Eight years ago today Unofficial Networks held The Game of GNAR contest at Squaw Valley, CA — documented in The GNAR Movie. The game, developed by Shane McConkey, Rob and Scott Gaffney, stands for Gaffney’s Numerical Assessment of Radness. Based at Squaw Valley, and outlined in the book Squallywood, the game allows skiers to earn points for skiing different lines on the mountain. Additionally, there are ways to increase your score by way of bonus points (like adding tricks or skiing naked) and ways to lose points through penalties (double-ejecting, losing your hat & goggles or cutting a lift line).
While the official game rules are based on specific areas of Squaw Valley – much of the fun translates to any hill. Hardly a day goes by while skiing with friends that one of us fails to mention GNAR points. Pro call outs, pole whacking, or the ever popular “I’m the best skier on the mountain” ego claim.
Over the past five or six years Pete Kray and I have had a friendly pass picture competition on our Ski Santa Fe Gold passes. Since a humorous pass picture is worth 10K GNAR points, limited to one bonus per season — we get pretty serious about it. You can see a selection of my past entries above, and Pedro – post yours in the comments (or add them to this article). Upload your best passes in the comments, or post them to Facebook and tag GearInstitute & #GIStoke and we’ll select some of the best for some Gear Institute swag!
Happy GNAR point hunting and keep an eye out for that gnome in the enchanted forest!