Getting lost: Utah and the Freeskiing World Tour.

Still no snow in Jackson. Spring skiing was not enough to get me that excited.

One of the key weeks of my trip this year was going to be in Utah. Competing in the Freeskiing World Tour. But first I would need to qualify.

For some reason the mountains around Salt Lake City were getting a lot more snow than we were here in Jackson. Even though they were only 5 hours away. Something to do with the jet stream, or maybe people in SLC go to church more often. What ever it is, its just better right now. So it was time to get down there.

I drove down with my friend Meg, who was on the waiting list to compete in the event. We arrived in Park City, 40mins out of SLC on Sunday night. We stayed with some Aussie friends of mine that I met about 4 years ago. Henry and Tahnee. These guys had been doing season in Park City for a few years now and are always good fun.

We skied Snowbird the next day. The bird had received about a foot of new snow over the last couple days, and it was the best skiing we had had in weeks! Covering all key powder hot spots: Chamonix chutes to The Bookends then on to Silver Fox and then Finally on to West Baldly. All areas were in excellent shape.

After ticking these boxes it was time to get down to business. West Baldy and Silver Fox were both venues for the Freeskiing comp later in the week. So we used the good snow to Closely identify and inspect our lines for the comp. The Weather was warm and clear. The snow was getting heavy, the next morning this nice soft powder is sure to not be as inviting…

Sure enough after Mondays clear skies, the snow froze overnight. Horrible conditions to start with on West Baldy. But by about lunch time things softened up enough to ski it properly. We spent the day finalizing our lines and inspecting the venue as tomorrow (Wednesday) the Freeskiing comp will begin.

Qualifying venue - West Baldy

Tuesday afternoon Meg found out that she had a spot in the comp to compete. She would be skiing 2^nd out of the girls on Wednesday, and I would be skiing 42^nd out of the guys on Thursday. There were 12 girls and 60 guys competing both days during the qualifiers. 5 Girls and 20 guys from each day would progress to Day 1 of the Freeskiing World Tour.

This was Meg’s first Big Mountain competition, she has had plenty of experience competing in skiing but only racing. Ski racing all the way through high school and into Collage.

She was very nervous but totally capable of putting in a good run. Which she did. She skied really well, having a couple problems with fluidity and aggression. Which really just came down to the firm snow and the fact it was her first comp of this type. She ended up coming 8^th that day. She was a little disappointed but totally stoked that she got to be apart of the event.

Meg, in the bottom section of her run on West Baldy

My friend Alex Tarran, who we were staying in SLC with was also competing on the Wednesday. Alex is a ski patroller up at Snowbird, and has been doing that for about 4 years.

She also skied well, basically skied the same line as Meg, but went a little bigger of one of her airs. Alex ended up in 7^th place. Neither Alex or Meg progressed to the next round.

Thursday came around pretty quickly, and it was my turn. They started the comp at about noon. In the sun shine and softening snow. But 5 people before my run, the clouds rolled in. Just as forecasted. The wind picked up and flakes started falling.

After sitting at the top of the venue with the remaining 18 competitors for an hour and a half, the competitions was postponed until tomorrow.

Forecast for tomorrow – Cold temps, snow, low visibility and wind.

The next morning the weather bureau was bang on. Due to time constraints the final 18 competitors would have to ski there run regardless.

We had one final inspection before our run. The conditions were the worst that I could have possibly imagined. Rock hard chunks of ice on a rock hard base with 1inch of light powder on top. Flat light and a strong up hill wind. UGLY!

I was definitely spooked, due to the conditions. Having to ski an aggressive run, hit airs and land on rock hard snow is not my idea of fun skiing.

I pushed out of the gate put in a few turns at before my first air into a chute. I cant really remember what happened after that. I know I hit all my airs bar 1. I skied pretty well under the circumstances, but it definitely was not an enjoyable experience.

Unfortunately due to an unlucky draw the standard of skiers skiing that day meant that the cut off point was extremely high. Half the field were locals, including skiers such as Cody Barnhill and Whiley Miller.

I scored a 27.5 a score that probably would have got me through on the other 2 days, but today it wasn’t going to be enough. The cut off was 8 I came 10^th The guy in 8^th scoring 29.5ish. Definitely unlucky, but not much I can do about it.

My self, and the Dujardin brothers, Ed and Will

The next two days we spent watching the World Tour event. Under perfect conditions. The clouds had lifter and the wind had stopped. Perfect for watching the event. The standard of skiing was amazing! Such an awesome event to watch. I really don’t understand why it doesn’t get more media coverage.

For more info on the event go to www.freeskiingworldtour.com

Here are some shots I took from the event…

Day 1 Venue - Silver Fox

Chopo Diaz Double staged 360

Ben Wheeler airing under the red box

The crowd for the Final on North Baldy

Chopo Diaz 360 at the bottom of North Baldy

Blowing up at the bottom

Lars Chickering-Ayers big double at the bottom of North Baldy - Lars ended up winning the event

Ben Wheeler bottom double stager at the bottom of North Baldy - Ben ended up 10th over all

I had an awesome week down in Utah. Definitely regret not doing more comps this year. I had all these grand plans to do other things, but the weather just didn’t allow.