It’s the “off season” hear in Crested Butte, which means things slow down. But that’s why I love it hear at the end of the road. With many CBMG Guides off working and climbing in Red Rocks, NV or out in the high desert of Bend, Oregon or in the mountains of Alaska. I have been able to explore some areas both new and old for me. In the last few weeks I have been able to do some pretty sweet ski descents, climb pitch after pitch of warm granite in Taylor Canyon, and start the spring mountaineering season with some great peaks with friends. Now is the time to take advantage of cheap flights, hotels, and restaurant deals in and around CB. Call, email or swing by the guide shack today for a trip of a lifetime! There is always a guide around to take you on an unforgettable spring ski tour, a multipitch climb of a lifetime or to introduce you to the art of mountaineering.
See you soon.

Kyle Mattingly
CBMG Mountain Guide

The Gunnison Valley is often second to none when it comes to mountain conditions. Great powder skiing (actually, “quit your job great” as Jayson puts it) and even better ice climbing this week has the guide team absolutely psyched. Jayson and I are headed out skiing for the day, but for now check out this video of yesterday’s Introduction to Ice Climbing day down in the Lake City Ice Park. I am confident in saying that Lake City is the best place in the state to learn to ice climb!

Bill. Brian, Ron and I had a great day in the sunshine learning about the intricacies of ice climbing. We started the day off with an introduction to the equipment, followed by basic crampon footwork, ice tool usage, then spent the rest of the day refining our steep ice technique. This crew had a strong rock climbing background and all three demonstrated great ice technique by the end of the day. Check out the vid from yesterday at the Ice Park

There is still plenty of winter left to learn the fun and exciting sport of Ice Climbing with Crested Butte Mountain Guides. Drop us a line and we’ll get you climbing in no time!

Lake City Ice Park Fan and Crested Butte Mountain Guide,

Mike Bromberg

Thanks to the folks at TetonAT for introducing us all today, in their latest blog post, to the new European developments from Trab Skis. These are the new SkiTrab TR-1 Alpine Touring Binding. At first glance it looks to bring the best of the Dynafit & Fritschi worlds together in a DIN 14 and light weight beefy AT binding. Can’t wait to try one someday. For a more detailed report visit TetonAT.com

—CBMG Staff

The OR trade show is over, and those who dig talking about gear are buzzing over the new goodies! Here are some products that looked interesting to us.

Several of the guides here use ABS packs, as they have been a proven lifesaver in avy situations. Now BCA has thrown their hat into the ring with their own version. Should be interesting to check out - Watch it inflate here.

Folks who are AT inclined have the new G3 onyx bindings to talk about, another tech style binding makes its way.

Not to mention new skis all around and poles and skins from Black Diamond.

Lots of new stuff to check out and this is only scratching the surface. It is always interesting the ways technology develops. Regardless of what gear you’re on, make sure you’re having fun!

-Kirsten

While it’s far more likely to find any of the guides of CBMG out enjoying the backcountry on skis…many of us enjoy the feeling of riding the steep and deep on a snowboard. Having decided long ago that I would never use snowshoes to access a descent of any type, I turned my backcountry focus to skiing. In the meantime, backcountry snowboarding technology has come a long, long way. Gone are the days of having your resort board strapped to your pack as you wallow in the deep continental snowpack. These days we utilize split-boards for our backcountry snowboarding tools of choice… Just like it sounds, a split board is the best of both worlds. Skis for the up and a board for the down.

Check out the vlog post below for a recap of a phenomenal two days spent with some great riders from San Diego.

Backcountry Snowboarding in Crested Butte from mikebromberg on Vimeo.

It was truly a treat to be out with a splitboard specific group, and reconnect with my snow-surfing roots. Thanks for a great time out there guys.

CBMG Snowboard Guide Mike Bromberg