Freeskiing World Tour: Snowbird

Photos courtesy of the Freeskiing World Tour

Day 1 venue, Silverfox

It was strange having my first competition of the season in the middle of March, I definitely felt the need to work out some cobwebs- especially given the low-tide conditions. Nevertheless, as always the best part of the comp were the people. Friends are the family that you choose for yourself- I'm pretty stoked to be apart of this one.

Qualifications on West Baldy were brutal to begin with but luckily the girls were running second, so the snow was soft and maneuverable by the time I dropped in. My strategy for the comp was to have fun, I have realised that if you are not having fun, you are usually not skiing well. It was difficult to pick a line on the qualification face as it was hard to know whether the snow would be ice or slush. My final line was smaller than I would usually go for because my aim was not to crash and ski fast. It worked out and I took 2nd place, moving into Day 1.

Sam Lee - showing off his ski ballet skills after a killer qualification run

The Day 1 venue was a different story- buffed out snow meant that being creative was an option. Since the last FWT at Snowbird all I have wanted to do is send a 360 in competition. I was hoping someone would build a booter at the bottom of the course- they did and it was BIG, something I am sure I could have worked out but with one run do stomp I took matters into my own hands.

The Lady Booter

While I still wasn't stoked on the conditions, my little booter got me excited for the day ahead.

Course Inspection

The hour of building the lady booter was worth it, my booter was amazing and helped me finish off a fast fun line down Silver Fox. I took the jump a little faster than I had tested, which lead me to do a little hip check on landing. It was a shame but for my first 360 in a big mountain comp under all that pressure, I was stoked! While my butt check meant some deductions from my score, I made it to finals.

I'm not going to lie, finals was intense. On the morning inspection, the snow was hard and shutting down speed was not an easy task. I picked a fun, original line, which seemed to be a smart choice. However, at the last minute I chose a new feature, a straight-line to send and I didn't check the run out. Bum bummm.

Yep, that is what hit the tree first. My bum. Pulling out of the straight-line, instead of heading down the obvious right passage, I tried to take the left side to the rest of my line. There were trees in the way and before I could do anything, I slammed into them. All I can say is I am glad I had my helmet and back protector on. It was the scariest crash I have had in awhile and the most painful. Luckily with several hundred mg of drugs and a lot of ice the swelling has died down and the bone bruise is more mellow than expected.

Some moral support. Photo Erik Hostetler

I have to thank my friends on this one. For supporting me everyday, for hugging me and assuring me. I would have sobbed into my buff a lot longer if not for you.

It is always a hard decision to drop everything for a comp, to put your body at risk and to convince yourself that everything is going to be ok. However, it would be much harder missing out on the amazing experience and people that the Freeskiing World Tour produces. I am so happy to be apart of it.

Thanks to the MSI for working their butts off and congrats to everyone, so spectacular to watch such a talented field of boys and girls throw down.

R.I.P Jim Jack.