While inspecting lines for the comp I was definitely nervous, the conditions were really bad. The snow was pretty much ice chunks and rotten. Just in time, a storm rolled in and dumped a few feet, the first day of the comp was postponed due to extreme snow falling from the sky all day long, so we just skied powder all day, it was so much fun but maybe not the best idea right before a comp, my legs were pretty sore and tired. There was no inspection the next day and the comp was on. The weather rolled in and out all day causing for lots of waiting and freezing. I was lucky to be the 8th guy to ski but had to wait for over two hours at the top of my run before being sent during a small break in the weather. I was cold and not too stoked by the time I finally skied but everything went well, my line was sweet and I sent a pretty big cliff into deep pow and then made fresh turns down the rest of my run, the conditions were amazing. I ended up in seventh place after day one and was really please with that. Check out this shot of me airing off this shark fin looking feature.
The weather was beautiful for the finals and the snow was still good. I couldn’t decide what line to ski but finally made up my mind, and apparently it was a good decision. After the finals I was sitting in third place, amongst some of the best alpine skiers. I stomped my line and was able to make some sketchy tele turns going about 50 mph. Here are some shots of my first line and me mocking into the finish.
I dropped into my superfinals run, made some turns through the upper moguls and then cut left, droping my first air, I stomped it and hit my second air and droped my knee to make a turn and shut some speed down and there was no tension from my binding, it felt like my binding had gone into walk mode or just broken, so with little time to react I aired my last clif and straightlined toward the finish, I was going super fast and almost exploded multiple times but some how held it together and turned enough to make it through the finish line and as I crossed into the finish my ski took off and my binding was left on my boot and I didnt fall. I was super fired up as was the crowd. Unfortunately this out of control run bumped me back to 6th place, but oh well, I survived and was thrilled to get 6th place. My childhood friend and ski partner Mark Welgos has been on fire this winter and dominated the comp with a victory. Emily Teague also from Aspen won for the women.
My broken binding, notice the bent toe piece.
Welgos ripping his way to a victory!!
And here is Ryan Zernis under the coffee table after the after party!!! It reminds me of the witch in the Wizard of OZ after the house falls on her.
Mt. Foraker in the distance on the right and Denlai to left of that and then the Ruth Gorge, nearly 360 degree view form the north summit of Denali.
My Elbow is felling better, I got an X ray and the bone is pretty much all healed. I have been skiing around for the past few weeks with no poles, trying not to fall. I am up in Jackson right now for a freeskiing competition, I was pretty nervous but my confidence has come back in the past few days. I went Cat skiing with Cloudveil on my first day here and skied some deep pow, here are some shots from Gabe Rogel.
We headed over to Targee the next day and sent some cliffs, I was not really felling it. Jk Threw a massive 80 ft back flip, it was so beautiful and inspiring. I hit a cool cliff but I wasn’t really into just hucking, I like skiing lines with airs in them. It was a beautiful day with the Grand Teton looming in the background.
Conditions deteriorated and the snow became bullet proof. It was looking sketchy for the comp but I had a cool line picked out. Then it proceeded to puke and we woke up on comp day with 2 fresh feet, only the women were ran and we skied blower pow all day. Its looking good for tomorrow and I’m really psyched to ski my line.
I am getting super into panoramas, check out this view from the top of the Hoghlands Bowl!!
This was taken on my first time up the bowl after surgery, it felt so good to get outside, especially to a place like this.
The new Black Diamond team came together in SLC, consisteing of myself, Jacqui Edgerly, Mark Welgos, Will Cardamone, Kate Cardamone, Chris Erickson, Drew Stoecklein, Steve Romeo, Dave Stratton, and Billy Poole. We got the grand tour of the BD factory and headquarters and the low down on all the new rad gear.
Jacqui and I stayed a few extra days to shoot and ski ultra deep utah pow. Enjoy these shots by Gabe Rogel!
Photos by Gabe Rogel, www.rogelphoto.com
We hung out skied with Billy Poole, I followed him off some big and scary airs, and enjoyed hanging out and talking bout skiing. This was the last time I saw Billy, he will always be ion my heart and was an inspiration to me and my skiing. Billy was the man and has left a positive impact on skiing and us all, peace brother!!
We headed home for Christmas, Aspen was getting the same storm that puked on Utah and was calling.
Stoked to be finished with school for the winter I headed up to Silverton, Co. The skiing was great and my early season legs burned, it felt great. Here are a few shots of mine from Silverton.
Skier- Jacqui edgerly. DeVore Photo
DeVore Photo
Skier- Tyson Bolduc, DeVore photo
Then Jacqui and I headed north to Salt Lake for a Black Diamond team meeting, photo shoot and Utah pow skiing.
My web page is finally up and running. I plan to update it as much as I can with trip reports, thoughts, photos, videos, news and whatever I feel like. Thanks for checking out my site, I hope you enjoy it.
