March 2-4th, 2007 - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

It was hard to leave the NW with all the snow we've been having, but my girlfriend is fighting for a place on the US telemark team so off to Steamboat it was, for the US Telemark National Championships . Fortunately we couldn't have timed the trip much better. The mountain got hammered with snow the week leading up to the race and by the weekend we were enjoying bluebird Colorado days. There were three days of racing: Friday was a GS and slalom, Saturday's main event, The Classic telemark race, and Sunday was a Sprint Classic.

For those who have never seen a telemark race I HIGHLY encourage you go watch, or even better, race in one, especially a classic or sprint classic. The race is a combination of GS gates, a big jump in the middle, a 360-degree off-camber turn and skating. This sport should be in the Olympics but the reality is not many people know telemark racing even exists (at least here in the US.) The 24th annual Glen Wilcutt telemark race is coming up at the end of March at Stevens Pass (although unfortunately it is only a GS race and not the Classic format) - www.stevenspass.com/events/detail.aspx?id=136 so go check it out and cheer those telemark racers on!

Although I did end up racing in the sprint classic on Sunday, I was able to fit in a day of 'fun' skiing between ringing cowbells. To be honest I had high expectations of Steamboat so when we arrived and I could see there was no above-treeline skiing I was a bit dissappointed. Matter of fact, besides the infamous Steamboat glades, I was pretty unimpressed with the town and ski hill. Yes the area is gorgeous but the terrain is relatively mild. I will say, despite it being a beautiful satuday with good snow, there were no lift lines.

Unfortunately I didn't have much time to take pictures of the area...guess I'll just have to go back in the spring/summer/fall!

Oh but there is more to Steamboat than meets the eye. Duck out the gates atop Pony Express to access Fish Creek, 1800-2000 vertical feet of Alpental worthy steeps, but always chock full of dry powder neglected by the touristas. And the BC north of town, around Hahns Peak, is really cool.

Congratulations to Crystal Mountain skier, TAY skier Matt Macartney!!!
US National Telemark Overall Champion in the Mens Open division!!
Impressive victory Matt!

Oh but there is more to Steamboat than meets the eye. Duck out the gates atop Pony Express to access Fish Creek, 1800-2000 vertical feet of Alpental worthy steeps, but always chock full of dry powder neglected by the touristas. And the BC north of town, around Hahns Peak, is really cool.

Thank you for correcting me. I did notice some peaks north of town that looked enticing. Had I been with some touring buddies maybe we would have found some of the goods. Maybe next time?

Congratulations to Crystal Mountain skier, TAY skier Matt Macartney!!!
US National Telemark Overall Champion in the Mens Open division!!
Impressive victory Matt!

No doubt. Watching these guys race is pretty amazing. I don't know if he's going to Europe for Worlds but if he is, wish him luck!