courierguy wrote:

Maybe you have rear chains already, or maybe you don't want them, but this picture reminded me of buying skidder-style rear chains for my L-48s, only to discover that there wasn't enough clearance to the rear fender. The secret to success was installing P/N M9564, "Rear Axle Spacer Kit". It's normally sold as an agricultural accessory, for row spacing.

-DP

The front chains are cut down pickup chains, way back when I had a 2 wheel drive pickup (times have changed, or is it chained?!) I do have a pair for the rear, specific to the K, and you can imagine my chagrin when I first tried to install them, as you say, not going to happen. So, yes, I bought some wheel spacers, don't have them on, yet, this winter, the fronts are easy and all I need so far, backs are more work to install and I'm not pissed off enough yet to bother with them! BTW The spacers give a tad more side ways stability, which is good to have where I'm at, worth it for that alone.

SmilinJack wrote:Why would anyone live where they need a contraption like that?

Why would anyone not?? Snow is fun!

Besides, it keeps out the riffraff.

My grandson in the snow cave we built

My middle son in last weeks storm

Beautiful day yesterday, temps in the 20s. Took the kids skiing at the hill then went for a quick sunset XC on the lake when we got home.



In case you needed a reminder of the doughy dad version of me. I actually took this pic for my mom but I’m sure you all miss me too.

Looking good Zane! We had 2 inches of rain here in Fort Wayne. It's been a dismal winter. Just grey and rain with little or no snow.

MW

I didn't take a lot of pictures but I've had the family at the ski hills a few times so far this winter.

My daughters at Sun Peaks, BC



My brother and I took all our kids up to Manning Park, here we're having a little lunch in the parking lot

I wish I could say I took this photo, it was taken by Adam Brubaker(Tied to Nature) a few weeks ago near my home in Ashton, Idaho during the annual sled dog races.

Looks like another snowbike adventure today, as I am snowed out of my hangar! The banks, once I've cleared the access drive to it, are so high it drifts in again overnight, and the tractor's blower is struggling to throw the snow high and far enough. The front end loader is no help, there is no place to put it! The last year it did this (2017) I still had my mini excavator, since sold, and was able to break down the banks using it.

Yesterday, my first stream fording. Like ski flying, the changing snow conditions make every day different. This 1 hour + mountain ride, with 2,000' of gain, used only 20% of the battery capacity. During the descent, the battery gets partially recharged, like any hybrid or electric car. So if I make it up somewhere, I know once I turn around and start down, getting back is assured.

I left my airplane to get my winter action. Three months in Val d'Isere France. This year was 40 years since I first turned up there as a dishwasher. Still have a lot of friends there, and the mountain hasn't changed. The resort has gone way upmarket and the lifts are nothing short of amazing. Even in the busiest times if you know your way around a ten minute wait is unusually long.

Not a great snow year for anywhere in Europe, but as ever Val d'Isere was the best. They get a second chance of snow from the East that most resorts don't get, and that gave the best skiing. The grooming has reached N American standards with really modern winch cats everywhere and it was never rocky, though it was often hard down into the valley. Only three or four really exceptional days, but a lot of good skiing. I was getting fit after a long break and 75+ straight days did me a lot of good. I wish I could have stayed longer.
And cheese and wine.

My son flew my plane while I was away which was great, though he did leave it nearly empty....

My mate Russel who comes to HSF with me.
My Honey

daedaluscan wrote:I left my airplane to get my winter action. Three months in Val d'Isere France. This year was 40 years since I first turned up there as a dishwasher. Still have a lot of friends there, and the mountain hasn't changed. The resort has gone way upmarket and the lifts are nothing short of amazing. Even in the busiest times if you know your way around a ten minute wait is unusually long.

Not a great snow year for anywhere in Europe, but as ever Val d'Isere was the best. They get a second chance of snow from the East that most resorts don't get, and that gave the best skiing. The grooming has reached N American standards with really modern winch cats everywhere and it was never rocky, though it was often hard down into the valley. Only three or four really exceptional days, but a lot of good skiing. I was getting fit after a long break and 75+ straight days did me a lot of good. I wish I could have stayed longer.
And cheese and wine.

My son flew my plane while I was away which was great, though he did leave it nearly empty....

That's fantastic. 75 straight days of skiing! You're a machine!
I did a bunch of skiing in Austria and Italy with buddies about 20 years ago. Life has gotten in the way in the time since. I think when the kids get old enough to leave at home I'm going to head back. Val d'Isere is one I haven't done, or any skiing in France for that matter. What surprised me when I was looking is how reasonable passes are at the big European hills compared to the top North American hills. Makes a big Euro ski trip very tempting. I'd also like to do that IKON pass one winter and do nothing but ski.

I left my airplane to get my winter action. Three months in Val d'Isere France. This year was 40 years since I first turned up there as a dishwasher. Still have a lot of friends there, and the mountain hasn't changed. The resort has gone way upmarket and the lifts are nothing short of amazing. Even in the busiest times if you know your way around a ten minute wait is unusually long.

Thats Living Life ! Bad Ass

You’re a proper ski bum, Charlie. I’m jealous!

Unrelated to this thread, I came across a rare skiing pic of yours truly yesterday. Dated April 2009. Mt Hood Meadows. Might as well share.



Our local ski hill here in MN is starting to feel a lot smaller all of a sudden. My 7 year old daughter can follow me most everywhere, and we did our best to avoid the knuckledraggers on Sunday in a storm. Proud dad.

If antique pictures are allowed, here I am jumping on cross country skis more than a few years ago. This was on an overnight, winter ski camp up on Mount Rainier. We built a giant snow cave with a carved out dining area. A big snow table in the middle with snow seating all around. Our sleeping area was a series of small tunnels off the main domed cave. Each of us had a small tube our sleeping pad and bag slipped into. It was 17 degrees outside and a toasty 34 degrees inside the cave. We dined on orange chicken with saffron rice and had bananna flambe for dessert.


And here's a couple of buddies on our climb of Mount Olympus in the Olympic Mountain range of Washington. These crevasses were a worry as we glissaded down the mountain to base camp after the climb.


I spend more of my winters these days in front of the fire reading. My body is pretty beat up from accidents during my youthful adventures.Ahhhh, but the memories...

Flyhound wrote:here I am jumping on cross country skis

Downhilling and jumping on XC skis is one of the most difficult things I've tried. That's true Nordic spirit! Pretty impressive!

Since we're showing some old pic's, here is me about 30 yrs ago. I wasn't really very good at telemarking but was known as TeleMarty at Brundage Mtn at McCall, ID

Too fat to ski, too cold to fly, but winter can be fun, it just takes more effort.
I see your skiing and raise you some big ass walleye n trout! Maybe some Aurora Borealis.



Bkn
Waiting patiently for spring!

22 years old, somewhere in Montana after spending the night in a snow cave.




72 years old, loving life in Salmon Idaho.