Patrick Westfeldt

A couple weeks back my friend Eric Poore dragged me out to the Pacific North West for a little ski adventure. Eric, a Seattle Native, treated me like a distinguished dignitary and showed me around Seattle, Mt. Baker, Stevens Pass, and Crystal Mountain.

It was an amazing trip, based on exploring each of the Mountains as much as we could during the day. Super variable snow conditions kept us from charging bigger lines, but not from having tons of fun. Each day left us exhausted and smiling. What more do you need from a ski trip?

This was my first time skiing in Washington. It truly is an amazing place to ride with its striking mountains, dreamy terrain, and the wild moods. I can’t wait to return.

Huge thanks to Eric and his family for making this trip possible. Here is a little video of us touring around some of the North West’s finest.

song: “Breed” by Nirvana

You may have heard. It’s not really a secret any more. Revelstoke rules.

The place is big, really big, and it snows a TON.

First, I would like to thank my Family and Friends for making trips like this possible. Thank you, mom, dad, ben(sorta).

The real heroes of this trip were some transplant Americans Bill and Emily, and one cool Canadian named Sabina. These three amazing people made me feel right at home. They supported me in my contest, and then took me ski touring in some amazing Revelstoke Backcountry!

The amazing thing about Revelstoke is the access. If you want to, you can ski powder everyday. Some locals probably haven’t skied packed snow in a 100 years.

The following are some pictures of my Canadian friends and our ski adventures.

After qualifying into the Main competition I ran 57th against the worlds best Freeskiers. I finished 29th.

It took place in the North Bowl of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Here is the POV cam.

I believe if i didn’t have a little stop after my first drop the Judges might have pushed me through to the Final day. Bummer.

Really tough competition today. Landings were hard and flat. I am really excited to have made it through. Thank you to all my friends and family, you make this possible.

Wow. A new year, and we are off and running.

Tomorrow marks the first day of Competition for me this season. The qualifier venue is tame at the most, but if you don’t pay attention and set yourself apart, the dream of the Heli-accessed Final day is over. Good thing there is plenty of terrain and snow around here to console yourself with. This will be a good week.

Here is a pic of the first day Venue. Pick out your own line! I bet it is the same as 60 people that run tomorrow. More great pics and video to come.

It is not a secret as much as Marketing would like it to be. We don’t have a lot of snow right now.

Tensions are high, people are angry, and locals smile at the tourists as if to say, “thanks, thanks for coming this year”. the world is in utter chaos, all the time, BUT…

There is still snow. There is still skiing and riding. The park guys and gals don’t care. There is always an opportunity, maybe you work on your spins and grabs this year.

There is also the strange allure, for some, to ski Really Bad Snow. My Friend Matt Fox and I are some of those few. It’s weird, it’s challenging, and it forces you to look at the mountain differently. Here is a clip of us really loving it. It’s harsh and brutal much like that of a modernist painting(kinda sorta).

Now its off to Revy for some powder…

I wake up and immediately panic. WHERE are my skis?!

I am looking for a pair of 193 Blizzard Cochise and a pair of 187 Blizzard Bonafide. They have vanished, no where to be found.

I walk downstairs in my house eat some breakfast, and enjoy the fresh winter landscape of AspenSnowmass. I spot something in the distance and smile. There THEY are!

Two wild bulls just playing in the snow.

They love powder so much, they find it on their own.

The following are some unusable pictures from the great Frank Shine. Tecnica Blizzard Freeride Team Manager, photographer, golfer, and almost cast for the most interesting man in the world.

All photo credits, SHINELINE Productions.