MAGGOT SUMMIT: Captain Powder visits illegitimate children at Mammoth

The Powder Maggots, the worldwide lunatic fringe of Internet ski fanatics borne of this website and Powder magazine, held their annual springtime ski fest at Mammoth Mountain last week, only to be graced by the presence of Captain Powder himself. Captain Powder, aka David Moe, founded Powder magazine in 1972 and spent years at the helm of Powder before eventually selling the magazine. But his legendary white outfit and inspirational spirit live on through his sporadic appearances on slopes around the world. When he showed up at the Maggots’ annual Mammoth Mini Summit April 26-29, it was like a family reunion.

“We’re all his illegitimate children,” said one Maggot. “If it wasn’t for the Captain, there would be no Powder magazine or Powder website, where we all met and became Maggots.” (Powder’s website was originally powdermag.com. When members asked each other what they should name themselves, the name Powder Maggots was suggested and stuck.) With the two feet of snow that fell a few days before, Mammoth’s fresh coat of powder got a little soggy under the hot spring sun, but new snow in the Sierra opened previously closed lines and buried rocks that had been exposed since inbounds avalanches ripped to the ground earlier this season in one the sparsest winters the Sierra has seen in a decade. The prospect of skiing some fresh powder at the end of April was enough to rile the Captain up to hit the slopes with his long-lost family.

Headquartered at The Mill lodge at the bottom of Chair 2, Maggots commandeered chaise lounges and established a beachhead at what became known as The Beach, due to the formation of large pools of water on the snow under the hot sun. Once a perimeter was established, Captain Powder immediately embarked to fulfill his duties of giving his trademark white kisses to women who lined up for his planting of the lips upon their cheeks. He then went on to search for any remnants of powder from the last storm, only to constantly get waylaid by everything from glop and groomers to a wedding at the top of the mountain, where he was asked to pose with the bride and groom. Everyone loves the Captain.

Sporting a new pair of custom built signature Bro Models skis, the Captain hit the mountain from top to bottom with the unruly Maggots tagging along as if he had formulated the cure for the springtime blues. And indeed he had. Accompanied by his lifelong companion and pet sheep Lambchops, the Captain caused quite a stir. Even those unfamiliar with his legacy came forward to have their pictures taken with him, well aware by the admiration all present displayed, that he was a skier of major significance and an industry icon. The fun and insanity of what ensued during three days on the snow might best be summed up by the words of one Maggot enraptured by the Captain’s presence who said, “From now on, when I order steak, I’m going to order the Captain’s cut.”