Let me start out by saying that last week was one of the most fun events I have been to in the ski industry. I was invited to participate in the K2 fall training event. What’s that you may say.. well its it’s a 5 day ski, test, eat , dine, and party event. I left on Monday the 8th and arrived in Santiago tues early morning. Long flight, but the boys @ K2 sure made it fun plenty of beers @35,000 feet, a few movies and a little shut-eye and your there. After making it through customs and the crazy taxi guys we boarded our little vans. Just for the record they are not the newest vans around.. check tire pressure in 1 of the photos, and racking system on top for skis. Then we proceeded to load the “ van” w 12 dudes each 15 ski bags and another 40 something regular bags. See junk show pictures.

Anyone who has been to Valle Nevado will tell you about the road up to the hill. Pictures don’t even do it justice. 1 lane, 80 something switch backs, loaded, top heavy vans, guys who have flown and drank for 13 hours, drivers who pass on 1 lane during switch backs, totally out of hand. We made it to the top and I will say our driver was hands down the best. We skied that afternoon. The place is huge, poma lifts everywhere you get on some for 1,300 vert wide open area no trees sick views, huge mountains.

Wed. we tested @Valle Nevado great testing area. steeps into corn snow bowls back to lift on wide open high speed groomers. Fast fun day, lunch, beers, back to hotel on the mountain for hot tub.. see photo. Beers and diner of melted cheese and meat.

Thur. up early , snowed 2-5 inch .. skied over to La Parva. Really cool area to ski more vert and open boundary snow was great and so was the terrain. Here the resort host had set up a lamb feast that was so good. La parva showed our crew so serious hospitality and gave a lunch I will never forget. Just before that lunch a local guide took myself, another dealer named kyle and Tim Petrick on a tour out of bounds and we scored serious vert and untouched pow. Tim, kyle and I were getting some while the others started the feast. We got the pow then the feast.. good thinking Tim.

I would suggest La Parva to anyone, the locals were great , some had even spent time in tahoe, and recognized me from the store in truckee, cool and unexpected. We finished the day off with more poma rides and pow till the end of the day.

Friday early morning ski , pack, and head down the “road” to the airport. It was a rush to beat STORM IKE to Dallas , the pilot killed it and beat the storm we landed and then took off back to reno.

What a whirlwind trip. Truly a great time, skied with some great people Reggie Crist, Mike Hattrup .. those guys are sick and super experienced in big mountains. Listened and learned lots from those two. Reggie , Mike and Tim stayed a few days more to ski an 18,000 ft peak that is the background in may of the pics. Big ups to the whole k2 crew, Ben Wallace , Mike Gutt, Tim Petrick , Jeff Mechura, Wayne, Dawson, DT from Powder, Jake from Skiing, and Tom from Freeskier thanks I had a blast.

Labels: K2 fall training, k2 skis, valle nevado

Comments:

 Jason
Sounds like a great trip. To bad you didn't have another week there.

# : September 24, 2008 10:46 AM

 

 Anonymous
Is that your Volkl bag on the K2 trip...

# : September 29, 2008 2:47 PM

 

 Anonymous
and then Reggie said, "Hey Alex, get your hand out of my pocket."
Alex replied, "That's not a pocket, you pockets are on the sides."
"Well then..." Reggie said with a smile.

# : September 29, 2008 2:50 PM

 

 Anonymous
Training? What are you training for again???

# : September 29, 2008 2:52 PM

 

 Anonymous
"So Reggie, what happened to your career as a skier X racer?"
"Well, K2 asked me to come on board with them, and, as we all know, they can't get those guys and gals in China to build a ski that's worthy."
"I disagree," said Alex. "I think you just need to work on the other aspects of you skiing and quit blaming your sponsor."
"Oh really!" Reggie replied. "Like what mister Ruimerman? Or should I say Coach?"
"No, really. I think we should start with your pole plants and work our way down from there." Alex said with a wink.

# : September 29, 2008 3:25 PM

 

 Mutual Fund boy in NH
Great article, trip of a life time. Hard to believe that Alex can complete full sentences and thoughts based on the amount of partying he has done over the years. Some day if the stock market ever comes back I may get to ski again! Until then I shall live through Alex Ruimerman's adventures....how sad

# : October 22, 2008 11:09 AM

 

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