Snow...It's Kinda Like Magic

Like or Share this post.

The past couple weeks have seen significant improvement in Colorado snow conditions. Several storms rolled through the state, some of which deposited dream-quality snow.  I'm talking about light, fluffy, engulf-your-whole-body flakes.  The season, although generally thin with snow, has delivered some great days.

Again, I've had the honor of taking advantage of the snow with some great photographers (Connor Walberg and Andy Lussie), great kids that I coach on CUFST, and great friends.  I also had the opportunity to experience Battle Pass Mountain Guides for 2 days.  It was a huge surprise that blew my mind. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Enough with my babbling, let's take a look at some video and pictures.



Pensive on a snowy day...anticipating good action.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Dropping.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


CUFST alumnus and good friend, Geoff Clark, had soggy bases.  He decided to air them out.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Geoff and I had a lot of fun skiing together.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Dual coldsmoke.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Geoff playing with the terrain.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


"In the white room..."  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


"In the government yard in Trench Town..."  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Coming up for air.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Geoff just feeling his way around.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Popping this pillow was my only glimpse of vision for a 100 yard stretch.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Into the lower trees...  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


...and it is still deep.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


My smile would be bigger, but the ice held my face in place (honestly).  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Good to get out with a little sunshine.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Still a little fluff left out there.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


A little sunshine + a little fluff = a little air.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


CUFST athlete Tim Peterson with a BEAUTIFUL shot.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Soft and creamy.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Poppy and responsive.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Fast and smooth.  (Photo by Connor Walberg)



Even though we've had some great storms recently the snowpack is still thin in general.  I haven't been jumping off of anything big this season for fear of hitting things under the snow (like several of my friends have).  My decision making has certainly been affected by the fact that I'm going to be a dad.  Previously, I would have taken the extra risk involved with big cliffs in this snowpack (I wouldn't be reckless, I'd just accept a bit more risk).  I think it has been interesting to see how my decision making has changed given that a child will depend on me soon. I'M SO EXCITED TO BE A DAD!  I'll have my opportunities to jump off of big cliffs, I just have to wait until the conditions are right.

Totally worth it.

The Best Picture I've Ever Seen...So Far

Like or Share this post.

BOOM!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Meet Baby Bettner!


Although I'll continue to post about skiing, this post makes all my skiing and other adventure posts seem insignificant.  I don't know if I could be any happier!

Short Video - Pow Day Antics

Like or Share this post.

The other day I filmed one of my pow runs.  I was incredibly excited because they have been few and far between for the past few seasons.  Unfortunately, landing the cliff at the beginning of the run caused the camera angle to get messed up.  I tried to fix it, but the rest of the day's footage is unusable for anything other than listening to me hoot and holler like a doofus.  I thought some of you might enjoy that.

The Ski Season So Far - In Pictures

Like or Share this post.

It has been a slow start to the snowfall this ski season in Colorado...again.  I find it a bit amusing to hear people whine and complain about it though.  For goodness sake, we're skiers!  We're blessed to even have the opportunity.  Plus, it is pretty easy to have fun out skiing in the mountains regardless of the conditions.  If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong!

I've used the "low tide" as an opportunity to do a lot of extra teaching and practice of backcountry safety with CUFST.  That way, when some snow fell, we were able to get out and take advantage of the conditions in a responsible way.  After a couple big storms produced fantastic conditions (see pics below) we had an absolute blast as we reaped the benefits.

I've had the wonderful opportunity to get out and shoot photos with some great photographers like Connor Walberg and Andy Lussie.  I owe them a big thanks for their work.  I hope y'all enjoy taking at some of their shots below.


Because the weather has been so dry, with big temperature swings, we've had a lot of this.


Avy safety #1 (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Avy safety #2 (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Always good to get a little new snow and be in the alpine. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


CUFST action (Photo by Andy Lussie)


When the conditions were right I had a few opportunities to get out and "spread my wings" (see previous blog post).


Big storm with snow up to the knees when I've got skis on = smile. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Pillow-pop #1. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Pillow-pop #2. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Coming up for air in-between turns. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Little pillows #1. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Little pillows #2. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Little pillows #3. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Yummy. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Looming storm. (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Trenching #1 (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Trenching #2 (Photo by Connor Walberg)


Oh what a beautiful morning. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Sure is purdee up here. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Skittles scouting lines. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Hooper doing his MJ impression. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Getting what I can out of a dusting. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Rowe ripping some north-facing freshies. (Photo by Andy Lussie)


Trying to splash some of that fresh into my face. (Photo by Andy Lussie)

There is supposed to be a storm rolling into the state this weekend.  Hopefully I'll be able to fill you in on some more adventures soon!

Learning to Speedfly and Speedride

Like or Share this post.

A few years ago I heard about a new and very unique sport - speedriding.  I was very intrigued.  It is a sport that is something like a mix of paragliding and skiing.  

I got a brief personal experience with speedriding in 2010.  Unfortunately that was followed by a 2 year hiatus.  Then, last spring I saw several videos that re-sparked my interest and I just had to try it again.

This summer I took a trip to southern California to begin learning how to foot launch a speedwing (the thing that looks like a "parachute").  When launched on foot it is often referred to as speedflying.  Since I am a skier, it was obviously my goal to begin launching the speedwing with skis on.  When launched on skis it is often referred to as speedriding.  This past weekend was my first experience getting a legitimate speedride.  It was great.

If you're still confused about what speedriding/speedflying is, hopefully this video will give you a better idea.  I sure enjoyed making it.  Enjoy!

FYI...for those of you who may be concerned.  I'm doing my best to take this endeavor slowly.  I've been very careful to not get in over my head.  I'm taking baby steps in the learning process and being very conservative with my decision making.

Family, Friends, Food, Football, and FITNESS

Like or Share this post.

It has been a long time since my last update!

Over the summer I got to spend amazing time with family and friends.  I learned how to speedfly (more coming on that in a later blog post).  I also spent a significant amount of time working on a mountain rescue crew for a natural gas operation.

Appalachian forests...

and Appalachian sunsets.

Hiking in the Rockies with Kelly.




Over the autumn I poured a lot of time into CUFST.  Recruiting went well and we've got a great team this year!  We're poised for another freestyle skiing national title and countless adventures in the mountains of Colorado and beyond.  A big part of the ski team is our dryland training.  We train hard in the preseason to be ready for the ski season.  We do everything from cardio, to weights, to diving boards to trampolines.

Check out this video of the college whipper-snappers working on the diving boards.




After the blood disease I had last spring (which wore me down a lot) and a lot of sitting around waiting for rescues this summer, I desperately needed to get fit this autumn.  I've spent 4+ days a week getting to the gym as well as numerous outdoor activities to get myself back in shape.

If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to share with you the workout regiment I've been using to build strength, endurance and explosiveness.



When Thanksgiving came around I flew to PA to be with family and see friends.  I also ate a TON.  Although there was a lot of friends, food and football, fitness for the upcoming season remained a priority.

Nothing like good friends and football.

Guns and snow!

Kelly and I enjoying some farmer's market sausage.

Grandma cooking stuffing INSIDE A PUMPKIN.  Amazing.

The anual family photo-bombing.





My Grandfather provided the extra inspiration I needed to continuing to work on my fitness while in PA for Thanksgiving.

Generations in the gym.


Grandpa was the person who introduced me to the mountains and helped me fall in love with adventures.  He has also been fit for life.  He climbed Mont Blanc 3 times in the 1930's and 1940's.  He has been to mountain ranges all over the world.  In his 70's Grandpa was still ski touring in the Canadian Rockies.  In his 80's he finally gave up mountain biking after breaking his leg.  But, that hasn't slowed him down much.  Now that he is pushing 90, he walks in the woods every day, and makes it to the gym to swim or lift weights several days a week.

On the left is a picture of Grandpa at the summit of Mont Blanc, on the right are his leather boots and a piece of the old climbing rope that he used.


Those legs have seen a lot of hard miles, but they're still pumping!

BOOM!





If Grandpa can do it, I have no excuse!  I pulled myself out of my turkey coma to get after it.


It may be a little more weight than what Grandpa does, but he has a good excuse.



If you've never done cleans, they're a full-body exercise that guarantees you'll make a ridiculous face.









A healthy body is part of a healthy life.  I think it is important for me to remain fit even if it weren't for skiing.  Like anything else worthwhile, fitness takes sacrifice and dedication.  I hope that I am in half the fitness of my Grandfather when I reach that age (if I ever do!).