Over the past few years, after decades of tension and on-again off-again violence, the disputed, war-torn Indian territory of Kashmir has been on a slow road to recovery and stability.

And today, the BBC reports on the latest sign that the area is finding a fresh start:

They’re skiing in Kashmir.

From the story:

There is a crowd outside the ski shop in Gulmarg where young girls and boys accompanied by their parents are all dressed for slaloming down the slopes. For the first time, local Kashmiris outnumber foreign adventure tourists here. All are enjoying a welcome respite from the years of bloodshed that have meant recreational activities such as this have not been possible.

The whole story is worth a read — the anecdotes about Kashmiri kids snowplowing for the first time just might make you choke up a little.

And hey, if you wind up powder-hunting in Kashmir, let us know how it goes!

Photo by Prabhu B (Creative Commons)

It’s still early in the 08-09 ski season, but it’s already been a season of tragedies for British Columbia’s winter sports community — and there are signs that the recent slew of deaths may have repercussions for backcountry use more broadly.

Canadian news agencies were transfixed over the past two weeks by the story of 8 snowmobilers killed in a series of avalanches near Fernie, BC. The men, all experienced backcountry riders, set out in a group of 11 — the 3 survivors made the agonizing decision to walk out without their friends when repeat slides threatened to bury them all again.

Meanwhile, at Whistler-Blackomb — already stinging thanks to global reporting of its recent gondola collapse — two visitors were killed in the week leading up to Christmas. Both had ventured onto closed courses, or beyond the areas marked as safe.

The resort, which is due to co-host the Olympics in just over a year, is now contemplating ways to discourage boarders and skiers from disregarding the posted routes.

“We can’t build a Berlin Wall, that’s not practical,” said one resort representative. But Whistler has suspended all issue of backcountry passes, and is considering season bans for anyone caught outside the marked areas.

As the Canadian Press writes: “For season pass holders, that could mean losing their $1,800 pass with no refund.”

Some B.C. resorts already bill out-of-bounds riders for the costs of their rescue when they get into trouble. And beyond Whistler, the B.C. provincial government itself is considering new measures, including government-mandated fines for those who venture out-of-bounds.

This Globe and Mail article includes responses to the proposal from some of Canada’s highest-profile skiers and boarders.

Ross Rebagliati, who won the first-ever snowboarding Olympic gold medal at Nagano, pointed out the importance of distinguishing between true backcountry, and simply going out of bounds at a commercial resort:

In ski resorts, it’s marked out of bounds for a reason. They have to try and maintain a certain amount of order out there… [But] one of the great parts of skiing and snowboarding is powder and fresh tracks. That’s really what it’s all about. They’re really going to be walking a fine line.

What do you think?

Would you risk a season-long (or even lifetime) ban to chase some out-of-bounds powder? Do you think riders who knowingly go out-of-bounds should be on the hook for their own rescue costs?

And does the recent string of tragedies change your view of backcountry adventures?

Photo by bernhardjeff (Creative Commons)

Apparently, even Sir Richard Branson is no match for the mighty Triangle.

The billionaire called off his attempt at setting a new trans-Atlantic sailing record on Friday, after being met with nasty weather and 40-foot waves off Bermuda.

From the Globe and Mail story:

In a live interview with CNN, Mr. Branson said the waves “hit us from behind and took one of our life rafts.”

“Fortunately, everyone was harnessed in and nobody went with it,” he added.

He told the network he called off the effort after his boat’s main sail was ripped.

“So, we decided to abandon it on this occasion and fight another day.”

Branson had recently taken several years off from record-chasing (you know, to focus on space travel and general world domination) and the trans-Atlantic crossing was his first dip back in to the wealthy-adrenaline-junkie pool.

Photo by FlyNutAA (Creative Commons)

A few weeks back, Pulse co-editor Eva Holland published an article about must-see sporting events in 2008 and 2009.

I’ve got a new event to add to her list: the Homeless World Cup.

Started in 2003, the Homeless World Cup is modeled on the FIFA World Cup… but with a big and important difference:

players are homeless. Coaches from countries all over the world draft their team members from the ranks of homeless shelters and social service programs, selecting the best players to represent their countries and compete for the grand prize at the annual HWC.

The Homeless World Cup has had a profoundly positive impact on players’ personal lives; HWC organizers say that 73% of players experience turn-arounds in their lives after participating in the event: kicking a persistent drug or alcohol habit, moving into a home, starting meaningful relationships, reconnecting with estranged family members… even landing employment as pro players or coaches.

The event has also been a signficant means of exposing the problem of homelessness in the world (which has more than one billion people without a home), and motivating policy and program changes in countries where talking about homelessness has been taboo.

This year’s tournament will be held in Melbourne, Australia December 1-7. 58 teams–from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe–will be competing. If you’re in Melbourne, make plans to catch at least one game– unlike the FIFA World Cup, the HWC is FREE.

You can also volunteer at one or more of the matches; information about volunteering can be found here.

If you won’t be in Melbourne, though, consider supporting HWC’s important work. You can join the HWC Fan Club, buy an HWC t-shirt, or follow HWC on Facebook.

You can also support Matador and HWC simultaneously by purchasing the DVD, Kicking It which is an inspiring look inside the HWC selection process and tourney.

Big up to HWC organizers and players- what other world event is so exciting AND so purposeful at the same time? Score!

Photo: bennohansen (Flickr creative commons)

“When I have recovered I will jump again,” Lange told the AP. “It all comes down to better planning. It’s a fantastic feeling to fly along a mountainside.”

Feeling voyeuristic? Here’s the eerie, jumper’s-eye-view clip of the whole thing:

In an article in Click Mexicana Airlines’s Loop magazine, Cristina Pesqueira wrote about the increasing popularity of sandboarding, which–as you might expect–is similar to snowboarding, but in sandy terrain.

Pesqueira writes that the attractions of sandboarding for beginners are numerous compared to snowboarding, among them:

*You’re not boarding in sub-zero temps;
*The velocity achieved on a sandboard is slower than on a snowboard;
*The rider’s control of the board is better;
*You can board any time of the year;
*You don’t need as much clothing or gear: you’re good to go with goggles, a board, shorts, a shirt, and a pair of shoes.

Apparently, the sport’s been around for awhile. Check out this YouTube video of some spectacular sandboard flips:

If you’re convinced that sand’s not for you and you’d rather stick with snow, check out Dana Ranill’s recently published article, 10 Places You Can Still Go Skiing or Snowboarding in Summertime.

Yeah, we didn’t either – until now.

I’m not sure how we missed it the first time around, but hey! What better time to revive some slightly stale gossip about a Russian President and an abnormally flexible young athlete than now, with the Olympic Games having just wrapped up in Bejing?

Alleged ladies’ man Vladimir Putin

So here’s the deal: for some time now, rumors have been flying that former Russian President Putin has been plotting to dump his wife for former Russian Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva.

Kabaeva at work…

Kabaeva won gold in the all-around competition for rhythmic gymnastics in Athens in 2004, and also took a bronze in the same event in 2000. More recently, she became an MP in the Russian Parliament.

…and at play.

Notes the Daily Mail dryly:

The gymnast is one of a number of young and beautiful Russian dancers and athletes who, under Mr Putin’s patronage, have lately become deputies in the Duma – Russia’s lower parliament.

During her gymnastics career, Kabaeva was best known for her extreme flexibility – see for yourself in this clip, and then insert the dirty joke of your choice.

Yup, in playing cards.

The answer? 140,000.

Check it out:

And it seems the card-stacker in the top video isn’t the only one into teeny tiny models of the Olympic Village.

Here’s the whole thing – right down to the sailing venues – in Lego:

There are seven more days left in the 2008 Olympics, but if you’re already anticipating the pains of Olympics withdrawal, don’t worry… Nike has a plan for you.

The Human Race, a 10K sponsored by Nike, is scheduled to take place on August 31 in more than 25 cities around the world.

Riding high on the international spirit of the Olympic Games, the Human Race is already being billed as the world’s largest running event.

Open to any runner, amateur or professional, the goal of the Human Race is to celebrate runners and their sport while uniting athletes world-wide.

Five dollars of each runner’s $35 registration fee will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and ninemillion.org.

In addition to being treated to “the best geographical locations to showcase some of the most famous landmarks and unique race courses in the world,” runners will get to enjoy live concerts played especially for them at the end of the run.

For more information, check out the official website.

Photo: Sport Communities (creative commons)

The Zero X is an electric motocross bike that’s plenty able to keep up with its petroleum-fueled peers. And the best part?

“Unlike so many other electric vehicles that are bandied about in the media, it isn’t a prototype. It’s been on the market since April.”

Haven’t seen much motocross? Here’s a sweet introductory video:

Under the new law, schools would have to teach new kayakers how to exit from an overturned kayak before heading into open water. The rule would apply only to kayaks equipped with spray skirts, and stems from the death of novice kayaker Robert Beauvais in 2001.

Judging by the comments below the article, most readers think the kayak safety bill is unnecessary, and a waste of time that could have been spent on more pressing issues.

What do you think? Is this a case of micro-management, a refusal to acknowledge that sometimes, accidents happen? Or is it just good sense?

Community Connection:

Several community members have extensive whitewater experience, including Matador member Porter, and our own Matador Travel editor, David Miller.

Interested in hitting the waves yourself? Try one of our Top 10 French Schools for Waves, Wilderness and Bons Temps, or check out the Green Guides to Ottawa and Atlanta, both good spots to try the sport out.

My own hometown of Ottawa is a bit of a whitewater hotspot. Here’s a quick clip of the Ottawa River’s infamous Bus Eater:

Personally, I’m no athlete. I’ve got two left feet, bad aim, and I’m so athletics-averse that I throw out the sports section of the newspaper without even glancing at it.

But word of the documentary “Steep” has definitely awakened my hidden inner sports lover. After garnering admiring critical attention and making the film festival/indie circuit this past winter, “Steep,” which gets into the minds of extreme skiiers, is now available on DVD.

The trailer is enough to make me shiver with the stunning footage and the psychological puzzle that is the mind of extreme skiiers, and I’m looking forward to seeing the full documentary. Until then, I’ll satisfy my curiosity with this clip of extreme skiier Ingrid Backstrom.

Matador editor and all-around wave-runner David Miller says Reno–yep, that dustbowl city–is making some serious waves.

A recent article in The Reno Gazette Journal reported that the Sparks City Council unanimously approved the construction of a whitewater park on its section of the Truckee River.

The approval and pending construction is the latest in a growing number of cities that are harnessing their environmental features to attract tourism and stimulate local commerce and recreational activity of residents.

The major attraction of these new whitewater options is the fact that they’re so accessible from downtown areas, creating new outdoor activity options for local enthusiasts and visitors alike.

Are you a wave-runner? Share your favorite local spots in the comments section!

Photo: JanThePic (creative commons)

Maradona talks to El Comandante.
(He could have gotten a little dressed up for the occasion.)

24 hours ago, I didn’t know who Diego Maradona was.

But after Matador editor David Miller shot over an e-mail about “Maradona,” the just-released documentary by Serbian director Emir Kusturica, I fell head-over-heels for the soccer star turned political activist.

It’s not because he’s handsome. The guy’s worn down by some wild drug and alcohol abuse.

It’s not because he’s remembered as the soccer star who scored the “Goal of the Century.” I could care less about sports.

It’s because Maradona is a big-time traveler, using his celebrity to gain audiences with Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro and to speak out against imperialism. And I’m always a sucker for people who realize how important it is to get out into the world and see things with their own eyes.

For some great blogs from Matador members who’ve gone into the world to check things out for themselves, click over to durban.swartz’s entry from Venezuela, YoLeven’s dispatch from Afghanistan, and ross’s entry about a cocaine cowboy in Colombia. Also, if you missed it the first, time, check out 7 Reasons to Travel to Iran NOW, written by Jason Rezaian and accompanied by some gorgeous photos by Matador member Horizon.

Photo: cardiffteam (creative commons)

The word “extreme” has become an overused cliche over the last couple decades, but the individuals featured below have pushed the limits of man to the absolute extreme and some have paid the ultimate price.

We salute them.

Eiger Speed-Riding

The newest extreme sport on the scene, combining BASE jumping, paragliding and skiing, these ballsy Swiss athletes are able to fly down lines that could never be survived with any other combination of equipment. The small canopy allows them to travel at high speeds over snow and maneuver over protruding rocks while occasionally airing off huge cliffs. Insane.

Snowboarding 7601

Terje Haakenson’s notorious first descent of “7601″, one of Alaska’s gnarliest peaks. Imagine the feeling in your stomach as the helicopter pulls off that peak and leaves you on that knife-edge ridge which is barely big enough to put on your board. Just you and the mountain; no turning back. Terje charges. Enough said.

Base Jumping

Espin Fadnes buzzing cliffs at well over 100 mph as he BASE jumps a run in Norway using a wingsuit to control precisely, his position in the air and the small space between his body and certain death. Make sure to watch at the end of the video where he literally comes within a couple feet of the mountain highway guardrail.

Taking this sport a step further Jeb Corliss plans to attempt a jump later this year in Las Vegas, where he’ll BASE jump out of a helicopter and land without a parachute.

Big Wave Surfing at Jaws.

This wave just keeps getting bigger until you can hardly believe it’s real.

Controlled Freefalling

Perhaps the most legendary adrenaline athlete of them all, Dan Osman, was a pioneer of free soloing (climbing 1000+ ft walls without ropes), and pendulum swings or “controled freefalls” as he called them.

Osman, who held the world record for controlled freefalls of more than 1200ft fell to his death after his rope failed while attempting to break his own record with a jump from the Leaning Tower rock formation in Yosemite National Park on November 23, 1998. He was 35.

To learn more about the remarkable life of Dan Osman, please visit Matador Travel and read Feeling Gravity’s Pull, parts 1 & 2 and parts 3 & 4. He died doing what he loved and he will never be forgotten.

What do you think of these videos? Any we missed?