Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Game Podcast

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 45 - Matthew Zabransky of MidwestSkiers.com Challenges Us to Travel More & Visit ’New to You’ Ski Areas (March 22, 2023)

As tradition dictates, our March episode has a touch of “Madness” baked into it. I am joined by the instantly likable Matthew Zabransky, an accomplished filmmaker and photographer as well as the creator of MidwestSkiers.com. Matthew will get you fired up for spring skiing, being an ambassador of the sport and encouraging you to visit different ski areas on your next powder seeking travels.

We cover a ton of ground; Matthew’s love for skiing, the three main zones of Midwest skiing, the critical role of Snow Trails in Mansfield Ohio and medical school residency “roulette”, literal Champagne Powder (not just Steamboat’s trademark powder), Thank a Snowmaker Tour; Race to [and stay] Open Bracketology (with a little Trollhaugen inspiration?!), Pursuit of Soul II: Midwest Independence, the health of the Midwest ski industry (spoiler alert, it’s healthy!), regional passes and promotions, Midwest ski area noteworthy projects and updates, Midwest ski history, with three completely “maddening” trivia games mixed-in! Make sure to check out Bent Paddle Brewing Company in Duluth, Minnesota, Midwest Ski Areas Association, & MidwestSkiers.com Resort Guide.

Bottom-line, include a Midwest stop on your next ski trip!

5:03 - About Matthew Zabransky

9:04 – Ski the Midwest

16:23 - MidwestSkiers.com

24:40 - Terrain Park Summit & Project

28:48 - Thank a Snowmaker Tour

32:18 - Race to Open Bracket Challenge 

36:00 - Pursuit of Soul II – Midwest Independence

43:10 - MidwestSkiers.com Resort Guide Map

47:00 - Trivia Game 1: Midwest Ski Area Facts

52:25 – Midwest Ski Area News

1:03:00 – Trivia Game 2: Name That Ski Area

1:12:00 - Midwest Ski History

1:16:45 – Game 3: The Race to Stay Open

1:25:49 - Last Chair

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 44 - Fresh [though Princeless] Belleayre NY (February 10, 2023)

Belleayre Ski Area, one of four ski areas in the Catskills, and one of three Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) operations, is a must stop for a low-key, uncrowded, yet first class experience. I caught Belleayre in late December, before the holiday crunch, when it was one of only a handful of ski areas with almost 100% terrain open (171 acres). And if you plan ahead, an adult lift ticket will only cost you $54 (plus the one-time $5 for the RFID card)! A NYSkiBlog post featured a deep dive on the ski area’s history, evolution under ORDA, and recent investments which led to some fun trivia questions. The Tips Up segment recommended the aforementioned NYSkiBlog post (read), an old Catskill Digest podcast conversation on outdoor advocacy (listen) and a homemade GoPro video skiing the mountain from top to bottom (watch). The trivia questions covered ORDA; early ski area history, and of course, trail map trivia!

Segments:

2:55 - Tips Up

7:55 - Early History

10:33 - Mountain Profile

13:30 - A Few Observations

15:12 - Trivia Questions

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 43 - Happy 30th Aspen Extreme! (January 13, 2023)

Aspen Extreme, the American drama film inspired by writer-director Patrick Hasburgh’s early ski days, turns 30-years-old on January 23, 2023! Apparently 30 is the pearl anniversary?! Released in January 1993, this ski film re-directed the trend of slap stick comedy ski movies of the 1980s and early 1990s. Sure, the story is familiar, two friends head west in search of a better life and lots of distractions get in the way of them achieving their dreams. A well-worn path, for sure, but the amazing ski sequences (frozen waterfall?!), throwback gear and likable characters and familiar settings make the movie a cult classic for many skiers. Fun fact, the movie is viewed annually every November at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. In 2021, Ski Magazine published a reflective interview with writer-director, in which Patrick Hasburgh shared lesser known facts about the making of the movie. The most profound; he had an entirely different movie in mind! Beware the cutting room floor. Enjoy 30* trivia questions to mark the 30^th anniversary!

4:12: About Aspen Extreme

5:07: Critical Acclaim

11:56: Staying Power

14:31: Teaser Riddle Revealed

16:14: Trivia Category #1 – Aspen Extreme 101

23:27: Trivia Category #2 – Numbers

26:08: Trivia Category #3 – Ski Magazines

28:53: Trivia Category #4 – The Powder 8

32:55: Last Chair

Sources:

• Ski Magazine
• IMDB
• Rotten Tomatoes
• TVTrops.org
• Wikipedia
• Seattle Times
• New York Times
• Los Angles Times

*Ok, ok, sticklers; there are 27 questions among the four trivia categories, but buried in the episode are 3 others. Listen again to find them!

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 42 - Amazing Multi-Mountain Pass You Missed & Race to Open Closure (December 2, 2022)

Ski season is well underway across the country, with the East finally getting into the fun thanks to a short, 48-hour cold spell window in mid-November. Fifteen ski areas opened before Thanksgiving, the most since 2019 (and two ski areas opened on Turkey Day). Last episode focused on the race to open in the East, reviewing the historical opening dates and projected openings this November and picking a winner. Let’s just say, there were some surprises. The Tips Up segment includes (listen rec); a thoughtful conversation on climate policy between Adam Jaber, Out of Bounds and Mario Molina of Protect Our Winters; (watch rec) a short video by Beau Miles to inspire you to be more productive; and similar idea-Procrastinator's Punishment; (read rec) my article published by Ski, reminding folks you can still chase powder at an affordable price in-season. The trivia games gave a nod to Ski’s humorous article highlighting scathing comments to their best ski resorts ranking via their reader poll; LL Bean discount ski days like at Black Mountain for the awesome price of $15 per lift ticket; Ski New Hampshire’s deep inventory of lift ticket discounts; and the best for last, No Boundaries Pass, the amazingly affordable, multi-mountain lift ticket product you don’t know about.

Segments:

3:06 - Tips Up

8:32 - Race to Open Closure

13:45 - Trivia Game 1

17:46 - Trivia Game 2

26:58 - Special Episode Preview

Sources:

New England Ski Journal, No Boundaries, Out of Bounds Media, Semi-rad.com, Ski New Hampshire, Ski Mag, Ski Central.com, NBC, various ski area websites

 

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 41 - The Race to Place to Face Killington (November 1, 2022)

Inspired by the Midwest’s Race to Open Mayhem, a similar first ski area to open game debuts - The Race to [Second] Place to Face Killington. With ski areas having opened in the Midwest and out West, all eyes turn back East, to a region that has yet to offer lift-served skiing. But with temperatures finally (well, sort of) dipping in the northeast latitudes, the race is on! The Race to Place to Face Killington features a bracket of 16 northeast ski areas, all of which opened in November 2021 (i.e., early for northeast standards). They are seeded in the order in which they opened last year, along with a handful of wildcard ski areas that either also opened in November 2021 or have posted opening dates for November 2022. The intrigue is real. It’s a showdown to see who is the likeliest ski area to swoop-in and steal Killington’s perennial East Region opening crown. The Tips Up segment features SkiMag’s Top 20 of East Resorts, TGR and Indy’s new short film, In Pursuit of Soul 2: Midwest Independence and The Storm’s recent podcast with Jason Blevins, Colorado Sun. If you’re up for a little fun, find a piece of paper and pencil, draw a 16-team bracket and plug-in your picks as we go. “Just some good wholesome fun.” – Matt Z

Segments:

2:45: Tips Up

9:09: Race to Open

11:35: Midwest Wins

16:37: West Gets Second; East DNF-y

19:00: Game Overview

28:40: Bracket Picks

Other Resources: https://www.midwestskiers.com

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 40 - 2022-2023 Northeast Ski Season Preview (October 14, 2022)

The 3rd Annual Northeast Ski Season Preview episode covers opening dates, new lifts, terrain expansion, weather predictions, ski swaps, entertainment, and season pass info & discount lift ticket promotions to reset the stoke. Also, not just one, not two, but at least three northeast ski areas are set to re-open this winter! The trivia questions review northeast ski area stats, shift to seasonal fun and end with fall sports, threading the needle between helpful information and utterly ridiculous. Essentially, ski trivia at its finest, friends.

5:41: Weather Predictions: The Almanacs

10:20: Entertainment & Gear

13:30: Season Passes 

27:18: Frequency Passes 

35:02: Promotional Lift Ticket Deals 

37:22: Lift, Base Area and Terrain Expansions

50:10: Opening Dates

59:02: Trivia Questions

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 39 - While We Were on Summer Break (September 24, 2022)

I spent the last 9 weeks in "Endless Summer mode" – waves, sunshine and sand in some surprising places. With hints of fall in the air, I’ve emerged from the salty deep by slogging through way too many unread, ski-related emails, newsletters and press releases. This episode represents my best guess at the more noteworthy ski-news-of-the-summer-weeks-ish stories and related trivia questions. Topics covered include new season pass partners, a record setting day lift ticket price, a new ski area name, capital projects, terrain expansions, and lost (but found!) ski areas. If you haven’t kept up with ski country news and updates over the summer, this episode will help fill you in. Probably. At the very least, happy puffy vest season!

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 38 - Saskadena Six Debuts (August 1, 2022)

A gem of a ski area in central Vermont changed its name. Formerly Suicide 6, the ski area is now called Saskadena Six, though the nickname S6, still works. I had a memorable day on those slopes back in January, 2022, so what better time to get to know the ski area better than now. The history of S6 is the history of early American, life-served skiing, so history buffs will delight in the twelve decades of coverage…in just SIX minutes (well, plus 24)! As expected, lots of “sixes” scattered throughout the episode. Tips Up suggests learning the impressive facts about the Tour de France, the future of Yellowstone & the National Park System and of course, why the name Saskadena Six (here’s a hint – The [a] Connection.) Six trivia questions (of course that amount, right?!) with a mix of historical, prestigious and ridiculously-themed questions await listeners. Enjoy Pow hounds!

Tips Up: 3:30

History of S6: 8:40

Trivia Game: 19:00

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 37 - The California Double (July 2, 2022)

Bathing suit season has officially arrived and with it, the pursuit of the ultimate summer activity, surfing. For the lucky few in LA, the pursuit of surfing and snowboarding (or skiing) - in the same day - is a thing, it’s doable, it’s called the California Double. While none of my ski family located on the West Coast has yet to attempt the feat, the strangers who have – and who wrote about it – captured my imagination. Now sure, southern California is a unique geography with waves perfect for surfing and mountain tops high enough for snow within a short drive. But the so-called California Double CAN be done on the East Coast. It just won’t be a leisurely morning dip, but a windy, gray and frigid experience (borderline terrifying). Six surf and ski-related trivia questions await. Tips Up covers a Mountain Gazette subscriber’s comically yet instructive article entitled, the Etiquette of Nachos Hill (read), HBO’s topical 100-Foot Wave documentary (watch) and Bill Simmon’s Rewatchables podcast (listen). California Heaven by Jakhoy and Schoolboy Q set the vibe for this just chillin’ on the beach listen. Most importantly, cheers to the one and only, California Double!

 

Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast Episode 36 - 2022 Season Reflections & Maybe Skip a Season Pass Next Winter (June 10, 2022)

The 2021-2022 winter season has come to a close. At least in the East, with the Beast (Killington) having ceased winter operations. (Corny rhyme intended.) While skiing for most is over until late fall, I'm already back at it, talking up ripping turns by offering a different approach to maximize your mountain experience next season. The approach: don't buy a season pass (megapass). Blasphemy to some, sure, but not buying one enhanced my past ski season in countless ways. So, while you are floating care-free in the salty ocean or fresh water lakes or ponds this summer, mull the non-season pass approach. Also in the episode, Tips Up features a staying in [ski] shape article running like Tom Cruise in Top Gun – Maverick & ShowTime, James Cordon, a great summer road trip from Alaska to Argentina podcast by Armchair Explorer, and a video of skiing on a power plant rooftop in Copenhagen. And NSAA unknowingly provides the industry statistics for the trivia questions and answers. All the best this off-season, Powder Hounds!