POWDER WEEK 2008: Fill It!!

Kevin Back Annelise Loevlie

Go HERE for a photo gallery of images from this event.

As Jackson Hole Air Force member and current Village Café employee Johnny Verdun victoriously raised his hand in the air after shooting the boot (in this case, an old ski boot) in the 2008 Gelande Quaffing Championships, his prophetic words—“Fill It!”—prior to the shoot of the ski boot personified the 2008 edition of POWDER Week. Although Johnny’s belly was literally full of beer after his four-member Village Café team dominated the 12-team tourney and subsequently were crowned Gelande champs, everyone participating in POWDER Week—a week of skiing with product managers and friends; not testing—was metaphorically full of everything else.

Once again, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort played the perfect host to POWDER Week. With snow falling on Sunday and Monday, the steep and deep of Jackson’s inbounds and backcountry terrain answered the call. Whether it was the A.M. or P.M., Black Diamond or Icelantic, Salomon or Scott, or 4FRNT or Armada, we slayed everything—Granite, Rock Springs, Four Pines, Cody, Central (oh yes!), No Shadows, No Name, AV, et al.

Exhausted from Granite pow descents and epic traverses, the fatigue did not quell the passion for skiing.

We were all full.

Full of smiles; face shots; beer; high-fives; cheeseburgers from the mid-mountain lodge; new friends and old friends; Calico pizza; pictures; exhaustion; skiing; and genuine happiness that gives you the chills.

Skis were skied (not tested) and friendships were made and solidified. The greatest week of skiing ended, yet we are still full.

Skiing made us full.

Just ask Johnny Verdun.

Thanks to Lisa Watson and Anna Olson of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, all the product managers for making the trip, and everybody else who likes to ski and/or drink beer.

Go HERE for a photo gallery of images from this event.

Gelande Quaff Keith Carlsen