A typical day

A while ago I thought of the idea of doing a POV day in the life video. It's the POV part I have a problem with. Putting an ugly go pro mount on my helmet deters me from making the commitment. I also carry some odd grudge against POV edits, maybe because I want to be filmed so bad. Regardless, that edit is something I'll be trying eventually this season.

Instead, why not write about a day in the life? especially when I've taken the photographs already. Our day in the life starts at 9 AM Wednesday February 4th. It then starts again at 10 AM because I wanted to sleep more. Tired from closing the bar at 1 AM the night before, I cook my typical breakfast while tuning in and out  of Bill Burrs Monday Morning Podcast. I'm a sucker for routine, and as a result my daily breakfast varies little: 2 strips of bacon, 2 eggs, a big handful of spinach, ever-changing salsas, and two slices of whole wheat make a healthy and satisfying sandwich. I wash it down with a glass of OJ and some french press coffee and I'm ready to go.... to the washroom. Then that I take my skis and walk to the truck.

I could tell it was going to be a good day. 

If there's any fresh snow I usually get a little sideways on the drive to the hill for fun. My plan for the day was to rock solo and explore the alpine stashes. It hadn't snowed in a few days but the mountain was empty, not a bad thing when you're alone. Crowds make me angry for no reason, but when I'm with a crew the time I'm wasting waiting isn't as noticeable. Highlights of the ski day include a classic washout bail trying to straight line the tight entrance to Cirque, redemption the next run, a few fresh lines, and a chicken chickpea rice bowl.

                      If you look closely you'll see the the lines. If you don't want to look closely they are the two obvious ones.                   

Where was everybody? I was the first into any of the lines off of little Whistler. I knew I was taking a risk, not just with the chance of popping an avalanche but also the mandatory air in. I think I just answered my own question.

I've been finishing up with a cold (don't know why I procrastinated) so there's not much to write about from that night.  The evening consisted of a stretching session and some pasta that I feel guilty about because it sucked.

Lately:

The last few days have been exciting. Whistlers snowpack constantly provided surprises. With 20 light cm's on top of blue ice, every turn is a gamble. On and off the hill I've had unexpected experiences.

There's a blind jump I hit everyday off of the top of Red Chair. It's in the trees and you can't see the landing until you're well into the air. I mindlessly aired it only to realize an instructor had taken his kids directly under it and I was jumping half his class. After some explaining and apologizing the instructor and me were both more weary. His class of little girls was really stoked.

Then, that night I took up a random doorman shift at the bar where I work. It's not a position I usually do, but they needed someone and I didn't have anything planned. The night went smoothly until the very end when I had to physically break apart a fight between two middle aged brothers. Talk about 0-100. Buddy didn't even thank me for breaking a headlock off of him.

Anyways, two interesting moments in one day. I also ripped the heel piece out of my ski today. That's not really interesting though, just a pain in the ass.

Lately:

Right in the middle of the season Whistler has received it's worst weather yet. It could be worse, my home mountain Cypress looks like this:

This is from a live cam.

It's not like the snow stopped and now you've got to tour and search for good snow. On Friday it started raining up to 3000 meters and continued for several days. I went up during the tail end of the rainstorm and it was apparent that we had lost a few feet of snow. 

But is this blog any more than a way to vent about how shitty the skiing conditions are?

Maybe today it is. 

Freeze frame from today:

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A video posted by employed ski bum (@jacob_boyd) on Jan 21, 2015 at 10:38am PST

For a few more clips check out: http://instagram.com/jacob_boyd/

FREEZE FRAMES: POV & a 180°

 The 180° - I'm gonna put it on instagram when I have a moment.

Lately:

I popped my out shoulder skiing on new years eve, again. For a week or two I was bummed but then some snow fell, and I got stronger. Things feel good. My injury is always in the back of my head, but that might be what's keeping me safe because those thoughts weren't in the back of my head when I got hurt. So I haven't skied much for the last little while, and I haven't been contributing to this blog much either. The last few days have come through and been amazing.

A rhyming haiku:

I'm feeling good now,

don't know, it could be my mood, 

surely it's the pow