Au Revoir to yet another season

Not that many of you know me, but I think most of you may be able to relate:

It's time once again to hang up the boards and log off the websites. Put down the Powder and turn off the dvd player. It's time for long days and warm nights, time spent behind a boat and bbq's that last till 4 in the morning. It's time to end the season...

This season was different from the last 24 for a lot of reasons. There were so many great things that I witnessed this year; I saw unbelieveable progression both in and out of the park. I saw renewed interest in bump skiing and the return of people actually striving to make good turns. With the good however always comes the bad: Buy into global warming or not, I was unfortuate enough to witness the lousiest snowfall of my entire career. I had longtime ski buddies fall off like lemmings to the demons that go by the name of marriage, kids, and laziness. I tell you, there is nothing more depressing than riding up your favorite fixed triple chair on bluebird day, witness someone pull something sweet, and when you look to exitedly talk to your buddy about what you just witnessed, you find either an empty chair or some gaper in a one piece camoflauge outfit on rentals. sigh...

Dont get me wrong, skiing is great no matter who you're with, but I'm reminded of an old interview when les trois Phillipes first broke onto the scene. They all agreed that no matter how sweet their progression, how deep the pow, or how badass the day was it wouldn't be nearly as great if the other two weren't there.

Combine the weak snowfall, and missing bro's with a serious lack of travel and you've got a recepie for one boring season. I'm not sure if it's because no one seems to have the time, or people cant get on the same schedule or that I'm too gainfully employed. But I've never let a season slip by without at least 4 great excursions, peppered with weekend road trips to make for great memories that will carry the most hardcore through the long summer months.

It seems that each year, more and more of the sport's greats like Greg Stump, or Mike Hattrup, or Scot Schmidt fade off into obscurity or are claimed by a more evil force. Of course their spots in the skiing world are quickly filled by a long line of young pros and groms constantly pushing the envelope, but their style and accomplishments will soon be all but forgotten. This somber note seems to get louder and louder the longer you've been in the sport: Craig Kelly, Coombs, C.R., Marc-Andre... all painful reminders of how fleeting but sweet the glory of our sport can be. It's because of this that even as I grow older and the seasons mold together and get shorter, I cherish every moment I have on the snow.

Sure, each spring brings around doubts for the next year, regrets of lines not slayed, or tricks not stomped from the previous months. Yet the fact remains that come September the first issue of Powder comes in the mail and the frost hits the ground. When this happens I will be the first to grab the boards out of the closet, grab a 6er of stashed Fat Tire, throw in a constant loop of ski movies and break out the tuning table. It is this soul never dies in skiing even though the body may not be able to keep up as it did last year...

So with hope for the fall, my lost friends, progression, and REgression of the sport I must log off and head to the lake. It's been great out there this year, and I can't wait to see you all again weather I know you or not. You know where to find me, or maybe your buddy just like me. I'll be on the lift, in the bumps, hiking that bowl, in the park, ducking that line, or at the bar. Always talking about skiing.

Thanks again, and we'll see you next year...