I love da Powder Snow

Well well - the snow is here.  Some people complain about it and some love it.  I am in the later category.  I just spent a weekend filming and taking photos at Island Lake Catskiing with the Sherpas.  The Sherpas are making a ski movie and were filming with a special slow motion camera that shoots a 1000 frames a second.  The footage will be surreal for sure.  Island Lake had received a whole bunch of powder snow in the last couple weeks and conditions were really good for early season. Check out these photos:

Island Lake Catskiing is located just outside of Fernie B.C.

Ken Diamond Leather Goods in Vancouver

I recently visited my old friend Ken Diamond in Vancouver.  Ken and I grew up together in the Winnipeg music scene...going to shows, hanging out at the legendary Royal Albert draft night and generally just rockin out.  Ken has a crazy grizzly adams beard now and I barely recognized him.  Anyway, he is an amazing leather worker and custom makes all kinds of cool stuff.  I got a new wallet and belt!  Check out the Ken Diamond website http://www.kendiamond.com/

Win a super cool trip to Fernie

You can win a ski or snowboard trip to Fernie.  This includes 3 days at Island Lake where I work.  No I probaly will not be able to ski with you...sorry.
http://www.tourismfernie.com/contest

Hangin with George

My friend Paul called me while I was in Toronto and said he had some last minute tickets to the George Stombolopolous show..the catch was we needed to be there in an hour.  The guests were to be Tom Green and Hot Hot Heat - I said sure sounds great.  I managed to get down to the CBC studio and the next thing I know we are sitting front row, while the band rocked out.  Tom Green was his usual freaky self and did an imitation of what humans will look like in a hundred years - as our entire social interaction becomes texting... weird indeed.  George talked to the audience in between takes and chatted about how the Clash got him into politics when he was a kid...me to.  He also let the audience ask some questions.  Tom Green played the audience a song as we left the studio.  We were not supposed to take photos, but i got a couple on the iphone...always breaking the rules.

Fly Fishing in Fernie B.C. - my addiction

Those that know me have probably heard me rant about the glories of fly fishing before.  It's simply my favourite summertime activity.  My article last year in Fly Fusion Magazine was called Stream Fishing Addiction and pretty much spelled out the motivating factors for me and other addicts.  One of the reason I moved to Fernie is because it is one of the the best Dry Fly Fishing areas in North America.  The Elk River is the water equivalent to skiing deep dry powder snow.  Anyway, I am working on a new article about fly fishing in Fernie B.C. and got a few good images this summer. 

 

Tourism Fernie Video

Tourism Fernie just put out this cool little summer video.  If you look close you might see Carissa and I eating some sushi.  Yes - we will do anything for free sushi.
Video  Check out Tourism Fernie's website as well.  The summer is winding down and winter is on the way.  Starting to think less about fly fishing and more about pow turns...

Man vs Wild TV show at Island Lake Catskiing

Last winter crazy Bear Grylls and his Man verses Wild TV show came to Island Lake Catskiing and filmed a full episode.  They blew up some expolosives to create and avalance, he swam under the frozen lake and then had to to be heli-evacuated after a serious accident.   He had been sliding down a slope, then self arrested with an ice axe...the camera man following him in a sled did not stop and hit him at 40km.  Watch the episode!

Ski and snowboard photos from last season

Thinking back, I did have a pretty darn good season last year.  Did not get out a heck of alot and tore my shoulder in March, but had some great days anyway.  I think the deepest was New Years Eve day, with the Hawaiian crew.  Anyway, here a few ski and snowboard photos I managed to get...all cat skiing of course.

island lake catskiing

oh the garbage...

It never ceases to amaze how much garbage I see everywhere.  Remote hiking trails, campsites, highways and of course city streets, it's everywhere.  A couple years ago I was stopped at a red light and there was a lady in front of me with a minivan full of kids.  She opened her window and dropped a big bag of garbage on the street...no joke.  Guess what the garbage consisted of?  McDonalds wrappers and cups of course... Great lesson for the kids in the van.  Come on humans, clean up your act!

Catski and Heliski Film Project

I have wanted to make a cool ski movie for a long time.  One that goes beyond the regular marketing/corperate video look and feel.  It looks like the vision will become reality this winter.  I have signed up the Rocky Mountain Serpas to produce a super cool movie for Island Lake Catskiing and Mica Heli Skiing.  The Sherpas are an award winning new generation film company that has created some spectacular film work over the last couple of years.  I am super stoked to have them on board to create something special.  The film will incorperate lots of wire cam, unique angles and time lapses.  Look to have your socks blown off in Fall 2011!

Hiking at Island Lake Lodge

Went on a couple great hikes in the last few weeks - one up the Spineback trail the other day and the Mount Baldy loop before that.  If your into geology there are some great seashell fossils in some black basalt rock...always crazy to see ocean fossils on a mountain top.   The Bear Lodge deck is a pretty darn nice place for lunch afterward as well.  I recommend the steak sandwich...