Need some inspiration for where to get your powder kick this winter?We've got it. In fact, we've even launched a new series for the 2011-12 winter season called “In Search of Powder”.
Funäsdalsfjällen
“In Funäsdalen you never have to sharpen your edges, the snow is always soft”
First off, David Odencrants, brother Jonas and Rasmus Ekman head to Funäsdalsfjällen in Sweden. Every year it snows over five meters here, which not only gives it a very long season, from November to beginning of May, but it also means there's not a single snow machine in sight.
One locals tells David: “In Funäsdalen you never have to sharpen your edges, the snow is always soft”. And the trio soon discover he's right. “It became a huckfest”, David writes. “After a couple of warm up runs we started going bigger and bigger. Skiing more aggressive, more technical lines and bigger drops. With the crowd cheering us to do bigger stuff.” By the time they hire snowmobiles and head to Skarvarna – where the Sweden big mountain championship is usually held – they're like three cats that got the cream.
Gulmarg
“I've never been so aware of my own insignificance as I do standing surrounded by these regal giants”
Next, Eva Walkner heads to Gulmarg. Located in the middle of the Pir Panjal range, the mountain range forming the southwest edge of the Kashmir Valley, and two hours by car west of the nearest city Srinagar, lies the 3km-long high mountain valley. “I've never been so aware of my own insignificance as I do standing surrounded by these regal giants”, writes Eva. But it's the powder that leaves Eva speechless. “We’re gobsmacked that days after the last snowfall, the run towards Tangmarg is still covered in virgin powder. Our thoughts are one: This really is a freerider’s paradise.” It's quite a story, that involves Eva's colourful guide Bashir, witnessing a Kashmiri-style ski service and coming face to face with a snow leopard.
Greece
“I decided it was time to find out if that rumour about the great skiing in Greece was true or not”
Then, Johan Jonsson's embarks on his epic ski safari in Greece. Why Greece, you ask? “The Dolomites looks like the Dolomites, the spines in Alaska like the spines in Alaska, and just by looking at a picture, I can often say; “This must be from Haines.” But I didn’t have a clue about how the mountains in Greece looked”, explains Jonas. “I decided it was time to find out if that rumour about the great skiing in Greece was true or not”. He goes in search of powder, and after several (rather hilarious) mishaps, he finds it.
Posted by Online Editor - Thu, 21/07/2011 - 11:57am
We've got it. In fact, we've even launched a new series for the 2011-12 winter season called “In Search of Powder”.
Funäsdalsfjällen
“In Funäsdalen you never have to sharpen your edges, the snow is always soft”
First off, David Odencrants, brother Jonas and Rasmus Ekman head to Funäsdalsfjällen in Sweden. Every year it snows over five meters here, which not only gives it a very long season, from November to beginning of May, but it also means there's not a single snow machine in sight.
One locals tells David: “In Funäsdalen you never have to sharpen your edges, the snow is always soft”. And the trio soon discover he's right. “It became a huckfest”, David writes. “After a couple of warm up runs we started going bigger and bigger. Skiing more aggressive, more technical lines and bigger drops. With the crowd cheering us to do bigger stuff.” By the time they hire snowmobiles and head to Skarvarna – where the Sweden big mountain championship is usually held – they're like three cats that got the cream.
Gulmarg
“I've never been so aware of my own insignificance as I do standing surrounded by these regal giants”
Next, Eva Walkner heads to Gulmarg. Located in the middle of the Pir Panjal range, the mountain range forming the southwest edge of the Kashmir Valley, and two hours by car west of the nearest city Srinagar, lies the 3km-long high mountain valley. “I've never been so aware of my own insignificance as I do standing surrounded by these regal giants”, writes Eva. But it's the powder that leaves Eva speechless. “We’re gobsmacked that days after the last snowfall, the run towards Tangmarg is still covered in virgin powder. Our thoughts are one: This really is a freerider’s paradise.” It's quite a story, that involves Eva's colourful guide Bashir, witnessing a Kashmiri-style ski service and coming face to face with a snow leopard.
Greece
“I decided it was time to find out if that rumour about the great skiing in Greece was true or not”
Then, Johan Jonsson's embarks on his epic ski safari in Greece. Why Greece, you ask? “The Dolomites looks like the Dolomites, the spines in Alaska like the spines in Alaska, and just by looking at a picture, I can often say; “This must be from Haines.” But I didn’t have a clue about how the mountains in Greece looked”, explains Jonas. “I decided it was time to find out if that rumour about the great skiing in Greece was true or not”. He goes in search of powder, and after several (rather hilarious) mishaps, he finds it.