May 9 -15

Great flows and a great group. Full house this week and we really appreciate Maren and Paul and Steve sticking around for a second! We had fantastic flows all week and some beautiful weather on and off. Very cold storm on Monday and I managed to get yet one last day of Powder (10 inches up high). Boat one day and ski the next - pretty cool. I included a few snow shots on this weeks OB Fans page update http://www.facebook.com/pages/Otter-Bar-Lodge/84701887461?ref=ts We had groups plying the South Fork's Methodist Creek run, Knownothing run and Matthews creek run as well as two forays up the North Fork to the Idlewild run and runs on both Butler and Norheimer runs. It doesn't get any better around here as the water quality is stunning. Peter K , Silas, K&J made up the top notch instructional team and we are thrilled to meet D&J who clearly fit in with program. We haven't had Margarita Night yet and the groups are out ripping it up so I will post more later - especially a few more photos from tonight's festivities. Sorry I don't have more river shots! Cheers and leave some comments ("anonymous" works fine) either here or on OtterBar Lodge Fans page or both! We appreciate it.

May 2 - 8 First week 2010!

Off and running with stellar flows! A bit coolish this week. although plenty of sunshine and a solid group in every respect. The legendary Cat Lady and Tim Silbaugh made the scene, once again and there was no shortage of class 5 banter. Paul Popowich and Maren were back for a second year and are even staying for a second week! We wish Maren would quit dominating the conversation. Steve Rossberg put the hammer down and his deliveries were nothing short of slam dunk. Really enjoyed Whitney and Tom's company, as well and the inclusion of Jeff and Mary this week couldn't have been more perfect. Am I sounding a bit effusive? You should have been here. Another one goes down on the oral traditions and annal history of Otter bar Lore. And the guide staff was a bit of OK too with PK, Silas, J&K making for a beyond solid team. Thanks for kicking off the year with one of the best first weeks ever! Also, you can find photos for this week on the Otter Bar Lodge Fans page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Otter-Bar-Lodge/84701887461?ref=ts

April 6

Just returning from Taos and Santa Fe. Stayed and skied with the amazing Chris Stagg (friend and OB client) and ripping around the mountain with the boss and friends was sheer delight. Ran into Bill Sullivan in the lift line (see more photos of the trip on Otter Bar Lodge Fans page) and had a great visit and ski with him! Probably skied 200 thousand in five days. Then repaired to Santa Fe and visited the crew at OUTSIDE MAG and took the editors to lunch. Really great catching up with them as most are Otter Bar clients. Lorenzo and Gabe Burke were kind enough to put me up at their stunning ranch pictured above. We had a blast hanging out together and I am trying to persuade "the Grape" and company to make a return visit to OB. While I was gone we had an epic storm at home and I am happy to tell you that our base in the high country has increased dramatically. The boys measured over 14 feet @ 6,500. No shortage of water this year. Ramping the place up now for the 2010 season and the frogs are in full riot just waiting to serenade you! See you soon I hope. peter

March 15 Last Blast of POW

I measured 12 feet of base @ 6,500 yesterday. This last storm dropped 1 to 2 feet of cold snow and Steve Perlman and I did another 6 days in a row. We have over 70 days of skiing this year, the bulk of them climbing in the back country. Not done yet but the birds are singing, the clocks are changed and the river beckons emerald and stunning. Today Rush Sturges arrives back from a two week European tour where the reception of his new movie DREAM RESULT was nothing short of spectacular. Allison Sturges distinguished herself by turning 21, and while the transition had a few rough edges, we were thrilled to see her on Skype looking well centered and loving life in New Zealand. Time to go back over to Otter Bar and continue projects, go kayaking, and ride the bike. Supposed to be in the 70's all week and being over there at this time of year is sublime. Two days ago there was a foot of snow ringing the hills above. The newsletter will go out early this week so you should see it soon! cheers peter

Selkirk Wilderness Skiing Feb 7-13

Following the week at Valhalla Mountain Touring (see previous post) I made it over to the Selkirks for a week of cat skiing with Brenda Drury's Selkirk Wilderness skiing. Great way to follow a week of climbing and the North sides held solid for excellent boot top shots with 20 or so cm fresh in bits and pieces. Ethan Guerra joined me there for the week and we had a blast, although he kicked my butt in the speed dept. My main ski partner, Frank Warshawski, kept things real (and hilarious) and blasting through the trees was the bomb! So Cal crew was a lot of fun and especially enjoyed Dan Stright's amazing slide show. Many thanks to the amazing chefs (Kate and Marg) as well as the rest of the absolutely fabulous staff at SWS. Lead guides Jason and Justin did a stellar job putting us on to the freshies! Also was a real pleasure reconnecting with Ram and Inga. Hope we meet again and THANKS for a memorable week! Photo address to follow. cheers peter sturges http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=189596&id=611307362&ref=mf

Feb 15 Two weeks in BC

Just returned from two weeks in BC. Had an amazing time and while it wasn't deep pow we had a series of one to four inch storms and it kept things primo. Northern aspect shots were favored and with cold temps and great people and food we had a screaming blast. Spent the first week at Valhalla Mountain Touring where we climbed approx 25,000 feet over 6 days. Jasmine's incredible energy and expertise combined with Annie's off the charts food (up to OB standards) and Collin and Eric's fantastic additional support made for a truly fantastic experience! I have 105 photos from this trip which I will post shortly and will be editing this post later today to tell you where to find them. The second week was spent at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing (cat show) just to the East of VMT. I will include a post and photo later this week on this trip. Hope this finds you all well. Will be headed over to Otter Bar latter today to do some paddling and work and will get Rush to help me figure out how ansd where to post photos! cheers peter Here is the address for the pics http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189592&id=611307362&l=c34c27da51

January 26 2010

Photo taken yesterday. We have had 14 feet of snow in the last week and the skiing has been OK. Insane is more like it. My Black Diamond Justice skis rock. Looks like a promising water year for Otter Bar! Alli just left for New Zealand (via Australia) for a year of school and Rush has been in Salt Lake at Outdoor Retailer as well as attending a showing of Africa Revolutions Tour at XDANCE. Kristy has been keeping the business from unraveling and I have been, well, skiing for a few days.... or so. Off to BC on Sat to Valhalla Mountain Touring for a week and then to Selkirk Wilderness Skiing for a week (spoiled brat that I am). Let us know what you are doing! cheers peter