On Thursday, November 15th, Alpenglow Sports premiers the 13th annual Winter Speaker Series by welcoming back local legend and Series co-founder, Dave Nettle, with his presentation, Ski Mountaineering the Graubunden Haute Route. The event is FREE and will start at 7PM at the Olympic Valley Lodge in Squaw Valley.
Now in its 13th year, the renowned Winter Speaker Series is the premier adventure storytelling forum in the world, and to date has raised over $170,000 through raffles, and 100% of the proceeds benefit selected non-profits in the North Lake Tahoe region. For Ski Mountaineering the Graubunden Haute Route, Mountain Equipment and Leki have generously donated top-quality items for the raffle. All proceeds will go to Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC), an outdoor development non-profit that works to empower underserved youth through integrated literacy and wilderness experiences.
Known for his love of adventure, dedication to his passion for the outdoors, and knack for spinning a great yarn, Nettle’s Ski Mountaineering the Graubunden Haute Route is a perfect start to the Winter Speaker Series. Both educational and fun, Nettle’s storytelling will transport you to a special corner of the world where you will join him and nine rambunctious friends rolling across the Alps in search of good times, adventure and memorable turns.
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Switzerland is a hidden gem of the Swiss Alps. Traversing between the famous ski centers of St. Moritz and Davos, the Graubunden Haute Route links several outstanding huts that are positioned in the heart of spectacular scenery and challenging alpine ski touring terrain. The huts have long been well known by the local Swiss for their wonderful hospitality and excellent regional cuisine.
The Graubunden Haute Route is unlike most hut tours in the Alps, as it utilizes a train ride in the middle of the tour to bypass a steep valley that is virtually impassable in the winter. This is one of the most famous and scenic sections of rail in the Alps, rattling its way along sheer cliffs and tunnels, and occasionally making 360-degree loops to work its way through the canyon.
During winter of 2017, Nettle, accompanied by a group of friends, completed the impressive ski hut tour along the Graubunden Haute Route. Ski Mountaineering the Graubunden Haute Route catalogs the weeklong trip of backcountry ski touring, mountaineering in technical terrain, and friendly shenanigans all along the way.
Join Nettle on the evening of November 15th for Ski Mountaineering the Graubunden Haute Route, the story of a one-of-a-kind, European hut-to-hut ski tour. Featuring stories and images that capture the humor, friendship and pleasure of a multi-day backcountry skiing trip, his stories are sure to astonish and delight. Get to the venue early if you want a seat, Nettle’s presentation will no doubt pack the house.
About the Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series:
Established in 2006, the Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series is a free event designed to motivate, inspire and educate. Held in Squaw Valley, California, the Winter Film Series is a five-part series that showcases one show per month from November through February. Each show packs the house at Squaw Valley’s famous Olympic Village Lodge with over 600 attendees. Past speakers include Lynn Hill, Jeremy Jones, Tommy Caldwell, Chris Davenport, Alex Honnold, Emily Harrington, and more. Since its inception, the Winter Speaker Series has raised well over $170,000 for various non-profit groups within the Lake Tahoe region. While each show is free, Alpenglow Sports uses product donated by the sponsors of each presenter in order to sell raffle tickets. 100% of proceeds are given to the associated non-profit to utilize in their community endeavors.
About Dave Nettle:
Dave Nettle started backpacking at the age of 10 in the Pacific Northwest and never looked back. He took up rock climbing and mountaineering in high school, which over the years has taken him to mountain ranges across the world, with travels and ascents throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America. Since 2002 he has been an Industrial Rope Access Instructor for Ropeworks, training people to work at height on ropes. When he’s not climbing you will usually find him mountain biking or backcountry skiing. He lives in Reno with his wife Cadence.
“As co-founder of the Winter Speaker Series, Dave Nettle has been cultivating mountain community in North Lake Tahoe through his compelling tales of adventure for well over thirty years, and it’s always such an honor to kick off the series with him.” – Brendan Madigan, Winter Speaker Series event coordinator and owner of Alpenglow Sports
About Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC):
Since 2004, ARC has supported youth in developing skills in literacy, leadership, and life. “ARC’s mission is to empower underserved youth through integrated literacy and wilderness experiences.”
Now in its 15th year, ARC’s interactive and innovative year-round programming is rooted in the integration of rigorous academic instruction and outdoor education, and it truly changes lives. Participants are selected for their leadership potential, their willingness to learn and challenge themselves, their need for an experience that bolsters their academic and leadership skills, and their lack of access to meaningful and transformational experiences in the outdoors. Learn more about ARC here: https://www.adventureriskchallenge.org/