The
Perfect Day With Blue Tomato
The
perfect day is when your boss invites you to go freeriding in
fresh virgin powder snow. Such an invite mixed with a beautiful
sunny clear blue sky above the Planai Mountains here in Schladming
is for us boarders paradise in powder.
After a quick telephone call around we got together a enough
volunteers to go riding, our big boss Gerfried Schuller,
extreme sports photographer Gernot Lanxx (thanks for the
cool photo's Gernot) ,the assistant photographer and some
of our snowboard instructors.
Our meeting place, Snowboard Schule Dachstein Tauern, Kessleralm,
Planai. Once ready, checked and equipped with our backcountry
safety equipment we took the next available gondel up the top
of the Planai.
Once at the top, it was time to put on the snowshoes and start
the walk to the top of the Krahbergzinken mountain.
On
the way up we checked out various descents and noted possible
avalanche dangers. After an intense 1 1/2 hour hike, Gerfried
Schuller leading, we got to the top of the mountain (the
party place). Then after a 10 minute break, catching our
breath, snack to eat, checking out the amazing Dachstein
views and negotiating our descent it was time to board up.
Anyway the sweat on our backs from the hike up was starting
to turn into ice water! Check: warmth layer.
The
deep virgin powder snow was perfect to ride, the best snow we've
ridden all season. It was like cutting butter with a hot knife,
so smoooooth!! On our way down we encountered numerous natural
jumps, steep speed sections and relaxed open soul surfing areas.
The ride down took us around 1/2 an hour and was well worth
the 1 1/2 hour hike! Almost worth a second ascent.....Today
was one of those days that you remember for the whole season.
Check
out the cool photo's and enjoy the views of boarders paradise.
Don't forget when you go back country freeriding to check yourself,
your gear and possible risks.
Ride virgin snow 4eva.
Vincent Smaal
blue tomato team
www.blue-tomato.at
