By Jared Eygabroad

"The Best Quality Snow in Washington" was the concept behind this episode of the Emission Web Series.  Seems easy enough, right?  Just film some skiing and snowboarding and throw together an edit.  But no, we were in what seemed like a drought for a month or so.  I was worried each day about finding snow as I toted my camera to the mountain, but somehow, I still managed to find fresh light tracks due to the desert-like climate preserving the precious snow in and around the area.  Absolutely incredible.

 
Not only does Mission get the lightest natural snow in the Northwest that seems to remain perfect for weeks, but it also has the best grooming and snowmaking in the area.  While we were without snow for the end of January and beginning of February, I found a new love for the rolling slopes that were perfectly manicured each day by Mission's veteran groomers.
 
For the past 3 seasons, I had only focused my skiing on the untouched terrain that Mission has to offer.  However, when all the Northwest areas went dry, I found out there was no other place I'd rather be than Mission.  Every single run, I experienced soft, quality snow that made skiing FUN.  The snowmakers and groomers worked so well together during this time and so extremely hard to create a product that all the customers would enjoy.  They succeeded, and in turn, I found a new love for the courderoy.

 
So we had the two elements for the video, BOTH the highest quality "natural" snow and "unnatural" snow in the Northwest.  Still, we wanted another element.  That's where Gordon West, the third-ever General Manager of Mission Ridge, came in.  Not only had Gordon served as the the General Manager for Mission, but he had also served as the Ski School Director for more than 10 years beginning in 1966, the first year Mission opened its slopes to skiers.

 
Gordon West skis like I wish I could ski; hard, fast, and with perfect form.  Filming him was amazing, and hearing the stories about Mission Ridge from a legend was a true honor.  Since Gordon has been at Mission from day one, there was no one better to talk about "the best quality snow" in the Northwest.  If you see him up at the Ridge, make sure to say "hello" and "thank you!"  His efforts are a huge part of why Mission is successful, and why there will be a great ski area to enjoy forever.  Enjoy the video.

The first "annual" Bomber Banked Slalom went down this past weekend. And, while "gnarly" was the first thought that came to many minds when arriving at the course, smiles and excitement followed as riders began their descent. The race saw just about every weather event imaginable, along with course blow outs, re-routes and the ever present thin coverage. But the Bomber Banked continued on as only the toughest would survive. Thanks to all who came out and made for such a rad time!

Here's what Ryan Waiste from Frequency, the Snowboarder's Journal, thought: "...I was impressed that it took on an identity of its own and managed to distinguish itself far from becoming "Just another banked slalom." Do I foresee a banked slalom circuit in the future? Who knows? What I do know is that I already look forward to next year's Bomber Banked! You think you have the gusto to do battle in these gut clenchers? We'll see you next season." (See full article.)

Huge thanks to: Joey Mcguire, Brad Miller, Revolution snow and skate, Libtech, Diecutstickers.com, Coal, Defcon gloves and Iron Horse Brewery!

Winners

Masters

1. Mike Cummins
2. Jason Cline
3. Johan Malkoski

Adult

1. Kris Melton
2. Marcel Dolack
3. Robbie Hutton

Youth

1. Jonah Schlicker
2. Peyton Weber
3. Austin Buza

Womens

1. Jenni Novak
2. Robyn Teresa
3. Isabella Gomez

Groms

1. Milo Malkoski
2. Frank Bessolo
3. Mac Malkoski

Full Results

• Groms
• Womens
• Youth
• Masters
• Adults

By Jared Eygabroad

Our simple mission to explore Mission’s “Back 40“ turned into an eye-opening experience.  Both Kyle and I thought we knew Mission’s sidecountry terrain so well, but we immediately found out that we had been missing out on THE GOODS.  Not only did we not know the terrain like we thought we did, we discovered new chutes, cliffs, and untouched powder fields we never new existed.  It was almost as if this place was an undiscovered world that didn’t allow anyone to experience its many secrets from only gazing up from below.

Not many people know that Mission has 2000 acres and and 2200 vertical feet.  Even more don’t know that these numbers make Mission Ridge a larger mountain that the Alta Ski Resort in Utah.  What’s more, anyone who skis at Mission Ridge has the ability to board the high speed quad, hike for 20 minutes, and then take a non-stop run of 2200 vertical feet to the parking lot.  Oh, and did I mention there would be fresh tracks two weeks after the storm?

It was two weeks after the last snowstorm when Kyle and I began hiking and traversing to the Bowl 4 area of Mission’s sidecountry.  It was sunny, and the inversion left our fingers tired from snapping so many photos.  I have never seen anything like it, mountains were poking their peaks out like islands in a sea of dense rolling clouds.  It was absolutely beautiful and it made me feel like anyone would enjoy this area of Mission Ridge, whether they were on a mission to find new chutes and cliffs like Kyle and I were, or just on a mission to find “optical pleasure.”  

The problem with skiing and being a filmer are logistics.  Me to Kyle, “Ok, I’m giving you the GoPro and I am strapping this 15 pound camera setup to my backpack and two feet above my head so I can film this chute I’m going to go ski.  I just have to ski it and I’ll have to ski it clean.  Go ahead and point the GoPro at me so I get the top shot too.  Then, I’ll have my good camera down below to film you as you come down your line, as long as I don’t crash and break anything of course.  Make sure to press record on the GoPro when you ski your line.  Dropping.”  

Kyle followed directions.  I did not.  The high center of gravity of my Canon 60D mounted on the bulky tripod suspended from my pack led to my demise as I burst from the chute at mach speed, losing control at the traverse line.  I began to ragdoll, over and over.  Even though it was two weeks since the last storm, my feet, then head, then feet, then head, kept hitting soft deep snow.  Praise God.

As I looked around at my yard sale, I remembered the camera tied awkwardly to my pack.  Was it still there?!?  I took it off and much to my surprise, it was still on and apparently still filming.  When I played back the footage, it was strange because during the fall, the camera took photos instead of video while I tomahawked again and again until stopping.  It was an epic fall and I have to admit, I was bummed I wasn’t going to relive the carnival ride.  Nevertheless, my trusty 60D was working and we finished out the day filming and skiing until the closing hours of the mountain.  What a great day.

The moral of the story?  I don’t think there is one.  I just know that if you’ve never experienced Mission’s lift-serviced backcountry, you need to.  It’s a whole other world out there... every time you enter. 

Well, it’s that time again. “That time” to get your skis waxed and core shots filled, “that time” get off the couch and get up to the mountain (it’s open by the way!), “that time” to enjoy the amazing snow conditions at Mission Ridge, and “that time” to tell me you’ve already done those things and have more days skiing already than I do. It’s also “that time” for Mission Ridge Media to release the first EMISSION webisode of the 12/13 season.

If you haven’t checked out any prior videos in the EMISSION Web Series, be sure to!  This web series has evolved over the past few seasons, and if you’ve been watching, we hope you’ve enjoyed the ride.  This season we will feature more great athletes, ideas, visions, people, stunts, powder,and stories that will make you develop a deeper appreciation for this amazing mountain and its people.

Emission 3.1 - “Snow-Mo” follows the night-shift snowmaking crew as they battle weather and issues that naturally arise while making snow.  They did what it took to get the mountain open early and were extremely successful in doing so.  Not only did the mountain open on time, but it opened with more runs and more snow coverage than it had seen in many years.

Mission’s sophisticated snowmaking system comprised of 19 snowguns and a 18 million gallon reservoir are run by a crew of 8 people split up to work two 12-hour shifts.  This means Mission is snowmaking all day and all night, as long as the temperatures are cold enough.  Jon Wax, Mission Ridge’s snowmaking manager shared some of the many intricacies of the job for this episode.  He said, “We have to do our jobs well, so others can do their jobs.  Without snow, nobody at the mountain can work, and ultimately, people aren’t skiing and boarding.”  It was clear that the snowmaking crew takes pride in the fact that much of the mountain operation relies on them.  

Enjoy watching as this hard charging crew of returning veteran snowmakers get the job done, all for your enjoyment!  If you see these people around, tell them thank you.  Even give your thanks when that foot of naturally dry powder blankets your favorite run, because that foot of natural snow is likely falling on a perfectly covered base laid down by this group of dedicated snowmakers.  

Video and Article by Jared Eygabroad/Mission Ridge Media 

Our friends at North 40 Productions put together this quick clip of us using snowguns to defend the ridge. The footage was taken yesterday. Turns out they are working on a documentary about wildfires, and this was serendipitous timing for them to get some footage (if you can call it that...).