This is a hard hitting true story of a back country ski trip with very experienced people gone horribly wrong. Worth watching.

As ski season approaches (although it seems slowly right now for Whistler) it's important to remember how dangerous avalanches can be. It doesn't matter how experienced you are when group factor kicks in. Blake in this case has a masters degree related to snow science, I know I've never been out with anyone with those kind of credentials. Keep it safe!

Yep you heard it right, if you missed the Vancouver & Whistler premiere's of TGR's Under the Influence, you've got another chance. It's coming to Squamish this week as part of the Annual Kees & Claire Winter Kick-Off Party fundraiser, to help raise funds for a memorial hut we are building in the area. 

The snow has started to fly at Whistler Blackcomb with over 40 cm (16 inches) of snow falling just in the last few days and more expected in the forecast. With the countdown on to opening day, November 27, this is exciting news! And with the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opening on Dec. 12, we can't wait for the season to officially kick off.

I have been in Ushuaia, Argentina for the last 8 days, waiting out what has been for 100 people the most up-and-down rollercoaster waiting game of their lives. Our intention, to go and ski in Antarctica via the 100m Russian ship M/V Orlova, was shut down when the ship was found to be unfit to sail. We were on the boat, ready to go, mentally prepared, and then KABOOM, they dropped the bomb telling us the trip was cancelled.

North Shore RescueOver the years North Shore Rescue has helped 1000s of individuals and returned sons, daughters, fathers and mothers back to their families - and now North Shore Rescue is asking for your help.

Tobin, Joanie, and I set out for some pre-season exploring this weekend, aka hiking. But when I woke up and saw all the fresh snow in the peaks, I knew this called for one thing and one thing only - a snowblade mountaineering descent! Or so I hoped...

I packed up my gear, found a technical pair of shades to match my snowblades, and set out for the day. And what a loooong day it was. Our objective was Sun God Mountain, but our map directions started AFTER the first turn, and we didn't know where the first turn was. Oops.

Looks like the Faction guys have been up to no good last winter and this summer, brewing some sick looking shred sticks for the 0809 winter season.

If the descriptions on the website are any indication, I'm stoked on what changes they've made. Looks like the big mountain flagship... the Thirteen... now has a flat tail and a pimpin' early-rise tip. 

Good times were had by all on Thursday night at the TGR 'Under the Influence' Premiere and after party put on by Doglotion and Mountain Madness. Well except for two drunk teenie-boppers who paid their cover, stumbled into the bar, and had no idea what they were in store for when the Gaper Day 2008 premiere kicked off the show! Traumatized, they stumbled back out of the bar, and the left the rest of the packed crowd to watch the feature film in awe. 

G3 Genuine Guide Gear definitely kicked it up a notch this year with their web presence. First off with the launch of their new blog site www.G3HouseBlend.com - House Blend being, as they aptly put it, the "special recipe that combines rich local flavor and full bodied adventure with the satisfying finish of organic choices and juicy news. Our Houseblend is the elixir that provides the inspiring buzz that drives our culture of innovation, design and play here at G3." 

Looks like D-Structure just launched there new site & e-store. Check it out at http://www.d-structure.com/ and choose between Quebec and San Fran locations. Lookin' pretty slick, as long as you can look past all the rollerblades.