Description

Are you interested in getting off the groomed trails and out of the lift line, and onto some fresh, untracked snow? Then backcountry snow sports are for you! But, before you head out there, it's essential that you have a solid understanding of what it takes to travel responsibly in the backcountry.

This month, we're excited to have Frank Martin, extreme snowboard extrordinaire, and The North Face's own Jeff Schomaker, backcountry ski master to present on:

• Their fascinating history with backcountry sports,
• Cool ideas for trips, and
• What you need to know to safely get off the lifts and into the mountains.

Expect more beer and awesome giveaways from New Belgium Brewery and another $100 North Face gift card raffle!

Bios:

Frank "Ripper" Martin,
Raised in the foothills of the White Mountains in Maine, Frank has spent most of his life outdoors and when snowboarding first hit the scene, he had his heart set on riding. Influenced by a small group of snowboarders at both Black Mountain and Sunday River resorts, Frank furthered his development attending training at Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA) at Sugarloaf, Maine where he was inspired by riders/coaches like Eric Webster, Jeremy Jones, Ross Powers, and Seth Wescott. Over the years, Frank has competed as a World Cup Snowboard Cross (SBX) athlete in multiple tours including the US Grand Prix, Hole Shot, Revolution, Jeep King of the Mountain, Swatch, and several other World Cup/Olympic Qualifiers. In addition to snowboarding, Frank is an avid mountaineer and climber with summits all over the US, Europe, and Africa and lives in Skykomish, WA. AASI Level 1, AIARE Level 1 (Avalanche), USSA Freestyle Accreditation.

Jeff "Shredder" Schomaker,
Jeff grew up in the Pacific Northwest exploring the Cascade mountains with his family. During multi day backpacking trips a thirst for solitude and constant adventure was instilled at an early age. As an avid skier in his youth a natural progression to the backcountry took place in his early 20’s and resulted in a life long passion for steep descents and deep powder. Over the next 15 years Jeff honed his alpine skills through further outdoor education and unique experiences in the distant ranges. Jeff carved out a career entrenched in the outdoor industry with The North Face and has spent just over 12 years working for the brand. His newest adventure in life is his 2 year old daughter Eva who is already following in his footsteps.