Last Sunday Funday- Snowbird- 5.19.2013

This was the last Sunday of the season for me. Sunday is an awesome day in Utah to be snowboarding. Most of the residents are in church, and the tourists are usually late risers or leaving, so it is like locals only day on the mountain. We got a quick skiff of late snow on Saturday that was a foot deep in places. It was spring snow, so grabby and not fluid like the cold smoke we love. I rode everything that was open, and took Peruvian Gulch, which is now considered backcountry, all the way to the base. It is melting out fast now. But the last minute storm preserved it for one more weekend. A fun day, no land speed record with how sticky things were, but still fun to be getting some fresh turns this late in the season. I may take a lap or two this Friday to kick off the holiday weekend. I am doing my first backpacking trip this season this weekend, so timing will determine everything. Here is a video of last Sundays sliding up Little Cottonwood. Snowbird will run this Fri-Mon for Memorial Day Weekend. Then that is it for lift served turns this season in Utah. Get em' while you can. Enjoy the video, and have a safe, fun holiday weekend. Let the backpacking season begin!

Last Sunday Funday 12/13 Season 5.19.2013 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Spring Snowboarding/Bells Canyon 4.26-28.2013

The warmth has arrived. Our mountain was in full thaw on Friday. Mashed potatoes everywhere. I did manage to get some cold smoke out on Mark Malu, and Peruvian Gulch was really fun and fast. Even Regulator was good in the AM. Saturday had me hitting the trail to do some wandering and some photography. After a nice loop through Bells Canyon, I settled in lake side and did some fishing. It was nice to be up in the mountains, not a care in the world, and just casting out there. I did land a nice 15" fish before it was time to call it and head down. Sunday was even warmer, and even found some corn on some really smooth areas. The bottom of the mountain was glue by 12:30 pm. It was 56 degrees on the Tram deck when I got done. A great weekend to say the least. Snowbird is the only show in town now. And they have one more week to go then it is weekends only. I sense backpacking season is not far away. Enjoy the slideshow.

Star Trails Shot Of Skyline Arch the Winner of the Antzl Projects "Sunday Challenge"

I have been following the Antzl Project on Facebook for quite some time. It is a great place to put up new work and see what kind of feed back you get. Plus Kevin at the Antzl Project prints top quality canvas for photography at incredible prices for the quality of workmanship you get. I was honored when they picked my shot for the Staff Pick Winner for the Sunday Challenge. The layout is amazing, and I am really happy with how this turned out. Make sure you stop by and see all the great photography on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAntzlProject If you are interested in one of these canvases for your wall, shoot me an email at christianpaulphotography@gmail.com

April Delivers- 4.20.2013

As the majority of the resorts are closed or in their last week of operations, the Bird is still going strong. Looks like winter was saving some of the best for last this season. April has been incredible with how much snow we have received. I got to hit the mountain Friday, and for one epic powder day on Saturday. Friday the snow was still in great condition, with some wind transport, and some smooth lines, riding was so much fun. A cold and fast storm came in Friday night, dumping some 10% water content goods up Little Cottonwood Canyon. I made an early jaunt up to Snowbird, and caught first Tram up. It was Regulator only, but I still found some very nice snow on the way back to the frontside. Since Peruvian Gulch and Mineral Basin were delayed, I lapped it up in Gad Valley since this will be the last time we ride Gadzoom this season. After a couple of laps on Zoom, I headed over to Wilbere for some really fun fluffy laps. Then I got some inside info that Peruvian was about 20 minutes from opening, so off to the Tram I raced. I did not have to wait long, and as soon as I reached the peak, they pulled the rope to P-Gulch. From top to bottom was great snow and just incredible! Some of the deepest snow of the day. I decided that a Gad Chutes was in order, and what a great choice it was! Face shots and smooth snow were the reward for taking a chance. I headed back to the Tram to continue my assault on Peruvian Gulch. As we docked at the top, Mineral Basin opened. I headed straight for Chamonix, and enjoyed the untracked creaminess all the way to the lift. It was so good, I went three times for the same line, and it was just as good as the first. After a few more, the crowd got the hint that Mineral was open, so I headed back to Peruvian Gulch to take advantage of the low traffic and easy on Trams. Black Jack opened, and it was good! It was epic day on all accounts, and a nice way to wind down April with some powder. Enjoy the video I put together from my day today, and pray old man winter might have one or two more of these for us before we are done.

April Delivers- 4.20.2013 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

April Bonus- 4.9.2013

Just when everyone thought this season was done, mother nature had other plans. A surprise storm ripped through the Wasatch on Monday dropping some really dense 10% water content snow. It was a treat to get this since I have been off for over a week because of the worst cold I have had in over ten years. Being back in the saddle meant some shredding was in order. It was so good everywhere you went, and the traffic was minimal compared to just a few weeks back. I made the best of it, as these storms this late in the season are a bonus. Thursday was a repeat, with even less traffic on the hill, and some afternoon bluebird action to boot. I busted out 20,000 ft of vert on Thursday, riding most of the day that the resort was open. They pulled the rope to Road To Provo about 1 PM, and just when you thought it could not get better, my first run was untracked all the way from top to the Little Cloud lift. What an amazing day, the kind that you live for snowboarding. Friday was a leftovers day with the high north holding the cold smoke, and the west and south facing exposures lower on the mountain took quite a bit of time to soften up. This weekend is closing day for most of the resorts in Utah. Snowbird will run till late May, and Brighton has one more week and will be closing next weekend. Enjoy the video, as we get down to it. Won't be long now before we are putting away the winter gear and heading out to the wilderness.

April Bonus- 4.9.2013 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

The Crash/First Day Hike For 2013

This was a crazy month for me. A lot of things happening and changing, which is definitely in line with Spring arriving here. This last Tuesday I was riding Snowbird and having a great day, when heading to the base I was hit by a skier. I was probably going 40 MPH when she clipped the back end of my snowboard and sent me head first onto my back and shoulders and head. I really don't remember much after the impact, until I got my senses back. Kind of a white blur. As I laid there in a half daze trying to regain myself, the lady says "You should apologize to me, it was your fault." I just looked up at her and said, "Who is the one on the ground and who is standing up Ma'am?" She skied off not even asking if I was ok. Half groggy, I made my way to the base, and home to lick my wounds. I must say, if you ever wanted to know why to wear a helmet, this was a prime example of why you would do so. Needless to say, after my reflection on what happened, I have come to conclude that she violated the skier's code on several accounts. I won't hold a grudge, and I wish her the best. Could have been a lot worse. In short, I rang the bell pretty good, but I live to ride another day.

The last Saturday of March brought 70 degree temperatures, and blue skies. The crew had decided to hike up to one of my regular stops- Bells Canyon. It was a nice walk up there, and around the lake. Finally settled in for some fishing. I had no luck, but a couple of people in our group landed some nice cutty's! The scenery is right out of winter, but still fulfilling. It was nice to be up relaxing in the mountains, dreaming about backpacking once more. These are the days you realize that it won't be long before you are packing it off into the wilderness. Enjoy the pics, April is upon us, more adventures to come!

March In! 3.10.13

Its been a couple of weeks since I have posted. We really have had nothing but clear, warm weather since March began. But we did get a storm, and Sunday was the first blue bird day as the storm finally cleared out. The grooms were smooth like velvet, and there were some powder stashes here and there leftover from the storm. I love days like this were it is that perfectly smooth and you are blowing cold smoke with every turn. I made my way from the backside to the front side throughout the day. The snow in Peruvian was holding up nicely, and I made the best of it for sure. Things are gonna get warm this week, with no snow in the forecast lets hope our snow holds up. Pray for snow! The video below is a little edit from Sunday Funday this past week.

March In! 3.10.13 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.