As the seasons continue their unrelenting march into the future, we are again treated to nature’s most wonderful show. We watch as all of the scars, holes, bumps, and imperfections of the Earth get covered with one single sheet of brilliant white snow. Again, I find myself standing at the top of a peak, in wonder at the gift that nature has so graciously granted to man, skiing. This year, as with most, I did not stand alone. At my side for the season opener was the Switchskier crew: Brandon, Ben, Lindsey, Rachel and Jacob. We made our way to Copper Mountain this year, as our passes this year are for Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Steamboat Springs. Copper’s opening day offering was a single run from top to bottom along with a small terrain park sporting about 5 rails, 5 boxes and one small park jump.
The Syncro 180 is hugely under rated, it takes serious talent to do well, but when successful everyone in the park know just how cool you are – Brandon
The jump was almost too slow to hit, so Brandon and I had to improvise. We both feel strongly that style is not a result of the number of rotations that you can fit into a single jump. Style is about using what is at your disposal, big or small, to create something that looks clean, perfect, and easy. Brandon and I watch as a number of little chump kids threw 540’s off the tiny jump. Sure, I could have done that too, but what’s the point. Throwing spins off such a small jump makes a man look like Taz from the looney tunes. You never heard anyone call him graceful, did you? So, Brandon and I improvised and what we came up with was, as with most things we do, like dipping a finger into a basin filled with awesome, and getting a single taste.
The whole day was absolutely beautiful. Perfect weather mixed with a great crew led to a great experience. We had a few funny highlights. While buttering, yet again, Brandon managed to lose a ski and eat shit, pretty hard. (Edit – Brandon was attempting a tip spin, and when dialed will blow the entire crew away!) I caught an edge at high speed buttering over a lip and managed to put on a powder filled yardsale (only one ski off, but I didn’t have poles so I think that counts). Rachel somehow forgot that she isn’t a beginner anymore and ate it getting off the lift. Jacob pretty much fell every time he tried to ride switch on his snowboard. Only Ben and LiBo made it through the day without any mishaps.
The Switchskier season has begun. The farmer’s almanac calls for a bitter cold winter. The weather so far has confirmed the prediction. If the farmer’s almanac is the Nostradamus of our time, then I think we should all sleep well knowing that our future doesn’t hold bare slopes, or slushy conditions. This is the year for powder. This is the year for cliff drops, park hits and big mountain lines.
This is the year for the Switchskier crew.