Buffalo Pass 1/9/10

Just outside of Steamboat is Buffalo Pass which offers ideal sledding access and some amazing snowboarding terrain if you have a sled.  I don’t have a sled so getting out to Buff has never happened but with the crew in town we were able to borrow sleds to enjoy some powder riding on Buff Pass.

I joined up with everyone at 8am but rallying over 20 people meant getting a later start.  We packed up the vehicles and headed to Buffalo Pass.  Everyone came prepared with beacons, probes and shovels to make the day safe and while Buffalo Pass isn’t much for avalanche danger it’s backcountry and being prepared is better than not.

We rolled into the parking lot on Buffalo Pass to meet up with everyone, figure out sleds and start the shred adventure.  We ended up with 7 sleds for the day and over 20 people snowboarding so it meant a couple people to a sled.

[singlepic id=7390 w=400 h=300 float=]

Shane from Siege Audio and I were finally able to meet, shred and have fun for the weekend.  We’ve spoken for months and it worked out perfectly to hang out this weekend.

[singlepic id=7394 w=400 h=300 float=]

I’ve been to Buffalo Pass before but splitboarding so sledding Buffalo Pass really opened my eyes on the amazing conditions and powder turns to be made.  The view from Buffalo overlooks Steamboat and the whole valley.

[singlepic id=7391 w=400 h=300 float=]

We had a drop off location and pick up location for the area we were in so we were able to make laps and continue making laps during the day.  You never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride back up.

[singlepic id=7398 w=400 h=300 float=]

Mike West from 686 came out for the weekend and I snapped this shot of him getting in some deeper powder.

[singlepic id=7392 w=400 h=300 float=]

The snowboarding was amazing, powder turns and fresh tracks every line.  The riding was so good and so much fun!  It wasn’t that deep but it was still very light and fluffy thanks to the cold temperatures.

[singlepic id=7395 w=300 h=400 float=]

I tried to get a good amount of shots but found that keeping the camera in my pocket was ideal for a lot of the day so I could enjoy the powder.  The snow was deep in spots and definitely some tree well danger you just had to be careful of but also some great tree riding.

[singlepic id=7400 w=300 h=400 float=]

John from Zumiez getting some powder riding in

[singlepic id=7403 w=400 h=300 float=]

Zeke from Zumiez airing off a powder pillow

[singlepic id=7404 w=400 h=300 float=]

I came down at the end of the day with the biggest smile and amazed at how lucky I am for having such a amazing day of riding.  I can only say that this was the best weekend of my life.

[singlepic id=7397 w=300 h=400 float=]

Some of the guys built a kicker over the sled road so we ended up packing down the jump and eating lunch there before watching the guys throw down into powder for the afternoon.

[singlepic id=7399 w=400 h=300 float=]

I caught this photo of Ben from Zumiez off the jump, unfortunately for Ben he took a really bad landing and slammed his knee into his face.  He ended up with a black eye but wasn’t feeling good so he went to the hospital to find out he broke his cheek and needs surgery.

Before

[singlepic id=7393 w=400 h=300 float=]

After

[singlepic id=7396 w=300 h=400 float=]

We made sure to be prepared with food and beverages for the day to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

[singlepic id=7402 w=300 h=400 float=]

One of the last runs of the day was on an open field and I was able to get my own wide open tracks coming down it.  I snapped this picture at the bottom of the run.

[singlepic id=7401 w=400 h=400 float=]

I still can’t believe how amazing the day was, we had a great crew of people from various companies getting out to enjoy the snow together.  We ended the day with a soak in the hot springs, then dinner at slopeside compliments of Gary at BOA Technologies and drinks at Tugboat with everyone.