Francis Xavier, Unofficial Networks Journalist Profile

Articles

FOR SALE: Turnkey Japanese Ski Lodge ($830,000)

4 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Check out this interesting investment opportunity just came up in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan for a tidy little ski lodge just steps away from Madarao Ski Resort. Extensively remodeled in 2017, Altitude Madarao is a turnkey operation on the market for ¥120,000,000 ($830,000 USD) featuring 10 guest rooms with western-style beds and ensuite bathrooms.
Alpental’s Edelweiss Chairlift Auction Is Live

4 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Heads up if you are in the market to own your own little piece of Washington State ski history as the auction for Alpental’s historic Edelweiss Chairlift is live. Chair 2 carried skiers and riders into the heart of Alpental’s steepest and deepest terrain for generations and you can bid on one of 55 original Edelweiss riblet chairs until June 25th at 9:00pm. Also up for auction, the bullwheels and auxiliary generator. All proceeds benefit local youth-focused nonprofits.
Glacier National Park Reopens Going-to-the-Sun Road After Closing For Heavy Rain & Snowfall

4 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Excellent news for Glacier National Park visitors as park officials have reopened the Going-to-the-Sun Road after the proactive decision was made to close it from Avalanche to Jackson Glacier Overlook at 8:00pm on June 20th due to heavy rain and snowfall. The inclement weather made the area susceptible to mudslides and icy conditions. After park rangers accessed the roadway and evaluated today’s weather forecast, the decision was made to reopen the road this morning.
Dirt Biker Miraculously Survives 70-Foot Fall Into Waterfall Pool

4 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Incredible footage of a lucky dirt biker on Schofield Pass, near Crested Butte, Colorado who biffed it off a trail at the best possible place and walked away wet but uninjured. Rick Hogge was miraculously okay after falling 70ft into a pool at the bottom of a waterfall but his 2019 KTM 300 XC-W TPI may not have been. This is unbelievably lucky:“Off path madness and splashdown into the punchbowl. I was completely uninjured and climbed out within 15 minutes of the incident. So what happened?
Whistler Closes Bike Trails To Address Ongoing Cougar Activity

5 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Following a pair of cougar encounters at Whistler’s mountain bike park, the British Columbia resort has been working side by side with the Conservation Officer Service to access public safety and as a precautionary measure have closed the Ascent Trail and the Creekside and Garbanzo Zones until further notice. “In one incident, a mountain biker was approached by a cougar. The cougar disengaged when other bikers arrived but stayed in the area.
Searchers Recover Second Body After Deadly Rockfall At Banff National Park

6 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Parks Canada and RCMP have officially concluded their search and rescue response after a deadly rockfall inside Banff National Park. The slide happened Thursday afternoon at Bow Glacier Falls. Parks Canada has confirmed two people were killed and three people were seriously injured. Officials said no one else has been reported missing and there are no unidentified vehicles at the trailhead. An estimated 100 personnel responded to the incident. Our thoughts are with the victims’ family and friends.
East Coast Skier Describes His First Time Dropping Into Corbet's Couloir

6 days ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Commonly considered one of the most challenging ski trails in America, Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole features a 20-foot initial drop and 50-degree pitch which looms large for any skier or snowboarder who visits the iconic Wyoming resort and wants to go home saying the conquered everything the mountain had to offer.
Children Remain Calm As Grizzly Approaches @ Glacier National Park

1 week ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

Cheers to these young hikers who kept their composure after a massive grizzly bear caught them off guard on a hike inside Glacier National Park. The following video was taken this week by at the docks of St. Mary Lake which is on the east side of Glacier National Park along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trio of brothers had noticed a boat preparing to dock and were fixated the vessel when one of Glacier’s 300 resident grizzly bears walked up behind them.
Shaun White Celebrates The Opening of North America's Largest Airbag Snowboard/Ski Jump

1 week ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

3-time Olympic Gold medalist Shaun White was on hand to celebrate a historic day in Oregon where North America’s largest landing bag was christened at Wy’East Mountain Academy’s training facility in Government Camp.
Perisher Ski Resort Waiting For Snow To Debut Australia's Highest Chairlift

1 week ago | unofficialnetworks.com | Francis Xavier

All the pieces are in place for Perisher Ski Resort to debut their new 6-person chairlift that will deliver skiers and snowboarders to Australia’s highest lifted point (6,696 feet) except one crucial component, snow. Perisher is in a holding pattern to start spinning the new $26 million Mt Perisher 6 which will provide guests a 44% faster ride time and access intermediate and advanced terrain.