Skiing On My Mind

I just finished a 2 day boot fitting school with Masterfit University, http://www.masterfit.com, at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. Masterfit University is kind of the authority on ski boot fitting. At this point I already have some solid experience with boot fitting, but there is lots more to learn. I currently work as a bootfitter, building custom insole’s, and dialing people in with the correct equipment for them. Most skiers agree that the most important part of your ski equipment needs is your boots. I do think that having the proper equipment for your ski need can make a big difference. Especially with the boots. After hearing feedback from many of the customer’s that I have sold boots to, or made custom insole’s for my thoughts are continually reaffirmed.

Every season, when I watch the latest ski movie premier’s, I am always amazed to see athletes in our sport stepping it up. I actually had thought we were at a bit of a plateau, until I saw the trailer for the new Matchstick productions movie, “In Deep,” http://www.skimovie.com/index.php/msptv/in-deep-teaser/ This movie looks so sick? Everyone seems to be taking it up a notch. A couple of the biggest double’s I’ve seen. Can’t wait to see this flick!

I can’t help but wonder how much, if any, equipment has to do with taking our sport to that next level. I mean, I’m pretty sure Seth Morrison, Eric Hjorleifson, or Sage couldn’t send some of the stuff that they do with a Geze Binding, and skinny ski’s. Well, maybe Sage ?

I think it would be hard for most to deny what the proper equipment set-up can do for performance. No, no, I’m not just saying that to convince my wife that I NEED some new fatty powder skis this Winter.

Just last Winter, a friend got a new snowboard. I think it was his first new ride in like 10 years. He could not believe what a huge difference it made in performance.

As much as the right equipment can make a nice difference in performance, I also believe that it doesn’t matter how old or new you gear is, you can always go out and have a good time on the hill. If Seth Morrison, Eric Hjorleifson, or Sage did go out on that Geze binding and skinny skis, I’m pretty sure they could still have just as much fun.

Does the right equipment make a difference? The short answer is YES. However, skiing is definitely NOT about equipment. It’s about having fun. So, if getting new equipment is as fun for you as it is for me, then it’s time to go buy some new FAT skis!

What is it about the first snow of the season that gets me so pumped up. It is such a big day. It officially means that Winter is knocking. It is like the first significant milestone of the season.
For many years I made it tradition to always put my ski rack back on at the first site of snow (even if it was September). The old Mercury Topaz always did look a lot better with a ski rack on her.  :)

I have a truck now, so I didn’t have to put the ski rack on today after I saw the first snow of the season.  I was on the annual fall foliage mountain bike ride up to the top of Killington with a good crew of friends and acquaintances. We knew it was going to be questionable weather, but frankly did not expect snow. This crew of riders was also a bunch of skiers, so even though our extremities may have been numb, it was hard not to crack a smile and a little shout as the first white stuff of the season came down.

Time to put the ice scraper back in the car, pre-cut your kindling, and book your trip to Utah, because it’s gonna be a BIG Winter!!!

I am always fascinated by what people do in order to ski. Unfortunately this great sport seems to only be affordable if you immerse yourself in it. I mean, how can anyone afford a $70-80 day lift ticket, which doesn’t even include the $100′s spent on equipment.
So what is there to do? I guess the answer is: You must immerse yourself in IT. IT, meaning skiing, the culture, and the lifestyle.
This can be a big commitment. In my case it started by sleeping in a small dorm room with 3 other dudes, and driving a shuttle van. This happened to be 1 of the best ski season’s of my life, and just the beginning of what I hope to be a life of immersion.
Everyone’s case is different, but it will generally be a pretty big commitment, and always be well worth it.  Especially when you are the first one down Eagle’s Nest on a chest deep day, “immersed” in powder.  Happy ski bumming!

   Well folks, it is September. The first few trees have actually started to turn here in Vermont. Fall is by far my favorite season. There is nothing better than that crisp air, and amazing foliage. Of course, it is also a sign that Winter is coming! My friend Nick has always said his favorite part of most things is the anticipation. Well, I would have to agree.
   It is so exciting to start thinking about what another Winter will bring. I love the first day when you can put on your favorite winter hat and wear it all day without being too hot. Some people love wearing their bathing suit all day. I prefer putting the bathing suit away and breaking out the jeans and long sleeve shirts. It is finally that time when the new ski movies and magazines come out. It is time to reconnect with your “winter friends”. I have quite a few friends that I only really catch up with them in the Fall, just before ski season. This is because I know they are getting as excited as I am about the upcoming Winter.  Skiing is so awesome and I can’t wait.  Oh the anticipation…..I love it!!!

So, I just saw somewhere that the 1st POWDER magazine of the season is out.  Do you know how many people wait all summer for this, including myself.  It really seems like it takes forever waiting to see the new Powder Magazine.  It is a long summer.  Whenever I go to a Barnes & Noble or some other book store, my first stop is always the magazine rack.  I carefully look over the “sports” section hoping to find a new skiing magazine of any kind.  I just need that fix.  It doesn’t matter whether it is mid-Winter or mid-Summer, this is always my first stop at any book store, as I wouldn’t be able to browse anywhere else until I was certain there was no new skiing publications to look at.

   I remember a number of late summers when I heard that the new Powder was out, and driving around, searching for a place to see it.  I would drive from ski shop to ski shop in  August hoping that some place had gotten the issue in.  It always turned out that it was really only the subscribers who had the copies that early.

   I just can’t believe it is that time of year again.  I’ve been thinking about skiing all summer, but it is finally getting to that turning point in the year where other people are actually joining you in thinking about the upcoming ski season.  Anybody got a copy of the new Powder so I can check it out?  I guess I should subscribe.

So, the other day on the way back from my ice cream route, I picked up these 2 AT thru-hikers looking for a ride. They freaked out when they saw an ice cream truck pull over to give them a ride. These guys were taking pictures of me, and everything. Some very happy hikers. I dropped them off and sent them both some “trail magic” in the form of a “Big Dipper” Cone. It made my day, and pretty sure it made these guys entire 2000+mile trip.