AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY GAPING- GETTING AFTER IT

this summer i've been learning to surf
im a total Gaper
but a Gaper that gets after it is still better than someone sitting at home
In Grand Targhee, Wy and Pomerelle, ID I found two of my favorite gettin' after it gapers.

WEST RIDE STORIES- GRAND TARGHEE

I got out to Grand Targhee, Wy a couple of times last year. Lil sis lives 45 min. away.  I visit and sleep on the floor. She knows all the secrets. I only got one day at Targhee before Christmas. And in March Mary and I made the executive decision to stop by Targhee on our way back from Breckenridge, CO (other lil' sister's floor) to Sun Valley, ID (desination lil' bro's floor). Hours out of the way- but it had to be done- Targhee is such a sweet little treat.

Mary looking out on the back after hiking Mary's Nipple. Rocking our favorite 80's coat.

Locked and loaded for the descent on top of Mary's Nipple.

The Giant and I went to Targhee for our honey moon in April after we got married on the top of Baldy (Sun Valley). He doesn't look so giant when he's in those bowls.......

coming down from Mary's

I love dropping that headwall; don't care how choppy the landing might be- gnar down those chicken necks.
dropping The Bad

the giant loves it too
smashing The Ugly

sunny days are rare at the Ghee- it's crazy when you can actually see stuff
coming down The Big

Braids flying lil sis leads the way

Oh Targhee, just counting the days till you are in my arms again

HOW MUCH?! SAVE FOR NEXT SEASON

rachel toft and me- Targhee Wyoming

Sun Valley

deals before 9/3/12

Season pass $1,599 saving $400 ($1,949 after 9/3/12), that's 21 days before you break even.

20 day pass for $999 saving $200 ($1,999 after 9/3/12) that's $50 a ticket.

Early/Late (aka sleep on your brother's floor pass) $299, this one is not available after 11/29/12. This is like three & a half weeks of riding. It's usually available from open till around 12/17 and 3/25 until close which is usually around 4/15/12.

Flex Plus- this is like an Early/Late plus one day a week. $799 saving $200 ($999 after 9/13/12). That's like 10 extra days for $400.

 http://www.sunvalley.com/tickets/passes

Tuxedo Ridge- NY

I have never been here. It's an hour and 45 min. away from NYC. I can't find the elevation or vert on the website, but with $10 Tuesdays I'm gonna have to check it out. Little mountains can be big fun.

$189 Season Pass until 9/3//12, that's five weekend days until you break even.

http://www.tuxedoridge.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=114

Grand Targhee

deals before 9/16/12

Season pass $599 saving $200 ($805 after 9/16/12), that's 9 times before you break even.

College Pass $249 saving $60 ($305 after 9/16/12), that's 4 times before you break even.

http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/rates/season-passes.php 

Also 40% off lodging at Targhee if you book before 9/30/12

or if you book more than 4 nights at Targhee you ski/ride for free for your stay

 

Snowbomb Platinum Card

http://www.snowbomb.com/shop/snowbomb-platinum-card/

free tickets to Sierra At Tahoe, Homewood, China Peak

rentals and free tune-ups

Grand Sierra Resort: 2 Free Nights

and

Free one year subscription to Ski Magazine OR Transworld Snowboarding

$75

Mountain Collective Pass

Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson, Squaw/Alpine, and stupid alta

$349

includes 2 free days at each mountain

50% off lift tickets

25% off lodging

http://www.themountaincollective.com/

ps- there is now a direct flight from New York to Jackson

Sun Valley dude- Idaho

CONTESTS SOMEONE ELSE WILL WIN V

view of the Tetons from Targhee

  Win a goodie pack from iNi Cooperative-

http://www.snowboardermag.com/enter-to-win/free-goods-friday-ini-cooperative/#comment-69296

SASS swag bag contest
https://www.facebook.com/SASSGlobalTravel/app_208195102528120

Bombay/Russell Simmons/Danny Simmons (Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation) are accepting art submissions
http://agenda.complex.com/bombaysapphire
winners will compete at Art Basil and then have a show at Rush Art's Gallery in New York

Bushwick- BK

MEMORIES OF LAST SEASON- THE WEST

I seem to forget everything in my old age. Good thing there are pictures.......


SUN VALLEY

top of Baldy after The Giant and I got married-  Photo- @zims78

me doing the finger into Easter Bowl-  Photo- Mary Toft

two giants reflect over Ketchum

the evil Doppelgper of Melissa

BRECKENRIDGE

Mary Toft aka Squatting Bear and Rachel Toft aka Blanket as Cape

it's true

VAIL

BEAVER CREEK

girls are not allowed to wear pants- Genna, Carrie, and the sisters

GRAND TARGHEE

me and the giving tree

Mary and the shack

SUN VALLEY

Robot and Johan getting after it- the last day at Sun Valley

CONTESTS SOMEONE ELSE WILL WIN V

Angry Blanket as Cape at broken shack in Breck

Rate your resort for Transworld Snowboarding and win a board
this rating system is really only for park rats
if you care about pow, bowls, vert, and bumps- too bad
http://snowboarding.transworld.net/2013-resort-poll-survey/?cmpid=enews41812&spPodID=030&spMailingID=5301027&spUserID=OTY1NzA2MjM1MwS2&spJobID=197870704&spReportId=MTk3ODcwNzA0S0

40th anniversary Powder giveaway
http://www.powdermag.com/enter-to-win/40th-anniversary-vip-package-giveaway/

write a review and win $200
http://www.powderhounds.com/Ski-Shop/Promotions/Reviews.aspx 

Buy your Epic Pass before 5/13/12 and win 50 nights of free lodging
http://www.snow.com/epic-pass/info/win-free-lodging.aspx?cmpid=SOC00097

me at a shack in Targhee

KILLINGTON WITH A SIDE OF SNOW

me getting ready for snow

The season pass that the Giant won at the TGR premiere has kept us riding blue (ice) pretty much all season.
Its been rad, but different- I seem to have developed a park problem.
Except for the four days in Targhee and Jay I have yet to feel the fluff.

me hiking above Ramshead

We hear tales of inches falling in VT.
Could this be so?
I mean snow is so last season- right?

We arrive Saturday morning to five inches- which is like two feet compared to what we've been getting.
The first drop into Killington trees of the season is made.

Its like a whole different mountain.
So many lines- the possibilities are endless.
Still lots of snow snakes and hidden jagger's 
We collect core shots

I began to morph out of my recently developed park rat self as it continues to snow. By Sunday I have no desire to hit the stash or the pipe.
All I can think about is trees.
It's good to be back..............

mmmmmmmm

SAVE TO RIDE ANOTHER DAY II

me- Targhee

ski free at targhee
http://www.grandtarghee.com/lodging/winter_lodging_specials.php

carpool and earn $ for gas- go green!
http://public.zimride.com/ride/add?event_page_id=797&Kirkwood=true
gas bonuses for 1st 500 drivers that book $40

now through april 1 2012 2comp 2 day lift tickets and a 100 dollar gft card when you book a 3 night consecutive stay with amex at Limelight Lodge in Aspen

ski coupon deals
http://www.skicoupons.com/winter/?p=1666

Buy a helmet- get a free lift licket
Killington
http://buy.killington.com/eStore/Content/Commerce/Products/DisplayProducts.aspx?ProductGroupCode=1000001&ProductCategoryCode=28&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

not saving- but giant air bag at Okemo!
http://okemo.com/okemowinter/ourmountain/mtnamenities/bigairbag.asp?utm_source=&utm_medium=link&utm_content=bigairbag&utm_campaign=enews

Woodward Gallery- LES -NYC

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY GAPING- MARY'S DOPPELGAPER

Something very frighting has been happening on hills across the earth. Doppelgapers have been appearing everywhere. Now a doppelgånger (a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune) is terrifying enough- but a doppelgaper can ruin your life. People see this Gaper, gaping about the hill and they believe it is you. Your reputation is ruined and basically people start trying to kill you. No one is willing to acknowledge that this is becoming a serious problem so I have taken it upon myself to document this atrocity. 

In this upcoming very serious video I have captured my little sister Mary's Doppelgaper. This Doppelgaper seems to be a jumpsuit pseudo shredder. You know, the kind that pushes every turn? Reminds me of "stupid sexy Flanders" from the Simpsons. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL4iVQyp9L4)

CONTESTS THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL WIN

Driggs- ID

Win a trip to Northstar-
http://www.facebook.com/SkiVacations?sk=app_105043019612359

Win a trip to Whistler and some Rossi skis
https://www.facebook.com/SkiVacations?sk=app_338095379538495

Win a trip to Heavenly and get a photo shoot if you are a hot rippin skier girl
http://www.facebook.com/SkiHeavenly?sk=app_339159299443789

Win goggles and poles
http://freeskier.com/stories/scott-giveaway-enter-win-simon-dumonts-pro-poles-and-autographed-wallisch-fix-goggle

Ride and Shayboarder give away a backpack
http://www.shayboarder.com/2011/12/ride-snowboards-backpack-giveaway.html/comment-page-1#comment-166775

Win lift tickets from all over
http://www.realconditions.com/contest.cfm

Virginia- photo- The Rician

SANDWICHES IN OUR POCKETS- GRAND TARGHEE

The Toft's visit Targhee for three days last March. They don't stop for lunch.
Andrew Toft
Elisabeth Toft
Mary Toft
Rachel Toft
elevatedlocals.blogspot.com/2011/03/grand-targhee-snorkeling-in-mountains.html
Music: LionDub, Glitch Mob, The Jets, Diplo, and Subswara

Contests You Can't Win X

me- Targhee

Win a RAE print
http://www.streetartnews.net/2011/11/rae-x-streetartnews-gussyd-up-print.html

Name What You Eat
and win a snowboard or skiis and things to eat (now you just need a place to live)
http://www.facebook.com/ShredBar


Guess The Clip
Win a trip to Salt Lake or some Warren Miller Videos. This is a daily contest.
http://www.skinet.com/warrenmiller/contest/name-that-clip

Cash For Clunkers
upload a pic of you in your torn up wares and win a new Mountain Hardware Jacket. You can also donate your jacket and get a $50 Mountain Hardware Voucher.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MountainHardwear_US-Site/default/Page-Show?cid=Everybody_Wins_Waterproof_Contest&mid=em&eid=web&nid=MHWUS_20111116_IERW_Cash4ClunkersSocial&did=National+Email+List&uid=EnterAndVote_btn

Andy- Targhee

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY GAPING- CHILDHOOD

I seem to have the best sort of brother and sisters. The brother teaches at Sun Valley, the middle sister is moving to Breck next month, and the youngest lives next to Targhee. Guess I will have to spend my winter couch surfing, poor pitiful older sister.
Anyway, question of the day- Once a Gaper, Always a Gaper?

Andy and Mary at the Pom

A PRESENT, SOME SAVINGS, WIN STUFF, AND PIC.S OF PIGS

Big ups to JR for always sending me killer mash ups (still can't get over that Wu VS Beatles) here is a Fela Kuti meets De La Soul (http://boingboing.net/2011/09/16/fela-soul-fela-kuti-meets-de-la-soul-gummy-soulamerigo-gazaway-mashup.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boingboing%2FiBag+%28Boing+Boing%29) It's nothing but sweetness.

GRAND TARGHEE- WY  
Book three days of lodging or more by 9/30/2011 and save 40%. You have to call 800-827-4433. Warning, they aren't very good at answering the phone or calling you back. Last year I must have called ten times with no response. Then when I finally complained to a real person there was no apology. I am ashamed to say- we still did our annual Targhee trip (http://elevatedlocals.blogspot.com/2011/03/grand-targhee-snorkeling-in-mountains.html). Dealing with incompetence is a small price to pay for no lines, perfect powder, and a beautiful terrain.
Ps- it's already started snowing there

This weekend (9/17 & 9/18) the Road Warriors will be in Syracuse at the NYS fairgrounds. Just show up with your gear on and you can win tickets for Whiteface and enter to win a Whiteface season pass. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130980356993632) The Road Warriors will be in Westchester on 8/8- 8/9 (das classy).

CONTESTS YOU CAN'T WIN part II

a "Standard bathroom" 

Take the best KAWS picture and win two nights in the Standard (the bathrooms are sweet)
http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/09/01/best-companion-picture-contest/
you have until 9/21/11

Win something GoPro everyday. This contest has been going on for a while, but you can enter everyday.
http://gopro.com/daily-giveaway/

Mary and Andy pic taken from Go Pro- Targhee

DISCOUNTS- HEADS UP FOR NEXT SEASON

me- Jay- Valentine's day last year   photo-The Giant

So most mountains sell discounted passes during the fall. Here are some deals and deadlines if you need to save for a bit;  I never have piles of money lying around.

Sun Valley:
So the season pass is a fortune $1,549 (you need to go 23 days to break even), but there are some sweet deals in here: http://www.sunvalley.com/tickets/passes/. I got the early/late last year, and it rocked. The best deals need to be purchased before 9/5/11.

Jackson:
Jackson's season is Nov. 26th- April 8th (135 days) so if you hit the hill 100 times it's like $12 a day with a $1,195 season pass- no working allowed (nineteen days to break even) But seriously, they have sweet college deals (Mary). http://www.jacksonhole.com/season-pass.html

Breck snow sculptures- two years age     photo- The Giant

Jay Peak:
My east coast fav. The Season Pass is $649 until Oct. 11th. Tickets are $69 so you need to go 10 times to break even. http://www.jaypeakresort.com/#/skiing_riding/rates_hours/season_passes/

Targhee:
It's $599 (9 days to break even) for a season pass before 9/11/2011. It's $249 for a college pass (Mary- four times to break even). http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/rates/season-passes.php

Killington:
Their midweek pass is $499 until 10/13/2011. Their lift tickets are $69 so you need to go 8 times during the week to break even. http://www.killington.com/winter/plan/tickets_and_cards/comparison_chart/index.html

Hunter:
A season pass is $849 before 10/15/2011 (http://www.huntermtn.com/huntermtn/tickets-passes/season-passes.aspx). That's 13 days to break even. But the midweek is $299, only five times to break even.

Pomerelle:
A season pass is $316.94 with tax. http://www.pomerelle-mtn.com/lift-rates/season-passes/index.htm
That's nine times to break even. This deal is good until Sept. 20th.

Breck, Vail, Beaver, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, and A-Basin:
The amazing epic pass is $649 and gives you unlimited access to all of these resorts. There isn't a deadline on the website, but I know you can't get this deal after the season starts. http://www.breckenridge.com/plan-a-trip/season-passes/season-passes-explorer.aspx?page=viewall Every time I see this deal I can't understand why I don't live there.

Ok, that's where I know I'm going next season- so that's all that matters- Ahahahahah
not really, I'll do more next Fri.

Targhee- Rach and me last March

GRAND TARGHEE- SNORKELING IN THE MOUNTAINS

MARY AND MARY'S NIPPLE

Grand Targhee is the kind of place where they let you on the chair before 9 AM when it's a powder day. They know how much you want those freshies and they are happy to oblige.  Powder is not rarity- Targhee is known for it's pow; they have 493" this season. They average 500" a year.

Grand Targhee is located in the Targhee National Forest in Wyoming (some of the resort spills over into Idaho). It has two peaks: Fred's Mountain has a 2,212' vert and Peaked Mountain has a 2,270' vert. The resort has 2,500 acres of skiing and riding. Targhee tries to be as green as possible- Hooray!(http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/environment/index.php) It's about 45 min. away from Jackson Hole. It's not as steep as Jackson, but it's got everything; chutes, glades, cornice drops, bowls and I've heard some people do groomers there.

ME AND THE POW

Fred's Mountain is the main mountain. The Dreamcatcher Quad will take you right to the top. Drop off the Headwall and you will find yourself on the Blackfoot lift. This is a old school twofer that will give you a bit of a rest. There is also a sweet little beginner area (little monsters and googly eyes!). I have the happiest memories when I was little of Alley Oop (run of little rollers) and Eyeball Forest (baby tree run with wooden eyes on the trees). My family has been going to Targhee for as long as I can remember. My bro's first sentence was there, "Mama, see snow?". It's a great place to grow up in.

Peaked Mountain is a newer part of the resort. There used to just be catskiing on this hill with no lift access, but then they added the Sacajawea lift. Now you can easily drop the cliffs with little or no hiking, in theory. My cliff drops are never as pretty in life as I imagine they are going to be.

RACH

Then there is the infamous Mary's Nipple. This is within the resort, but it requires hiking. We didn't hike Mary's nipple this trip, there was too much snow to get with lift access.

This year I went to The Ghee with my bro. and two sisters. We were there for three days. We rode with smashed sandwiches in our pockets. It was too good to go in. The first day was clear with a light crust over their latest storm. The second day it pounded. I inhaled so much snow (charlie sheen voice). The third day was a bluebird powder day. This is rare, visibility can be frighting at Targhee. We could see our lines off the cliffs! Andy and I decided to try our luck. I mostly hacked my way over and around the cliffs, but Andy had some beautiful lines. We watched a group of eight come down the Pinkslip cliffs. I heard them cheering for each other and realized it was eight girls! Oh, you know; Just some local girls out for a sweet little powder day- dropping 50 ft' cliffs.

ANDY

DISCOUNTS- ROOTIN' FOR DEALS

OKEMO-
$39 tickets for March 24th, March 31st if you buy them online (http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ratesandrentals/specialdeals/onlinedeals.asp)
$39 tickets for Ladies on Tues.
$10 on April 1 if you bring 3 non perishable items

GRAND TARGHEE
$199 Daylight savings pass- valid March 13- April 17th
(http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/rates/daylight-savings-pass.php)
Mon. March 28th- Twofer special- register online a day before and pay $69 for two lift tickets
(http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/rates/twofer.php)

SUN VALLEY
$79 gets you a lift ticket and a stay in the fancy Sun Valley lodge until the end of the year, you need to bring someone or it's $119 for a room and a ticket (http://www.sunvalley.com/trip-planner/deals/)

HUNTER MOUNTAIN
$169 to ride as much as you like till the end of the season
(http://www.huntermtn.com/huntermtn/tickets-passes/march-into-spring.aspx)

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY GAPING

GAPER STRETCHES TAKEN BY MARY

GETTIN IT AT THE GHEE

ANDY

I am at Grand Targhee with my brother and two sisters. There is a little bit of snow here.

MARY