Utah Goodness!!!
If thousands acres of ultra-dry boot deep powder, constant wind, ridiculous riding terrain, (cornices, 35 degree bowls, natural kickers, road gaps, impressive vistas) and friendly locals sound like the ultimate snowkiting destination, than you must visit Skyline Drive, just an hour and half drive southeast of Salt Lake City.
While resently attending the 5th Annual Montana Snowkite Rodeo and snatching a win in the skiercross event. I wasn’t going to assume a repeat at the U.S Open last weekend, But I couldn’t imagine not attending and at least try my best against some national pros like Rob Whittal, Ken Lucus, Andrew Mclean, Zebulone, James Brown, Jason Slezak, Dimitri Maraminedes, Brian Schenck and many more (Alex Peterson didn’t compete).
The Skier/Boardercross event had intense action as the days forecast of 4okts winds were starting to kicking in, and at one point racers where getting completely blown off their tacks. Lucky I advanced through each heat clean and held on tight to a super lit 12m Havoc and managed not to crashing into one other (afterwards KenLucus’s GPS had a top speed over 55mph, …crashing would have been serious carnage!). Not too sound big headed but, after winning the race I had to kite far away from everyone else to savory that adrenaline stoked moment. I wish doctors could bottle that feeling up and give it to people that really need it!
The rest of the day was filled with good times of BBQing and partying in the Mountain Hardware/RedBull tents and watching Alex Peterson jump (not soar off a cliff) but load and pop over 250ft vertically up the hillside, and also “SATing out” (Yes he is a Professional Paraglider) I think AP still hasn’t found his limits and is pushing this sport into the stratosphere. Once again he stole the show…….
Sunday was the big bummer, Alex Podelack (sorry spelling) and I were freeriding in the “utah goodness” all morning. The intermittent blowing snow and flat light made for some tricky conditions which caused Alex to come up short on a 50ft gap jump and twisted his knee real bad. It’s a kitemare story in it’s own, with a snowplow truck nearly scraping him off the road, but the driver ended up being a huge help with his rescue, thank God it wasn’t worst.
Yesterday, was the solo session we had been waiting for the entire trip, the venue was now over and we had the entire place to ourselves under bluebird freshies . Alex in his physical state was gracious enough to document Stringy, Mike Hill, Christian (from Denmark) and I having someserioussnowkite fun.
Once again “Chainsaw Stringy” captured the photo goods when he wasn’t out there killing it himself.
All in all with some amazing local days out near Chelan and Lake Keehcelus, the comps, and all super deep sking days has made this one of the most memorable winter seasons. And it seems like everytime I talk to someone else, they are saying the same thing to me about different days, ….”Powder” to the people!
and some Vid Action coming soon
Thanks for visiting!
Brad Gordon
