'Crack Yeetin' With Scott Gaffney- Palisades Tahoe Spring '24 Q&A

Palisades Tahoe, California is closing after Monday, May 27th, 2024, but filmmaking legend Scott Gaffney proves there's still "plenty" of exciting spring lines to be skied.

Gaffney posted the short edit embedded below on May 18th, 2024. Check out 'Crack Yeetin Grass Blazin and Pinner Needle Speedballin' by pressing play. Keep scrolling for my Q&A with Gaffney about the video, and more.

Winter '23-'24 was my first season at Palisades Tahoe, and after watching Gaffney's video, I felt an intense need to reach out and learn more what went into making it.

Check out our short conversation below.

Scott Gaffney '24 Spring Skiing Edit Q&A

How would you describe the Winter '23/'24 season at Palisades Tahoe?

"I'd say the season was a really good one. It was below average snow and we only had one big storm of the year, but I prefer these type of years. We had consistency. I don't need the huge dumps, I'm more into consistency."

"I still look at 1999 as a benchmark for quality skiing all the way through the year. It was so good that people got tired of it after a while. We would get eight inches of snow and people are like, 'Oh only eight inches? I'm not even going out this morning'."

Let's jump into the edit, if you don't mind. When was it filmed?

"It was all filmed on Friday, May 17th, 2024. I uploaded the video to YouTube on the 18th."

I feel like every time I watch your videos I have no idea where you are on the mountain even though I ski Palisades regularly.

"Yeah, well they're a little harder to identify when there's hardly any snow on them."

Exactly. Based on that, what are you looking for when you show up to the mountain this time of year? Do you have a plan, or are you just winging it?

"I did (have a plan), and maybe that's why I brought a GoPro out. I've had two knee injuries this year that have sidelined me. Everyone's playing in the park, and I would love to join them, but with the knee injuries I've had, including one not too long ago, I just can't risk it.

So I gotta go find something else that's a little more creative, and there's not a whole lot to do out there because all the really cool lines have melted out. They're gone. I guess I'm just looking for the little slivers of snow that are just barely hanging on. And a bunch of those lines that I skied in that little edit were done a day later.

There's a race at the beginning of the year to be the first one to ski a line. But I think it's funny trying to be the last to ski a line of the year."

'Crack Yeetin' is an interesting phrase. Definitely going to steal that from you. Where did you find most of the cracks that are in the video?

"There's one on The Funnel, one on Mainline Pocket, and one near The Palisades. We don't have so many of them this year because it wasn't a big year. It takes a really big snowpack to get those really good."

Palisades closes on May 27th, 2024. What summer skiing plans do you have?

"I've gotta be working and I'm probably editing projects, so I'm pretty much staying around. But I'll get out a little bit here and there. Whether it's hiking up near the mountain or elsewhere. There are a bunch of places we can go for the next month or so that are fairly local."

You've voiced criticism at various points throughout the season. How do you feel about the current state of the resort?

"I suppose my stance is that I want to see them maximize the skiing experience. When they lose too much of the focus on giving people a good product, that they paid for, then I have a problem with that.

I'm not afraid to voice my opinion. And I will give them props when props are due, and I'll let them have it when that is due. When they're slacking off and not doing what they can to give people a product that they paid for, I'm going to say it.

I'm gonna voice my opinion about it. And I feel like I have a platform where my voice can be heard."

Thanks for you time, Scott. Any parting words for POWDER readers?

"I wouldn't say anything in (the video) is getting sick by any means. It's just having a good time and making the most of what you've got. 

Don't forget to have fun. That's what I'm all about. That's what skiing is all about."

Related: Where To Ski Memorial Day Weekend 2024

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