garrett “G” Russell, Mauri Cambilla, “Sneaky” Pete Connolly, Nicki “Guerilla” Slechta, Big Fran, David “MVP” Burg, Andrew “Burnsy” Burns, Chris “Bad Ass” Coulter, Tony “Big T” Pavlantos, Ben G., Thomas “Gyspy” Tikos-Kadji, Piers “Semi-Swiss” Solomon, Jon “fats” Conway, Samuel, Miguel, Bonnie, Pachie and everyone else I forgot.

Reflect with your favorite beverage and take a escape break back to the year that was, or a preview into 2013 and your next adventure.

Photos Tikos,Girardi & Crockett
Words Crockett