MONTANA ADVENTURES

Following a post from earlier in the year, here are some more things I have never done before.

I have never been to Montana

I have never had a beer fight (outside of a bar)

and finally, I have never won such a bad-ass trophy!

From the beginning, the FWT Qualifier at Moonlight Basin was amazing. It was bluebird, the snow was great (given the year we've had so far) and the comp venues were epic, steep, long and full of possibilities.

Finals Day face

Finals run. Photo: Amy Jimmerson

Both days I skied awesomely fun lines, nothing too serious, trying my best to charge fast and fluidly. Looking back I would have loved to ski faster on Day 1 but it was enough to get me into 2nd place for the finals. Check out the footage from Day 1. My travel buddy Sam Lee knocked himself pretty hard on the head on the first day- so we booked it back to Bozeman and I got inspired for finals by watching Aspen Extreme and Hot Dog.

To be extremely corny and quote TJ from Aspen Extreme, I find that in these kinds of comps "skiing is the easy part". The skiers who compete on the Freeskiing World Tour are all amazing- it is strategy, confidence and focus on the day that gets the job done. So far over the last year and a bit that I have competed on the FWT, I have yet to get those things together at the same time. Finally the practice paid off and I moved from 2nd to 1st place at Finals and won the FWT Qualifier. I have never won a big mountain event. I was pretty speechless, well for at least 1 minute. You can have a look at the finals runs here. Congrats to all the ladies, it was a hotly contested podium, it was great to see you girls shred the hell out of venues.

Overall I am happy with how I skied but I am looking forward to pushing myself harder and faster in future competitions. Go big or go home right? Joking...........

Katrina, Sonja and I relaxing in the never-ending sun

What happen next was a little unexpected. From the awards I abandoned my car and followed some Bozemanians to a party down the canyon. It was damn worth it! I got involved at the Annual Funk night (where the was a lot of coudroy and velvet), danced in a bus and finally after too much cheap whiskey I feel asleep on a couch next to a St. Bernard.

After a delicious breakfast in Bozeman and some coffee, Kyle, Axel, Rob and Randy loaded up their sleds and took Sonja Lercher and I on an awesome tour of some of the Montana backcountry.

Puppies get to ride in the car but not on the sleds

Sonja practicing her next trick- handstands off cliffs

Leg warm ups

All packed up and ready to roll!

I will be the first to admit, I am the worst sled passenger in the world. I managed to fall off at least 5 times- once into a nice big puddle where I got some awesome bruises. Sorry Rob! With some practice I managed to learn a few things and didn't fall off the whole way back home. Go team! Not so bad for my first try I guess.

Montana Backcountry

Turning around to head home

By the time we made it back to the parking lot I was exhausted- I just wanted bed..... But not before some more beers, whiskey, dice games at a bar and the best fish tacos I have eaten in my life. I really recommend them- check out the Montana Ale Works in Bozeman.

The next morning I finally rescued my car from Big Sky and attempted to book it back to SLC solo. 3 naps later I was home. Thanks for having us Moonlight Basin, you put on an amazing event- I can't wait to come back next year! Here is a nice little write up on the FWTQ by Unofficial.