PSIA-AASI

2.25.2009

PSIA-AASI Goes to Squaw

With less than 24 hours to go before our film and photo shoot was to commence in Squaw Valley, we found out that our producer from Rival Films had walking pneumonia, and there was rain – yes, rain – in the forecast.

But, with airline tickets already booked and accommodations that were, by then, nonrefundable, we decided to forge ahead, knowing that we might be in for a total mess of a trip. All this before we even arrived at the airport to discover that our United Airlines flight was cancelled. We were one bag loss away from complete disaster. But with PSIA-AASI Team members Bill Bowness (Adaptive), Mike Hafer (Alpine), Michael Rogan (Alpine – Captain), and Josh Spoelstra (Snowboard), waiting on the shores of Lake Tahoe for us to arrive and lead the show, we had to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

At an airport café in Denver International Airport, we sat with glasses half empty, wondering what else could go wrong. Wishing we had carried ski boots on the plane, instead of including them with checked baggage, we boarded a flight a few hours later and arrived in Reno to sunny skies.

Bags in tow (all equipment accounted for – phew!), it was off to Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics and playground for big mountain riders.

Our mission: To film the first segment of our Go With a Pro show (featuring three Olympic destinations and the complementary educational experiences for the unique terrain and conditions at each venue), and capture additional Go With a Pro tips and Movement Matrix footage.

It had been snowing for a week in the Lake Tahoe area, putting the mountain in prime condition. We’d heard reports of deep and soft pow, which, barring any rain, would provide optimum filming opportunities.

First things first, we mounted our V.I.O POV cam on the dashboard of our Subaru and drove from Truckee to Squaw on Hwy. 89 in hopes of capturing some slick footage for a steezy time-lapse to appear at the beginning of the segment. The light was perfect, the roads were dry and traffic was non-existent, giving us a chance to capture a smooth ride into the Valley.

Passing by the Olympic torches at the bottom of the Squaw Creek drainage, we proceeded up the road until we were at the base of the legendary Squaw Valley resort. High, craggy peaks loomed above, promising plenty of adventure for the following day’s filming.

After scoping out the area, we cruised back down the road to locate our temporary GWAP headquarters. Then it was off to dinner in Truckee, at Fifty-Fifty Brewing Co., to meet up with the crew and get organized for the shoot. We were joined by folks from Patagonia and Nordica, who helped us sample the local brews while we went over the details of what needed to happen over the next few days.

Day one of filming: It was with great anticipation that those of us at GWAP headquarters on Squaw Creek Road peered out the window at dawn. To our delight, not a cloud interrupted the blue of the early morning sky. Everything seemed to be lining up nicely, after all. What seemed to be touch-and-go for a while was shaping up to be a solid opportunity to film the Team.

Dave’s Deli, right at the base of the mountain, is where the magic began. We met at about 8:30 a.m., and after providing introductions, distributing lift tickets, and getting booted up, we were off on the Funitel just after 9 a.m. On board were the four aforementioned team members, Matt Fults from Rival Films, auxiliary camera man John “G” Gotgart, photographer Scott Sady, and us.

First stop: Siberia Bowl

This area provided us with a good opportunity to film groomer and crud runs side-by-side. It also provided direct access to the Palisades, a rocky outcropping with big drops and steep chutes, made famous by the likes of Glen Plake. These big lines were perfect for demonstrating GS tactics for big mountain skiing and tactics for steeps.

Next stop: Shirley Bowl

After stomping Siberia Bowl, we made tracks due north to capture some lower-angle bumps, crud, and groomers. Here we focused on transitions from groomed slopes to off-piste terrain, and filmed some of the drills that can help riders in any discipline practice that transition.

Mike Hafer and Michael Rogan demonstrated precise, technical skiing in all conditions, drawing parallels between lower-level skiing on groomed terrain and the advanced tactics required for steep big mountain lines. Josh Spoelstra rode with ease from corduroy to crud, carving consistent, textbook turns no matter the conditions. And, Bill Bowness showed us the versatility of his monoski and how riding with his rig requires the same basic movements as any other plank.

Wrapping up as the sun went down, we regrouped for a quick review and discussed the following day’s plan.

Day two of filming: Back at Dave’s Deli the next morning, we were lucky to have blue sky again, but knew it wouldn’t last long. A storm was on its way, so we had to move quickly. Boarding the lift just as soon as we could, we made our way up to the top of the Headwall Express for more action in the steeps. A short hike around a cliff band led us to terrain that was ideal for filming more tactics for steeps and chutes. Michael, Mike, and Josh made a few laps through before it was time to head to the base, take a quick break, and get ready for a ride up the tram.

The tram at Squaw Valley goes up 2,000 vertical feet, with as many as 110 people in its car. At the top is High Camp, practically a resort in itself, with restaurants, bars, pools, and an Olympic heritage museum. While the Team rode away with Scott to take some still shots, we went to the museum to get the scoop on Squaw’s Olympic past and set up for an interview with one of Squaw’s spokespeople. The plan was to get a representative of the resort to tell us about the 1960 Olympics and give us some insight into why Squaw is such a legendary place.

Surprise Guest

We got more than we had bargained for when Tom Murphy, VP of the resort, phoned to tell us that Jonny Moseley, Olympic gold medalist, was on his way up the tram to talk to us. Totally exceeding our expectations for an interviewee, this guy knows skiing, Squaw, and the Olympics – our perfect GWAP subject. He also knows that good skiers and riders learn from instructors, just like he did when he was a tot in the snowsports school at Squaw. Think he’d be able to pull off a 360 mute-grab if not for his PSIA-certified instructor?

After Jonny filled us in all that Squaw has to offer, we conducted even more interviews with Michael, Mike, and Josh. These guys talked to us about what PSIA-AASI means to them, and why they’re so active in the associations. From making lifelong friends to personal snowsports improvement, they all had great reasons to be involved with PSIA-AASI.

Having accomplished so much in just two days, and with the beginnings of a storm hovering overhead, we wrapped up with dinner and told the guys we’d give them a call if we woke up to bluebird skies. Alas, it was pouring rain the next morning, leaving the lower half of the mountain a soupy mess.

Fortunately for us, the Team members worked super hard for two days, Matt put in long hours despite pneumonia, and we had extra local help that made this shoot possible. What looked like it was going to be a big disaster for us actually turned out to be a big success.

Stay tuned for blog entries from Park City and Lake Placid, our next two GWAP locations.

Photos top to bottom: Squaw Valley from the Headwall Express; Matt Fults of Rival Films setting up an interview with AASI Snowboard Team member Josh Spoelstra; Bill Bowness and Mike Hafer on the Shirley Lake Express; Michael Rogan, Josh Spoelstra, and Mike Hafer hiking to expert terrain. All photos by Scott Sady, Sady Photographic, LLC.