Another Epic Season in Alaska's Chugash Range
As the month of April winds to a close and the 10pm sunsets light up unreal alpenglows on the steep faces of the Chugach Mountains, another epic heli-season is in the bag in AK. And after more snowy down-days than usual, the super-deep powder again made the waiting game worthwhile. ...
Winter Returns To The Alps!
Just in time for the Spring Solstice and the Easter Weekend, massive snowfalls dumped throughout the mountains in Europe. After some skiers had written of the season, conditions all over are good again. Austria recieved a meter or more in the past few days, and Eastern Switzerland is deep!
BD Skier Mark Welgos Wins The US Freeskiing Open
BD SKIER DOMINATES AT JACKSON HOLE
MARK WELGOS CLAIMS SUBARU JACKSON HOLE U.S. FREESKIING OPEN TITLES
Clear skies and fresh snow provide big mountain freeskiing competitors opportunity to push the limit on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s legendary terrain. After two days of weather delays, patience finally paid off for competitors at the Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, as blue skies cracked the visibility wide open. A chosen few athletes who made it though the first round of competition took turns showcasing their best skills on Jackson Hole’s tricky ‘Third Tower’ final and super final venue. ...
The BigLePowSki Goes Off in Davos!!
The BigLePowSki Goes Off In Davos!!
Despite somewhat cloudy skies, gusting winds and challenging snow conditions; the 1st annual 'The BigLePowSki' -Backcountry Happening at Pischa Ski Area was a successful weekend and a good time was had by all. Thanks to Black Diamond, Fritschi, Arc'Teryx, Fullmoons Ski Shop and Nokia; there were lots of good freeride skis, backcountry safety gear, touring bindings and technical outerwear to test. And since there were professional mountain guides on hand as well, it was a perfect weekend to get off-piste and ski some powder.
When the sun finally set after a long Saturday on the skis, the good times continued at The Montana Bar. The 'Trio From Hell' cranked out the tunes until the wee hours, with a rockabilly mix of Tarantino soundtracks and cult-classic surf music. If your were there with the Dude, then you know what went down; if not, then we'll see you next March in Davos for The BigLePowSki 2!!
Billy Poole... Rest In Peace
Billy Poole
March 30, 1979—January 22, 2008
On January 22, the skiing world lost a great one when Billy Poole died from injuries sustained after a jump in the Wolverine Cirque in Big Cottonwood Canyon. One of the top freeriders in the world, Billy was 28.
Billy was part of the Black Diamond family and lived here in Utah. He had traveled the world skiing from Japan to Argentina, chasing the seasons, chasing the snow, making his dream to become a professional skier a reality. His passion for skiing was endless—if it was dumping in the mountains, he was up there ripping it, skiing everyday as though it was his last. And now that last day has come. He is gone, his last day ending as he would’ve wished: skiing with friends in the Utah backcountry.
Billy was a charger. He was fearless. He was a bad ass. And all of us here at Black Diamond miss him terribly.
Samuel Anthamatten-- BD's Multi-Talent
Growing up in the alpine paradise of Zermatt has given Samuel Anthamatten the opportunity to excel in many alpine disciplines. At 19 years old, Samuel is a member of Black Diamond's Alpine Climbing Team, he's won numerous climbing conditions on rock and ice, and he flashed the Nose on El Cap in 15 hours. But what we didn't know is that the kid can ski! Check out this picture of him boosting an iron-cross cliff drop! So when the ice isn't on, we'll know what he's doing in Zermatt.
Italian Mountain Guide Survives Avalanche Burial Thanks to AvaLung Pack
The following is an email interview with Marco Zaninetti, which describes his firsthand experience of surviving an avalanche in Alagna, Italy, January 14, 2008.
Please describe your past off-piste skiing experience?
I’ve skied off-piste for more than ten years; the first years only as a ski-lover and then, in the last five years, also as UIAGM mountain guide. I also work as a ski patroller at the Alagna Ski Resort and I have the licence for avalanche control with explosives. My goal is to have something like 80/90 skiing days each year. ...
BD Introduces The New Era In Freeride and Telemark Boots!
A New Era In Freeride Ski Boots
With nine new models of Freeride-specific ski boots, Black Diamond is launching a completely new product line for the Winter 2008/2009. Modern freeride skiers have been waiting for boots like this, with the stiffness and power of an alpine boot for the descents and the comfort and function of a touring boot for the ascents. Black Diamond realized the needs of backcountry enthusiasts and began designing these boots from scratch, without the restrictions of present concepts and technologies. Black Diamond has been working on these boots for three years to fill this gap in the marketplace, and today presents this completely unique and independently developed collection, which consists of three touring boots and six telemark boots. The innovative “flagships” of this collection are the revolutionary freeride boot, the Factor, and the revolutionary telemark boot, The Custom. ...
Winter Kicks In Big In Europe!
After record snowfalls in November, the Alps remain covered with the white stuff from France all the way across to Austria. And as December rolled in, so did the storms, as two more monster low-pressure systems dumped up to 1 meter (40 inches) of fresh snow across Europe. And for the past week the temperatures have remained well below freezing and the snow isn't going anywhere. The Arlberg area of Austria has almost a 2 meter base and Davos, Switzerland is reporting a 1.5 meter base, with all lifts and ski areas open as of Friday!
We're not just dreaming of a White Christmas, we'll be skiing a White Christmas!
BD Re-opens Test Center in La Grave
Black Diamond has re-opened our Test Center in La Grave, France. At the base of La Meije, La Grave is known has one of the finest freeride areas in the world- thus a perfect place to test the latest BD equipment ...