AK09
RIDE ALASKA
Message from Nick Perata
As host of Tailgate Alaska '09 brought to you by Alaskan Brewing and MTNOPS, I would like to welcome you to some of the best snowboarding on the planet. Come ride with me and the top pros of today in a place where legends are made. You will ride every kind of terrain there is, chutes, bowls, tight couloirs, natural halfpipes and open pow fields. But on such a grand scale that with each run comes an even greater feeling of accomplishment, awe, and achievement. The unknown truth about Alaska is that 60% of the terrain is intermediate and you don't have to be a backcountry expert to enjoy these mountains. Even the beginner will have the time of their life. This is the place to come to improve your big mountain skills and experience the best riding of your life with your best bros, snowboard heros, and all the local legends.
You have always wanted to ride Alaska, so come ride it with me and my bros.
We have set up some packages to simplify your trip, or feel free to make your own arrangements.
Contact Nick Perata at nick@tailgatealaska.com or Mark Sullivan mark@tailgatealaska.com for more information.
Tailgate Alaska where the only limit is your best excuse!
What is Tailgate Alaska?
Tailgate Alaska was founded in 2008 as a way to honor the pioneering spirit of riding in Valdez, while giving access to a whole new group of riders in an affordable way. The first year went off amazingly well. Mark Carter, Scotty Lago, Shayne Pospisil and Mason Augirre joined AK legend Nick Perata and an assorted crew of dedicated riders for a new kind of event - one without any kind of competition. We webcast daily shorts from our adventures, seen around the world through international distribution.
This year we return offering two options. Both will get you to the goods, but they are totally different in execution.
The first is a heli package that gets you a seat on MTNOPS private ship. You will get the goods when the weather clears. We will be able to fly to spots that people who fly on public helis dream about.
The second way is Ghetto Fabulous. Bring your splitboard, skis and skins, and some gas money for sleds and you will have access to some of the best runs of your life.
We will also be able to set up heliing on a daily basis to pick and choose which days to fly to make your budget go the furthest.
Tailgate Alaska is your opportunity to come ride the most compelling peaks in the world at their best. Tailgate Alaska is arranged in 10 day sessions to allow you enough time to get the most out of your Alaskan experience. Sit out the downtime in our heated, wi-fied basecamp or take in some of the activities that will keep you riding and show you Alaskan culture firsthand.
Packages include:
-Transportation from the airport and to the basecamp.
-Lodging in Alaskan run hotel. Enjoy the only indoor pool and hot tub in Valdez after riding.
-All meals are taken care of. Breakfast is served at the lodge. Healthly lunches are provided including your choice of snacks. Dinner is served at the basecamp - fresh fish, steaks and burgers on the grill.
-Professional guidance and advice to help you acclimate quickly to the conditions.
-Avalanche class to prepare riders for the conditions.
-Guiding provided by veterans of the Chugach with hands on experience in the hills we will be riding.
-Awesome riding options for downdays including the resort sized "Road Run" access to the Chugach Mountain Recreation Center, Kicker to the Gods.
-All the things you might expect - shooting guns, drinking it blue, eagles everywhere - and some things you might not - like the AK Bommer snowboard factory, avalanche education and the Valdez museum.
-Snowboarding legends to hang out with on a daily basis.
You have numerous options when choosing who to trust with your ultimate snowboarding vacation. MTNOPS is committed to facilitating a riders ultimate challenge.
We offer the ultimate destination for snowboarders. With 900” of snowfall annually, Valdez gets not only some of the most snow, but the most stable, allowing riders to get on terrain not possible elsewhere. Every peak surrounding the basecamp offers epic, life changing lines.
* MTNOPS caters to advanced riders. Tailgate Alaska is geared towards riders who want to challenge their ability in bottomless powder. This is the same terrain featured in countless films.
* Run by one of the first and most legendary Alaskan riders, Nick Perata.
* Groups organized by ability and experience in this terrain. You will ride terrain that you are comfortable with and build confidence to ride more challenging slopes.
* Our guides are experienced, knowledgeable and mature. All of our guides have over 10 years of experience leading groups in the Valdez area. These guys are legends on and off the hill.
* Our adventure is small and personable. With a maximum of 16 guests per session, you will get to know everyone on the trip.
* All accommodations and transportation is included. Breakfast will be served at the hotel with snacks, beverages and barbecues at the Tailgate basecamp.
* Our camp spot is prime! Located at the helipad, in the throat of Thompson when the skies clear, you be ready for launch. The snow will be deep and close by.
* Organized down day activities will expose you the real deal. Intimate local knowledge provides plenty of options including riding the road run (1000' + vertical), kicker session, cat boarding, snowmobiling, the AK Bommer snowboard factory and taking in the local culture.
* We use small, Alaskan-owned establishments for dining, lodging and transportation whenever possible.
* We strive to minimize the impact on our great state, both in terms of respect for the environment and for the lifestyle choices of the people who make Alaska their home.
* Ride alongside some of the most experienced riders in Alaskan terrain.
* Our itineraries feature options for a variety of price points – there are many ways to access this terrain – helicopter, snowmobile and skins. Each package allows riders to get into the terrain and get a real Alaskan riding experience.
* We don't charge a "forced" single supplement. If traveling singly and willing to share, there's no extra charge, even if you end up with your own room.
MTNOPS is committed to a standard of quality we believe to be the highest. From the clients we serve to the individuals and destinations we visit, this is more than a job, it is our life and joy. We hope that you allow us the privilege of sharing our experiences with you.
Who Comes to Tailgate Alaska?
All sorts of riders.
-People who have ridden for a long time
-People who 'found' snowboarding
-Professional athletes
-Industry insiders
-Legends of the sport
Daily Schedule
8AM Wake Up - get ready and have breakfast. Do you like waffles?
8:45AM Depart for the pass. If weather is poor, departure for optional activities is 10:00AM
9:30AM Weather accessment - if the conditions are blue, groups will break off and hit the helipad, snowmobiles or skins for some deep powder. Groups will be staged and fly out of the helipad. Grab a lunch from the base camp, check your beacon and harness and head out to the pass.
Skinners will want to catch a ride into the Python and Berlin wall basin from a sled and get busy working line after line of the faces close by.
Sledders can explore a number of drainages that sourround the basecamp area. Snowmobiles a limited number of snowmobiles can be rented.
Heliboarders will be whisked up to thick carpet of powder that coats every surface of the Chugach.
10:00AM Consensus on down day activity. Some riders will want to go riding, others to take in other activities in the area.
5:00-8:00PM Come down off the mountain. Dinner is served at base camp. Salmon and fresh fish, steaks and burgers.
7:00-9:00PM Return to hotel.
* Scheduale will allow taking advantage of the good weather.
The Terrain
Valdez is know for some of the best snow on the planet. With more than 900 inches of snow (that's 75 feet!), you will ride bottomless powder every run. The mountains stack up for miles, their steep faces have become a standard in snowboard movies. Terrain ranges from rolling intermediate runs to free fall faces where stopping is impossible.
Every rider will find a comfort zone and find challenge on increasingly difficult terrain as their comfort level increases.
Travel Arrangments
The easiest way to get to Tailgate Alaska is to fly into anchorage and make the 5 hour drive to Valdez. Not only will you see some amazing mountain ranges and glaciers, you will get a sense of what Alaska is like as well as being exposed to wildlife along the way. Please make arrangements to arrive with the MTNOPS staff so we can get you in a carpool for the ride.
Meals
Breakfast will be served at the Mountain Sky with waffles a variety of cereal, breads and fruits as well as coffee, juice and milk.
Healthly bagged lunches will be given out on the pass with sandwiches, and plenty of extra snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up.
Barbeque dinner will be served at the basecamp. Each day will have a new menu. Options include fresh Alaskan fish, steaks and cold beer (water or soda) to wash it down.
Lodging
Lodging will be at the Mountain Sky Hotel in downtown Valdez. Each room will be shared by two riders unless a single room is required (available for a surcharge). The Mountain Sky features in room Wi-Fi access and the hotel has an indoor pool and Jacuzzi (the only in Valdez) making the Mountain Sky an obvious choice for our base of operations.
Get The Shot
In order to remember some of your best days riding, we strongly reccommend every rider bring a digital camera to capture the lines put down by other riders in their group. At the end of the trip, riders swap photos. In addition, digital cameras are useful to get shots of lines that you will ride.
Point, Shoot, Ride Photo Contest
Alaskan Brewing Photo Contest
Enter Our Drop In for an Alaskan Photo Contest and Win Two 2009-2010 Season Passes to a Resort Near You Submit your best winter sport photos and you could win two season passes for the 2009-2010 winter season at the ski resort of your choice.* Whether you’re a snowboarder, skier or just love the white stuff, we want to see how you ride, ski and live life Alaskan.
Contest Rules and Regulations
Photographer, contest entrants and any other individuals featured in submitted photos must be over 21 years old. Submission of your photo grants Alaskan Brewing Company the right to use the image for promotional purposes. The winning photo may be used in future Alaskan Brewing Company displays and advertising. The winning photographer will be required to sign a release for the photo use as well as provide releases signed by any individuals in their photo.
The photo contest is open to U.S. residents only. Photos will be judged on quality, creativity and reflection of the theme. The decision of the judges is final.
Employees of Alaskan Brewing Co. and their immediate families are not eligible to win. Friends are always welcome. Void where prohibited by state or local regulations.
Safety and responsibility is a priority of Alaskan Brewing Company. Please practice both on the slopes and in your photos. Don’t drink and ride.
Deadline for entry is March 31, 2009. Winner will be notified by May 1, 2009.
* Prize includes up to a combined value of $1,500 for both passes.
Click Here for more info.
Coaching
The experience of your guides and crew of experienced Alaskan riders will teach you how to look at lines, manage slough and terrain awareness. If you are looking to perfect your heelside turn, this is not your place. If you want to quickly acclimate to new, unfarmiliar terrain, we can help.
