G3 Genuine Guide Gear Testing the 2010-11 Ski Line at Whistler, BC, Canada

I had the great opportunity to go to Whistler Ski Resort in BC Canada and participate in the G3 Genuine Guide Gear testing of the 2010-2011 ski line. I was very impressed with the last 2 years of G3 skis, having switched all of my skiing over to G3. However, I cannot wait until the 2010-2011 line comes out.

The top of Whistler Mountain

I also had the opportunity to put the Onyx Binding through its paces along with some professional help on how it really works. And it does really work and does so very easily!

Ski testing is very different from what you might imagine. With the powder flying everywhere you would think we would just take off flying all over the mountain, but that is not quite how things worked. We started out by skiing one run to familiarize ourselves with the run. We then went and tried a pair of skis on that one run. On the ride back up we completed our score card for that pair of skis, went and got another pair of skis and went back to the very same run and tried to ski it the same way we had the second time. So the same run time after time with a new pair of skis each time, evaluating the skis as we rode the lift.

Looking towards Blackcomb from the top of Whistler

We kept track of the skis, the binding, the ski length, the time and dozens of factors for each skis.

Another interesting thing I learned was the differences various bindings would have on the skis. I never imagined that one binding would make a ski handle so differently from another binding.

The new Peak to Peak Gondola that runs between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains.

That evening we sat down and as a group reported our findings for each skis. Again, I was amazed at how different people evaluated skis. The pure backcountry enthusiasts look for something completely different from someone who skied mostly inbounds. The same was dependent on ski size, skiing ability and how some people skied. All of those factors were taken into account by G3 in its evaluation of our comments on the skis.

Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity, extremely educational and great trip with fantastic people.


Thanks for the education and opportunity G3! and great trip with fantastic people.

Middlebury College is building a new lift.

Video of Flying Concrete up for Lift Tower Basis

Middlebury college is upgrading its 40 year old double chair to a new triple chair.  See

Middlebury College Flies Concrete Up a Ski Mountain to Build a New Lift

Both You and I Can Control Risk

By BeckyAurora Thompson

For the past 10 weeks, I have been taught how, as a ski area employee, I can eliminate, avoid, decrease the severity or frequency, manage, insure, transfer, or ignore the risk of an accident occurring.

While I can do my part as a ski area employee to control risk, it should not be entirely my responsibility. As a guest, you have control over risk also.

Ski areas try to decrease the severity of accidents by telling guests to slow down. They do this through the use of signs and the Slow Patrol. However, you can do your part by listening to the Slow Patrol, which will make everyone's day better. If you are an experienced skier/rider that does not want to slow down in the slow zones, go down a different trail.

You can avoid the risk or decrease the severity of getting frost bite by dressing appropriately. Believe it or not, there is a reason why ski areas advise you to not wear things like cotton, blue jeans, and 3 pairs of socks. There is a reason why they suggest sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, goggles and warm, waterproof outerwear. There are also wonderful base and on-hill lodges that serve more of a purpose than just selling merchandise with the ski area's logo on it and over-priced slices of pizza.

You can manage your risk by taking a lesson. By taking a lesson, your skills improve. As your skills improve, you will be better able to avoid those less skilled than yourself. If you don't understand the instructions that a ski area employee provided you with, ask for clarification.

A great way of avoiding the risk is to pick up a trail map. Not only do they make a great souvenir, but they also tell you that by riding up XYZ chairlift, you will only be able to access "most difficult" and "expert terrain". Reading signs also informs you of things such as "You are entering the terrain park" and "This lift serves only expert terrain".

Following the Skier Responsibility Code helps decrease the frequency of accidents. The Skier Responsibility Code contains such things as: stay in control, be able to stop or avoid objects, it is your responsibility to avoid people ahead of you, do not stop where you cannot be seen from above, yield to others when starting downhill or merging with a trail, observe signs, stay out of closed areas, and know how to use the lift.

By working together to control risk, both you (the guest) and I (the ski area employee) can have a wonderful season.