PSIA-AASI

3.31.2009

Rally 2009 - Day 2

Wind blowing sideways and freshies in the trees make for a another fun day at Taos. It’s amazing; there were 15 inches of new snow a couple of days before we arrived and there are still pockets of great winter powder hidden around the mountain. The snow falling tonight looks promising for a great Day 3.

Lane Clegg, coach of the AASI Snowboard Team—along with team members Scott Anfang and Josh Spoelstra—led the groups today, focusing on stuff like snowboarding and hiking to find the best snow. Yes, there were even a few technical discussions. And some not-so-technical discussions like, “There really is a Martini Tree,” and, “Where can we find a Karaoke place so Josh can do his best Bon Jovi tribute?”
 
Randy managed to pull together a small group focused on a lower impact afternoon. And, when the rest of the group arrived back at the Martini Tree, unofficial afternoon base camp, there were more laptops and gadgets than you’d find at a Best Buy. It seems that if this crew isn’t riding it’s checking Facebook.

Taos has an amazing vibe and feel to it—super mellow and really laid back. The mountain lets the terrain speak for itself. There are sick shots right off of main runs that lead you into technical chutes or steep tree sections.  And trees so tight you can follow people not by their tracks but by the sound of breaking branches. Lane even got up close and personal with one tree. I think it’s a karma thing for the branches earlier.

Riding a mountain that has consequences rocks!