Thread: 2011-2012 Season Review

With the southern winter coming to a close down here in Argentina, I thought it was time to put together a little 2011-2012 season review. I’ve been really lucky to have a lot of great days of riding in the past year. With the exception of a few weeks off in the second half of June, it’s been more or less non-stop skiing since mid November. Looking back, it feels like there have been a whole lot of memorable days and powder skiing, and very few bad ones.

This report is long on photos and videos, and short on words. So sit back and grab a beer.

Almost all the photos in this report are courtesy of Pales, so this is really his season report as much as it is mine. Thanks for coming along on so many adventures this year, buddy.
On that note, unless indicated otherwise, all photos are taken by Pales and all skiers are me.



Parque Nacional Huascaran, Cordillera Blanca, Peru. llyon photo.


Leading up to the ’11-’12 winter, I was travelling around Peru. While Peru is an amazing place, I was fiending badly for some turns, so I made a run for Tahoe.


November 10 – 20 Tahoe

Only problem was, there was no snow in Tahoe. Well, I kept interested hiking around and visiting friends, before moving on to Utah.

Scrambling around above Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. Anthony Santos photo.



November 20 - December 1 Utah

There was a bit more snow in Utah, and the season was finally officially underway. We skied powder, and tried to get back into skiing shape.

First powder turns of the season. Anthony Santos photo.



December 2 – December 23 Jackson

Next, it was on to Jackson. Still not much snow, but we had a motivated group (Pales, SimB, and _Aaron_) who wanted to get out and climb anyways. _Aaron_ put together a nice compilation from these trips. Check it out.

Morning light in the park.


Approaching Radio Tower Couloir.






Powder turns on Teton Pass.


Another trip to GTNP.


_Aaron_ in West Hourglass with the Grand behind.


JHMR. Tram.

December 27 – March 27 Hakuba, Japan

After a few weeks in Jackson and Christmas with the family, it was back to Japan for another season in Hakuba.



Upon arrival, it was full on powder season. January in Japan is about as consistently good snow as is possible to have. If you like powder skiing, and haven’t been in Japan in January, you’re not doing it right. Come visit.

Swimming between avy fences.


Pellows.


A good indication that was deep.


Sakka trees Sakka trees.


Gopher, doing what gophers do best.


Ninja slash.


Jake Cohn, upside down.


Miles again.


Brennan Legasse is tall. This snow is deep.


Powder monkeys in Hakuba.



January JaPow.



Steep and deep.




Between a big snow year and challenging avalanche conditions, this was a tough winter for big lines in Hakuba. We did, however, get a few good days in the alpine.

Climbing into the alpine on one of the few sunny, stable days this season.


Happo-One's big back yard.


Ryan, Mumezawa.


Yeah, there are big peaks in Japan.


Ryan again.


Galla Galla.




Classic Japanese terrain.




Climbing and skiing Hakuba Yarigatake.



High pressure in Hakuba.




Later in February, we decided to do a road trip from Hakuba up to Hokkaido. Hakuba is located on Honshu (the main island), so this involved driving to the coast, and taking a car ferry north. Once there, we drove around hitting a few different parts of Hokkaido. Overall, one of the best road trips I’ve ever been a part of. I put together a trip report from this trip using Pales’ photos.

Sunrise on the Sea of Japan.


Mark Virgin buried.


Mark.


Skiing Hokkaido avalanche barriers is something unique in skiing. All I can say is that you need to try it.




The team.


Paedde photo.


Pales in front of the lens, Paedde photo.


Paedde photo again.


Upside down Miles Clark, Patrick Fux photo.


Happy playland.


Hokkaido Time.



Roadside Avalanche Barriers.



Pales also put together a nice review of the season in Hakuba.

March 28 – June 10 Alaska – Thompsons Pass and the Kenai Peninsula

While Hakuba (and Japan in general) has some excellent spring touring, things also tend to get warm pretty fast, and I was not ready to give up on powder skiing just yet. Alaska was in the midst of a record snow year. Why not?

We wanted to stay in Alaska as long as possible, but budget was an issue. We ended up buying a used RV, driving it around and ski touring for two and a half months, and reselling it at the end. We spent about five weeks on Thompson Pass, then five more cruising around the Kenai. Pales put together a great trip report from this adventure, which you should read.

Alpenglow, Dimond.


Promised Land providing.


Glaciers.


Thompson Pass.


Back to the Promised Land. Pales skiing, llyon photo.






Iguana Backs.


Valdez.




Miles Clark. Contrail or glacier?


Miles, backflips.


Steep boot packs. Will Wyman looking dubious.


There was so many hours and days of sun in April, our legs couldn't keep up. I'm told this is not typical for AK.
Getting some R&R in No-Fly Stadium.


Near Crudbusters.


Will Wyman.




Snowmachinenecks.


Moon.


Later Valdez, headed for the Kenai.


Turnagain Arm. They have nice sunsets over there.




Our home and means of transportation for 10 weeks. The Anal Searcher.


Moon again. Bigger this time.


Glacier.


Turnagain Pass powder turns.


Back up Tin Can. Will Wyman(?) climbing.


And down again.


This was a fun run. Spines on May 18.


May 18 Powder skiing.



Later Alaska. It's been good.

July 5 – September 23 Las Leñas, Argentina

After a few short weeks trying to replenish the bank account and lounge on the beach at the same time, it was time to start the southern winter.
On to Las Leñas. Leñas has been my summer home for a few years now. Despite a low snow year, I love this place and had a fantastic season.

Txema Trull photo.


Marte with a rare inversion.


Entre Rios.


Again.




Headed for Torrecillas.


Torrecillas.


Slash.


Spires.


Valle Hermoso.



The season started big here, with a couple big storms in June. Unfortunately, from then we only received one storm of more than a foot, and a bunch of small top ups of a couple inches. However, a couple inches plus wind equals bottomless powder, if you know where to look.


Cold, Cold, Cold



Marte Powder Day




Manhattan.


Lido and town.


Torrecillas, afternoon light, wind.


Big hikes on the other side of the valley. Cerro Las Leñas.


Wind.


More wind.


Long approaches and returns in a low snow year.


Jordi Tenas, Sur.


Jordi Tenas, maybe the sketchiest line I saw all season. Rock down climb with skis on, to huck, to steep icy straight line too narrow to fit both skis through.



Adrenalina



Torecillas Sessions




Nos vemos, Las Leñas.


There isn’t much snow left in this part of the Andes, so I am likely done for the season. It has been a hell of a year. Time to party and relax in Mendoza for a little while. Next winter is just around the corner, get excited....

goddamn............

Swee Jebus - I dont even know where to begin other than my life truly sucks compared to yours...! Absolutely over the top and nicely done...! Thanks for posting...!

Full of win!!

This....



....brings back fond memories - need to go back.

the. life.

premium stoke!

Wow! One season? That's a lifetime right there for most. Livin the good life! Thanks for that!

What a dream, I want your season!!

. . . that hit-list included every destination one could hope for. Next year add on Cham!

Originally Posted by AlpenDude

. . . that hit-list included every destination one could hope for. Next year add on Cham!

Actually, Im really hoping that a spring in the alps and Norway fits the budget next year...

More people need to do this.

That was one hell of a season. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks! Loks like one Good season, going back to back into the new one?

Yeah buddy! Keep me in the loop for Yurp.

Nice and apparently my life sucks.

Congrats Llyon! What a remarkable year. Good on ya' for putting yourself in a place to link together so many dream trips. Every single leg of your journey is inspiring. God damn, man! Keep on!

And here I thought I was hot shit for hitting 3 of those spots in 2 seasons. Humbling & inspring! Strong work man, can't really top that as far as 'getting after it goes'.

Dang. Way to jetset amigo

Dayyyum! Cheers to alllll that!

Truly mind blowing

WTF do you do for a living?

you win. hands down.

glad to see all of your skiing and work in one place Lee. Keep at it. Maybe get a Cannon TR this season? See you in a few months if the snow is good.

seriously, wtf, fml

and just when i'd forgot all about sliding on snow