It's a Spacecraft brand mask/hat (Seattle company) that I tried on at a cool shop called Society Snow and Skate in the great mountain town of Revelstoke, BC, Canada.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Snow Bummer
As you may have heard, I entered a contest in November 2009 to try to become the "Snow Bum Sun Peaks." The winner got to go hang out and ride at Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada from January 4 through March 31, 2010, with all expenses paid - season pass, lodging in various hotels/condos/inns, outerwear, demo equipment, food, drinks, special events - reportedly a $35,000 prize - most importantly, 85 days straight of snowriding! I submitted a one minute video and made the Top 20 Finalist cut, the only American. I then had a phone interview with the judges and submitted a 500 word essay on a memorable travel experience. They announced the winner on Decmber 1, 2009. I didn't win. They gave it to some guy named Thiago from Brazil. Oh well, 'twas fun. Below is a link to my video entry, and I pasted in my essay below that. Gonna be a great season nevertheless. Oh, and by the way, I really do love the Powder Triangle of Southeastern BC; Sun Peaks, though, that place sucks.
I kid, I kid. Let there be snow! Deep snow!
http://www.snowbumcanada.com/entry/brian-united%20states
The Powder Triangle
I’d been living in Boston, Massachusetts for 15 months, and after one winter of riding only small, icy mountains in New England, I was in dire need of a trip West. Everyone in Boston said, “Go to Colorado!” but I was much more interested in Interior British Columbia, Canada, having heard stories of deep powder and tiny crowds at places like Red Mountain, Whitewater, and Fernie. Strolling by a newsstand one day in autumn ‘98, I spied Powder Magazine’s Insiders’ Guide to North American Ski Areas. So I bought it and read it cover to cover. About 17 times. For me the best story in the Guide was about “The Powder Triangle,” a triangle formed by those exact three B.C. mountains. In Boston no one I knew had even heard of these places and thought I was a bit of a kook for wanting to go way out to the boonies when I could just ride Colorado’s I-70 resorts. I searched for weeks and was stoked to locate a company that was doing a one-week tour of these three hills. This was clearly meant to be.
After waiting for months with high anticipation, I hobbled solo across my Boston neighborhood one cold January morning in ‘99, my trusty LibTech snowboard in my old ‘86 Sims bag on one shoulder and a big duffle bag on the other. I caught the Orange Train to Logan International, boarded a flight to Toronto, then on to Calgary. At the Calgary baggage claim area our motley crew of skiers and riders began to congregate. As it turned out, I was the only snowboarder and one of just three Americans, the other two being New Yorkers. The rest were all from Ontario, but for one Quebecer. We excitedly hopped on the bus and headed to Fernie, BC, still several hours away. The kick-off party at the Griz Inn was a blast, and I could tell that a couple-few of us were true powder fiends. And it was snowing hard outside.
The mountains and snow proved completely worthy of the praise and the “Powder Triangle” name. I bonded with the crazy Quebec skier and the hardcore New Yorkers, and we floated wonderful, life-affirming deep powder all over Fernie for three days straight, exploring their then-new 1,500 acres of in-bounds expansion terrain and, of course, the “old side” too. It just kept snowing. Day four was another fantastic powder day at Red Mountain; I even rode through the backcountry from the mountain to the picturesque town of Rossland with some local rippers. Next up, Whitewater was the deepest day of the week, so I blissed-out on amazing powder turns all day and hit some wicked fun rock drops, then got charmed by the town of Nelson. The final day was bluebird back at Red and I happily cruised groomers, but sadly had to say “goodbye” to my beloved new crew. It was time to go back to Boston. But my heart remained in B.C.
I kid, I kid. Let there be snow! Deep snow!
http://www.snowbumcanada.com/entry/brian-united%20states
The Powder Triangle
I’d been living in Boston, Massachusetts for 15 months, and after one winter of riding only small, icy mountains in New England, I was in dire need of a trip West. Everyone in Boston said, “Go to Colorado!” but I was much more interested in Interior British Columbia, Canada, having heard stories of deep powder and tiny crowds at places like Red Mountain, Whitewater, and Fernie. Strolling by a newsstand one day in autumn ‘98, I spied Powder Magazine’s Insiders’ Guide to North American Ski Areas. So I bought it and read it cover to cover. About 17 times. For me the best story in the Guide was about “The Powder Triangle,” a triangle formed by those exact three B.C. mountains. In Boston no one I knew had even heard of these places and thought I was a bit of a kook for wanting to go way out to the boonies when I could just ride Colorado’s I-70 resorts. I searched for weeks and was stoked to locate a company that was doing a one-week tour of these three hills. This was clearly meant to be.
After waiting for months with high anticipation, I hobbled solo across my Boston neighborhood one cold January morning in ‘99, my trusty LibTech snowboard in my old ‘86 Sims bag on one shoulder and a big duffle bag on the other. I caught the Orange Train to Logan International, boarded a flight to Toronto, then on to Calgary. At the Calgary baggage claim area our motley crew of skiers and riders began to congregate. As it turned out, I was the only snowboarder and one of just three Americans, the other two being New Yorkers. The rest were all from Ontario, but for one Quebecer. We excitedly hopped on the bus and headed to Fernie, BC, still several hours away. The kick-off party at the Griz Inn was a blast, and I could tell that a couple-few of us were true powder fiends. And it was snowing hard outside.
The mountains and snow proved completely worthy of the praise and the “Powder Triangle” name. I bonded with the crazy Quebec skier and the hardcore New Yorkers, and we floated wonderful, life-affirming deep powder all over Fernie for three days straight, exploring their then-new 1,500 acres of in-bounds expansion terrain and, of course, the “old side” too. It just kept snowing. Day four was another fantastic powder day at Red Mountain; I even rode through the backcountry from the mountain to the picturesque town of Rossland with some local rippers. Next up, Whitewater was the deepest day of the week, so I blissed-out on amazing powder turns all day and hit some wicked fun rock drops, then got charmed by the town of Nelson. The final day was bluebird back at Red and I happily cruised groomers, but sadly had to say “goodbye” to my beloved new crew. It was time to go back to Boston. But my heart remained in B.C.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
SeaTac's Best Breakfast. $1.09.
This beautiful egg & cheese biscuit is from the Wendy's at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It is on the Value Menu for 99 cents, and it is delicious. I've had it a few times now - flaky, hot, moist biscuit holds a perfectly scrambled & folded egg with a nice cheese slice - so yum! pretty big too - 420 (haha) calories, it fills me up and gives me a nice protein hop to get me goin'. You need some coffee with your breakfast biscuit? Go around the corner to the first C gate on the left: free Starbucks! - technically it's for Horizon passengers only (I am oftentimes one of 'em early Monday mornings), so don't tell 'em I told ya. $1.09 including tax for this great breakfast. Dig it.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Pizza Top 10
I LOVE pizza! Though I have not been everywhere, and I really need to get to New Haven, Connecticut, amongst other places; I have been to Chicago, and I did a studied, pizza-centric tour of Italy in 1999 (I found much to like, but none quite make this list). I should also mention that I always get plain cheese pizza with red sauce, especially the first time I try a pizzeria. If the pizza is good, I do like to go back and try the pepperoni as well. Keeping it simple, I believe, is the way to go – too many toppings masks the core flavors of the crust, sauce, and cheese. Anyhow, here’s my Top Ten, so far:
10. Me-n-Ed’s, Lemoore, CA. This place reminds me of going to Shakey’s as a kid, but with the pizza quality cranked way up. Crispy Cornmeal-y crust meets a supremely yummy, winey sauce – my eyes grow and my mouth is so happy.
9. Pagliacci, Seattle, WA. I’ve been eating this pizza for over 20 years. I’ve eaten more of this stuff than any other pizza, and it still delights me. I had one last night that was just deliciously satisfying. I order The Original (=cheese 'za) all the time and the nice crust, perfectly spiced sauce, and great whole milk mozzarella delight me every time. This place is also a prime example of my “keep it simple” credo – heavily topped Pags pies, even the fancy seasonal ones, taste much less special to me.
8. Apizza Scholls, Portland, OR. Get here early because this incredible pizza is super-loved by Portland. Brick oven fantasticness is served picnic-table style with grand flavors and lovely black char marks.
7. Flying Squirrel Pizza Company, Seattle, WA. The crust is perfect – crispy right to the middle, but chewy at the edge (under the little crunchy burn marks). The sauce is really nice too (though a bit more might be all right). And the cheese is so good. And they have $1.50 cans of Olympia beer. I love this place.
6. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Portland, OR. Whoa. This place is amazing. Such a gourmet crust topped with such lovingly spiced sauce and tasty cheese – every bite is divine. Monday-night-only at the bakery in NW is what I know and love, though the newer every-night-of-the-week pizzeria in SE is reportedly nearly-as-good.
5. Pizza Gruppo, Avenue B, East Village, NYC. A tiny little place with just perfect pizza. Thin crust, just-right crisp, delightful medium-zing sauce, and great cheese keep the cult following coming back over and over again.
4. DiFara, Midwood, Brooklyn, NYC. Watching the legend that is Dom DeMarco (now in his 70s) remove the hot pies from the oven, top them with freshly-grated parmigiano-reggiano, snipped basil leaves, and extra-virgin olive oil is pure joy. Then you get to eat this magic pie. Mr. DeMarco puts his pizza love into every single slice that this place serves. Warning, DiFara is a zoo. It is always packed, and the service borders on nonexistent. Expect to spend at least a half hour to get a slice. It is very very worth it.
3. Patsy’s, 2nd Ave, Upper East Side, NYC. Yeah, I know, Patsy’s up in East Harlem is supposedly the "original Patsy's," and Patsy Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn is supposedly the "best Patsy's," and I’ve tried them both, but this is my favorite Patsy’s. I had a Perfect Pie here in 2001, and I can never forget that: amazing crust (so crunchy-but-chewy), winey sauce, perfect cheese, and best-in-my-life pepperoni (on half of it). Simply superb.
2. Totonno’s, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC. This place is a classic – just super yumful brick oven pizza with bright, lovingly spiced sauce and delicious crust. You must go to the Coney Island one, though. Uh-oh. The first time I went here I had a micro meltdown. After several days of tromping around NYC in the summer heat in August ‘02, my crew and I made it out to Coney Island to ride the Cyclone roller coaster and eat the famous Totonno’s pizza. I ordered a cheese pie and went for rest in the one available booth when I heard rumblings about getting a pepperoni upgrade for free because of some kitchen error, and once my tired brain clicked that my start-with-cheese plan might get fouled-up, I jumped to my feet and yelled “No Pepperoni!!” while waving my arms in the air frantically. I think I frightened the whole room full of New Yorkers including the big guy making the pizzas.
1. John’s, 44th & 8th, Midtown, NYC. I agree with Letterman. It’s a popular choice, and I can’t deny John's this victory. John’s in the Theater District has it all. Though the original Greenwich Village location is cramped and can produce chokingly dry crusts and bland sauce, this newer John's is coal brick oven ‘za sent straight from Heaven to one of the most amazing eating spaces on Earth. The brick ovens in the corners of this beautiful glass-ceiling-cathedral-turned-dining-room produce the most phenomenal crusts anywhere; and the sauce is just so right, and the cheese is perfection. Every time I eat here, my first bite is “Whoa!”, and I love the expressions on my friends’ faces when I take them here and they taste this other-worldly ‘za for the first time. Visiting here is one of my favorite things.
10. Me-n-Ed’s, Lemoore, CA. This place reminds me of going to Shakey’s as a kid, but with the pizza quality cranked way up. Crispy Cornmeal-y crust meets a supremely yummy, winey sauce – my eyes grow and my mouth is so happy.
9. Pagliacci, Seattle, WA. I’ve been eating this pizza for over 20 years. I’ve eaten more of this stuff than any other pizza, and it still delights me. I had one last night that was just deliciously satisfying. I order The Original (=cheese 'za) all the time and the nice crust, perfectly spiced sauce, and great whole milk mozzarella delight me every time. This place is also a prime example of my “keep it simple” credo – heavily topped Pags pies, even the fancy seasonal ones, taste much less special to me.
8. Apizza Scholls, Portland, OR. Get here early because this incredible pizza is super-loved by Portland. Brick oven fantasticness is served picnic-table style with grand flavors and lovely black char marks.
7. Flying Squirrel Pizza Company, Seattle, WA. The crust is perfect – crispy right to the middle, but chewy at the edge (under the little crunchy burn marks). The sauce is really nice too (though a bit more might be all right). And the cheese is so good. And they have $1.50 cans of Olympia beer. I love this place.
6. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Portland, OR. Whoa. This place is amazing. Such a gourmet crust topped with such lovingly spiced sauce and tasty cheese – every bite is divine. Monday-night-only at the bakery in NW is what I know and love, though the newer every-night-of-the-week pizzeria in SE is reportedly nearly-as-good.
5. Pizza Gruppo, Avenue B, East Village, NYC. A tiny little place with just perfect pizza. Thin crust, just-right crisp, delightful medium-zing sauce, and great cheese keep the cult following coming back over and over again.
4. DiFara, Midwood, Brooklyn, NYC. Watching the legend that is Dom DeMarco (now in his 70s) remove the hot pies from the oven, top them with freshly-grated parmigiano-reggiano, snipped basil leaves, and extra-virgin olive oil is pure joy. Then you get to eat this magic pie. Mr. DeMarco puts his pizza love into every single slice that this place serves. Warning, DiFara is a zoo. It is always packed, and the service borders on nonexistent. Expect to spend at least a half hour to get a slice. It is very very worth it.
3. Patsy’s, 2nd Ave, Upper East Side, NYC. Yeah, I know, Patsy’s up in East Harlem is supposedly the "original Patsy's," and Patsy Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn is supposedly the "best Patsy's," and I’ve tried them both, but this is my favorite Patsy’s. I had a Perfect Pie here in 2001, and I can never forget that: amazing crust (so crunchy-but-chewy), winey sauce, perfect cheese, and best-in-my-life pepperoni (on half of it). Simply superb.
2. Totonno’s, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC. This place is a classic – just super yumful brick oven pizza with bright, lovingly spiced sauce and delicious crust. You must go to the Coney Island one, though. Uh-oh. The first time I went here I had a micro meltdown. After several days of tromping around NYC in the summer heat in August ‘02, my crew and I made it out to Coney Island to ride the Cyclone roller coaster and eat the famous Totonno’s pizza. I ordered a cheese pie and went for rest in the one available booth when I heard rumblings about getting a pepperoni upgrade for free because of some kitchen error, and once my tired brain clicked that my start-with-cheese plan might get fouled-up, I jumped to my feet and yelled “No Pepperoni!!” while waving my arms in the air frantically. I think I frightened the whole room full of New Yorkers including the big guy making the pizzas.
1. John’s, 44th & 8th, Midtown, NYC. I agree with Letterman. It’s a popular choice, and I can’t deny John's this victory. John’s in the Theater District has it all. Though the original Greenwich Village location is cramped and can produce chokingly dry crusts and bland sauce, this newer John's is coal brick oven ‘za sent straight from Heaven to one of the most amazing eating spaces on Earth. The brick ovens in the corners of this beautiful glass-ceiling-cathedral-turned-dining-room produce the most phenomenal crusts anywhere; and the sauce is just so right, and the cheese is perfection. Every time I eat here, my first bite is “Whoa!”, and I love the expressions on my friends’ faces when I take them here and they taste this other-worldly ‘za for the first time. Visiting here is one of my favorite things.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Pixies in Spokane, WA, April 24, 2004
With reformation confirmed, Pixies-mania in early ‘04 was pretty ridiculous, as you may recall. The very first tour skipped most major cities, including Seattle and Portland. I tried to buy tix to stop #8 or #9, the two shows at the Commodore in Vancouver, BC, the second they went on sale, but got no love, then “sold-out” at about minute #3; so I did the same thing the next week for stop #10 at the Big Easy in Spokane, WA – same deal - busy signal / no computer response, then when I did get through, “sold-out.“ So Meagan asked around and not only got us tix, but somehow scored free VIP tix! When we rolled into Spokane (a four hour drive from my Seattle home) that April '04 afternoon, there were already tons of fans lining up or milling about around the club for the night’s show. We fell into that hype and went early to see what was up - we could not go all the way in, but with our VIP tix we got access to this little lounge up some stairs with viewing holes along the side looking down on the showroom - out walk the Pixies who sound-check by playing “Velouria” start-to-finish to the empty room - unreal. Then we got to go into the club a couple minutes before the plebeians were let in, so Meag and I positioned ourselves at the very front slightly stage left (Meagan hates the icky-sweaty-crowdedness in the front of packed shows and would not do this for any other band). The club filled in to the gils, the openers were tolerable, and everyone had a mega-cow when the Pixies walked out, and we found ourselves halfway between Charles and Kim. For the first song they screwed-up “Subbaculcha,” stopped playing, and left the stage; returning about 5 seconds later (such charmers – I think maybe they staged the mess-up – either way, I loved it) to bang through that song perfectly and tons more songs with massive beauty and ferocity (+ perfect sound!), and massive appreciation from the seemingly over-sold-out crowd. They played most of Surfer Rosa, most of Doolittle, and many of their other great songs during a spectular set lasting just under two hours. We got to see every facial expression of Kim and hear off-mic banter from our position. Every time they’d start a song, we’d be like “I freaking LOVE this song!” And the crowd would roar super loudly like that song was some big mega-hit or something – every freaking song. I think everyone in the room felt like the luckiest person on Earth that night. Pixies looked dumbfounded that we loved them so much. Kim could not stop smiling. It was sublime. Greatest Band Ever, I think, maybe - Meagan thinks for sure.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Fernarly's Eight Great Ski Hills of North America
(too hard to decide an order, so they're alphabetical)
Alpental, Washington
Alpental is a small-but-steep hill just 52 miles from Seattle. It has easy-and-excellent backcountry access, but even without that it is just a very special place. The double chair to the summit is a classic Washington State experience. The snow seems to fall deeper here and the powder lines seem to last longer, even when it is crowded. I’ve had so many great powder days here, including March 28, 2009 – it was deep, it was not wet at all, and I blissed out on powder lines all freaking day. Seattle is one lucky city.
Brundage, Idaho
Brundage, near McCall, is often considered to have the best snow in Idaho. I just love making turns here. For experts, there are acres of untracked powder fields and the steeps out in Hidden Valley. The place never gets too crowded, so Brundage’s powder can last for days. Last time I was here I seemed to ride runs all day with nobody on ‘em except for my pal Mr. Mullet and me.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Montana
Lost Trail is only open Thursday through Sunday and has no village and no slopeside lodging. Lost Trail has some of the most amazing terrain, great snow, cheap lift tickets, and empty slopes of any hill I’ve experienced. It also has a lot of rocks to tear up your board and a long drive to civilization. I love it regardless.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia
The lifts serve up 5,620 vertical feet. What more do you need? It snows a lot: 40+ feet per season; and the 3,031 acres served by three lifts provide a fantastic big mountain experience. Powder lines all over the place provide me the big bliss, and they have a few great groomers too. Nelson Lodge at the base of the gondola is the most stylin' place I've ever stayed. There's yumful food all over the mountain and in the cool town of Revelstoke itself which is just 3.8 miles away. The whole week we were there in January 2010, the snow report concluded with, "Welcome to another Revy powder day!"
Snowbasin, Utah
Snowbasin has simply amazing snow and has provided me with one of the best lift-serviced powder days of my life. It was a Sunday, with 8” of fresh according to the 6 AM snow report, but then it kept snowing and the reality was 12” and more. Everywhere. All day. I was riding straight up to the lift and getting on, riding quads by myself. Dumbfounding. And blissful.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Sun Peaks is a big, rollicking, 3,678 acres of snow riding goodness. I went there for a week one February with great conditions (including a couple nice powder days) and I never waited in a lift line. Fast groomers, fluffy snow, fascinating topography (ride a 360 degree all-day loop around the village), and superb and varied terrain make for endless fun. The best on-mountain restaurant around provides delicious fuel for your day; and the ski-in/ski-out village has great lodging, eating, and drinking. Everything you need for the Snow Life.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish (formerly Big Mountain) often feels like lift serviced backcountry. There are so many great lines through the trees on this hill that it is ridiculous. It gets great snow and it never gets very crowded at all. By my experience over the last decade plus, it consistentently has better conditions than its Canadian cousin just slightly north, Fernie, BC, which can be an icy washout of bare spots, while Whitefish is still fully covered and totally shreddable. The town of Whitefish is just eight miles away and maintains a friendly-but-ragged northwest Montana vibe that just plain rules.
Whitewater, British Columbia
Whitewater is a little hill with two main double chairs, yet it gets tons of super high quality snow (480" average annually) and has super good terrain. Open spaces, rock drops, trees, steeps – you name it, Whitewater has it, and delicious mountain food too. 12 miles away, the great Kootenay town of Nelson provides good lodging options, great food, and a fun and charming vibe.
Alpental, Washington
Alpental is a small-but-steep hill just 52 miles from Seattle. It has easy-and-excellent backcountry access, but even without that it is just a very special place. The double chair to the summit is a classic Washington State experience. The snow seems to fall deeper here and the powder lines seem to last longer, even when it is crowded. I’ve had so many great powder days here, including March 28, 2009 – it was deep, it was not wet at all, and I blissed out on powder lines all freaking day. Seattle is one lucky city.
Brundage, Idaho
Brundage, near McCall, is often considered to have the best snow in Idaho. I just love making turns here. For experts, there are acres of untracked powder fields and the steeps out in Hidden Valley. The place never gets too crowded, so Brundage’s powder can last for days. Last time I was here I seemed to ride runs all day with nobody on ‘em except for my pal Mr. Mullet and me.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Montana
Lost Trail is only open Thursday through Sunday and has no village and no slopeside lodging. Lost Trail has some of the most amazing terrain, great snow, cheap lift tickets, and empty slopes of any hill I’ve experienced. It also has a lot of rocks to tear up your board and a long drive to civilization. I love it regardless.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia
The lifts serve up 5,620 vertical feet. What more do you need? It snows a lot: 40+ feet per season; and the 3,031 acres served by three lifts provide a fantastic big mountain experience. Powder lines all over the place provide me the big bliss, and they have a few great groomers too. Nelson Lodge at the base of the gondola is the most stylin' place I've ever stayed. There's yumful food all over the mountain and in the cool town of Revelstoke itself which is just 3.8 miles away. The whole week we were there in January 2010, the snow report concluded with, "Welcome to another Revy powder day!"
Snowbasin, Utah
Snowbasin has simply amazing snow and has provided me with one of the best lift-serviced powder days of my life. It was a Sunday, with 8” of fresh according to the 6 AM snow report, but then it kept snowing and the reality was 12” and more. Everywhere. All day. I was riding straight up to the lift and getting on, riding quads by myself. Dumbfounding. And blissful.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Sun Peaks is a big, rollicking, 3,678 acres of snow riding goodness. I went there for a week one February with great conditions (including a couple nice powder days) and I never waited in a lift line. Fast groomers, fluffy snow, fascinating topography (ride a 360 degree all-day loop around the village), and superb and varied terrain make for endless fun. The best on-mountain restaurant around provides delicious fuel for your day; and the ski-in/ski-out village has great lodging, eating, and drinking. Everything you need for the Snow Life.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Whitefish (formerly Big Mountain) often feels like lift serviced backcountry. There are so many great lines through the trees on this hill that it is ridiculous. It gets great snow and it never gets very crowded at all. By my experience over the last decade plus, it consistentently has better conditions than its Canadian cousin just slightly north, Fernie, BC, which can be an icy washout of bare spots, while Whitefish is still fully covered and totally shreddable. The town of Whitefish is just eight miles away and maintains a friendly-but-ragged northwest Montana vibe that just plain rules.
Whitewater, British Columbia
Whitewater is a little hill with two main double chairs, yet it gets tons of super high quality snow (480" average annually) and has super good terrain. Open spaces, rock drops, trees, steeps – you name it, Whitewater has it, and delicious mountain food too. 12 miles away, the great Kootenay town of Nelson provides good lodging options, great food, and a fun and charming vibe.
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