Winter is coming!
No, not a TV show, something much more fun, and real. Ski season is almost here and pre-ski season is the time for ski movies, avy education events, and ski-burning parties.
A few events have already passed by. I went to NWACs Snow-Bash last weekend, and it was a blast. It’s a party in the name of avalanche safety. Who could say no to that? Snow-Bash was a great way to catch up with ski buddies and support a good cause.
Also in the past few weeks: TGR’s Paradise Waits came to Seattle. I’ve been watching TGR movies as far back as I can remember. They never fail to stoke me up for the ski season. This one was no different.
But that’s not all. There are quite a few events happening soon in the Seattle area. Check it out:
Avalanche educational events coming from NWAC:
October 30 — When I was living in Bellingham, I volunteered for the local Mountain Rescue. They have an annual fundraiser. This year it’s a slideshow with local alpinist and guide Martin Volken. Should be fun; they usually have a bounty of raffle items. If you’re up in Bellingham check it out.
November 8 — Northwest Snow and Avalanche Workshop (NSAW). I’ve been to this event many times before, and it’s awesome. The workshop spans a full day and provides an in-depth, advanced look at several aspects of avalanche safety. It’s geared towards professionals or those with education and experience. Speakers include PhDs, guides, avalanche forecasters, climatologists, among others. I’m psyched for this one.
In addition to those more advanced classes, NWAC also puts on FREE avy education nights during the fall throughout the Puget Sound area. They are great for anyone who ventures into the backcountry, or is interested in starting. There’s too many to list here, but they have a full calendar on the NWAC site.
December 3 — SheJumps focuses on getting more girls into the backountry. They’re a terrific organization, and put on a variety of events throughout the year. Coming up is a Tune/Stoke night at K2 headquarters in Seattle. If you’ve got the right chromosomes, or know someone who does, check it out. Sounds like a fun party. They’ll have Elysian beer and lots of raffle items.
Ski movies are always good for pre-season stoke. Here’s a short list of some around the Puget Sound area:
October 16 (Seattle), October 17 (Portland), October 18 (Bend) — Sweetgrass Productions’ new film Jumbo Wild at Feathered Friends in Seattle. Jumbo Wild is produced with Patagonia, and focuses on locals’ fight against a mega resort in the Purcell Mountains of British Colombia. Should be very interesting. It’s free, and first come, first serve, so get there early. More info here, and a facebook event here
October 25 — MSP’s Fade To Winter. Facebook Event here, and tickets here.
October 27 — Black Diamond has started up their own film tour this year. It looks pretty cool, and they are showing all three episodes at Feathered Friends in Seattle on 10/27. Facebook event here
November 17 — On the hilariously bad side of things, there’s another bad movie night happening at the Mountaineers clubhouse. I went to the last one and had a blast. No word on what movie it is yet. My vote’s for the classic Aspen Extreme. Chinese downhill Teej!
December 9 — The BANFF Mountain Film Fest is coming to Seattle. There’s usually some sort of winter sports in the mix, and I always enjoy their selection of films.
Whew! Lots of events. I’ll be at most of these. See you there!
Louie Dawson earned his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design from Western Washington University in 2014. When he’s not skiing Mount Baker or somewhere equally as snowy, he’s thinking about new products to make ski mountaineering more fun and safe.
