The only time I understand normal people, the ones that don't live for winter, is around July 4th. I am pretty sure the way I feel during the mid summer's holiday is the same way they do around Christmas. You know how everyone is psyched for winter right up until the big jolly day and then it is all bitch about the cold and moan about the snow. That's me in the summer, I am happy joy joy until the 4th and then I am officially over the heat and lack of snow. This summer I decided to combat the down days with a little project for the winter, The Log Reserve.

I learned to snowboard on a farm at the end of dirt road in Vermont. Back then it felt like the natural evolution of sledding, not some extreme, hip activity. We built makeshift parks out of round bales and stray lumber, spending our evenings sessioning by the light of a lone Suzuki Sidekick perched at the top of a small hill. Like most riders, I left those simple roots behind and became more and more dependent upon the trappings of the resort world. This year I am actively trying to get away from the resorts and back to my roots. The farm where I learned to ride seemed a perfect location for the Log Reserve.

Two events helped shape this location and decision. First, my family built a sweet little cabin at the top of the most prominent hill on the land. It has proven to be an ideal escape from society and has already hosted a few amazing evenings of music (see video at bottom of page). I have always dreamed of having an off grid snowboarding retreat, now I only needed something to ride. Second, they sold some choice lumber off of said hill. The logging firm left a trail of stumps and down trees on the north side that were sadly going unridden. Last winter while camping out at the cabin, I scouted around the hill to check snow depths and see what features might exist. I was encouraged by the potential and vowed to return in the summer months.

A couple weeks ago, I started laying out a few runs and the initial clearing for features. As John had warned, it was slow going but highly addicting. I spent the past week imagining different options and approaches. Despite a fierce downpour of rain on Sunday, I trekked out into the woods and made some more progress. Here are some of the highlights from the work so far. I am hoping to have 8-9 ridable features by winter, with at least one 4 hit run.

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I loaded the Fiesta up with all my logging gear for the quick trip to the country. Luckily I have access to some heavier machinery on the farm, but a chainsaw and clippers will get you a long way. Note the MTN OPS sticker on the sawr.

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The Ostrich Neck

The first place I scouted was a small one hitter hill just below the cabin. My goal is to have three features at the base to choose from. While walking the run-in, I noticed a large log with a slight natural bow in it.

Unfortunately it was sitting at the very top of the hill and across another tree. To get it down, I had to winch it first with a come-along away from the tree. Then I hitched it to the motorized winch on the Polaris Ranger and pulled it down the hill.

I didn't fully appreciate the size of the log until it was down and beside the stump post. Having broke the come-along and the winch on the Ranger, I decided I would wait for more muscle to set the ostrich neck.

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Here she is halfway down the hill, it started just about at the top of the visible area. Notice the large log just to the left, I am going to try to split this log down the length like the "Stash" logs. It will eventually become part of the "Long House" feature.

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This is looking down from the run-in at the Neck to the right of the center stump post. Despite looking a bit beat, this log is still in pretty good shape. She bounced off a few rocks on the descent and didn't even dent. I think it will end up being closer to an up flat with the far end slightly off the ground and supported. All tolled, she is about 30 feet or so and 20 inches in diameter. Once up, I will smooth out the rough areas with the sawr.

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The Fence Post

After the winch broke on the Ranger, I nearly threw in the towel for the day. I was drenched in rain, sawdust, and two stroke fuel, but wanted at least one "finished" piece. I decided to climb the 4 hit run and see if there were any stumps that would work for a fence post. The idea was to cut a hole directly into the side of a stump with the chainsaw. Then place a small log into the hole so you would have to pop off the log onto the stump.

I found the huge overgrown stump to the left at the very top of the hill. It is about 3-4 feet in diameter and 2 feet high on the short side. Since the run-in is minimal, I had to keep to a mellow log. We may install a starting ramp if I can scrounge the materials. (One key to the Log Reserve is minimizing cost.)

There were two small trees that I had to remove from the run-in that were candidates for the rail. The one I went with has a slight bend at the end near the post/stump. I may turn this bow up so it acts as a small kick to help launch you onto the stump, but it looks cooler this way. The rail is about 5 inches in diameter and around 12 feet in length.

The next hit in this line will probably be a version of a classic A frame.

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If you look to the left of the stump, there is a 4 foot long piece that has been sliced lengthwise and then another log about 5 feet long. The log is the base from the stump, so between 3-4 ft in diameter. I am going to use these pieces as an alternative first hit to the fence post.