What I've been doing. What I plan on Doing

Last time I posted in UnderWhiteSkies I was skiing park and it was springy and I was just flowing through the park and trying new things for fun. Little changed until the end of May but I became more and wild with skiing as the hill became more sunny more muddy and more scarred. I started working construction for the summer and no longer ski. I want to get a truck in the fall and save money and train in  the gym for 3 cold months in the fall and then I want to ski.

Lately: Longview

Haven't been doing much over the weekend after hurting my shoulder. Watching TV, sleeping in, amongst other things. I've done a bit of exercise to get my shoulder tightened up a bit, and in turn learned a bit about skipping rope. I'm pretty stoked on the skip rope, since it's intense as you make it, not to mention the fact that you never really stress your calves when skiing. In a couple days if skiing feels right I'd like to get a couple days in at bounce.

Here are some rap songs for your pleasure. I'll be back skiing park tomorrow and these are gonna be the main source of inspiration.

Toboggans

I've been in the ski patrols toboggan before. At first it was a thrill, now it's a claustrophobic nuisance, being locked in a potential projectile and slowly dragged down steep slopes. You are so immobilized that people could mistake you for a dead body. Yesterday I hurt myself in an odd accident, tumbling after being hit by a stray ski. I never consciously think about the thrill of skiing when I'm on the mountain. I just do things because they feel good. But when something  like this happens I begin to identify with the group of skiers that are about the thrill because I see the consequential side of this sport and I feel like I should embrace it.

I need to find something to do to pass the time. I'm really good at spending an entire afternoon getting a coffee, and I still thinking about grabbing a new but old video game system. A few couple essay ideas have come to me and I'm put those down on here when the times right. 

Lately

These last few weeks have been good however, in a sense, uneventful. After a week of non stop snow where most of what a threw down was big drops and tricks, we got a straight week on sun where I found new lines everyday, mostly exposed, steep stuff that hasn't had adequate coverage or visibility. The steeps around peak chair have been a new proving grounds for me these last couple days. Maybe it's the sun shining on all these slopes, maybe it's a new personal perspective, but I've been finding new lines and variations of lines that have evaded me all year. 

A slide below Cirque. The cornices are HUGE right now

A new, steep line for me. Not sure what it's called but it's the far right entrance to the Cirque, PC'd until recently. It's nice not just to ski a line for the first time, but to also get it with some flow and technique.

It looks like it's gonna be cloudy and snowy this week. Unless it gets deep by tomorrow I'm probably going to try to get my park legs back. I've been in the park only a few of times this year. A side of me is doubtful about going back in the park when my skill set is so far behind compared to those skiing park all year. The other side of me is really excited about the massive creative palette that park skiing provides, like the huge potential in the variety of tricks and styles.  

Also, big ups to Dylan Siggers to landed a podium at a FWT in Montana a couple days ago. Seeing people you've ridden with up in a world class event is really inspiring. The tour is definitely in my sights for next year.

Comp Pic

Dan Evans Photography

Traveling to Lake Louise

 Just finished up at Lake Louise for the Big Mountain Challenge this weekend. I stayed with the UBC freeride team. There's a good little crew here and that's not mentioning everyone else on the mountain. The first day I checked my twitter feed and immediately noticed a bunch of people I knew were shredding at Louise. I've some some shots and further thoughts I want to post when I'm back in Whistler. All in all it was a good weekend.

These mountains are beautiful too.

                      

Calgary

photos from my phone

one more