July 4th (decent!) Skiing in Tahoe – “The Patch” If you’re around Tahoe, want to ski, and can’t get to one of the three resorts in North America that are still open, patch skiing is a good option. However, some spots are certainly better than others. Andy Hays, Katy Hover-Smoot and I drove down today for some 4th of July turns on “The Patch”, a classic spot just a short jaunt outside of Tahoe near Red Lake and Kirkwood. Easy access, but don’t attempt getting up the dirt road without a raised […] Conditions Report Matt Bansak | July 4, 2014 2 Comments
Tahoe Conditions Report: 4th of July Chutes on June 28th I was debating between soul skiing and sharing this adventure with the world, but ultimately I figured I could still ski soulfully and reflect without weakening the experience. The idea was born at 6:30PM to go ski the 4th of July Chutes that evening. At 7:30PM, the idea was realized. After a grueling 7-mile approach by way of Subaru, Nicolette Howell and I had reached the road summit, and began the second part of the journey on foot. […] Conditions Report Matt Bansak | June 29, 2014 2 Comments
Tahoe Scenes : Recent Photography From Around The Lake These photos are all from the last few weeks around Lake Tahoe. Iโm a photographer, web developer, designer, ski coach, and enjoyer of life. I’m fortunate enough to call Lake Tahoe and the mountains my home. Itโs a beautiful and humbling place, and there are always opportunities to explore and adventure […] Matt Bansak | June 22, 2014 6 Comments
Tahoe Surf Session – June 10th | Photo Tour: I had been eyeing Thursday in the forecast all week. Not for surfing, but for sailing. However, due to my inability to find someone crazy enough to want to sail a Hobie Tiger in 40-60mph gusts, I instead got in touch with Scott Gaffney to see if he was thinking of heading out for a surf session. Game time. I don’t surf at all, but think it’s one of the coolest […] Surf Matt Bansak | June 13, 2014 1 Comment
June 1st in the 4th of July Chutes The 4th of July Chutes have been on my bucket list for some time now. In the last couple of years at least, they have melted out near or prior to the full opening of Blackwood Canyon, and I have missed the window of opportunity to get up there when they’re still going off. With such a bad snow year in Tahoe, I figured it would be best to head up as early as possible. After receiving the beta from a friend who had been up a few days earlier (thanks Hazen Woolson!) that many of the chutes do in fact go, and the road was just about clear of snow, it was time for a multi-sport June 1st adventure with my friend Katy Hover-Smoot. […] Conditions Report Matt Bansak | June 2, 2014 3 Comments
Tahoe Scenes : Recent Photography From Around The Lake Iโm a photographer, web developer, designer, ski coach, and enjoyer of life. For the last three years and hopefully for many to come, I’ve been fortunate enough to call Lake Tahoe and the mountains my home. Itโs a beautiful and humbling place, and there are always opportunities to explore and adventure. Like a lot of my friends and Tahoe neighbors, that’s one thing I do a lot of. […] Matt Bansak | May 12, 2014 4 Comments
Tamarack Peak Backountry Conditions Report: Nov 24 There comes a time in every skier’s life where they must ask themselves “is it worth it?” My answer is almost always yes, but there are days that put it to the test! Good company, good adventure, and good exercise can more than compensate for some not-so-great skiing. That being said, today was a lot of fun. I went out to Tamarack Peak with Kirk Ditterich, Tom Connell, and Ret Entwisle to ski Hourglass Bowl. […] Conditions Report Matt Bansak | November 24, 2013 3 Comments
Sugar Bowl: Nov 23rd Pre-Season Conditions Report I think I speak for most of us in and around Tahoe when I say that we’re starting to get a little antsy for winter. The mountains don’t have much to open with, and the latest storm was a bit of a tease, with a lot of the snow being affected by strong east winds. But, there is always fun to be had! I went for a skin up Mt. Disney at Sugar Bowl today with Kirk Ditterich, Rom Marcucci, and Tom Connell. Rom had skied it the day prior and knew there were some decent turns to be had […] Conditions Report Matt Bansak | November 24, 2013 1 Comment