Thanks for posting this video. The seventies were my heydays of skiing. I'm guessing you guys must be around/near 60. I'm 64 now and getting ready to get way back into skiing.
I actually have an Astraltune in storage; the one I was wearing when I fell and twisted my knee at Snowbird and wrecked my cartilege.
Some folks can't walk and chew gum. At the time I apparently couldn't ski and listen to music.
Again, I love the video and the choice of 3DG tune. It really seems to sync up.
I watch this when I'm feeling down and remember that I'm thousands of miles from Alta, and it reminds me that ski seasons right around the corner, and I'll be back out to the place I love in a few months!!!!!!!!!!! love this video!!!
Back in those days we called our skis boards, and that is all they were, long as well, 205 or 210, it took skill back then to turns those guys…I still like the long skis.
I ski the east and tend to go out west every other year and was out there about 25 years ago. I gotta get back there. Got a good laugh with the pants. I was probably out there with something similarly as loud, but just can't admit to it right now. LOL But you know what I'm taling about. Bright orange pullover with lime green shoulders and collar. Red pants. You gotta laugh!!!!
Amazing how so many of the trails are still exactly the same - but you can see when they pan to Mineral, that it looks like that whole side wasn't even touched yet. LOVE the 'Bird!!!!
Hi Mark, Great clip. I was at Alta for Christmas Holiday 1972 during a huge storm of 2 feet or so dry powder. I was with my family, and we stayed in a cabin on the slopes. Talk about skiing in Heaven. I have some old super 8 mm, too. I recall it was the biggest snow fall in years. They had to blast the steep runs for avalanches. During skiing, you had to slow down to breathe because the powder flew in your mouth, hence face mask and snorkel skiing!
Excellent, I never had a bad day at Alta from '82 thru '97. How I miss the "freshies" there, but I've switched mainly to snowboarding now, and haven't been there since leaving Utah in '98. An irony is Alta allowed snowboards in the early '80s, before other resorts, only to ban it and remain a skiers-only holdout long after most resorts allowed all forms.
Thanks for the vid, shot on 8mm I guess? Must be some good stories from those 100 days?
I've watched this video so many times. I lived in Utah for 10 years from 98-08 and those spots looked the same the year I was born (73) as they did when I left. This is what makes Alta the real deal !!
wow those guys are really really good...remember back then skis where very skinny and long so to float in powder was extremly difficult..LOVE THE FLASHY PANTS..!
Sorry, but I haven't skied Alta recently. I suggest that you go online to Alta Forum, join it and start a new topic in Alta news. Ask your questions and someone there should be able to help you- Mark
My cousin and I were ski bums and worked at GMD during the 1974 - 75 season. I stayed for 2 more years. Probably skied Westward Ho during the same dump. How things have changed. Thanks for the video,
Thanks, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, as of Oct 2008, YouTube began blocking it in many countries by request of UMG, who own the rights to the music. Since they put a link for buying the song, I don't really understand why it's banned in many countries. Take care, Mark
Simply amazing! What's most amazing is that you actually took the time to video. I guess back then there wasn't the mad rush to get to the powder like there is today.
My first western ski experience was at Alta in '80/81. It was an incredible snow year and we got to stay at the Snowpine Lodge right on the hill. It was a life-changing experience. I now live in SLC. Need I say more?!?!
Skiers DID rush to powder then, but it was just after the Christmas crowd left, so we had some time to get untracked snow. We didn't spend time setting up shots. This film is unedited (no frame removed) and covers about a 30 minute period of skiing. It's great that you're now in SLC.
Mark,Thanks for sharing this video. I went to BYU 81-85 and was on the Mens Gymnastics team. We skied Alta every chance we got! I wish we would of thought of having a great memory like this. Well everytime I play this video it reminds me of the Day! We go back every year with the kids and they love it. I just showed them the video and they are ready to go, only two months from tomorrow. Thanks again. P.S small world we live in Barrington IL.
This video did more to put the skiing stoke back into my soul than any loud, modern, extreeeme deep powder movie ever could. I've been either injured or sick the last three ski seasons and it's been incredibly depressing. I've felt so fearful getting back into it this year, even though I love skiing so much. The music is perfect. Thank you again. I needed that.
I worked at the Alta Peruvian Lodge that season and it was a magical experience. Last week I went back and found a powder stash that was over the knees deep. Long live Alta! Thanks for sharing.
This is classic stuff. As an east coast guy going to school in VT in the late 70's, this is exactly how I remember it (except we never had nonstop bluebird skies or 40" fresh pow, but we could sneak a keg up a lift for a friday afternoon frollick in the bumps). Turned my son onto skiing at age 3. He also went to school in VT, though he decided to stay and works in Stowe today. Smart kid! Stowe opened on Nov 22, with 18" of freshies. It's gonna be a great season!
I was 2.5 years old then. Lived in UT my whole life and never skied a day in my life. But I appreciate a good video like this. Thanks. Stein is a legend.
Yeah My dad had Head 360 standards back in 74!! His Old Friend owned a cabin down at the bottom of point supreme. He pretty much spent his life there. But he passed acouple of years ago
Yes, I still have that red Gerry down jacket and a Roffe jacket just like the one Rock was wearing. Unfortunately, Rock no longer has the red and white starred warm-ups!
I love this video! The music that was put to it is perfect! I'm so pumped for the upcoming season and this video is TOPS! Thanks for taking the time to post it. Skiing...the second best natural high on Earth!!!
Sorry I was not clear with my question. I have been skiing at Alta for over 20 years so I am very familar with the old Germania chair and the Collins chair that ran along side the exisiting Wildcat double and now the new Collins HS quad that runs top to bottom. In 74 how did you get to the top of what is now the unloading area for Collins??
I think Germania unloaded near the top of where Collins now goes. If you look at 1:52 on the vid you'll see Germania behind me as I hike up the hill to go to the Sugarloaf side. With the Collins lift, you don't have to hike over this "Pass". Either Collins goes higher, or they shaved down the Pass.
From Rock: "They replaced the original Collins, and extended it so that it replaced the former Germania lift. The orginal Germ loading area is now a turning station and mid-mountain loading for the Collins. Watson shelter was also replaced and put in a new location to make it more skier friendly with the Collins mid station. We had to walk uphill to get from the top of the old Collins to Watson shelter, but nobody cared because we had to walk up the ramps at each chair loading station.
Aaah, the jet turn. I had the "Jet Stix". The seventies were truely the finest times for me, skiing that is. Thanks for sharing your memories, it brings back many of my own!
to me, this video doesn't express the actual action of skiing, it defines the culture of skiing. the music, and footage expresses the attitude that all real skiiers radiate. after actually skiing Alta, this opinion just becomes more real every time i watch this video. Alta is for skiiers.
This is what is missing from powder skiing today..face shots. I come back and watch this video every couple of weeks just for the inspiration. What a great synergy of song and film. When I was at Alta earlier this year, I played this song on my iPod. and i am man enough to say I was feeling verklempt.
dude this is so classic... no comparison to The Caning. plus you can actually tell that the guys in this video are having fun... seems like a bunch of powder skiing zombies in caning
Thw two clips are very different. I love the 1974 version for what it is, retro with the wild pants, the old lift, three guys bumming it out for the winter etc. The Caning has the best powder in it especially the first part beginning at about 25 seconds. One is amateur (a plus) and the other a full fledged professional production. I certainly did not mean to downgrade The Swede by mentioning The Caning.
i still don't agree about the caning. i like the face shots here more...narrow skis=faceshot au-naturale gloriousness... wide skis=gotta manufacture every face shot
now if we're gonna go modern, i prefer the bridger bowl november 20XX vid that won some ski magazine short film contest. it's on here somewhere.
This is really interesting. I was a ski bum in Utah in the winter of 1973-1974. I lived in Salt Lake City and skied all five areas alternately, but most at Snowbird, which in those days was cheap and empty. I never did find any of the great powder shown in the film. Probably got up too late or didn't know where to look. Also I notice the sun was shining. That's unusual for January at Alta. It must have been a great day. Thanks for the memories.
We skied about 100 days (exclusively at Alta) that year on a $135 pass. It had snowed for a couple of days and the canyon had been closed the day before this film was taken. The Christmas vacation crowd had left, and we woke up to find this beautiful clear day. I didn't want to take my camera up the hill, but in retrospect, it was worth it. I did ski Snowbird quite a bit in the late 70's and early 80's (the pic next to my name is from my 77-78 pass). Those are great memories.
No powder at Alta / Snowbird is a rarity. LCC is always ranked in Ski and Skiing Magazine ratings as the best powder. Also, Bluebird (sunny skies)is normally what happens after a big dump. This past winter Alta had 703" through April. That is the official total for the year but they received another 30" or 40" in May. Based on this years total Alta now averages 547" of annual snowfall. The light dry POW of Utah is superior to any other place in the country.
The song is Shambala by Three Dog Night, and we were listening to it during that ski season (1973-74). The song reached #3 in the Charts during 1973 (I bought this digital version from iTunes).
Hi, just came back to see your great film again. Here is a little tip I picked up a while back. Does not work on all vids, but works well on yours. Add: &fmt=18 at the end of the url string and get better quality :)
That's interesting. I know that YouTube converted many videos into mpeg4 for apple TV and the iphone. I wonder if the end url string alters it from Flash to mpeg4.
Prett good stuff! Snowbird is my favorite resort!! Check out a song from a Utah man...Tom Slade singing,"The Poker Donkey," a song about "Bad Beats" in No- Limit Texas Hold'em... If you like it please subscribe to our channel and save us as a fave...Oh and check out, "Utah's Alright!" It's about Utah's great skiing, and liquor laws...
Get vid. It's been an awesome, awesome ski year at Sugarloaf in Maine. We've had so many killer powder days, its been fantastic! Sugarloaf is a fantastic mountain in powder (pretty much anywhere is), but I was skiing pow with a guy out from Mammoth and it was just like this. We were hammering down double blacks and people were screaming from the lift. Awesome!
Best part of this clip: 36-38. Such an awesome line.
Hanson boots! Ha. I had a pair. Also, Hart Freestyle Skiis (160's) for the moguls. Remember the resorts out West banning the use of those skiis from certain runs because they help setup uneven moguls compared to the big rounded ones the skiiers with 210 cm skiis skiied over.
Yes, I remember the wars over ski length. I think I had 198 K2's on during this film (I'm in the red Gerry down jacket). I don't think I ever tried anything less than 180's for bumps because I had control problems at higher speeds. Those Hanson boots felt great, but limited the motion of the lower leg.
Ya, I went from Hansons to yellow Langs and am still skiing them today. I went back up in length after the Hart freestyles and ended up with 190's but now am skiing the shorter shaped skiis. I love the unweighting action in the vid; classic. Had the white then the dark blue Hansons and evied the red ones (red was a cool ski color back in the 70's). Sprayed silicone into my Hanson's just to get in them.
What - can this be? I replaced (red) Hansons with yellow Langes in 1982, which I skied for 25 years under I got new Langes in Deer Valley last week. I figure, when you only ski 10 to 20 days a year, 25 years is the same as 2 years "back in the day." Nice video - wish I was there (I was in Vail then).
Winter Park is where I wasn't allowed to ski Drunked Frenchman and some other mogul runs on the Mary Jane side with my Hart Freestyles. Your ski buddy; thought he was Robert Redford for a second. ;-)
That's funny. I'll let Rock know. I did have another friend that got a ride with the real Redford from the bottom of the canyon that year. We used to hitch-hike every day, and were suprised that Redford would pull over and pick someone up.
I went out and bought the Hart Freestyle skiis after watching Wayne Wong do his thing with the "outrigger" and "jet turns" off moguls. Dang, those were the days!
Those jet turns were fun. I bought some "jet sticks" in the late 60's that fit into my leather boots to "rocket" out the turns. I think Jean Claude Killy perfected it in the racing world, and Wayne Wong perfected it in the bumps. I almost forgot about the "Wong banger".
Yes, Corky was one of the originals. His tricks were smooth and in control. The Hot doggers brought in a more reckless style. Dick Barrymore films cataloged much of this history, and some of it is in the DVD "The Golden Years of Ski films". As for our film, we filmed it on a little super 8 movie camera.
Ya, I bought Corky's "how-to" book with pictures to try and learn some of the easier stuff (forget the aerials). He had them all down pat. Well, I'm hoping to maybe get out to Utah around April 18 for a long weekend with my wife (celebrate my 57th). I see Alta plans to reopen that weekend; some are closing shop the weekend before.
Ironically, I threw that book out (on how to do hot-dog tricks) 2 months ago to make room during a move (I live in California now). Rock (the guy in the red pants) spent his 57th birthday (Jan 5, 2008) in Utah. He was going to show this video at Goldminers Daughter (34 yrs from the day it was shot), but couldn't get up the canyon due to heavy snow. By the way, I have some film of Winter Park from the early 70's as well, where Billy Kid acted as the pied piper and led people down.
I went out to Winter Park the year they opened up that Mary Jane side. I was going to head up to Boyne Mountain yesterday but couldn't get the energy up to drive up there after watching your clip. Been there done that to often at Boyne. Although, Michigan did have a banner year for snowfall. Its all snowboarders now at the Michigan bumps; scraping away the snow and giving the skiers hardpan to ski.
Mary Jane had some good bumps. I never skied Boyne but I remember it was the banner resort in lower Michigan. I did ski Caberfae in 1965 while in 8th grade and had a great time.
I patrolled Caberafe for 3 years, more or less to get some free skiing for my son at a young age and to wear the "duds". That came to a halt when my son took up hockey. Caberfae has been improved upon considerably. Looks like I may be actually headed out to Alta in the next few weeks. My brother-in-law has a place out there and I haven't been out to see him since they bought the place. He and I were skii budddies like you and Rock in the 70's.
Three Dog Night is an American rock band, best known for their work from 1968-1975 but still making live appearances as of 2007. Their hits include "Shambala," and many more.
I was there in 74 thats the year I started to ski, Alta, brighton, snowbird,solitair,yea we skied all the black dimands, befor they were considered black dimonds, do you remember Rick Dannen, spelling might not be right,hell yea!OOOOOOH lets party, Im still In UTAH
That was killer! I grew up in my parent's ski shop in the 70's in CO. I remember the Hanson's, Look Nevada's, Roffe "dig me" pants, etc. Mostly I remember a lot of smiles and soulful people living the lifestyle. It used to take good athletes to ski gear and conditions like that and make it look good... technology's great but wide boards have made it easier for everyone to ski and the mountain gets tracked out too quick. Awesome vid - really brings skiing for me back into perspective!
This is great. I love the red ski pants with stars? on them? And back in the day, they were skiing long, straight skis. Impressive stuff and really fun to watch.
Thanks. You might be surprised that absolutely no one commented on those pants back then. In those "Tie-dye" days, those pants were not considered unusual!
This is a totally uplifting 5 minutes. It helps that I was in that powder three days ago, though not as expertly.
The bright blue sky, music, clothes, and carefree expert skiing have restored my faith in humanity! There is something ineffable about the footage, however, that I can only say is a portrait of that care free time - the 70's!
This footage also shows how good chemical film is, compared to digital.
Bomb-ass. I love your old footage of what must have been the original wildcat lift. I wish I was alive in the "golden age" of skiing. I dunno if I'll get 100 days out of my Alta season pass, but I've definitely had a few ski days that look an awful lot like that one. 2008 has been a good snow year. Thanks for putting this up.
Awsome video man, Im 23 so from a much younger generation, but I can appreciate the old school ways and skiing during the hippie days (true hippie days). Awsome theme song as well.
Amazing! You guys are awesome powder skiers, nice! Don't you just love getting a great line in powder and bouncing between turns? OH MY GOD! Say, if you ever come to ski east (I wouldn't reccomend it cause winters out here are cantankerous) give me a call!
Thanks, I've never skied the East, but Rock did ski at Mount Snow sometime during 1971. He said it was below zero (F) and the wind gauge at the top was pegged to it's 40 MPH limit! Take care, and watch that frost bite.
this is sick. we are the descendants with better equipment, respect to those skinny long boards
MormonJew 3 weeks ago
I skied Alta and Snowbird at Thanksgiving in '73, just a few months before this video was shot!
LoyolaAviator 1 month ago
Thanks for posting this video. The seventies were my heydays of skiing. I'm guessing you guys must be around/near 60. I'm 64 now and getting ready to get way back into skiing.
I actually have an Astraltune in storage; the one I was wearing when I fell and twisted my knee at Snowbird and wrecked my cartilege.
Some folks can't walk and chew gum. At the time I apparently couldn't ski and listen to music.
Again, I love the video and the choice of 3DG tune. It really seems to sync up.
TubeMistake 3 months ago
a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere !
Pre Astraltune skiing at it's finest. Had to listen to Shambala in your own head.
TubeMistake 3 months ago
Stein is a legend.
freakinstein69 3 months ago
I watch this when I'm feeling down and remember that I'm thousands of miles from Alta, and it reminds me that ski seasons right around the corner, and I'll be back out to the place I love in a few months!!!!!!!!!!! love this video!!!
rustyduktape1 3 months ago
Wonderful! Alta is so much fun to ski. One of the most underrated areas around.
KozmoJ68 5 months ago
hahaha i love how skinny their skis are!
CTskiier 6 months ago
@CTskiier
I am disgusted how fat their skis are now.
freakinstein69 3 months ago
@freakinstein69 why? haha, but yeah hellbents are ridiciously fat
CTskiier 3 months ago
Back in those days we called our skis boards, and that is all they were, long as well, 205 or 210, it took skill back then to turns those guys…I still like the long skis.
TeamQuack 6 months ago
I ski the east and tend to go out west every other year and was out there about 25 years ago. I gotta get back there. Got a good laugh with the pants. I was probably out there with something similarly as loud, but just can't admit to it right now. LOL But you know what I'm taling about. Bright orange pullover with lime green shoulders and collar. Red pants. You gotta laugh!!!!
superpest923 9 months ago
This is what Youtube should be brilliant piece..Homemade and with classic pairing of period Three Dog Night soundtrack. Thanks for sharing.
nekocase69 11 months ago
This epitomizes what makes YouTube great. Fucking awesome. And a killer song, too.
deyoungparker 1 year ago
Amazing how so many of the trails are still exactly the same - but you can see when they pan to Mineral, that it looks like that whole side wasn't even touched yet. LOVE the 'Bird!!!!
draudio2u 1 year ago
That is classic, though it reminds me of the Zupruter film.
DanSchlossberg1 1 year ago
Hi Mark, Great clip. I was at Alta for Christmas Holiday 1972 during a huge storm of 2 feet or so dry powder. I was with my family, and we stayed in a cabin on the slopes. Talk about skiing in Heaven. I have some old super 8 mm, too. I recall it was the biggest snow fall in years. They had to blast the steep runs for avalanches. During skiing, you had to slow down to breathe because the powder flew in your mouth, hence face mask and snorkel skiing!
jeffthepoet 1 year ago
@jeffthepoet Definitely get your 8 mm film digitized and upload it to YouTube! Sounds like you had a classic day in Utah Powder. Mark
marksjohnson5 1 year ago
Now That IS BACK IN THE DAY!:>)
eeshnaw 1 year ago
Awesome. Takes me back to watching ski films as a kid. No high-speed detachables then, I'm sure!
reid77 2 years ago
what a great time
nationwide10464 2 years ago
trippy... I was 5 then. Started skiing 2 years later. wish it was at alta!
SPXclothing 2 years ago
ah, nice music, 3 dog!
drow5001 2 years ago
thats some retro shit
:)
SombrerroKid 2 years ago
looky them funny-lookin' skinny skis!
ZodiacLung1972 2 years ago
this is awesome...
hueburke 2 years ago
I just put a clearer HQ version of this film up on my site. Mark
marksjohnson5 2 years ago
@marksjohnson5 What is your site URL?
GreggBlanchard 1 year ago
Perfect song to go with it !!
dtnxxcbroz87xx 2 years ago
THANKS for the best SKI PORN ever,makes me crazed with excitement for every new season.
howlinggirl99 2 years ago 2
Excellent, I never had a bad day at Alta from '82 thru '97. How I miss the "freshies" there, but I've switched mainly to snowboarding now, and haven't been there since leaving Utah in '98. An irony is Alta allowed snowboards in the early '80s, before other resorts, only to ban it and remain a skiers-only holdout long after most resorts allowed all forms.
Thanks for the vid, shot on 8mm I guess? Must be some good stories from those 100 days?
kuckoldking 2 years ago
Saludos desde España....
I was there 3 years ago, what a place ¡¡¡¡¡
That´s skiing, no fats, ski it if you can ¡¡¡
Video de puta madre and wonderful song
cuancuan4 2 years ago
Awesome...
TodayinAlta 2 years ago
what a classic
895614 2 years ago
I've watched this video so many times. I lived in Utah for 10 years from 98-08 and those spots looked the same the year I was born (73) as they did when I left. This is what makes Alta the real deal !!
mcintosh33 2 years ago
74' man i was 9 ..........Dad wouldnt buy me a lift pass till i could turn & stop.
Snow boarders..........well what can i say
kidneystonesrfun 2 years ago
i dont know how yous skied that powder with those thin skis lol
LucMeilleur1993 2 years ago
it was called skill
chiversjf 2 years ago
wow those guys are really really good...remember back then skis where very skinny and long so to float in powder was extremly difficult..LOVE THE FLASHY PANTS..!
whtlizzard 2 years ago
some things change, some things do not...
awomansmind 2 years ago
Now thats what i call "PROPER OLD SKOOL" !! love it !
mogulhopper 2 years ago
Alta looks SO MUCH DIFFERENT now!
EvilAlligator 2 years ago
You guys are the men...particularly the guy in the pants!
bike480rock 2 years ago
I experienced my first powder today..NOTHING close to this! It is harder than the video presents!
I bow down to thee...:)
DanaSwift 2 years ago
I can't stop watching this video. I went out to Alta this year and I'm dying to go back.
jdogg125 2 years ago
Anybody for a long board day?
mattg1781 2 years ago
I have that same pass..
1974-77
srfnskigrl 2 years ago
Al was an Avalanche forecaster for the Feds. Office down in SLC. Still there now living in Holiday or Sandy.
piperSeminole 2 years ago
I can't say I remember him, but he's got a great job (tricky though). Mark
marksjohnson5 2 years ago
Hey. You don't know Al Soucie do you? I skied there in the 70's with him.
piperSeminole 2 years ago
The name doesn't ring a bell, but there were many regulars that year that I knew by face, but not by name. Mark
marksjohnson5 2 years ago
check out those old school boards... kick ass
phil656565 2 years ago
wow-- great video.
Can you give me some tips on where to go when I hit Alta?
stopaskingformyinfo 2 years ago
Sorry, but I haven't skied Alta recently. I suggest that you go online to Alta Forum, join it and start a new topic in Alta news. Ask your questions and someone there should be able to help you- Mark
marksjohnson5 2 years ago
That is some of the best vintage footage I've seen...real "backseat driving" - soooo cool
primasativa 2 years ago
My cousin and I were ski bums and worked at GMD during the 1974 - 75 season. I stayed for 2 more years. Probably skied Westward Ho during the same dump. How things have changed. Thanks for the video,
druidpiper1916 2 years ago
love video great footage what type of camera Tristan from oregon please chek my videos
SkiOregon4life 3 years ago
We used a little super 8 movie camera. It was long before home video cameras were available. Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Why do have I to check that video so frequently?
I assume it's a lack of some good ski days! :(
morphyon 3 years ago
greatt video i cant wait to go there in febuary!
dtnxxcbroz87xx 3 years ago
Mark, that movie made my day! And now I've been posting your link everywhere...reminds me of skiing in the 70's even 80s! Outstanding!
skidowntown 3 years ago
Thanks, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, as of Oct 2008, YouTube began blocking it in many countries by request of UMG, who own the rights to the music. Since they put a link for buying the song, I don't really understand why it's banned in many countries. Take care, Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
wow, i was just there today. wasnt as nice thought
whats this song??
philytheking 3 years ago
Shambala by 3 dog night (1973)
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Simply amazing! What's most amazing is that you actually took the time to video. I guess back then there wasn't the mad rush to get to the powder like there is today.
My first western ski experience was at Alta in '80/81. It was an incredible snow year and we got to stay at the Snowpine Lodge right on the hill. It was a life-changing experience. I now live in SLC. Need I say more?!?!
earllewis33 3 years ago
Skiers DID rush to powder then, but it was just after the Christmas crowd left, so we had some time to get untracked snow. We didn't spend time setting up shots. This film is unedited (no frame removed) and covers about a 30 minute period of skiing. It's great that you're now in SLC.
Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Mark,Thanks for sharing this video. I went to BYU 81-85 and was on the Mens Gymnastics team. We skied Alta every chance we got! I wish we would of thought of having a great memory like this. Well everytime I play this video it reminds me of the Day! We go back every year with the kids and they love it. I just showed them the video and they are ready to go, only two months from tomorrow. Thanks again. P.S small world we live in Barrington IL.
jinnocentini 3 years ago
You'll have a great time! Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Awesome video.
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago
This is fantastic! Shambala is now on my Powder day II ipod play list.
For more video of musically inspired powder day skiing, (non metal, cluff hucking inspired) search "ski back bowls of Vail" and have a good chuckle.
skitheback 3 years ago
Righteous. Fantastic stoke.
mandeh11 3 years ago
great video
sickbird123 3 years ago
This video did more to put the skiing stoke back into my soul than any loud, modern, extreeeme deep powder movie ever could. I've been either injured or sick the last three ski seasons and it's been incredibly depressing. I've felt so fearful getting back into it this year, even though I love skiing so much. The music is perfect. Thank you again. I needed that.
birdgirl1968 3 years ago
I worked at the Alta Peruvian Lodge that season and it was a magical experience. Last week I went back and found a powder stash that was over the knees deep. Long live Alta! Thanks for sharing.
horus472 3 years ago
awesome video thanks for sharing
casa2ra 3 years ago
That was a fantastic video, thanks.
Penlandroad 3 years ago
Nicely Done! I was really young when this went down. This is the heart and soul of our sport!
These guys were the ones I looked up to. If any one needs and explanation, they will never understand!
snowshepherd 3 years ago
god i envy these people!! I wish alta was still as good as that, not saying that alta isnt one of the best ski areas in the world!
TennisLvr169 3 years ago
I really enjoyed the video !! Thankyou
1dentonator2 3 years ago
This is classic stuff. As an east coast guy going to school in VT in the late 70's, this is exactly how I remember it (except we never had nonstop bluebird skies or 40" fresh pow, but we could sneak a keg up a lift for a friday afternoon frollick in the bumps). Turned my son onto skiing at age 3. He also went to school in VT, though he decided to stay and works in Stowe today. Smart kid! Stowe opened on Nov 22, with 18" of freshies. It's gonna be a great season!
front4 3 years ago
I was 2.5 years old then. Lived in UT my whole life and never skied a day in my life. But I appreciate a good video like this. Thanks. Stein is a legend.
dandruff71 3 years ago
Thanks for the comments. And although the real Stein Erikson is a legend, that was only my nickname. Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Yeah My dad had Head 360 standards back in 74!! His Old Friend owned a cabin down at the bottom of point supreme. He pretty much spent his life there. But he passed acouple of years ago
Shak3N8ake 3 years ago
My hair stood on end from sheer excitement after seeing that video. Thanks for that.
leetlau 3 years ago
That's funny! Thanks, Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
I hope that didn't come out all wrong. I was just really stoked. You guys can ski well
leetlau 3 years ago
No, I took it as a complement. It was the kind of day any powderhound can appreciate! Take care, Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Great video...good song. Hope you guys still have those clothes! Nothing like the Cottonwood Canyons...been skiing them since '78.
psande2 3 years ago
Yes, I still have that red Gerry down jacket and a Roffe jacket just like the one Rock was wearing. Unfortunately, Rock no longer has the red and white starred warm-ups!
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Wow awesome Guys!! Im from Salt Lake all i ski is Alta. My dad used to pretty much live there. Alta for Life!!
Shak3N8ake 3 years ago
If your Dad skied there in '73'74, our paths probably crossed
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
i LOVE skiing and live in salt lake but this is neat to see the old alta and these guys just haveing a blast skiing!!
cbjk45 3 years ago
Solid!!
riderwithani 3 years ago
Wow, makes me want to grow a mustache and rip pow. That is old school.....
Gluk2100 3 years ago
I love this video! The music that was put to it is perfect! I'm so pumped for the upcoming season and this video is TOPS! Thanks for taking the time to post it. Skiing...the second best natural high on Earth!!!
coldwindsong 3 years ago
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entradieo 3 years ago
I love to ski:::)))
I cant wait for the snow to come!!!
mSmirasol 3 years ago
Awesome video. Brought me back to thinking about
Rosemount boots, cable bindings and a $3 lift ticket
at a little bump in Minnesota called Buffalo Valley! Great song
too!!!
knordberg 3 years ago
Wow! Rosemount boots are a real blast from the past. They became quite a hit in 1969 and for a few years following.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Sorry I was not clear with my question. I have been skiing at Alta for over 20 years so I am very familar with the old Germania chair and the Collins chair that ran along side the exisiting Wildcat double and now the new Collins HS quad that runs top to bottom. In 74 how did you get to the top of what is now the unloading area for Collins??
bigdude2468 3 years ago
I think Germania unloaded near the top of where Collins now goes. If you look at 1:52 on the vid you'll see Germania behind me as I hike up the hill to go to the Sugarloaf side. With the Collins lift, you don't have to hike over this "Pass". Either Collins goes higher, or they shaved down the Pass.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Question, was there a chair that took you to the top of what is now the Collins lift previously Germania?
bigdude2468 3 years ago
From Rock: "They replaced the original Collins, and extended it so that it replaced the former Germania lift. The orginal Germ loading area is now a turning station and mid-mountain loading for the Collins. Watson shelter was also replaced and put in a new location to make it more skier friendly with the Collins mid station. We had to walk uphill to get from the top of the old Collins to Watson shelter, but nobody cared because we had to walk up the ramps at each chair loading station.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Great video, that's classic. Did I spy some Hansen boots?
bobrynd 3 years ago
Yes, two of us had Hansen boots. They were a little stiff but were great for the "jet turns". Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Aaah, the jet turn. I had the "Jet Stix". The seventies were truely the finest times for me, skiing that is. Thanks for sharing your memories, it brings back many of my own!
Bob
bobrynd 3 years ago
This, to me, sums up what skiing is at its purest form.
P.S. What is the song in the video
madmarfa 3 years ago
Shambala by Three Dog Night; It was one of the top songs of 1973. Mark
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Old school slalom skiis, like 203cm. Not a Fat Boy in the bunch. I love it!
front4 3 years ago
wow i want to go skiing there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
skibunnymileyfan 3 years ago
to me, this video doesn't express the actual action of skiing, it defines the culture of skiing. the music, and footage expresses the attitude that all real skiiers radiate. after actually skiing Alta, this opinion just becomes more real every time i watch this video. Alta is for skiiers.
rustyduktape1 3 years ago
What I liked about the video is that there were no knuckle draggers. Not that there is at Alta anyway...
LarryFahn 3 years ago
this is awesome its different from the "normal" ski video
cbjk45 3 years ago
also, its cool we're talking ski vids on here... it'd be good to see alot more quality ski vids going up on youtube. usually gotta dig for the gold
gpetrics 3 years ago
You got that right, most of them are either lame or somone that thinks they can ski but sucks.
bigdude2468 3 years ago
This is what is missing from powder skiing today..face shots. I come back and watch this video every couple of weeks just for the inspiration. What a great synergy of song and film. When I was at Alta earlier this year, I played this song on my iPod. and i am man enough to say I was feeling verklempt.
FlexonPhil 3 years ago
If you think this is good POW search "Alta the Caning" on YouTube for a short film by Wasatch Powder Productions it is truly incredible.
bigdude2468 3 years ago
dude this is so classic... no comparison to The Caning. plus you can actually tell that the guys in this video are having fun... seems like a bunch of powder skiing zombies in caning
gpetrics 3 years ago
Thw two clips are very different. I love the 1974 version for what it is, retro with the wild pants, the old lift, three guys bumming it out for the winter etc. The Caning has the best powder in it especially the first part beginning at about 25 seconds. One is amateur (a plus) and the other a full fledged professional production. I certainly did not mean to downgrade The Swede by mentioning The Caning.
bigdude2468 3 years ago
i still don't agree about the caning. i like the face shots here more...narrow skis=faceshot au-naturale gloriousness... wide skis=gotta manufacture every face shot
now if we're gonna go modern, i prefer the bridger bowl november 20XX vid that won some ski magazine short film contest. it's on here somewhere.
gpetrics 3 years ago
This is really interesting. I was a ski bum in Utah in the winter of 1973-1974. I lived in Salt Lake City and skied all five areas alternately, but most at Snowbird, which in those days was cheap and empty. I never did find any of the great powder shown in the film. Probably got up too late or didn't know where to look. Also I notice the sun was shining. That's unusual for January at Alta. It must have been a great day. Thanks for the memories.
safetychoice 3 years ago
We skied about 100 days (exclusively at Alta) that year on a $135 pass. It had snowed for a couple of days and the canyon had been closed the day before this film was taken. The Christmas vacation crowd had left, and we woke up to find this beautiful clear day. I didn't want to take my camera up the hill, but in retrospect, it was worth it. I did ski Snowbird quite a bit in the late 70's and early 80's (the pic next to my name is from my 77-78 pass). Those are great memories.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
No powder at Alta / Snowbird is a rarity. LCC is always ranked in Ski and Skiing Magazine ratings as the best powder. Also, Bluebird (sunny skies)is normally what happens after a big dump. This past winter Alta had 703" through April. That is the official total for the year but they received another 30" or 40" in May. Based on this years total Alta now averages 547" of annual snowfall. The light dry POW of Utah is superior to any other place in the country.
bigdude2468 3 years ago
oldschool, trueschool!
morphyon 3 years ago
Love this video!
LockNLoadRonPaul2008 3 years ago
who's singing that tune///??????? great skiing
motmaj 3 years ago
The song is Shambala by Three Dog Night, and we were listening to it during that ski season (1973-74). The song reached #3 in the Charts during 1973 (I bought this digital version from iTunes).
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Hi, just came back to see your great film again. Here is a little tip I picked up a while back. Does not work on all vids, but works well on yours. Add: &fmt=18 at the end of the url string and get better quality :)
palulf 3 years ago
That's interesting. I know that YouTube converted many videos into mpeg4 for apple TV and the iphone. I wonder if the end url string alters it from Flash to mpeg4.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Those are the days you look back on and just smile
fredaspen 3 years ago
Amazing. Only so many days in your life, make it worth.
VagabondBoarder 3 years ago
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Prett good stuff! Snowbird is my favorite resort!! Check out a song from a Utah man...Tom Slade singing,"The Poker Donkey," a song about "Bad Beats" in No- Limit Texas Hold'em... If you like it please subscribe to our channel and save us as a fave...Oh and check out, "Utah's Alright!" It's about Utah's great skiing, and liquor laws...
tombutler47 3 years ago
Awesome song and video
andriante 3 years ago
Get vid. It's been an awesome, awesome ski year at Sugarloaf in Maine. We've had so many killer powder days, its been fantastic! Sugarloaf is a fantastic mountain in powder (pretty much anywhere is), but I was skiing pow with a guy out from Mammoth and it was just like this. We were hammering down double blacks and people were screaming from the lift. Awesome!
Best part of this clip: 36-38. Such an awesome line.
TheSkiingGuru 3 years ago
We joked about needing a snorkel when we hit this section!
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Nothing like a powder day
pureguava777 3 years ago
Hanson boots! Ha. I had a pair. Also, Hart Freestyle Skiis (160's) for the moguls. Remember the resorts out West banning the use of those skiis from certain runs because they help setup uneven moguls compared to the big rounded ones the skiiers with 210 cm skiis skiied over.
spencer51418 3 years ago
Yes, I remember the wars over ski length. I think I had 198 K2's on during this film (I'm in the red Gerry down jacket). I don't think I ever tried anything less than 180's for bumps because I had control problems at higher speeds. Those Hanson boots felt great, but limited the motion of the lower leg.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Ya, I went from Hansons to yellow Langs and am still skiing them today. I went back up in length after the Hart freestyles and ended up with 190's but now am skiing the shorter shaped skiis. I love the unweighting action in the vid; classic. Had the white then the dark blue Hansons and evied the red ones (red was a cool ski color back in the 70's). Sprayed silicone into my Hanson's just to get in them.
spencer51418 3 years ago
What - can this be? I replaced (red) Hansons with yellow Langes in 1982, which I skied for 25 years under I got new Langes in Deer Valley last week. I figure, when you only ski 10 to 20 days a year, 25 years is the same as 2 years "back in the day." Nice video - wish I was there (I was in Vail then).
joyjoy9999 3 years ago
Winter Park is where I wasn't allowed to ski Drunked Frenchman and some other mogul runs on the Mary Jane side with my Hart Freestyles. Your ski buddy; thought he was Robert Redford for a second. ;-)
spencer51418 3 years ago
That's funny. I'll let Rock know. I did have another friend that got a ride with the real Redford from the bottom of the canyon that year. We used to hitch-hike every day, and were suprised that Redford would pull over and pick someone up.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
I went out and bought the Hart Freestyle skiis after watching Wayne Wong do his thing with the "outrigger" and "jet turns" off moguls. Dang, those were the days!
spencer51418 3 years ago
Those jet turns were fun. I bought some "jet sticks" in the late 60's that fit into my leather boots to "rocket" out the turns. I think Jean Claude Killy perfected it in the racing world, and Wayne Wong perfected it in the bumps. I almost forgot about the "Wong banger".
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
Who filmed this clip for you? Warren Miller? ;-)
spencer51418 3 years ago
Corky Fowler was another of my ski idols from the 70's. Remember the "Hidden Skier"?
spencer51418 3 years ago
Yes, Corky was one of the originals. His tricks were smooth and in control. The Hot doggers brought in a more reckless style. Dick Barrymore films cataloged much of this history, and some of it is in the DVD "The Golden Years of Ski films". As for our film, we filmed it on a little super 8 movie camera.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
The footage from 1:39 - 1:51 ... good stuff.
Ya, I bought Corky's "how-to" book with pictures to try and learn some of the easier stuff (forget the aerials). He had them all down pat. Well, I'm hoping to maybe get out to Utah around April 18 for a long weekend with my wife (celebrate my 57th). I see Alta plans to reopen that weekend; some are closing shop the weekend before.
spencer51418 3 years ago
Ironically, I threw that book out (on how to do hot-dog tricks) 2 months ago to make room during a move (I live in California now). Rock (the guy in the red pants) spent his 57th birthday (Jan 5, 2008) in Utah. He was going to show this video at Goldminers Daughter (34 yrs from the day it was shot), but couldn't get up the canyon due to heavy snow. By the way, I have some film of Winter Park from the early 70's as well, where Billy Kid acted as the pied piper and led people down.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
I went out to Winter Park the year they opened up that Mary Jane side. I was going to head up to Boyne Mountain yesterday but couldn't get the energy up to drive up there after watching your clip. Been there done that to often at Boyne. Although, Michigan did have a banner year for snowfall. Its all snowboarders now at the Michigan bumps; scraping away the snow and giving the skiers hardpan to ski.
spencer51418 3 years ago
Mary Jane had some good bumps. I never skied Boyne but I remember it was the banner resort in lower Michigan. I did ski Caberfae in 1965 while in 8th grade and had a great time.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
I patrolled Caberafe for 3 years, more or less to get some free skiing for my son at a young age and to wear the "duds". That came to a halt when my son took up hockey. Caberfae has been improved upon considerably. Looks like I may be actually headed out to Alta in the next few weeks. My brother-in-law has a place out there and I haven't been out to see him since they bought the place. He and I were skii budddies like you and Rock in the 70's.
spencer51418 3 years ago
Sounds like you (and throngs of others our age) had similar experiences during the early days of the ski revolution.
marksjohnson5 3 years ago
That's what created those excessively long lift lines in those days. ;-)
spencer51418 3 years ago
Oldschool !!
qasq8 3 years ago
i wish we still got that much snow
pannazar 3 years ago
Great!... apparently it has been snowing hard there, hope he is doing a remake!
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago
thats sick, killing it before i was born
Aaron8455 3 years ago
Sweet!
LockNLoadRonPaul2008 4 years ago
whats the song?
funnyfilms007 4 years ago
Three Dog Night is an American rock band, best known for their work from 1968-1975 but still making live appearances as of 2007. Their hits include "Shambala," and many more.
It starts:
Wash away my trouble, wash away my pain
With the rain of Shambala
Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame
With the rain of Shambala
Ah, ooh ooh oo oo ooh ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah, ooh ooh oo oo ooh ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind
We're on the...
tonytonytonyargh 4 years ago
yo dude how you know so much bout this song/band?
funnyfilms007 3 years ago
I was there in 74 thats the year I started to ski, Alta, brighton, snowbird,solitair,yea we skied all the black dimands, befor they were considered black dimonds, do you remember Rick Dannen, spelling might not be right,hell yea!OOOOOOH lets party, Im still In UTAH
shopwelder 4 years ago
The name is familiar but I can't place a face with it.
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
That was killer! I grew up in my parent's ski shop in the 70's in CO. I remember the Hanson's, Look Nevada's, Roffe "dig me" pants, etc. Mostly I remember a lot of smiles and soulful people living the lifestyle. It used to take good athletes to ski gear and conditions like that and make it look good... technology's great but wide boards have made it easier for everyone to ski and the mountain gets tracked out too quick. Awesome vid - really brings skiing for me back into perspective!
mtmck 4 years ago
This is great. I love the red ski pants with stars? on them? And back in the day, they were skiing long, straight skis. Impressive stuff and really fun to watch.
suestew 4 years ago
Thanks. You might be surprised that absolutely no one commented on those pants back then. In those "Tie-dye" days, those pants were not considered unusual!
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
This is a totally uplifting 5 minutes. It helps that I was in that powder three days ago, though not as expertly.
The bright blue sky, music, clothes, and carefree expert skiing have restored my faith in humanity! There is something ineffable about the footage, however, that I can only say is a portrait of that care free time - the 70's!
This footage also shows how good chemical film is, compared to digital.
Bless you three guys for sharing.
tonytonytonyargh 4 years ago
Thanks for the kind words.
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
Bomb-ass. I love your old footage of what must have been the original wildcat lift. I wish I was alive in the "golden age" of skiing. I dunno if I'll get 100 days out of my Alta season pass, but I've definitely had a few ski days that look an awful lot like that one. 2008 has been a good snow year. Thanks for putting this up.
doubleabz 4 years ago
Thanks. I'm glad the storms are still dumping deep powder 34 years later!
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
Excellent vintage footage. Brilliant decision with Shambala. Genius pants. I love every aspect of this video. Props.
CBonesey 4 years ago
sweet tune
i want those pink trousers
Cerigos 4 years ago
Awsome video man, Im 23 so from a much younger generation, but I can appreciate the old school ways and skiing during the hippie days (true hippie days). Awsome theme song as well.
blackcrowe311 4 years ago
Amazing! You guys are awesome powder skiers, nice! Don't you just love getting a great line in powder and bouncing between turns? OH MY GOD! Say, if you ever come to ski east (I wouldn't reccomend it cause winters out here are cantankerous) give me a call!
TheSkiingGuru 4 years ago
Thanks, I've never skied the East, but Rock did ski at Mount Snow sometime during 1971. He said it was below zero (F) and the wind gauge at the top was pegged to it's 40 MPH limit! Take care, and watch that frost bite.
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
Mark, Wow - cant stop watching this video. That song, those 2 runs, deep snow, and those long skis....almost feel like I'm back in '74 :)
Heading out to Alta for a week next month and this gets me jacked up more than anything.
Thanks!!
jsilver91 4 years ago
Thank YOU for the comments. Skiing has progressed over the years, but the adrenaline rush from deep powder was the same then as it is now!
marksjohnson5 4 years ago
this makes me want to go to the pdawg right now :)
smallwoo4 4 years ago
holy crap-o
meganvrem 4 years ago