Can you spot Andy? Have fun at camp, sport!
Editor’s Note: For some reason, we decided to turn the keyboard over to Park manager Andy Schulz so he can share his off-season travels and thoughts. In the first of this three-part series, Andy discusses his May trip to Cutters Camp at Timberline.
There is a certain part of the drive to Mt. Hood, OR – headin from ole’ Montana – where the level of excitement definitely builds. Anyone that has done this drive can attest to this.
From the Columbia River Gorge you round the bend and there it is shining in the distance: the mecca, the glacier … Hoodskies!
Yes, there is a place in our great nation, where snowboarding and skiing is not only available all year, (yes all year!) but is super legitimate, worldclass shredding!
Mt. Hood was my destination last May when I attended Cutters Camp: a week long seminar bringing park managers and freestyle groomers from all across the country, and world, together to commiserate, share ideas, and have a killer time.
Now this was not my first time to this area. I lived here for a fun-filled spring and summer a few years ago, so, needless to say, my stoke level was increasing with every mile driven.
Arriving at Timberline Lodge, I gave my name to the parking attendant and was directed to front row center parking (Rockstar!). With Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters in the background (not to mention 20 brand new snowcats in the foreground) I had arrived!
Checking into the lodge, I got a room with a window, all snowed over! You could open the window and jump into an impromptu snow cave…crazy! Meeting with the SnowSports Industry America (SIA) crew, it was time to hit the slopes!
After a day of raging the spring powder, we had our first meet and greet and dinner. With 60+ rowdy ski and board builders in attendance, the conversation ranged from Olympic greatness, and the follies of equipment, to snow depth and comb length on the tiller bars. Needless to say, I was right at home.
The next morning was an early one. All morning we went over goal assessment, outlining our target markets when constructing parks and the hierarchy of successful park operations.
After another killer meal by the T-line crew, it was time to start operating the plethora of snowcats at our disposal. The first cat I jumped in was a 2009 Bombadier with a focus on knuckle formation and medium jump creation.
The clinicians that proctor the on-mountain learning are previous C-Camp attendees, so they know what we look for in the learning experience. After piling, shaping, and perfecting a 28-footer, I plowed it down for the next camper, and went onto halfpipe construction.
With a steady hand on the sticks, and a not so sure one on the blade yoke, I tried not to ruin Timberline’s summer Halfpipe. Keeping a nervous eye on my gauge, the pipe wall, and my track marks, I successfully cut about 300 yards of 18 foot tall beauty!
After that I figured “Well, I cut an 18 foot pipe, lets try a 22 footer!”
Five minutes and an exciting snowmobile ride later, boom! I was at the Global Cutter, one of six machines in the world. Ahh, the majesty.
This seminar was just about exceeding my expectations at this point. Having such a wealth of knowledgeable people there was really helping me step up my game. Driving comfortably, fielding questions in the classroom seminars, elbowing up for a turn to drive the remote control Piston Bullies … yeah, I was there!
I learned many things about the construction side of freestyle terrain park science this May, and I know it will help create a safer, and more progressive learning and training center out of Lost Trail’s terrain parks. I also gleaned many an insight on the competition and event side of things. So this season at The Trail, look forward to a snowy, jib-packed extravaganza! Viva LT! Viva LT!
Now, off to the snowy reaches of South East Alaska, to play in the powder of Haines, with our friends from SEABA-South East Alaskan Backcountry Advetures!
Later,
Andrew
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