Outdoor Stories

The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy, known for their stunning natural beauty and variety of outdoor recreational activities. During World War II, the Dolomites were the site of intense fighting between Italian and German forces. The Italian army had fortified the region, constructing a network of bunkers, tunnels, and other defensive structures. The fighting in the Dolomites was particularly brutal, as the steep, rocky terrain made it difficult for either side to gain a significant advantage. Despite the Italian defenses, the Germans were eventually able to take control of the region, and it remained under their control until the end of the war. Today, the mountains are a hiker’s paradise with a wide variety of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging multi-day treks.

We trekked for eight days in July across rugged terrain with stunning views. There were high temperatures and drought conditions, which is why we would recommend trekking in Spring or early Summer. Here are a few highlights and tips:

1. Scenic vistas: The Dolomites offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, with peaks reaching up to almost 3,000 meters. On a clear day, you can see for miles in all directions, taking in the beauty of the mountain ranges, forests, and valleys below. Some of our favorites included Tre Cime, Cinque Torre, and our trek up to Rifugio Lagazuoi.
2. Unique rock formations: The Dolomites are famous for their unique rock formations, which are made of dolomite, a type of sedimentary rock. These rock formations are a beautiful sight to behold, with their jagged peaks and rugged cliffs.
3. Well-marked trails: The Dolomites have a well-developed network of hiking trails, with routes ranging from easy walks to challenging treks. The trails are generally well-marked, making it easy to find your way and enjoy the scenery. It’s possible to hire a guide or arrange your trek in a self-guided way with maps and a guidebook.
4. Refugios: Along the trails, you will find a number of refugios, or mountain huts, where you can rest, grab a bite to eat, and even spend the night if you are doing a multi-day hike. These huts offer a welcoming respite from the elements and are a great place to meet fellow hikers.
5. Pack appropriate gear: Make sure you have the necessary clothing and equipment for your hike, including sturdy hiking boots, a rain jacket, and plenty of water and snacks.
6. Check the weather forecast: The weather in the Dolomites can change quickly, so make sure to check the forecast before your hike and pack accordingly.
7. Stay safe: Be aware of your surroundings and follow safety guidelines, such as staying on marked trails and avoiding risky activities. The Via Ferrata routes are sometimes not marked clearly and they should be avoided unless you have appropriate climbing gear.
8. Cultural experiences: The Dolomites are home to a number of small villages and towns, each with their own unique culture and history. Hiking through these areas gives you the opportunity to learn about the region and its people, and perhaps even try some of the local cuisine.

Is Everest Base Camp on your Bucket List? It was on ours. The Himalayas and the view from 5380 meters (almost 18,000 feet) is spectacular! The the sky is deep blue, the air is thin, the Khumbu icefall and glacier is massive, and there is an overwhelming feeling of seeing the tallest mountain in the world. After 24 hours to reach Kathmandu from North America and eight days trekking from Lukla to EBC to experience this Goddess of a mountain, it’s difficult to comprehend that all explorers hoping to reach the top of Mount Everest start here and continue another 10,000+ feet to reach the Summit. There is a magnetic energy that compels one forward and upward when you’re in the Khumbu Valley, however it’s important to know that the trek to Everest Base Camp is challenging and can be life threatening. To summarize:

• 11 days trekking (8 days to get to EBC)
• 5380 meters / 17,600 feet highest point
• 82.1 miles
• 210,000 steps approx.
• -5 degrees C avg. lowest temp (November)

High points: EBC and Khumbu icefall, the beautiful Himalayas, sunset on Everest, quiet trails, Nepali friendliness & our team!

Challenge: managing altitude sickness/staying hydrated and avoiding the Khumbu cough!

Top 5 must haves/bring:

• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Water purification solution
• Diamox pills for altitude
• POWPOW Neck warmer/Neckie

Recommend: It can be a wonderful, unforgettable experience, but please do exhaustive research before you plan a trek to EBC. 

Paris Fashion Week in early July was exciting. The colors, textures, art, design, museums and particularly the Christian Dior exhibit provide proof that Paris is and has always been the ultimate place for fashion. You don’t have to look very far wherever you are in Paris to see what has influenced and inspired the past and present designers. I was fortunate to bump into some of the activity outside the Ralph & Russo and Chanel shows and enjoyed snapping some photos of the stunning models and beautiful couture for the Fall Winter 2017 collections.

The Powpow® team traveled south to experience Argentina and ski the Andes. It’s a little strange to leave the summer in North America to go skiing, but it was a bucket list item that had to be done. The snow conditions were questionable when we arrived at Cerro Catedral, but we were fortunately greeted with a six-day blizzard to fix the problem. We enjoyed deep, powder snow and complete joy turns that never ended. Between the wind, the rain and eventual snow, we seriously would have been frozen without our Powpow neck warmers. In fact, you won’t find a skier or snowboarder without some sort of face and neck protection in those mountains. It can be damp and cold down there!

The skiing at Cerro Catedral is exceptional. It feels like the Alps in Europe with a big mountain feel. Navigating the mountain can be tricky and many say it’s best to get a guide the first day. There are some ravines and you could find yourself at the end of a trail next to a stream. On windy days, it’s always best to check which lifts might be on wind hold. All that said, the views are spectacular and the skiing is divine. The refugios on the mountain provide a much-needed place to have lunch, a snack or a beer. The combination of it all makes Cerro Catedral in Bariloche a must-ski mountain.

The place to stay is Club Hotel Catedral and choose between the main lodge or the apartments. You get a picture-perfect view of the mountain and village and enjoy the comforts of a Tyrolean style resort. The indoor/outdoor pool is great, après ski is festive and the food in the dining room is delicious. We met the chef, who travels between a few fine restaurants in France and Argentina. Head down to the village for a number of other restaurants and late-night disco and bars. It’s a quaint and simple village and feels a little like what Vail could have been 30 years ago.

We are sure to travel back to South America to do more skiing in Argentina and try Chile someday. We enjoyed the people, the relaxed vibe and the breath-taking scenery. We'd recommend adding it to your bucket list.

On a recent visit to see customers in Tahoe I woke early one morning and made my way down to the lake to catch the sunrise. After considering a polar bear dip, and then re-considering, I took a few quiet moments to reflect on how lucky I felt simply to be in this beautiful spot. I remember thinking, “this is why we have chosen to create the company.” It’s for the places that POWPOW takes us, and the great people we get to meet along the way.

Here's a wonderful place to stay on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. The Cottage Inn is a perfect romantic get away from the crowds and offers rustic comfort in the old Bavarian style. You will enjoy the simple, cozy rooms, each with it’s own fireplace, and a central lodge where guests gather to socialize during evening happy hour. A hearty breakfast is included with your stay that will set you up for your day of skiing, boarding or other outdoor adventures. The owner, Susi Muhr, is originally from Bavaria! It’s a special place!

What will the 2015-2016 season bring in terms of snow? All indications are that El Nino is expected to persist throughout the winter. This is bound to influence temperatures and precipitation. The question remains, what does that mean for snow? Some factors indicate the Southeast part of the United States will have colder temperatures. The lower half of the US appears to be destined for lots of precipitation. Will California make up for its four year drought…probably unlikely. Will we all get to enjoy some great skiing and boarding around the world? Perhaps. There’s hope that it will be a season filled with fresh snow. Check out the images from recent webcams at world-class resorts including Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, Cortina, Italy, Gargellen, Austria, Grindelwald and Zermatt, Switzerland.

The most runs, highest altitude, best grooming, steepest slopes, best fall line, best ski village…the list goes on and on. There are so many choices across the US in search of the ultimate destination resort. If we focus exclusively on the US, there are three resorts that I believe continue to deliver a great experience on and off the slopes.

Vail Mountain turns 50 this year!

It goes without saying that Vail is a remarkable resort and it is already experiencing a great season with all the early season snow. Over 50 years ago, Pete Siebert, an Army veteran of the 10^th Mountain Division who trained south of the mountain had a vision to develop a resort. Pete and Earl Eaton, a local ski racer, first climbed Vail mountain in 1957 and agreed it would be perfect. Over the years, Vail has expanded with back bowls and China bowl in 1988, making it the largest ski area in North America. You cannot easily find the opportunities for wide open and light powder skiing in the bowls like Vail offers. In 2000, Blue Sky Basin opened and it remains one of my favorite parts of the mountain. Moving around the mountain is relatively easy and Vail offers all sorts of terrain. I continue to believe that Vail has the best grooming of any mountain I have ever skied. It’s fun to ski the corduroy snow after a big night of mountain grooming. There are plenty of steeps and bumps, if that’s your interest and loads of intermediate and cruising runs. The village extends from Lionshead to Golden Peak and offers a plethora of restaurants and shops in between. Be sure to check out Bol, a cool bowling alley that offers some of the best appetizers in Vail. You don't have to bowl to enjoy it! One of my favorite places to stay is Manor Vail in the Golden Peak part of Vail. It is convenient, somewhat affordable and a nice place for a family. Check out VRBO or book directly.

Squaw Valley is awesome

Although the adult lift ticket price has escalated to $119 a day or more during the holidays, it’s worth finding a discounted ticket and spending a few days on the mountain. Squaw Valley was the host to the entire 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Since Squaw joined forces with Alpine Meadows in 2012, the resorts offer joint access to over 6200 acres, 43 lifts, and 270 trails. High camp has an elevation of 8200 feet and the mountain tends to get some of the best snow in Tahoe if you are fortunate to time your stay with a storm. The Funnel off of Emigrant chair and Broken Arrow are my two favorite black diamond runs. For cruising and enjoying the sun, I continue to enjoy trails at Shirley Lake chair. There is something for everyone at Squaw. After a long day of skiing, it’s fun to enjoy the bars and restaurants the village has to offer. Bar One remains a tradition at Squaw and often times Johnny Mosley will stop by to say hello. Rent a house or condo in the village or stay in Tahoe City, which is not far away. You may want to enjoy drinks or a meal at the River Ranch at the entrance to Squaw. It's always a treat.

Mammoth Mountain is friendly and fun

I finally had the chance to ski Mammoth this season! It has been on my bucket list since high school. The area has 3,100 feet of vertical, rising to an elevation of 11,053 feet and enjoys a long ski season. The resort was founded in 1953 by Dave McCoy. In 1936, McCoy became a hydrographer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which involved skiing up to 50 miles per day. He also joined the Eastern Sierra Ski Club and at age 22, he became the California State Champion in skiing. He was later set back by a serious ski injury while racing and was originally told they needed to amputate his leg. Fortunately a doctor from San Francisco saved his leg and eventually he was able to ski again. Dave set up a rope tow on Mammoth in 1942, continued to develop the resort and ran Mammoth for 68 years, including raising six children with his wife, Roma. Mammoth has some amazing trails and an expanse of land that extends almost 360 degrees. My favorite run is Dave’s, named after Dave McCoy. It has a perfect fall line and holds snow for days. There are plenty of intermediate runs and incredible opportunities for advanced skiers, too. The panoramic views are exceptional and Mammoth seems like an entirely different world. The range is part of the Sierras, yet is reminiscent of mountain ranges in Canada. The people are incredibly friendly and are serious about skiing and enjoying the mountains. The original Mammoth Mountain Inn at the base of the Main Lodge is a perfect place to stay. Walk out the lobby and you are a stone’s throw from the gondola. Also across the street is the Yodler Restaurant & Bar, which is legendary with authentic Bavarian food and drink. You won't want to miss Mammoth - it's worth the trip!

Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe, California