With the Sierra snow pack at 2 percent of average for the date and no storms in the near forecast, skiers and snowboarders are terrified. What if it doesn’t snow this year? What if we have to suffer through a gray SF winter without an escape to that sparkling white powder?

Several resorts in the Sierras have opened, but with little to offer. Mt Rose, Boreal, Heavenly and Northstar have blown enough snow to cover just one run with 6-18 inches. Farther south, Mammoth Mountain has 10 of its 28 lifts operating. Smaller ski areas like Sierra At Tahoe and Diamond Peak won’t be able to open until a big natural dump hits.



Boreal makes the most of it’s 500-yard slope with rails, boxes and a pair of jumps.


But all is not lost. There are ways, other than biting your nails in nothing but your new boots, to bypass the nervous anticipation of waiting for the big storm.  Like by watching other people ski and snowboard in this season's excellent crop snowboard and ski videos.


That’s It That’s All is, on many levels, the best snowboard video ever made. Travis Rice’s massive maneuvers top the ability of any other rider. The budget, thanks to Red Bull and Quiksilver, affords for spectacular cinematography, including some excellent helicopter on helicopter action.  So until the snow drops, live vicariously. 

Wow.