Solitude opened Friday, the third resort to open in Utah.  Solitude unveiled two new high-speed lifts, Moonbeam and Apex.  Unfortunately, neither lift goes anywhere of value unless you are new to the sport or, in our case, if nothing else is open.

We ripped groomers for a couple hours and headed home.  Not much else to report.  But a day of skiing is better than a day without skiing.

08-09 Ski Days: 4

Preseason Deer Valley: 1
Snowbird: 1
Solitude: 1
Uintas: 1

see more pwn and owned pictures

CNET Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/samsung-sc-hmx10/4505-6500_7-32306196.html?tag=mncol;lst

Better Review: http://paulstamatiou.com/2008/03/17/review-samsung-sc-hmx10c-hd-camcorder

Sample Video: http://vimeo.com/788555

Close-Up Video: http://vimeo.com/788548

Zoom Test: http://vimeo.com/779375

The review are not all favorable, but for the money and my current needs, it seems to be a good fit.  Most HD Camcorders record in AVCHD, a format requiring a Quad-Core processor.  The Samsung records video as an MPEG4 file.  While I lose some video quality, I can avoid purchasing a new laptop strictly for video editing purposes.  We’ll see if this holds true, but it sounded good enough to take a chance on the camcorder.  Plus, the SDHC memory storage should allow me to carry 8, 16, or 24gb with me on any ski day/trip.

So, these were my options:

1. Stick with my current set-up: a helmet cam, Charli’s digital camera, and Bill’s low-def camcorder = $0
2. Current set-up + a water/shock proof Olympus Stylus = $300
3. Current set-up + Canon HD Camcorder + new MacBook = $500 + $1,000 = $1,500
4. Current set-up + Samsung HD Camcorder = $320

Hopefully the Samsung works out.  If not, I bought it with house money.

Yesterday, Bill, Mike and I decided to take advantage of the recent snow and did some skiing and snowmobiling in the Unitas.  With Mirror Lake Highway set to close in the upcoming days, we ignored the “road closed” signs and drove the 28 miles back to Murdock Mountain, an easily accessible peak across from Bald Mountain.  At 11,200 feet, Murdock Mountain appears to be an ideal hill for backcountry skiing, a rolling approach from the south suitable for snowmobile tow-ins, and a steep north-facing bowl with a couple cliffs and chutes.

We did our best to find some skiable terrain, but instead wound up sliding down a combination of four-day-old slop and jagged rocks.  Fortunately, Bill had a pretty good time riding his snowmobile around Murdock Basin and the Fehr Lake Trailhead.

Check out some pictures of our first time skiing the Unitas.

08-09 Ski Days: 3

Preseason Deer Valley: 1
Snowbird: 1
Uintas: 1

Charli, Mike Kisow, Bill Kisow, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to get back on the slopes.  The snow was great througout the morning.  Eventually the weather warmed up enough to make skiing a little too much work on my out-of-shape legs.

Not too many pictures or videos from today.  Check out a picture I got of Charli ripping Regulator Johnson on her new G3 El Hombre’s and Hammerhead tele bindings.  Not the best-timed photo, but you get the idea.

Charli teleing the bird

08-09 Ski Days: 2

Preseason Deer Valley: 1
Snowbird: 1

Charli and I jumped the gun and set out for some backcountry touring.  We grabbed our skis, skins, and dogs and made our way up to Guardsman Pass.  We parked just above Empire Lodge and started skinning our way uphill towards Empire Pass.  After climbing for an hour and a half, Charli, Mogul, Hobbes, Tracker, and I found some waist-deep (head deep for the dogs) powder turns down through a creek bed.  The coverage was pretty minimal, probably not the best choice for a first day of the season warmup run.

Awesome first day.  A respectable 3:1 face-shot to core-shot ratio.  Check out my first helmet cam footage of the season:

Preseason Helmet Cam Attempt from fatbearfehr on Vimeo.

08-09 Ski Days: 1

Preseason Deer Valley: 1

tah wide receiver Freddie Brown (88) scores the game winning touchdown against TCU during the fourth quarter in the NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Utah defeated TCU 13-10. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Scott Sommerdorf)

Charli, Bill, Derrick, and I were lucky enough to get tickets (or a police escort into the game) for the Utah v. TCU game Thursday night.  It was one of the best endings to a game I have ever seen.  Go Utes!

We rushed the field at the end of the game.  I know we were ranked higher, but Vegas had us as the underdogs, and we just love to rush the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Four years ago, Derrick broke his ankle jumping onto the field following our upset victory over Cal.  I had to give him a piggy-back-ride for ten blocks so he could catch a ride to the hospital.  Thursday night he avenged his injury by successfully rushing the field without injury.

A victory at SDSU and another win over BYU and we can rush the field for a third time this season!  Then we’ll go to a BCS game and rush that field too!  Go Utes!

A month overdue, but I finally uploaded some new pictures to my PhotoBucket page.  Check out the new album, “Gainesville.”

It was about a month ago that Charli and I flew to Tampa, borrowed her parent’s camper and F-350 Super Crew Extended Bed Truck, and drove to Gainesville.  We camped in a Wal Mart parking lot for three nights, drank a lot, ate a lot of Hare Krishna food, and watched the Gators destroy the LSU Tigers as an early birthday present from Charli.

Great trip.  The Swamp is amazing!  92,000 die hard fans that understand the game of football.  It was amazing to see.  Check out some of my pictures: http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh182/fatbearfehr/Gainesville/

SNOWBIRD, UTAH – Continuing the tradition of offering the longest ski season in Utah, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort will open Friday, Nov. 7. This year’s opening marks the second earliest start to a season in the resort’s 38-year history.

“This storm and the subsequent lake effect have provided a timely blanket of snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon,” said Snowbird President Bob Bonar. “Skiing early season powder is a great way to kick off the season.”

Snowbird will be offering the Aerial Tram and two lifts, Gadzoom and Mid-Gad, to skiers and riders beginning Friday at 9 a.m. Expected open terrain includes Regulator Johnson from the top of Hidden Peak, as well as Big Emma and Bassackwards. Additional lifts and terrain will open as conditions permit. The Snowbird Center and Creekside Lodge will be offering multiple food, merchandise and equipment rental options throughout the weekend.

More than 3 feet of snow has fallen in November, and cold temperatures have allowed snow guns to operate, adding to the already impressive early season snow totals. Last year, Snowbird received 611 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth® and had a 183-day season with skiing and riding from Nov. 30 to June 22.

Snowbird is offering an early season ticket price of $62 and chair passes will be honored to access the Tram until additional terrain opens. Early season lodging packages are currently available starting at $99/night through much of December.