Tailgate Alaska returns to Thompson Pass for 2013!
Titled by Transworld Snowboarding fans as “The worlds best snowboarding event,” Tailgate has again lived up to its name. Riders, skiers, and slednecks from around the globe have once again saved their paychecks, cleared their schedules and made the dedicated pilgrimage to these world class mountains. As you make the turn off the highway and pull in to this parking lot you have butterfly litter your stomach. You know that this is the trip of lifetime, and before stepping foot outside the car you have a calm and peaceful feeling that you are meant to be here.
The Dye crew was greeted by familiar faces, ear-to-ear smiles, and welcomed with a level of excitement that only comes alive here in this incredible setting of Thompson Pass. Telling stories around the beer garden while watching the alpenglow crawl up the towering peaks is one hell of a way to settle in. Cheers and high fives make their way around the group as the temperature drops and all begin to settle in for the night, and cinch closer to the bonfire. The sense of camaraderie here is truly next level. We all came here for the love of the mountains, the thrill of riding the world’s best terrain, and any person in this parking lot would jump at the chance to save your life without the blink of an eye.
Shortly inside the base camp helicopters swoop in and out to taking 5 people at a time for the experience of a lifetime. Looking up at the mountains from camp helis and humans are mere dots in the vast open space. Conditions here constantly vary, but well after a storm the terrain remains untouched for weeks. Tracks are visible from camp, but in every direction you look seemingly endless fresh lines keep your eyes entertained. When the sun is out, its on.
Considerable to moderate Avalanche danger were the conditions to start out the week providing the first few days of Tailgate with stable, very ride-able good snow. Tailgaters were getting after it, skinning, hiking, snow machining to any terrain within reach. Also great to see was groups taking full advantage of the avalanche safety courses and snow science classes showing up in record attendance.
Dye and Protec are proud to be a sponsor of this event, and to supply the most demanding backcountry enthusiasts with equipment that performs in the harshest conditions. Those who make the pilgrimage to Alaska are without question the most dedicated riders, sledneckers, and skiers on the planet. This year each Tailgate pass holder was greeted with a limited edition pair of Dye T1 goggles. As you cruised the parking lot up and down about 95% of anyone in sight had ditched their old goggles to rock their new Tailgate T1s.
After a few days of amazing weather, Bjorn Leines, Dan Brisse and the Transworld crew rolled in to town. The guys were fortunate to get in a few runs the day of their arrival day, before the clouds rolled in. When the weather comes in up here, it moves in fast. Before we knew it visibility was zero and the snow was falling.
Tailgate came to a close with what here is called a reset. Snow filled skies dropping a few feet of new snow over the our tracks. Prepping the endless terrain for the next set of adventurous souls to make the trip.
Bjorn Leines, Dan Brisse, and the Transworld crew have decided to wait out the storm, and get the goods once the sun breaks. The guys are sure to score some of the best days Alaska has seen this year! Watch the Dye team shredding Alaska in the new ‘Nation’ movie coming this fall.
To find out more about all things Tailgate Alaska, visit the Dye facebook page www.facebook.com/dyesnow and drop in over at Transworld snowboarding for comprehensive video coverage straight from Tailgate base camp, Thompson Pass.
