So this was a season of uncertainty, for me it was never that, I knew this season would be epic, one thing that this season did was take me back to explore my home mountains, most now owned by Vail Resorts, but some still by independents, I knew we would have an epic snowfall, I knew, that I would be skiing, what I did not expect was the beauty of what I would capture along the way, the friendships I would build, and a snow sports community that was United and determined to lead the charge through the mouth of covid hell, and as spring nears, I am not done yet, anybody who knows me is that I live the stoke 365, There are only two seasons in my life, this ski season, and the next, misunderstood as not being partial to anything else, or “you should go buy a mountain bike” nope, nothing will ever replace skiing for me, the freedom, the worry free day, the anxiety fix all, the sailing across the east coast crust to ripping ice, flying free, ughhh well you know the feeling. But one thing the season has taught me, is take a step back and look around, with resorts closing early last March, and literally the ski carpet ripped from underneath us, we united, we became close, we became better, we became more appreciative, we opened our minds to new things, and in a world of choas, found one common ground, SNOW…..
Back on Snow in September
Word comes that Big Snow American Dream opens on Sept 1st, I immediately reserve, the stoke was real, as I drive in a light base layer, yep, 95 degrees, driving in a light base layer, gripping my steering wheel, my one and only dream to be back on snow was about to come true, anybody who dismisses indoor as a joke is nuts, its real snow, it’s a real park, it’s a real stoke, from the drive there to the parking lot watching people come in with their gear, yea, we going skiing, more importantly, I knew this would be a lesson on covid operations, and let’s face it they set the standard in the east, oh as I glide on snow again, my only regret was not booking two hours, back to back the first time, as me and #skiwife, knock off the rust along with @sprintnski, and @kendalllehman, we prepare ourselves for something greater, and little do we take a step back and take the time to view what is before us, but this time I did, I was not taking advantage of any moment this season, I was not rushing airport to airport, mountain to mountain, nope I was getting back to my roots staying local, and for my ski chat friends, seemed to be the common theme, but the moments I got to experience with so many people, a picture speaks louder then words……….
So, I wanted to capture a lot of moments this year, little did I know this would be one of them, in the early season as I revisited my home mountains in Pa, they were not big in vert, but they were big in one thing, family resorts, even though I am always lagging behind🙄 I had to step back and show good friend @sprintnski this season was much more then vert, it was about the people that made this season possible, and that was all of us, but most of taking a step back and snapping that moment in time, generations of skiing, father and son, family, the spirit of independent resorts, yea it was all right there, as we start the rewind on mountains that we once ski and rode, remembering the good times, it suddenly appeared, that this local skier, yep me, lost it’s roots and was in a moment of awe, when I suddenly reminisced of the days of skiing with my much older brothers, sister, and cousins, it was much more than snow, but that was the glue that held us together, as it does for these two today……….
An Epic Season to be Had Awaits
In Closing
I didn’t have to tell you this season would be epic, you knew it, what you didn’t expect was the joy of staying close to home, the joy of slowing down just for a second, to explore and enjoy what was only in front if you all these years, the best was yet to come, but the best only comes, when we least expect it, be well friends, enjoy the pics, from this season connecting with locals and friends, and shout out to @skirexmedia and @skibumpodacst for keeping the stoke 24/7, 365, could not have made it with out you🙏🏻 Most of all appreciate what you have in front of you now, before it’s gone, because one day it just might be, 🤔but then again, not in my lifetime……..
Skiing With No Filter 