Mountain Snap: Verbier 1973

Another simple and grand mountain view. You may have seen my first posting of a solo snapped mountain in Spain 1972. I will be sharing more photos I found from my parent's ski travels to the astounding Verbier, Switzerland soon. In the meantime, I give you the titled (all that is written on the back of the photo), Verbier 1973. Simple and beautiful. Wish you were there? Yeah, me too.

Vintage inspired: Pluto Skiing

Let me first begin saying that I have a love for vintage posters, adverts, etc.  Travel and skiing themes rank at the top of my mountain.  On a second note, when the news of Pluto no longer being considered a planet came to be, I was distraught. I also have a fascination of outer space and science fiction, however, not an obsession. Just having complete wonderment and interest. 


Go figure that the "vintage inspired" Steve Thomas ski travel poster (below) would spark my interest! Could you image skiing on Pluto? With an average distance of 3,647,240,000 miles from the Sun, what a distant cold world! Covered in frozen methane gas, give me a mask and let's ski down whatever slopes there are! Good work, Steve.

Snowkiting in Iceland? Sure.

Today, I was introduced to snowkiting.  I stumbled upon it after seeing an Iceland Adventure trip which is for, you guessed it, snowkiting. What is snowkiting you ask? Well, it's like kitesurfing but instead of water, the kite glides you on snow or ice while strapped on a snowboard. Okay, I'm intrigued. 

Courtesy of Snowkiter - Snowkiting in Iceland

Some years ago when at one of my fantastic summer camp ventures (Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park, Canada) I learned to windsurf. More into sailing, but I decided to try some windsurfing. I ended up only doing it once after I got scared going way too far out on the lake. Kind of like that guy in that movie (my brain is really trying to remember which guy and what movie bit it's in but can't). Now I love water and water sports, but if I had to choose between snowy mountains and the beach, I would lean towards a snowy beach. Fine, bad joke. I'm indecisive. 


I recently said how I want to plan my next journey to Iceland during the winter months. This could be a worthy adventure to think about. I'm not such a fan of planned vacation tours, but seems interesting to consider - Snowkiting on Langjökull glacier, Iceland - Friday May 14th to Friday 21st? Who's with me?


I have not yet visited Langjökull, but on my last trip I experienced Jökulsarlon which is at the south end of Vatnajökull glacier - the largest glacier in Iceland (Picture from my journey, below).

The information for this particular snowkiting adventure can be found: HERE! 

I want to Ski Dance (at the Ski Party), please

There are two artful film clips that come to mind. The first is from the 1986 German ski film, Feuer und Eis (Fire and Ice). The key lyrics to the song are are: "I want to ski dance. Ski dance." Yep, brilliance all around with this one. With extreme eighties fashion and slope break dancing greatness, you can't go wrong, really.

The next is a quick but goodie from the acclaimed 1965 film, Ski Party, starring Frankie Avalon. The clip is when James Brown and Fabulous Flames perform, "I Feel Good" for the après skiers house party. Yes, this makes me feel good, thank you! Outta sight!

What about ThirtySomething lift ticket deals?

Remember the late eighties/early nineties television show, thirtysomething? I never watched it, but I remember it. Great things happen in your thirties. I should know, I turned 30 last year and it's been amazing thus far. I can't wait to see what the next 9 years brings!


It appears (with beginning research) there are only amazing, great lift ticket deals for college students. Well, except if this was early pre-season/ season. I scored a cheap deal at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort (Lake Tahoe/Truckee) in November for about $35 a day! My first trip to the mountains this season was in October to Mountain High Resort (Southern California). There, my friend and I scored a points-pass for $55 (certain lifts are so many points and it's good until all points are used).  Yesterday, Mt. High's twitter tweeted (that statement is hysterical, right) a college night for $20 with proof of your college ID. Where did I put that old thing, anyway...


I know money is bleak in college (well for most), but what about us hard working people moving up the money ladder? Don't forget about us! And some of us are starting families, buying houses, and will always appreciate deals! Something to think about, ski resorts. Are you listening? Is anyone?

"Après Ski" poster revisited

I recently posted a fantastic old ski movie poster I found, "Après Ski" or as the one I found reads, "Sex on Skis." Well, I found the ORIGINAL poster! Excitement all around! Below is the true poster. I'm still looking for a copy of this movie. Sometimes, après-ski says it all...

From the Mountains? And yes, I like Iceland.

Besides skiing/mountains, I love ICELAND. It is difficult for me to pinpoint the exact moment in time when I said to myself, "Iceland my love," because it has been more of an organic bake throughout my life thus far. Definitely when I was there for the first time in 2007, I secured my love for the country. When visiting, I was not there for snow. I traveled there the end of summer/beginning of fall, while on my skiing sabbatical. The next spiritual sojourn there I hope to plan during the winter. Ah, perhaps to ski! Fitting, indeed.


Icelanders have some old, unique sayings. One I use the most is: I Stand On The Duck! (meaning, when thrilling things are happening to you) Another: How Do You Like Iceland? (mostly used when asking visitors to Iceland, well, how they like it) And yet another, which is where I'm going with all this: I Come Completely From The Mountains! (meaning, the lack of knowledge or when something baffles you) 

However in actuality, nothing is baffling about coming from the mountains. Being born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the only mountains I can claim coming from are the ones in Iceland, my home away from home. You can purchase a fantastic shirt with this phrase along with the others mentioned and more at How Do You Like Iceland? Spread the word. Mountains, Iceland, and all!

You could ski for cheap...

It's true. One can ski for cheap. Minus the sometimes (a lot of the time) expensive lift tickets. There is a reason the term "Ski Bum" started, right?


Step one: Bargain Bin Equipment

If you're into vintage equipment, a second hand store could be where you score. I found a bucket o' skis with some poles and used ski boots offered while I was browsing the vinyl section at a northern California (Nevada City) store.  Oh yes, K2's, Rossignol's and Dynastar's representing. Old school style. The boots scared me and I would (am) holding out to purchase new boots, but hey, you could grab them here. 

Apparently "Après-Ski" translates to "Sex on Skis"

Below is one of the most amazing movie posters, specifically ski movie posters. In March 31, 1971, the French-Canadian movie titled, "Après-Ski" was released. I stumbled upon this gem and I have no clue what I was initially searching for on the world wide web. I have not seen the movie, but the poster would get anyone excited (intended pun, of course).

The USA released video title was "Snowballin'." Not what this poster has on it, but regardless, another good title. It was released by other names in various countries:

"Sex in the Snow" (UK)

"Meta to Ski" (Greece)

"Winter Games" (Canada, dubbed version, English title) -- Pick another title, thanks

So I guess "Sex on Skis" is yet another title bestowed. Stickered on this poster, a worthy translation since many skiers partake in boudoir après-ski activities anyway. Plus, we can go with the other interpretation of the name as "She is like sex on a stick," or in this case, skis. I have said it before, ski sex sells. My next question is: Shall I frame and hang it in my bedroom or living room?

Snain Snow Globe? Squaw Valley Skiing: Day Two

Waking on January 1, 2010 was exciting. It was snowing! Big chucks of snowflake love! I was staying with friends at a rental home in Homewood (just 24 minutes from Squaw Valley USA). Thoughts of a feasible epic day lay ahead. However, after getting on the road at 9:30AM and arriving at the ski resort, the lovely white majestic flakes turned to SNAIN. Isn't that a genius term? Snain, or snow and rain, is a term a friendly Lake Tahoe-r, who I was riding up with on Gold Coast Funitel, used.

A day of Snain. Happy New Year!

After arriving at the top of Gold Coast, my skiing partners and I went to ride the Emigrant 3 person chairlift. Atop, Emigrant is measured at an elevation of 8,700 feet. It's a good thing we rode it the day before to partake the views since visibility today was extremely sparse. A whiteout, really. We made a meeting time and they went ahead (they are fast and with my current boot situation, I prefer to take my time). Not to say I am a slow old lady skier, but I believe older women pass me at the moment.

Let's just say if I was in a snow globe and someone shook it, I would've been better off. Winds gusting, snow blowing around. Did I teleport to a skiing expedition in Antarctica? If I did, Tim Konrad from unofficialsquaw.com would be there to guide me. There would probably be penguins too. Nope, just me and the occasional skier passing. My foot beds are too loose for these retched conditions. There was no snain and I was up to my shins in powder -- wow. I had never skied in high powder before and I wished I had better fitting boots. For any non skiers reading this, ski boots are key. They should be a tight fit. Currently, mine are not and there's a lot of wiggle room making it difficult to control my turns and get up in skis if I should fall. Oh yep, I had a small side fall in the first part of the vertical on my way down to Shirley Lake Express. I was pleased I had my new bright gold puff jacket on so that if I should get buried, someone would be able to dig me out. Luckily, I got up and started to descend.

Once I was away from the top, conditions weren't bad and I coasted down the mountain carving fresh tracks while overlapping a few that were there. Due to my boot issues, I called it a day early. I remembered I purchased a Squaw Valley Spanky (the original sports hanky for goggles and such) as a souvenir. Something I could've used after I defeated the snain and snow globe terror. Ah well, there's always next time.

Sunrise on Lake Tahoe before leaving January 2.

Gold! Squaw Valley Skiing: Day One

It was in fact a golden moment in my life. The first enclosed aerial ski lift I rode was the final day of 2009 at the acclaimed Lake Tahoe ski resort, Squaw Valley USA. The Gold Coast Funitel devirginized me. Like when you do anything wondrous for the first time, the excitement was difficult to contain. I wanted to take a picture inside the cabin but it was packed. I was located in the "standing room" center griping my K2 MissDemeanors and poles. At that point, I felt this worthy moment was beyond the need for a silly picture. Once you take out a camera (still or movie) you are an observer behind the observer. Sometimes, I want only my mind to do the recording. Fantastic, it was. Oh, I forgot to mention I was also dressed in my new Patagonia hooded puff coat, color -- gold. A very great golden day, indeed!

The views at el 8900 feet and skiing all around the mountain were amazing. The wind gusts riding up to the top of Siberia Bowl and Gold Coast Express were at times brutal. However not as horrendous as the next day, the first day of 2010. That story on it's way...

Riding up the 2 person chairlift, Mainline

View from about el 8900 ft. Lake in the distance.