Cub Assisted Skiing

[joeg]

I'm sure that there are a few other Alaskan's here who have some interest in using their plane to access downhill ski terrain. I would love to find a nice spot to land and spend an afternoon skinning and skiing. I'm sure there are some great places for shuttling skiers with a few planes too.

Lately, I've been out scouting for locations, but ... there's a LOT of mountains out there to explore and Spring is here!

Is anyone out there willing to share some confirmed locations? Anyone have any great pictures they would like to share? Anyone want to go skiing?!

[Dave Calkins]

Hey. There are a group that play on good days. Some are members here.

Here's a photo:

[joeg]

Dave, Now THAT'S what I'm talking About! Beautiful pictures. If you or any of your group are ever up for some company, count me in.

[aktango58]

Bad day here in Haines.

Avalanche buried some skiers, Guide dead on scene, one transported to Seattle... but does not look good.

Where ever you go, please be careful, wear beacons and have people keep tabs on where you are.

[cubflier]

Bad day here in Haines.

Avalanche buried some skiers, Guide dead on scene, one transported to Seattle... but does not look good.

Where ever you go, please be careful, wear beacons and have people keep tabs on where you are.

This post makes me cringe. I feel for the family of the guide and the injured. Beacons are a must plus you need to know how to use them.

Jerry

[BatPacer]

I'm another who wishes to use the bird for more high country snow adventures. Have some spots I've been and some I'd like to go. Always good to have partners! Based at Birchwood. Let's go skiing!
Paul

[RanchPilot]

This video isn't exactly responsive to the thread, but it has lots of great skiing and just enough heli flying to qualify for posting among this group of like-minded pilot/skiers.

https://vimeo.com/35652044

[dalec]

I'm another who wishes to use the bird for more high country snow adventures. Have some spots I've been and some I'd like to go. Always good to have partners! Based at Birchwood. Let's go skiing!
Paul

I gave up skiing after blowing out my right knee, however i haven't given up ski flying... Anybody wants to do some plane assisted skiing, I am up to flying

[Coyote Ugly]

This video isn't exactly responsive to the thread, but it has lots of great skiing and just enough heli flying to qualify for posting among this group of like-minded pilot/skiers.

https://vimeo.com/35652044

That's a cool video...!!!

[cubflier]

I gave up skiing after blowing out my right knee, however i haven't given up ski flying... Anybody wants to do some plane assisted skiing, I am up to flying

Dale,


There is always cross country. Kind on the knees and great on the mind and body.

Taken at 9000 ft on the back side of Marcus Baker.

Jerry

[dalec]

Jerry

Looks like an awesome day for it as well, you may have a point.

[BatPacer]

Is that up on Turtle Flats, Jerry? I've often thought of landing up there but have resisted due to the altitude - just worried that deep snow and low power equals trouble. If one were to get stuck and weather move in (oh man, can it blow up there!), that ski day would turn epic. However, assuming good weather and an uneventful landing and TO, it looks like a wonderful place to spend a day (or two).

[nanook]

Sorry to hear about the two skiers in Haines. The second one didn't make it in Seattle. When one of those big steep slopes lets go, you don't stand much of a chance. Remember the people you will leave behind and ski some survivable terrain. Beacons are for finding the remains, if you are in the wrong place and it lets go.

[Dave Calkins]

Nanook, I agree. Beacons are for giving your loved-ones closure, or for the "lucky"(?) few who are buried shallow. Also, my backcountry skiing is a LOT mellower than my front-country skiing. "survivable" terrain and safe snowpack!

[aktango58]

Nanook,

Yea, a bad BAD deal for here. After about 15 years of heli-skiing they are our first deaths. My understanding is that the guide, Rob, has saved a few buried skiers up here, as was one of the best. We average about one skier buried every other year, so beacons have served them well.

Stories seem to be that a skier departed from the plan of attack and either crossed above the guide, or went before he was supposed to and started the avalanche. Sounds like a mistake by a skier...

I am told that there are backpack airbags that increase your survival from 50% to 95% in an avalanche...

If skiing in the areas I see these guys, I think I would own one... even if it is 3-5k...


It appears to me, with my limited time in steep/snow/avalanche areas, (dad always said not to be there), that if you flirt with it, it will catch up to you... but if it is what you love, and you don't leave a mess behind it is your choice how to live or not.

a lot like landing in the brush.

[Dave Calkins]

George, Hi. Statistics do not support your last comment.

The demographic for avalanche victims is well-defined. "just" flirting with it doesn't put you on the list. Also, old guys are not at the top of the list.

"What is the profile of a typical United States avalanche victim? According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, 89 percent of victims are men, most victims are between the ages of 20-29 (although the average victim age is 31), and three-quarters of victims are experienced backcountry recreationists (who are more likely to enter risky situations).Climbers, backcountry skiers, and snowmobilers are by far the most likely to be involved in avalanches." http://nsidc.org/snow/avalanche/

[aktango58]

'Flirt' is a relative term!

[cubflier]

BatPacer,

Not sure where turtle flats is. The shots were taken between Mt. Goode and Mt Marcus Baker on the top before you drop into Prince William Sound. When you are at that altitude you need to not get stuck and you should be plenty prepared. A sack lunch is not enough. Note the size of my pack just to take a day hike. Mostly light weight warm stuff just in case.

Dave,

Your comments about beacons ring true. The value of closure is everything when that's all you have left. In addition to wearing a beacon I recommend carrying a small PLB like the FastFind 210. If you are lucky enough to survive you will probably still need some sort of medivac assist. A PLB the best way to get this type of help on the way.

As to joeg's original question, this is an unusual year and there are many more opportunities out there if you scout around.

Good luck skiing this year. What a snow year it is.Jerry

[dalec]

BatPacer,

Not sure where turtle flats is. The shots were taken between Mt. Goode and Mt Marcus Baker on the top before you drop into Prince William Sound. When you are at that altitude you need to not get stuck and you should be plenty prepared. A sack lunch is not enough. Note the size of my pack just to take a day hike. Mostly light weight warm stuff just in case.

Dave,

Your comments about beacons ring true. The value of closure is everything when that's all you have left. In addition to wearing a beacon I recommend carrying a small PLB like the FastFind 210. If you are lucky enough to survive you will probably still need some sort of medivac assist. A PLB the best way to get this type of help on the way.

As to joeg's original question, this is an unusual year and there are many more opportunities out there if you scout around.

Good luck skiing this year. What a snow year it is.Jerry

Jerry

i was up at the 6500' level near Mt Gannett yesterday, that could make for some nice skiing, lots of snow, beautiful day for it.

[cubflier]

Dale,

It was a bit flat today but, from the sounds of it, were heading to that area you mention to launch a friend on some paragliding fun. Weather did not permit. Just out following friends have fun. It's better than sniffing poly brush.

Jerry

[BatPacer]

Did you land Dale? Pics? I'm out of town for two more weeks and am jealously watching the good weather in South Central and wishing I was home for the best part of the ski season.

I think we are talking about the same place, Jerry. Turtle Flats is basically the apex of the Knik G. That would be almost cheating for a climb on Mt Goode. I hear you on not getting stuck and being prepared! Still, that's quite a bit of elevation for a ski landing. I guess you just put down some nice looooong tracks before landing and then circle around to land and take off in the tracks. (I wouldn't want to try and turn the airplane around to get back in my tracks.) I'd like to have a wing man above me too just in case all didn't go according to plan...hence this thread.

Paul

[dalec]

Did you land Dale? Pics? I'm out of town for two more weeks and am jealously watching the good weather in South Central and wishing I was home for the best part of the ski season.

I think we are talking about the same place, Jerry. Turtle Flats is basically the apex of the Knik G. That would be almost cheating for a climb on Mt Goode. I hear you on not getting stuck and being prepared! Still, that's quite a bit of elevation for a ski landing. I guess you just put down some nice looooong tracks before landing and then circle around to land and take off in the tracks. (I wouldn't want to try and turn the airplane around to get back in my tracks.) I'd like to have a wing man above me too just in case all didn't go according to plan...hence this thread.

Paul

Paul

Laid down all sorts of tracks up there, landed 8 times, made two long sweeping step turns, really smooth was settling in about a foot. It was beautiful up there. Then on the way back I played on a few of Jerry's favorite little out of the way strips, now he will have to go for a ride and see which ones I laid tracks on

[dalec]

I was back up there today, it was epic. I shot a little video to share

[courierguy]

While up by the Idaho/Montana border the other day, I noticed this kite skier (??) playing around in the 15 mph winds. He was really moving at times, and after getting a feel for his track I set down in the same field and got to talk kite skiing with him.

A 6 year veteran of the activity, he had two rigs with him, one a smaller rig (carried on his back in a pack,) in case the wind got stroinger. The hardware rigging around the harness looked real high tech, this was obviously not a home brewed rig. It was also impressive to see the full control he exhibited as he finally stopped about 20' from the plane. Sorry for the lousy picture. My normally great Nikon SLR gets a little hinky at the end of the battery life, before it shuts down for good it continues to let you shoot but can't handle bright days.

[BatPacer]

Awesome video Dale. Thanks for posting. I'm still trapped in a foreign land. Hang on to some of that sunshine until I get back next week!

[cubflier]

Went up to the Island strip with schnell49 today for a nice 1800 ft climb up to 7500 ft. Yet another good day.

[dalec]

Nice shot Jerry

[Bob Breeden]

Awesome you guys enjoying this snow!

[Dave Calkins]

Good Times!

Thanks Jerry. I remember when we first met and you said you were done skiing

Thanks for Sunday!

Currierguy, Kiting the "hips" of Mount Susitna a couple years back.

[cubflier]

Good Times!

Thanks Jerry. I remember when we first met and you said you were done skiing

Thanks for Sunday!

I also said I would not put on the backcountry gear till next year.

My born again skier days started when a guy on this forum invited me out to a place he called Avocado and showed me these light weight skis with dynafit bindings.

Thanks and we will do it again.

Jerry

PS: Maybe if Dale will take the oath we could make him lift operator.

[Dave Calkins]

Are you guys seeing the kiting photo I put up? having 'puter troubles here.

Jerry, on the way home Sunday saw a wolverine on a moose that was fall-killed or snowslide-killed. I'd seen the moose a couple weeks ago with ravens on it. Checked it the other day, and WHOA! Dorothy saw it first. Got some poor-quality photos.

Glad to have you back on the boards. !

[dalec]

I also said I would not put on the backcountry gear till next year.

My born again skier days started when a guy on this forum invited me out to a place he called Avocado and showed me these light weight skis with dynafit bindings.

Thanks and we will do it again.

Jerry

PS: Maybe if Dale will take the oath we could make him lift operator.

Jerry

For you and Dave... I will be sworn to secrecy, let me know, my lift is operational

[cubflier]

Are you guys seeing the kiting photo I put up? having 'puter troubles here.

Jerry, on the way home Sunday saw a wolverine on a moose that was fall-killed or snowslide-killed. I'd seen the moose a couple weeks ago with ravens on it. Checked it the other day, and WHOA! Dorothy saw it first. Got some poor-quality photos.

Glad to have you back on the boards. !

Kite photo is loud and clear. Looks like another sport that exceeds my coordination level and I'm sure I could make a nice "watch this idiot" video if I tried it.

Ever tried it on Lake George???

and.... Another friend saw the same moose/wolverine combo same day. He also saw some goats sticking out of avalanche slides.

[Dave Calkins]

Lake George, No. Using the icebergs for terrain features would be fun there.

Portage Lake, yes. Dorothy has done it there on Nordic Skate-skis and using a 2.8 square meter trainer kite. Portage is a good location.

Was the other wolverine spotter skiing? any hints to where the goats are? Wow!

[cubflier]

Took Ski Dog up to the Island strip today. Found some sun anyway.



Dave,

The goats were one at Wolf Point and the other two were around Colony Glacier. The way Mark put it was "look for slides with birds flying around and red spots in the slides. Mark has skills when it comes to spotting these things.

Snow report is minimum 12" new at base of EB and 18" on top. Toward Marcus Baker -- no new but still nice and easier than the new snow that was quite a bunch of work to ski.

Jerry

[68Papa]

Jerry,

It's good to see you still "livin the dream"! Outstanding photo! Its been 25 years since I last had on a pair of skis. Wow - where does the time go? I'm inspired! Next year, I'm going skiing!

Roger

[Dave Calkins]

Roger, get some new fat skis and do it.

My father is skiing again this year on fat skis...........he was born in '35

...not sure when Jerry was born, but I'm pretty sure he didn't call me today..@#&*@$&$)!

[dalec]

...not sure when Jerry was born, but I'm pretty sure he didn't call me today..@#&*@$&$)!

Dave,

My ski lift is operational and I need to fly it tomorrow... give a shout, maybe even Jerry can drag along

[cubflier]

Jerry,

It's good to see you still "livin the dream"! Outstanding photo! Its been 25 years since I last had on a pair of skis. Wow - where does the time go? I'm inspired! Next year, I'm going skiing!

Roger

Roger,

Thanks. It would be great to have you along. Picking up on some past posts it looks like you have some healing to do but anytime you are ready just give a shout. Seriously, you would really like this.

Dave,

That's pretty neat about your Dad. Great to have parents that are examples of what to be in life. Re:skiing - If you are spontaneous then I should have your number in the old iPhone. I get up look at the weather and if it is good I go. I really do like to walk up the hill so if you are game and flexible on when the weather calls let me know.

Dale,

I have your number and I'll call you if nothing more than to catch up.

Take care,


Jerry

[68Papa]

[QUOTE=cubflier;532470]Roger,

Thanks. It would be great to have you along. Picking up on some past posts it looks like you have some healing to do but anytime you are ready just give a shout. Seriously, you would really like this.[QUOTE]

It does sound like a lot of fun. Airplane, mountains, & skiing! Strange as it may sound, I enjoy climbing up a mountain probably as much as I like skiing down. Hopefully next winter I can take you up on your offer. My shoulder does need to heal up some more, and as of about 2:00 this afternoon, I'll probably be airplane less. Not permanently though - but that's a story for another time! Be safe out there gentlemen!

Roger
Future Former Owner of 68Papa