TERRAIN PARKS, POWDER AND TECHNICAL SKIING

Imagine doing backips, 180, 360, 720 spins off jumps, rail and box slides, skiing waist deep powder, skiing
half-pipe and wall rides most days. This was the reality for these 7 teenagers for 5 weeks.
Deanna and myself, Rhys Forsyth, along with our baby Lexa and 7
teenagers disembarked from the comforts of a warm sunny day in
Auckland on New Years Eve 2008, to venture into below freezing
temperatures of the Northern Hemisphere in Colorado USA.
With two sets of parents in tow, being a great help, we navigated
through airports and made it into Denver safe and sound around 20
hours later.
Low and behold our 2008 Dodge passenger van was just around the
corner waiting to pick us up. We squeezed in with our entire luggage
and headed into the heart of the Colorado Ski Resorts. Having our rst
night in a hotel we settled in to catch up with some long lost sleep.
Awakening in the morning to nd fresh snow on the ground we ventured
out to collect our ski passes, check out the sights and of course a little
window shopping. I must add that the guys in the group where just as
keen if not keener shoppers than the ladies at times.
Setting up our home away from home for the next 5 weeks in our 3
bedroom condo at The Springs was exciting. Looking out every win-
dow we could see the Gondola at River Run in Keystone Resort.
[1]
Rhys Forsyth
Freestyle coach from NZ hitting
the battleship box at Keystones
terrain park in Colorado, USA
TRIP REPORT
31st Dec 2008 - 4th Feb 2009
Freeski Trip
Colorado
Rhys Forsyth
Deanna Forsyth
Lexa Forsyth
Rose Battersby
Simon Reynolds
Euan Reynolds
Hayden McGill
Thomas Atmore
Tyler Beange
Ella McGill
The crew on a
powder day at
Vail Ski Resort in
Colorado USA
Unlimited skiing at Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Arapahoe
Basin had us in the terrain parks and powder as much as our heart desired.
From stepping out of our condo and taking a short stroll we were on
the lifts in no time. To make things better we could ski 12 hours if we
wanted as the lifts were open from 8:30 am - 8:30 pm most days.
With a feature full terrain park, set up for all the skiers, many hours
were spent shredding and learning new tricks. Vail and Beaver Creek
provided us with powder skiing like many had never experienced and
the terrain park at Breckenridge was also a highlight for most.
The group had a great time ice-skating and participating in other off
mountain activities together. We also went to Denver to watch the
pros in action at a ice hockey match which proved very entertaining.
Everyone had a great time living and sharing with others and were
great at getting stuck in with their chores and cooking etc. Deanna,
Lexa and I found it a pleasure to have the company of the group and
endeavor to continue these amazing opportunities into the future.
A huge thank-you to all the parents and teens for making this happen.
Please contact us if you would like to receive more information on the
next trip in January 2010. Limited spots available so let us know of
your interest asap so we can hold your spot.
Rhys and Deanna Forsyth
07 217 3663
021 754 489
021 702 324
deannaski@vodafone.net.nz
[2]
LOCATION
The Springs in Keystone
We stayed in one of the
closest buildings to the
slopes in River Run.
Stepping out from the
comfort of our condo put
us steps away from the 8
person Gondola. This took
us to the top of the 1st
of 3 mountains. From
there we had access to
terrain parks, on and off
piste and tree skiing.
Meet the NZ
freestyle ice
hockey team?