Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Building The Next Generation Of Skibikers

Posted: Sunday, 1 December 2013 by Mark Kinnon in Labels: , , ,
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The end of November is a dreary time of year in London, England. Autumn gales have stripped the trees of their foliage and the weather is cool and damp. Any precipitation is going to be wet and not the least bit white. Furthermore, this far North, sun rise is around 8am and dusk arrives somewhere around 3.30pm and that's if you can see it. This is the season of low cloud, mists and fog; admittedly not the "pea soupers" familiar to anyone who has watched a Sherlock Holmes film, they went with the introduction of the Clean Air Act of 1956.

In the USA the same time of year heralds Thanksgiving, a festive season without much of an equal anywhere else, although Wikipedia claims the German Harvest Festival or Erntedankfest to be very close in spirit.
It is a time for families to gather, count their blessings and be thankful for what they have, as the growing season ends and winter begins. For those lucky enough to live in, or near to, the high mountains, this provides a wonderful opportunity to head to the hills and get in the first runs of the new season.

And this is exactly what Colorado resident and NISM team rider Brian Embick did with his son Wyatt Cash. Wyatt was riding one of the Strider Balance Bikes Skibike Conversions, as featured right here on the blog a year ago. The Strider kit uses plastic moulded skis, so to make things a bit more "grown up" Brian has added Salomon Grom 61cm SnowBlades, just about the shortest twin tip ski made with metal edges.

And does Wyatt appreciate his dad's efforts, of course not, he was just 2 years old on November 20th and got his first day of riding in at the resort when he was still one! He even has his own season pass, valid at all epic resorts, including; Verbier in Switzerland, Arlberg in Austria and The 3 Valleys in France.

As Brian put it...
They really take care of the kids here in Colorado, with free or cheap tickets, his was free because of age and my season pass purchase.

Wyatt Cash and Dad - the top of Dercum, Keystone resort

A day or so later Royce Alan McDaniel founder of NISM Ski Bikes posted this gorgeous picture of his kids showing off at Strider Ski Bikes. They both love ski biking and even his wife Charity has had a go and thought it was fun.

The McDaniels - the whole family loves skibiking

Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics

Posted: Friday, 16 November 2012 by Mark Kinnon in Labels: , , , , ,
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"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" is a quotation often attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, the 19th century British Prime Minister. The source for this view is the autobiography of Mark Twain, where he makes that attribution.  The phrase is often used to describe the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments.

That aside, Randy Kimball from the American SkiBike Association released some interesting statistics this week, based upon their membership.
  • Average SkiBiker Age: 49 (range from 31-66 years old)
  • Average years these members have been SkiBiking: 9 years (1-39 years)
  • 59% were previous skiers/snowboarders with 4-45 years of skiing/snowboarding experience
  • 22% are still current skiers
  • 59% would not be able to ride on a ski hill without a SkiBike
  • Top 3 reasons they SkiBike and cannot ski or snowboard: Bad Knees, Age, Keep up with the children/grandchildren
  • Average days they SkiBiked last season: 18 (1-65 days)
  • 72% bring SkiBikers with them on ski trips
  • 50% bring Skiers with them on ski trips
  • 36% bring Snowboarders with them on ski trips
  • 77% are Male and 23% are Female
  • 59% average 3 or more days on a ski trip
  • 31% select slope side lodging
  • 69% select off slope lodging
  • 54% currently participate or want to participate in SkiBike race events
  • Top 3 states SkiBikers come from: Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma
If you are struggling to persuade your local ski resort to open access to skibikes, challenge predjudice or change the view that all skibikers are "Hell's Angels on skis", you may care to share these statistics with them.

SkiBikers somewhat below the average age (49)


News - SkiBike At Vail

Posted: Friday, 9 November 2012 by Mark Kinnon in Labels: , ,
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News just in from Devin Lenz, founder of Lenz Sport SkiBikes, Vail Colorado will grant access to skibikes in the forthcoming 2012/13 ski season. Not only is Vail a premier ski resort, Vail Resorts also own; Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.

Does this mean that skibiking has become respectable or is it just a cynical ploy to boost ticket sales in a faltering economy? For the moment, who cares, it's time to get your skibikes out there and have some fun this season.

In case you have never heard of Vail, PowderHounds have the following to say:

When one thinks about the legendary ski resorts around the world, a number immediately spring to mind. Vail is definitely one of those. Resorts don’t reach legendary status without good reason. Vail has it all - massive and varied terrain, a huge modern and efficient lift system, great vertical, tons of snow, classic après, vibrant nightlife and a booming “village” (err...town, um....city) with all the services one would expect from a mega resort. Vail is the quintessential world class ski resort that many others try to imitate.

Vail is BIG and pretty much has something for everyone. If you want to ski cruisers all day - you can do it. If you want some in-bounds back country style skiing and then cook a steak on a BBQ at 3,527m elevation – you can. If you expect powder - it will happen. If you want to ski steep trees and moguls or jump off cornices - guess what - it’s there. If you want to eat at five star restaurants and shop in fur boutiques, or just get a roll from Subway - you can do that too. If you want to economise and shop at Safeway to cook in your self-contained accommodation, go right ahead.... read more here

Epic Moms at Vail - source