03.02
Resort skiing is what most people think of when someone says “Let’s go skiing”, and for good reason, it is how the vast majority of us enjoy the sport. Regardless of how deep one’s passion for skiing runs, the minutia involved with resort skiing will start to deter even those who define themselves with skiing. In recent years with the surge of popularity in our sport, the resort has worked to erode my love of skiing. There have been countless times I found myself waiting it a lift line or riding a chair with some form of resort irritation (insert the typical gapper rant here) and have to consciously remind myself that I’m outside in a beautiful environment doing what I love and everything else doesn’t matter. The crowds, stratospheric prices, rushing to snag your piece of untracked, create an atmosphere that feels closer to a day at a theme park then an adventure into nature. A few years ago, Ben and I decided to quit complaining, and take action to do something about our resort frustrations. After some education and gear adjustments we were able to access a world free of crowds, pay parking, and seven dollar hot chocolates.