January 6, 2004, Greenwood - U District, Seattle
1/6/04
WA elsewhere
3931
10
I usually bike to work, but skis were a more appropiate choice this morning. On Q13 News' continuing coverage of our "Winter Blast", the meteorologist (Walker Kelly?) kept showing the updated radar. A glance at the front yard, a glance at the TV.. when that yellow band moves over us in a little bit there should be enough snow to ski. I delayed, drank some coffee, "worked from home" a little until finally there was enough snow. This only happens once a year if we're lucky; I sure wasn't going to miss it.
I pulled the old Asolo leather boots, Riva 2 bindings and Dynastar Radical 2 Extremes (the Extreme is in italics on the ski) from the garage, the same setup I learned to tele ski on several years ago now. I headed across Aurora, along the north side of Greenlake to Ravenna's center grass strip, up to the U-District and down to campus. Skiing on the grass was a pleasure, especially where another skier had laid a track. The packed roaded was faster but more dangerous. It took little over an hour with photo stops to cover the 4+ miles.
Urban skiing is a completely unique and enjoyable experience. In college in State College, PA I several times returned from bar in the middle of the night to ski the snow covered and unplowded roads. One distinctive evening sticks out - I laid an uptrack in the local park and yo-yoed a short, 2-300 vf hill in tall, stately oak trees, lit by the glow of the yellow/orange street lamp. The snow had changed over to freezing rain and was beginning to leave a crust.
I hope everyone is out enjoying the blanket of white today. Anyone else care to share an urban ski experience?
I pulled the old Asolo leather boots, Riva 2 bindings and Dynastar Radical 2 Extremes (the Extreme is in italics on the ski) from the garage, the same setup I learned to tele ski on several years ago now. I headed across Aurora, along the north side of Greenlake to Ravenna's center grass strip, up to the U-District and down to campus. Skiing on the grass was a pleasure, especially where another skier had laid a track. The packed roaded was faster but more dangerous. It took little over an hour with photo stops to cover the 4+ miles.
Urban skiing is a completely unique and enjoyable experience. In college in State College, PA I several times returned from bar in the middle of the night to ski the snow covered and unplowded roads. One distinctive evening sticks out - I laid an uptrack in the local park and yo-yoed a short, 2-300 vf hill in tall, stately oak trees, lit by the glow of the yellow/orange street lamp. The snow had changed over to freezing rain and was beginning to leave a crust.
I hope everyone is out enjoying the blanket of white today. Anyone else care to share an urban ski experience?
I just did a tour around Wallingford. Lots of skiers out - I probably saw 25 or so.
Headed down to Stone Way and then up to "downtown" Wallingford, and over to Zoka's for lunch (I wasn't the only skier there). Then a nice run down 55th to Stone Way/Green Lake, and returned via Woodland Park.
Unfortunately I didn't have the right wax for conditions, so my arms are tired from the uphills.
When I lived in Montreal, did lots of urban tours in Mt Royal park, which accumulated a decent snowpack most winters (2-3 feet)... some good tree-skiing was to be found, and spooky nighttime tours through the cemetaries in the glow from the city lights.
Headed down to Stone Way and then up to "downtown" Wallingford, and over to Zoka's for lunch (I wasn't the only skier there). Then a nice run down 55th to Stone Way/Green Lake, and returned via Woodland Park.
Unfortunately I didn't have the right wax for conditions, so my arms are tired from the uphills.
When I lived in Montreal, did lots of urban tours in Mt Royal park, which accumulated a decent snowpack most winters (2-3 feet)... some good tree-skiing was to be found, and spooky nighttime tours through the cemetaries in the glow from the city lights.
Oh no, not another catagory ! ;) Urban touring ? Probably more dangerous than the backcountry in some places ;D
My son and I went sledding near our house this afternoon and saw at least a dozen skiers. There must have been hundreds of skiers all around the city today. Too cool! I started fantasizing about the "urban traverses" you could do if the snow would only last: Wedgewood to Ballard, enchaining the Seattle hills, the Lake Washington loop ...
Too bad it's supposed to rain tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed just shoveling my driveway and walk today. I like pretending that I live in snow country.
Too bad it's supposed to rain tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed just shoveling my driveway and walk today. I like pretending that I live in snow country.
Up here in B'ham, took the homemade (no kit) splitboard out for a test run in the moonlight on Saturday night. Skinned up Easton Ave. to 16th St., spent 10-15 minutes assembling frankenboard (gloveless), rode down to 10th St. (~300 v.f.). Several unfenced yards provided choice fresh powder turns. Took the split up to Baker the next day for some more frigid fun around Artist Point.
Today I built a kicker on a steep sidestreet. After a few jumps and scraping down to pavement each time I just decided to see if it snows some more. Then it's 360 time!!
Today I built a kicker on a steep sidestreet. After a few jumps and scraping down to pavement each time I just decided to see if it snows some more. Then it's 360 time!!
Might as well put in my 2 cents worth. For the past three days I've been using my XC skis to flatten the driveway out to the road. Laid a track in my backyard of 2 acres and spent each day skiing for about an hour. Boring, but exercise. Skied up the road today to check on an old neighbor. People stared at me, I live in redneck country. We have 11.5" on the ground here in the boonies that are becoming more and more urban, between Roy and McKenna.
And just imagine all the new gear we'd need for those traverses.... ;D
New from K2... The Seattle Urban line
The Wallingford - K2's all-around urban rider. Good in all conditions, from powdery lawns to icy roads. The high-density bases are also designed for the occasional patch of asphalt or sand on snow.
The Dravus - For those big descents when you need maximum power. Tested to withstand impacts with parked cars at speeds up to 40 mph!
The Burke-Gilman - The lightest ski in the line, perfect for long traverses and rolling hills, yet it still performs admirably in the park.
The She's Hungry - Perfect for the quick tour to the supermarket yet stylish enough for an evening on the town. Comes with matching handbag.
New from K2... The Seattle Urban line
The Wallingford - K2's all-around urban rider. Good in all conditions, from powdery lawns to icy roads. The high-density bases are also designed for the occasional patch of asphalt or sand on snow.
The Dravus - For those big descents when you need maximum power. Tested to withstand impacts with parked cars at speeds up to 40 mph!
The Burke-Gilman - The lightest ski in the line, perfect for long traverses and rolling hills, yet it still performs admirably in the park.
The She's Hungry - Perfect for the quick tour to the supermarket yet stylish enough for an evening on the town. Comes with matching handbag.
LMAO, Corey! :)
Well its raining now and the snow is going, but I was lucky enough to get out and do a one-armed urban tour in the same area.
I met Steph I. at Cowen park after she completed the Ravenna - Cowen traverse from her perch on 35th Ave. We were heading to Greenlake when the tip of her skin attachment broke so we quickly detoured back to my place for a replacement skin. On to Greenlake over 65th and down the gradual NE 63rd slope. We toured to gentle slopes just below the zoo and headed up to the Zoka warming hut, several hours after Phil. We capped the tour of with a few turns down the inch base, machine packed snow of the NE55th St chute.
I counted 10 turns, albeit forced ones down 55th. Each turn I cherished the vista some call I-5 below. My flimsy Swallow Neon skis, my one pole, and other slinged arm were well matched for this slope. Technically I might even be able to book this as January.
This urban tour lifted my spirits after breaking my arm last week. There can be fun during the early portion of a rest and recovery. I'm optimistic that by the end of January, I'll be able to tackle a more substantial, but still mild, one arm tour. - bil f
I met Steph I. at Cowen park after she completed the Ravenna - Cowen traverse from her perch on 35th Ave. We were heading to Greenlake when the tip of her skin attachment broke so we quickly detoured back to my place for a replacement skin. On to Greenlake over 65th and down the gradual NE 63rd slope. We toured to gentle slopes just below the zoo and headed up to the Zoka warming hut, several hours after Phil. We capped the tour of with a few turns down the inch base, machine packed snow of the NE55th St chute.
I counted 10 turns, albeit forced ones down 55th. Each turn I cherished the vista some call I-5 below. My flimsy Swallow Neon skis, my one pole, and other slinged arm were well matched for this slope. Technically I might even be able to book this as January.
This urban tour lifted my spirits after breaking my arm last week. There can be fun during the early portion of a rest and recovery. I'm optimistic that by the end of January, I'll be able to tackle a more substantial, but still mild, one arm tour. - bil f
My girlfriend and I headed over to Gas Works Park last night after work and yo yo'd the main hill about eight times before we were soaked from the freezing rain. The hill was largely 'sledded-out' but it was still fun. Always wanted to ski in town since I moved to seattle five years ago and even though I was stuck at work all day I still had to get out and see what snow was left.
We skated up the low angle paved path to the top of the 'run' and then made six to eight turns on each down the mighty slopes of Mt.GasWorks. The grass underlying the 1-2" of snow kept us from worrying about our edges, although we took out the oldest boards we had, a pair of 191 Tua Montents and a pair of 195 k2 Extremes.
We skated up the low angle paved path to the top of the 'run' and then made six to eight turns on each down the mighty slopes of Mt.GasWorks. The grass underlying the 1-2" of snow kept us from worrying about our edges, although we took out the oldest boards we had, a pair of 191 Tua Montents and a pair of 195 k2 Extremes.
I took the leather boots and scaled skis out of the basement and skied the Crown Hill-Ballard-Greenwood traverse. Lots of coverage, very few cars. Great to be skiing in town. Now I have to see about driving to work today, much scarier prospect.
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