Alta's Farmer Dave Profile ...

**Xover** · 12-14-2004, 12:45 PM

Thanks Gravity Fed!! I'm proud to say that I've shared a couple of chairs with the legend and he has opened up a bit as to his background; very well versed man he is that all Altaholics have HUGE respect for - it's kinda like when your boss or preacher comes walking into a room - hushed silence of respect. Enjoy the read; I know I did

http://www.gravityfed.com/articles/f...e-profile.html

**365wp** · 12-14-2004, 01:02 PM

That is an awesome article.

**truth** · 12-14-2004, 01:07 PM

Enough said.

**tele mark** · 12-14-2004, 01:54 PM

Good Article. I've seen his work (talk 'bout spooning lines and conserving snow, he wrote the book on it!) and heard his name numerous times, good to know some of the history behind the legend.

**Trackhead** · 12-14-2004, 04:26 PM

Very good read.

**Blurred** · 12-14-2004, 04:58 PM

Inspirational character. Lots of those at Alta.

**gonzo** · 12-14-2004, 05:07 PM

great article. imagine how pissed he must get when he fucks up the first run.

**optics** · 12-14-2004, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by gonzo

great article. imagine how pissed he must get when he fucks up the first run.

Or the last.

**wra** · 12-14-2004, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the link Xover. Don't go to Alta much anymore and haven't seen the snow farmer on the bus yet this winter. Nice to know he hasn't changed his pattern.
Haven't seen Walt either but have seen his boot path headed back to his house.
Wonder what those two think of the dumb asses skiing slide paths?

**gramps** · 12-14-2004, 07:55 PM

That was an awesome read. The turn farmer. I've seen some of his smaller patches, and I knew he skied Wildcat on pow days, but that was about it. Good to know a little more about the guy.

**iceman** · 12-14-2004, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by truth

Interesting pic. So, it appears that his skintrack is through his turns, not off to the side, I guess?

edit: I'm just looking at the transition areas between turns and trying to figure out why it looks the way it does.

**truth** · 12-14-2004, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by iceman

I'm just looking at the transition areas between turns and trying to figure out why it looks the way it does.

I think your eyes are older than you let on.

**Buzzworthy** · 12-14-2004, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by truth

I think your eyes are older than you let on.

So what is my excuse? I was kinda wondering the same thing.

**iceman** · 12-14-2004, 10:12 PM

I mean, it looks like it was deliberately packed down or something. What's your theory, Truth?

**gonzo** · 12-14-2004, 11:35 PM

i hope you guys are shitfaced or being sarcastic.

**powderhound** · 12-14-2004, 11:45 PM

that's one powder farming crop

**Droopy** · 12-15-2004, 12:26 AM

fuck school, im moving to alta, and ill be out there in january just to make sure

**LaramieSkiBum** · 12-15-2004, 01:03 AM

i think it's boobs he does it without skins :-)

"I almost have to pry his method for getting back up the hill after his run out of him as if it were the secret ingredient to Coca-Cola or an upcoming IPO of a hot, new Internet company. Hearsay on the mountain indicates he uses a half-skin or three-quarter skin, but Van Dame dismisses these methods and reluctantly admits he cuts fish scales into the bottom of his bases. "

That is fucking hard core....

**powderhound** · 01-24-2006, 12:28 AM

I met Farmer Dave recently, he's got some amazing pictures of his crop up in his house, these here are just the tip of the iceberg. He even whipped out his...... routed skis. Very cool guy.

**Core Shot** · 01-24-2006, 06:10 AM

Good read. thx.

Originally Posted by Farmer Dave

we found out that if you went back to the same place over and over again, you could make the snow last a lot longer that way. If you have a place that has good snow you can go back there day after day after day and you don't use it all up on the first day.

The most I've ever done- one right next to another- is sixty. That was in the East Castle. Where I usually go, about the most I get in is about fifty. I've got one picture that I think is almost fifty runs that are forty turns, which is about 2000 turns.

**jgbmarc** · 02-14-2009, 01:52 PM

:BUMP:

Johnny B interviewed Farmer Dave recently. He's still doin' his thing in Alta!

Enjoy...

"Farmer" Dave Van Dame

**Deaner** · 02-14-2009, 02:05 PM

is he on pocket rockets w/ fritschi's? was pretty sure I rode wildcat with him a few weeks ago, quite a guy. pretty much the smoothest skier I've ever seen ski pow.

**jgbmarc** · 02-14-2009, 02:06 PM

Not sure what he's rigged up with these days, but he's skiing in LCC just about every day.. True class act that guy.

**jgbmarc** · 02-14-2009, 02:08 PM

BTW here is the new location of the original GravityFed article: Farmer Dave Profile

**zion zig zag** · 02-14-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Xover

Thanks Gravity Fed!! I'm proud to say that I've shared a couple of chairs with the legend and he has opened up a bit as to his background; very well versed man he is that all Altaholics have HUGE respect for - it's kinda like when your boss or preacher comes walking into a room - hushed silence of respect. Enjoy the read; I know I did

http://www.gravityfed.com/articles/f...e-profile.html

You crack me up man. That was a good read and the guys is interesting, no doubt. But HUGE respect? Hushed silence? He's some dude that has a unnatural obsession with turns beside each other. Interesting like the guy that has to turn off the lights 200 times before he can sleep.