The Rocky Mountain Collegian | Tuesday, November 13, 2018
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ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PRESENTED BY OTTERSHOP
SKIING THE BACKCOUNTRY Just four years ago, I was a kid from Wisconsin who’d never skied on “real” mountains. I had taken a few laps on the snow-covered landfills in my home state, but sliding around on icy snow and sitting on frigid chair lifts followed by 500-foot laps didn’t exactly have me itching to go skiing as much as possible. Then I got to CSU. I bought my first ski pass, and was instantly hooked. Turns out, skiing is really, really fun, and Colorado is one of the best places in the world to do it. I spent my freshman year riding the lifts at Copper and Winter Park and figuring out how to keep up with my friends who had been skiing since they could walk. That first year resulted in dozens of long, grueling drives up and down I-70, lots of sore muscles and an unrelenting passion to ski at every opportunity I could get. However, there was always something nagging at me while skiing at Colorado’s resorts. It’s definitely fun, but sitting in lift lines and miserable traffic every weekend can get a bit old. Something was missing — that peacefulness that many of us seek in the outdoors. That’s when I started backcountry skiing. This basically means skiing outside of established resorts and using your own two legs to get up the mountain, instead of a chairlift. To get uphill, you strap pieces of fabric called “skins” onto the bottom of your skis and use special “alpine touring” bindings to get up the mountain. As soon as I got into the backcountry, my passion for skiing was reinvigorated. Since you’re not confined to the boundaries (or lift-ticket prices) of a resort, backcountry skiing opens up a new world of possibilities. It’s given me the opportunity to ski steep, hair-raising couloirs in Rocky Mountain National Park, bottomless powder in British Columbia and enjoy quick laps at Cameron Pass (which is just over an hour away from Fort Collins). During my time as an officer in the CSU Outdoor Club, I also got a chance to show some other people how fun backcountry skiing can be. If this all sounds appealing and you think you might want to try it out, there are a few important things to consider. First and foremost is safety. In the resort, the ski patrol staff works hard to ensure that the snow is stable and safe. In the backcountry, your safety is up to you and your partners. Avalanches are a constant danger, and you have
to be educated, cognizant and diligent in your efforts to avoid them. That’s why I think every person who is venturing into the backcountry needs to take an avalanche education course. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education ( AIARE) creates the guidelines for avalanche courses, and lucky for you, there are a ton of “Level 1” AIARE courses available in Colorado (including one run by the CSU Outdoor Program). Attending a Level 1 AIARE course will teach you the basic skills to assess the snowpack, PHOTO BY LUKE KOPPA identify potential dangers and travel more safely in the backcountry. A Level 1 course SKIER: SAM SHAHEEN won’t make you a backcountry expert, but it will give you the knowledge you need to start exploring outside the boundaries of the ski resort. For more info on avalanche courses and which ones you could attend, check out AIARE.info. Another thing to note about backcountry skiing is that it’s hard work. Dragging your skis uphill will have even the most athletic people huffing and puffing, especially when you’re skiing above 10,000 feet. You’ll also typically only be doing a handful of laps per day, unless you’re incredibly fit . “But Luke, why would you bother going backcountry skiing if it’s so hard?”
“BE FoCo” PRESENTED BY AKINZ
Good question, random reader. While it’s not for everyone, backcountry skiing can be the most fun thing in the world for some people, including myself. You get to go skiing in wild, beautiful places with just a few of your good friends, and it’s also pretty rewarding to know that your two feet were the only things you relied on to get to the top of your descent. Plus, since there aren’t nearly as many people in the backcountry, there’s a much better chance of skiing awesome, fresh snow. Lastly (and this is one of my favorites bonus aspects), skinning uphill burns a ton of calories, which means you get an excuse to pig out on pizza, burritos or your personal choice of junk food after a long day of shredding. So if you’re curious about backcountry skiing, I encourage you to reach out to the folks at the CSU Outdoor Program and ask them what your next steps should be.
If you’re a Fort Collins local, you’re probably familiar with one of the community’s catch-phrases: “Be FoCo.” To “Be FoCo” is to be unique, to be in touch with the locals, and, of course, to have style. If you are looking for a one stop shop with all of these attributes, look no further than Akinz. Located in the epicenter of Old Town, Akinz offers affordable outdoor apparel but specializes in handcrafted beanies. But, just who is behind the company?
Akinz, originally established in 2005, opened their Old Town Store in 2012. Akinz was started by Suzanne Akin, a Fort Collins resident who abides by the company motto of “Find your wings”, which means to find something that motivates you in life. Suzanne found her wings by embracing and giving back to the Fort Collins community. Mirroring this personal goal, her shop also supports the idea of taking pride in where you live and this is evident the second you step in the store. Her shop truly transcends the Fort Collins way of life: living easy, being unique, and taking pride in where you live. Whether it’s the in-house handmade beanies and hand-printed shirts or the friendly greetings and smiles, this shop embodies Fort Collins. When it comes to stylish outdoor apparel, Akinz has it all. If you are considering going to the mountains for the winter and want to stay warm and look great, check out Akinz’ handcrafted custom beanies in which you can customize the style, color, patch, and pom. You can find Akinz at 15 Old Town Square, Suite 132. Akinz will also have a Holiday Pop-Up Shop located at 3027 E Harmony Rd, Suite 1 from Dec 1 - 29.
8 Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian
The Rocky Mountain Collegian Tuesday, November 13, 2018
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
COLORADO SKI PASSES AND AREAS
PRESENTED BY OTTERSHOP
PHOTO BY JACK STARCBAUM
Why shop at runners roost Fort collins?
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BIGGEST CSU DISCOUNT of the year ONLY being offered in november
20% off w/ CSU ID (applies to brands like adidas, asics, brooks, altra, hoka, salomon, nike, saucony, & more) FORT COLLINS, CO
970.224.9114 | runnersroostfc.com
THAT SKI BUM LIFE LIVING THE “LIFEACTIVE” WAY
My name is Doug and I have been skiing and snowboarding for 25 years. I started snowboarding 15 years ago and have never looked back. One of the biggest reasons why I snowboard is the community that surrounds the sport. The camaraderie and friendliness of snowboarders and skiers alike is a big motivation that keeps me coming back. The reason I switched to snowboarding is the style. There’s nothing like riding a snowboard, carving hard, and floating through champagne powder. Over the years, I have begun becoming a bit of a ski bum. The It’s here, the time you’ve all been waiting for, the snow is falling and the ski lifts are starting up. Ski season is upon last couple years I had a set up in the back of my truck under a us and you may be wondering where you should go to enjoy a day on the mountain, the answer is anywhere! fiberglass shell. It was a simple set Here are some local recommendations for where to go and the best pass options. up with some roofing insulation, a For season long commitments many find themselves happy with the Epic and Ikon pass. If the season pass isn’t quite your cup of tea then the 4 day passes offered at most ski resorts can still fuel the fire over a season. Single cot, and a Mr. Buddy heater, but it did the job really well and I never day passes can also be purchased from resorts, make sure to ask for discounts for buddys and check liftopia for great prices. The drive time on I-25 can be long as well, so skip the crowds a few days to explore Eldora and got cold, even in negative temps. This year I upgraded to a large Arctic Snowy Range. If you don't have transportation don’t worry, Snowy Range has a bus that transports people from Fox camper for my truck and I’m Fort Collins to the resort. really excited to see what happens camping in such a big unit. The IKON BASE PASS One of the biggest things I found - Here are a few of the big resorts offered on the Ikon; Deer Valley, Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Aspen Highlands, out trying to camp and snowboard Steamboat, Aspen Mountain, Big Sky, Snowbird, Mammoth, Winter Park, Alta, Solitude, Copper, Taos, Squaw at resorts is that being a ski bum is Valley, Alpine Meadows and Brighton quickly becoming a thing of the past. - $749 Sadly, most ski resorts and ski towns - 8 day passes 25% off from window price no longer let campers stay in parking The EPIC LOCAL PASS lots overnight, instead you’re forced - A few of the big resorts on the Epic Local; Whistler, Blackcomb, Telluride, Vail, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, to find a quiet spot where nobody Breckenridge, Park City, Keystone, Northstar, Heavenly knows you are camping. However - $709 there are still resorts that allow you - Six Ski With A Friend (SWAF) varying discounts for friends and family to be a true ski bum. Some of my Eldora Ski Resort favorites are Winter Park, Loveland, - An hour and 45 minutes from Fort Collins and Jackson Hole. And if you ever - $89 day passes get the opportunity to camp at a ski - Terrain Park offered with varying skill levels and features resort and try the ski bum life you Snowy Range Ski Resort will not be disappointed. It is an eye - An hour and 50 minutes from Fort Collins opening experience that will change - $49 day passes you forever. - Checkout the Front Range bus on the Snowy Range website for details about how to get a ride - Terrain Park offered with varying skill levels and features
TRIGG SKOE
SPONSORED CONTENT
When hitting the slopes this winter, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to capture the awesome moments that you experience. There are a variety of ways that you can go about getting great video, some more expensive than others. Here at RamPage, as college students on a budget, we are always looking for the best bang for our buck. Whether you are looking to use a GoPro or your phone, the LifeActiv Quickmount is a great option to get that sweet footage that you are looking for. Currently offered for under $40 with
was to establish a community of like minded people who can enjoy a day of shredding. The club offers biweekly events occuring on mountain or members homes occasionally. The club is currently sponsored by Prost, Outpost Sunsport, and Teton Gravity Research, keep an eye out for events for movie premiers and discount sales. Be sure to dress appropriate for the occasion as many of these shindigs costumes are encouraged. As winter break approaches
a trip to be aware of is the six day Jackson Hole trip offered by Snowriders. Hayden Webb describes it as one long party and the best event of the year, “Nothing beats waking up to some of the best lines and finishing the day with friends.” The trip for this year is currently filled up at 65 members, so make sure to reserve your spot early for next year! Make sure to check out the Snowriders Facebook and Instagram pages: @CSUSnowriders
your CSU Student Discount, we consider it a small price to pay for assurance that your camera/phone will be in prime position for the best footage. Additionally, their innovative mounting system is known for being able to take a beating and still stay attached. You can find the LifeActiv Quickmount at the local Otter Shop in old town at 151 West Mountain Avenue, or online at Lifeproof.com. Cheers to a snow filled ski season, and good luck capturing those priceless moments!
RAM PAGE BEER PAIRINGS BY PROST BREWING
BEST PROST BEER PAIRING FOR SKIING Our India Pale Lager will be the perfect fit for your day on the mountian. A little stronger with a nice little kick to pump you up. Come in and have a glass or pick up Crowler today!
JOIN SNOWRIDERS! Don’t ski alone when you can be part of Snowriders! This year the club and it’s 300 members are ran by first year president and 3rd year member Hayden Webb. Hayden finds himself on the slopes every weekend he can. Starting to ski at 3 and later snowboard, the love for turns came quickly. Hayden always wanted to snowboard, but his father insisted he do a double black diamond before switching over, and by age 9 he was shredding on a board. The goal behind Snowriders
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Note: A Crowler is a can growler. 321 OLD FIREHOUSE ALLEY FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 (970) 484-2421
CSU Student 10% Discount