Last September Snowboard, Freeskier and The Sports Syndicate teamed up to sponsor the 2nd Annual Keystone Invitational Golf Tournament. The tournament is an opportunity for ski and snowboard industry pros to skip out on work, play golf and barbeque all in the name of a great cause. Proceeds from the event benefit the Snowboard Outreach Society (SOS), a non-profit organization that exposes over 5,000 underprivileged youth to outdoor activities each year.
The winning foursome, headed up by Ninja Isaacs scored a day of catboarding at Keystone Adventure Tours (KAT). Last week under blue skies and sunshine, Ninja and a cat full of powder hungry shreds cashed in on the prize. Guiding them on their “backcountry adventure,” and keeping them safe were Frank (the ladies man), Double D (named for his initials, not his cup size) and Brant with his avy trained pup, Lily.
Despite the late season conditions the guides were able to line up lap after lap of fun riding. The group linked powder turns, slashed stashes of soft snow and even found a couple of rocks and wind lips to air off of. Ninja put it best when he said, “It’s like you’re in an ad for the operation,” smiling, laughing and cheering on your crew as each person rips down the mountain.
With all of the energy riders expend on the tour, KAT could easily get away with serving mediocre grub for lunch, but they don’t. Instead, the day’s menu was hot coffee and tea, sandwiches with all the fixings, delicious baked potato soup and chocolate lava cakes served in a yurt near the base of Independence bowl.
The guides say the first run after lunch is the hardest, not because of the terrain but because of all the full bellies. That didn’t stop the group from finishing off the day with more deep turns, a backflip and a Chinese Downhill race.
Catboarding with KAT is an incredible experience, and it might not have to be a once in a lifetime one. The operation is currently working on providing more affordable options for return guests like a season pass or punch card.
For more information visit: http://www.keystoneresort.com/ski-and-snowboard/cat-skiing-and-riding.aspx
