PSIA-AASI

4.6.2009

GWAP: Park City

Having learned nothing from our shoot in Squaw—in that things can go wrong, and always do—we were even more ambitious in our plans for the Go With a Pro (GWAP) shoot #2 in Park City, Utah.

Fortunately for us, flights arrived on time and no one seemed to notice that we skipped lunch, so we got everything we needed—which was a lot—in just a few days . . .

Day One: Soldier Hollow
After piling PSIA Nordic Team member David Lawrence and his big bag of Rossignol gear into the Subaru, it was off to Solider Hollow, the site of several nordic events during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

About an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City (more if you stop, like we did, for a rare sandhill crane sighting), this resort is totally worth a visit if you’re in the area—or even if you’re not in the area.

Featuring miles of pristine trails for all ability levels, as well as a biathlon range, there was enough terrain and activity here to keep us occupied for days. And days it probably felt like for David, whom we worked like a rented mule, making him chase the snowmobile across all the trail systems to capture plenty of classic and skate footage.

David provided us with tons of equipment knowledge, explaining the differences between classic and skate equipment and offering demonstrations of each skiing style. His primary focus, however, being that this show features competition elements, was skate skiing and how it’s used in fast, competitive events. Thus, the many laps on the resort’s competition-grade courses.

Just when it looked like David was about to drop, we gave him a gun (probably a bad idea to arm the guy who’s doing all the hard labor while the rest of us stand there sipping water and munching on granola bars).

That’s right, folks—a gun. To all those who think GWAP films aren’t action packed, we have news for you—this year’s installment of the show features firearms.

Okay, so nothing explodes and there weren’t any bad guys, per se, but David was a James Bond in the making, learning to ski and shoot at the same time, thanks to instruction from the range master at the Soldier Hollow biathlon range.

If you’re not familiar with biathlon, it combines cross-country skiing with marksmanship. Typically competitors loop the course, stopping to shoot the target between loops. It’s a lot harder than it looks—just ask David, who, by the way, is a brilliant marksman.

Several ski miles, equipment changes, empty shells, and video takes later, we put David on a plane home to Washington.

Day one, check . . .

Day Two: Park City Mountain Resort
This resort, with four award-winning terrain parks, is aptly named. Though that’s probably not what they had in mind when dubbing this old mining town-turned-glitzy-resort.

But, it’s why we were there—partially, at any rate—to film with PSIA Alpine Team member and freestyle specialist David Oliver, and AASI Snowboard Team member Gregg Davis. Hailing from Breckenridge, Colorado. this duo arrived for another jam-packed day of filming and photos. Little did they know that there was no lunch in the cards, or even water or bathroom breaks for that matter.

So, day two of rented mules on film commenced—oh, to be fair, we did get bagels for them in the morning.

It all began at the Three Kings Lift, which services the Pick ‘N Shovel Terrain Park, an entry-level freestyle area with jumps, rails, boxes, and a halfpipe.

We spent almost the entire day in this so-called entry-level park, with 25-foot tabletops and halfpipe walls that measured at least 18 feet. So, after we exhausted our shot list in this area, it was time to find the real beginner park and get some true entry-level techniques on film. We also went in search of natural freestyle features and performed a little follow-cam action while the guys caught random trailside hits and air on rollers.

The goal was to capture footage that would demonstrate a freestyle progression for both skiers and snowboarders, and, of course, highlight the freestyle element of snowsports, especially as it pertains to competition. It was in Park City, in fact, that the U.S. men swept the halfpipe in Olympic snowboarding in 2002.

And it was a mission accomplished. These guys showed their stuff all over the mountain until the lifts ran no more. Then we had them perched on the back of the Subaru to talk with us about some Park City highlights and tell us more about what we saw them do on the hill.

Day two, check . . .

Day Three: Park City Mountain Resort
Back in Park City the next morning, we met up with PSIA Alpine Team member Dave Lundberg and PSIA Alpine Team coach Rob Sogard. Their attendance was a relief—word was getting around about the no-lunch program, and we’d heard tell of some no-show threats. Fortunately, they came anyway, and after dangling some granola bars in front of them, they got on the lift.

At any rate, now that our park sesh was over, it was time take our freestyle skills, or, rather, those of the team guys, to the bumps.

First things first, we set up in a nice sunny spot midway up the mountain to film the guys introducing the segment and talking about the techniques they were about to demonstrate. Though he denies it, we think Dave went to anchorman school or something—he nailed every line, while holding his Dynastar skis, totally convincingly and confidently. Rob wasn’t bad either, even remembering a wardrobe change in the way of his Smith eyewear.

Finally, it was time to get warmed up on some groomers. Dave and Rob led us through some bump drills that can be practiced on beginner terrain. Then it was into the bumps. We checked out a few different locations, but by and large the bumps were steep and deep.

In an attempt to get on some terrain that was a little more attainable for the average skier, we made our way to a lower angle slope with some softer, smaller moguls for an entry-level lesson in bump skiing.

From basic fundamentals to World Cup zipperlines, Dave and Rob showed us a complete bump skiing progression.

And so, day three came to an end, and, with it, our second GWAP shoot. We may not have had any lunch, but we got literally hours of footage of David Lawrence tracking all over Solider Hollow, David Oliver and Gregg Davis getting rad in the park, and Dave Lundberg and Rob Sogard slaying bumps at Park City.

Now it was time to pack up the Subaru, say goodbye to the team, and head back to Colorado to prepare for the next shoot at Lake Placid, New York.

Until then . . .

Photos top to bottom:David Lawrence skating at Soldier Hollow, David Lawrence at the Soldier Hollow Biathlon Range, interview setup at the Soldier Hollow Lodge, David Oliver and Gregg Davis at Park City Mountain Resort, David Oliver in the PC terrain park, interview setup at the base of PCMR, Dave Lundberg giving a Dynastar tip, filming drills at PCMR, Dave Lundberg and Rob Sogard skiing bumps at PCMR. All photos by Julie Shipman, Julie Shipman Photography, www.julieshipman.com.