TAYcation over.

I shared an elevator ride in the hotel today with Lindsay Vonn and oogled Julie Mancuso's ass as she walked past.

USA, Norway and Canadian world cup ski teams are here at Portillo training.

Watching them tear down Roca Jack at 9.00 am in the morning when it's still icy, icy hardpack is quite amazing.

this thread needs pictures

Watching them tear down Roca Jack at 9.00 am in the morning when it's still icy, icy hardpack is quite amazing.

Jill has fond memories of the Roca Jack lift.  She exited the lift just as it reached the end and did a scary "slide for life" down the icy slopes.  She tore the tendon in her hand and tore the joint capsule which led to 2 hand surgeries.  Roca Jack is a very unique lift like nothing I've seen anywhere else. I think there are 4-6 poma platters attached to a horizontal bar that ascends a steep slope. 

...and oogled Julie Mancuso...

Was she wearing these ski boots?

Was she wearing these ski boots?

Probably but I never looked at her feet if you know what I mean.

We were supposed to go for some heli runs today but the clouds came in.
Hoping they can fit us in tomorrow before we head to the airport for home.
Freeskiers Jen Berg and James Heim here filming for Mountain Hardware ads. They had the heli yesterday and scored some nice dry powder up high on south faces.

Jill has fond memories of the Roca Jack lift.  She exited the lift just as it reached the end and did a scary "slide for life" down the icy slopes.  She tore the tendon in her hand and tore the joint capsule which led to 2 hand surgeries.  Roca Jack is a very unique lift like nothing I've seen anywhere else. I think there are 4-6 poma platters attached to a horizontal bar that ascends a steep slope. 

It's scary lift...if it's any consolation both Pam and I fell of it near the top on the first day.
Va et vient lift ...unique design only in Portillo because given its location, a normal lift ( with towers) would be taken out by avalanches. With the va et vient lift, the just lay cables on ground in high avy conditions.
They have a booklet in each room describing how to ride it and caution that it's for advance to expert skiers only. It's not bad once you get used to it but that first ride is always a shock. The speed and steepness takes getting used to.