I Am Lucky To Be Alive - A Snowbird Cautionary Tale

My ribs have been hurting me lately, so I thought I would share the worst day of skiing I've ever had in my life. What you are about to read took place on April 9th, 2008 at Snowbird, a little over 6 months ago.

Wednesday the 9th was just another epic April powder day at The Bird...until I crushed a tree at over 30mph. I was stoked that morning because the last two days had been amazing, with cold weather and deep snow. That morning Snowbird was reporting about 9" of fresh, and it was still coming down hard. I was with my frieds Tom and Steve, who rip harder than most anyone I know, and were in town for a few weeks. We had just skied some lines that I've been thinking about all season, and things couldn't be better.



On the last run of my season, I was just making some big turns through some chopped pow below the Gad Chutes. There was a group of smaller trees to my left with some untouched powder that needed to be slashed, and I decided to make a big turn at high speed through those trees. Halfway through a big, sweeping right turn, I caught something under the snow and went into the air. My legs were out to my left, and my body was pretty much horizontal at this point. Much to my dismay, there was a lone tree in my flight path, and I couldn't do anything about it. I took the trunk of the tree squarely to the chest, and since I was horizontal, the impact was distributed across my entire chest. I instantly lost both gloves, poles, goggles, and one ski. My helmet did stay on however. The impact was huge and I instantly felt the worst pain of my life. It felt like there was a dump truck full of lead pipes parked on my chest. I couldn't catch my breath and I was making some horrible noises. I was conscious for about 10 seconds and all I remember was thinking how I sounded like the grape lady that fell off the stage in the infamous youtube video. Then it all went black.

I had a very long, strange dream, and all I can recall was feeling very warm and thinking I was in my bed at home. Then I woke up. I was face down in the snow, bleeding, ears ringing, and my arms were jammed into the snow, sans gloves. Needless to say, I was freezing and in tons of pain. I put my phone back together somehow (it was in my chest pocket), and miraculously it worked. I called my buddy Tom that I was skiing with, and he dialed patrol. I couldn't really breathe at this point, and talking was even more of a chore. I just remember trying to get my bearings so I could tell him where I was. Tom and Steve had been skiing just to my right when I hit the tree, but they didn't see any of it. They had already been on the tram deck for a few minutes waiting for me when I called. That means I was probably unconscious anywhere from 4-7 minutes; we're not really sure.

Snowbird ski patrol called my phone a few seconds later and kept me on the line so I could guide the patrollers to my location. They found me in less than 2 minutes, and I was in the trees in a huge area with no real points of reference. Big props to Snowbird patrol on that one. I was in pretty bad shape, so they strapped me to a board, put a neck brace on me, and got the oxygen flowing. Everything was moving pretty fast at this point, and I was fighting to not puke or black out. Needless to say, the sled ride down the mountain from the top of Gadzoom was not the most pleasant. Patrol did their best to make the ride smooth though.

Once I was in the clinic below the Tram deck, the medical staff took over and did a great job. I had an irregular heart beat, so they did an ECG and took some x-rays immediately. The verdict was 2 broken ribs on my left side, just below the armpit. They were concerned about internal bleeding and damage to my heart because the impact was so hard, so they called an ambulance to take me to the ER in Salt Lake. The morphine started to flow and things got much better at this point. Also, it turns out I just had a small cut on my chin that decided to bleed quite a lot, no big deal.

Once I was down the canyon and in the ER at the U, I had another ECG, a couple ultra-sound tests to check my heart and organs, and tons of x-rays. Everyone kept saying how lucky I was, and the final verdict was two broken ribs, lots of bruised ribs and cartilage damage. They were concerned because I had blacked for out so long, but I think that was a combination of extreme pain and a lack of breathing. I am pretty sure I didn’t hit my head at all. They also said that I have an extremely stong heart, and if was about 10 years older I probably would have died instantly. I guess most people's hearts would just fail from hitting their chest wall that hard. Scary stuff.

It's been about 6 months since the crash and I’ve had some time to reflect on all of this. I know one thing for sure, I am damn lucky to be alive. This whole thing had me pretty shook-up. I was completely airborne and doing somewhere around 30mph when I hit that tree. If I had hit the tree with my neck, face, or even abdomen, I might night be typing this right now. The impact was enormous, and I am really glad my ribs were up to the task of saving the rest of my body. I have skied fast for years, and never really thought twice about dipping into the trees at ludicrous speeds. I have had some close calls in the past, but this was my first real injury that endangered my life. I know this will have an impact on my skiing, and I will definitely hesitate the next time I am getting ready to do a straightline or jump off some cliff.

For those of you that know what I’m talking about, how do you get past this? Am I doomed to a life of skiing trees at slow speeds?

I also want to say thanks to the Snowbird Patrol and everyone in the Snowbird clinic. You guys were amazing, so professional, and you made a bad experience much better. Thanks.

Stay safe this winter.

Stumble It!

The Heart of the Wasatch

Living in Utah provides a unique and incredible lifestyle that often goes overlooked by those passing over our state and heading straight for Colorado. However, nestled between the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast and the incredible 14,000 foot Rocky Mountains in Colorado, hides the Wasatch Range. Blanketing the Wasatch Mountains in the Winter, Utah boasts the world's lightest snow. In the Summer, we have the fresh mountain air, plentiful mountain biking trails, and access to the best hiking around. In the heart of the Wasatch Range are the Cottonwood Canyons.

The Cottonwood Canyons are comprised of two distinct canyons just 5 minutes from Salt Lake City. First is Big Cottonwood Canyon and it's two ski resorts, the very popular Brighton Resort, followed by the quieter Solitude Resort. Next is Little Cottonwood Canyon, where two more world famous resorts sit, Snowbird and Alta. Generally, this time of year the mountains tucked in the Cottonwood Canyons are buried in snow. However, this year the warm temperatures are lingering and it's a great time to get in some last minute summer activities.

Last weekend, Kevin and I decided to take a mini-vacation from Park City and spent some time at The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird. During our stay at The Cliff, we ate delicious food at The Aerie Lounge and Sushi Bar, enjoyed the upstairs spa area, took the tram up to the top of the mountain, and then hiked down 2,900 feet to the base area. We had a great experience all around, but the highlight of our stay was definitely the killer food at The Aerie. With it's classy atmosphere, stunning views of the mountain through their ceiling high windows, and superb entrees, we were more than satisfied at the end of our dining experience. Our dinner consisted of Kevin's Wild Fig Glazed Pork entree, my Ahi Steak and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes entree, and to top it off, the spectacular Chocolate Fondue Fruit and Dessert Platter.

While The Aerie is certainly not the cheapest place for food (our meal was well above $100.00), it is certainly one of the best we've experienced. My Ahi was seared to perfection with a deep red hue and melted right in my mouth. The Wasabi mashers are not for the faint of heart, as they have an incredible kick, but complimented the Ahi beautifully. Kevin commented that his pork was also cooked perfect, was very flavorful, moist, and was just the right portion to allow room for a little dessert. That brings me to . . .The Chocolate Fondue Platter! This enormous dessert is plenty large enough to share between four people, offers fresh cut fruit, cookies, coconut macaroons, and many other bakery delicacies.


Here are some pictures from the last weekend, our yummy food, and perhaps our last weekend of warmth till Spring. Keep your fingers crossed!

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Ski Fever in the Mud Season

October in Park City means that each and every day is mixed with hints of Winter and Summer. A few days ago I woke up to 3 inches of snow on my door step, yet today was in the low 70's. The smell of wet summer grass is quickly fading away and will soon be replaced with the crispness of jack frost. I'm looking forward to leaving behind lazy summer mornings and 90 degree heat. Living directly between Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort means getting jarred out of bed with every snow fall. Avalanche charges at 7am followed by frantic phone calls at 7:15am is the only way to wake up. Forget the alarm clock, forget the automatic coffee pot that tries to arouse you in the morning with it's irresistible aroma. Nothing gets your blood moving in the morning like rolling into your gear, half asleep, and trying to catch first chair.

As the fall colors slowly disappear and mother nature airbrushes the mountains white, a whole new group of young and old ski bums begin their trek to Park City. The town is on the verge of coming out of it's social hibernation, reinvigorated with new locals and familiar faces as we near December. It's getting closer. I can see the look in people eyes that are ready. People that have already put on their gear, popped into their skis, and sat on their couch watching ski movies desperately seeking a fix of the stuff that keeps them alive. It's a very delicate mixture of passion, obsession, and love. It's also a sickness. Ski fever. No amount of beer, food, biking, golfing, or hiking will cure it.

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Park City BBQ and Fat Kid Pizza

One of my favorite Park City restaurants is located where to old Texas Red's used to be, and luckily, serves similar BBQ and Seafood entrees. Bandits Grill & Bar is about a 1/4 mile up Main Street on the left, just past the post office. They have an excellent variety of burgers, ribs, salmon, salads, and mouth watering side-dishes.

I decided to take Kevin to Bandits last Tuesday for his birthday, and we had a delicious dinner. Kevin couldn't resist the all you-can-eat rib dinner and went through a good amount of Baby Back Ribs, followed by some St. Louis Style Spareribs, which he mentioned where the better of the two. I ordered the BBQ Shrimp Skewers, a side of their famous green beans, and a side of caramel drizzled yams. The restaurant definitely did not skimp on the shrimp, as I was served about 16 of them on three skewers. They were tasty, but not the best thing I've had on their menu. The side-dishes, however, are worth going for alone. Their yams and green beans are always mouth-watering, and their ranch beans do not disappoint. Bandits Grill & Bar is a place I love to recommend for it's fun old west vibe, family friendly large booths, and just plain ol'good food.

Other than stuffing our stomachs with BBQ, we hit up another ski movie this week, followed by some good times at The Sidecar. CLAIM, this years Matchstick Productions' film, premiered for three nights at the Jim Santy Auditorium located at the Park City Library. We caught the Friday night showing and were lucky to get good seats as it was totally sold out almost an hour before the showing. The movie was excellent, just long-enough to whet my skiing appetite, and hilarious to boot. Right before the movie, Kevin ended up meeting Dean Cummings for a quick chat and scored me a signed poster. Thank Dean! I now have something to hang in my office!

After the movie, we hit up The Sidecar, a locally owned and operated Private Club in the old Mrs. Fields Mall on Main Street.

Familiarize yourself with Utah Liquor Laws here.

The Sidecar is a really cool and hip, yet casual, place to hang out. It's got that swanky artsy thing going for it and has the best views of Main Street from it's outdoor patio. The Sidecar usually has live music, has a fun and perfectly located dance floor, and serves the best damn pizza in Park City! Trust me, you can't have just one slice! A night of good beer, awesome music, and some Fat Kid Pizza is a night you shouldn't miss in Park City!

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Home Sweet Home - Back in Park City

After living on the road for a month, and eating out three times a day, you can't imagine how good it feels to be in your own bed with access to your own kitchen. Kevin and I had an incredibly successful trip and collected more information than we know what to do with. We should have the restaurant guides for Colorado up and running by November, just in time for your winter vacation planning.

Spending the last month on the road traveling throughout Colorado and all of the unique mountain towns has been great. We got to experience Aspen and its international resort atmosphere. We were treated to top-notch French food and high-end gelato at Beaver Creek and Vail. We caught ski movies and hung out at The Beetle Fest in Summit County. We made friends and partied in Winter Park with the locals. We made ourselves at home in Steamboat and discovered what ski town sushi is all about. And last but not least, we ended our tour driving home from Steamboat to beautiful Park City, just in time to catch the peak of the Autumn colors.

Yesterday, after doing a massive food shopping, I drove up Guardsman's Pass and over to Sundance Ski Resort to check out the Autumn colors and newly fallen snow. The aspens are in full bloom and with the contrast of a cloudy day and the fresh white blanket of snow on the mountains, it was quite a spectacular overdose of awe. Enjoy . . .

Stumble It!

Our Last Stop - Steamboat Springs

Like every individual ski destination sprinkled across Colorado, Steamboat offers something a bit different that its neighbors. Imagine someone sticking a little piece of Texas in the Rockies and infusing it with an old west laid back feeling. Now toss some ski bums, ranchers, hippies, and cowboys in the mix and discover what Steamboat is all about.


We pulled in on Friday and were greeted by our hostess, Emily. Emily and her husband run The Steamboat Guesthouse. If you plan on staying in Steamboat and want a personalized and friendly home away from home, you will find exactly what you are looking for in their warm and perfectly located house near the mountain.

We took the rest of the evening off and grabbed some dinner at a place called Rex’s, attached to The Holiday Inn. Rex’s features great America food, a casual vibe, and reasonable prices for the amount of food they serve. Kevin and I shared a peel-your-own shrimp appetizer, which was huge, and I ordered the tomato soup and mini-grilled cheese entrée. As soon as I read “mini-grilled cheese” on the menu, I was sold!

On Saturday, Emily recommended a breakfast hot spot called Freshies. The place was absolutely packed with a line of people out the door. We ate at Freshies twice during our stay in Steamboat because the food and service was so good. I tried both the Greek Feta Salad and their Oatmeal Granola Strawberry dish. Both were delicious, but the Granola dish blew my mind. The serving was way more than I could eat. It was made up of homemade oatmeal covered with melted brown sugar, maple syrup, a thick layer of granola, and loads of sliced strawberries. It was so good that I made a few notes so I could recreate it when I got back home.


We spent the rest of the week working and meeting with the 70+ restaurants in town. A few other places to note would be Johnny B Goods, a 50s inspired burger and shake joint located on the main strip, and nearby it, The Shack which serves a quick and simple home-style breakfast. After doing recon on all of the restaurants in downtown Steamboat, we did some investigation at the base of the mountain.


Although most of the places were closed, we did get a chance to check out the few that were open. Chocolate Soup, the bakery located in The Grand, serves everything from cookies to cakes, and unique pastry items. After joking with the owner and reciting my favorite Godfather quote, she let me sample a mini cannoli and gave Kevin a chocolate cookie sandwich filled with a rich hazelnut mousse. Yum!

Our next stop was Saketumi Sushi where we got to sample a few sushi rolls and a killer lemon cheese cake. For a ski-in sushi bar located in a Texas inspired mountain town, we were very impressed. The rolls were creatively inspired, beautifully presented, and featured a few sauces I’ve never seen served with sushi. We had a superb experience and we highly recommend Saketumi for families looking for something special, yet laid-back, after a day on the mountain. We’ll definitely be back for more.

Stumble It!