The phone call rings, “Chad we got an assignment for you.” “What is it?” I reply. “You’re heading up to the big leagues, you’re gonna write ‘The way I ski it.’” As I thank Dax and hang up the phone to contemplate my future I realize I don’t ski, but since I am not authorized to change the title of our wonderful forum, I guess I am going to have to put on the long boards today.
Blue bird skies, sunshine and crisp Montana air remind me why I live here. My cell rings and Tyrell and the boys from the park crew want to shoot some pictures. I head to the locker room to boot up and meet Tyrell and Kevin at the base.
We wait in the 30-second lift line and head to Swifty Park.
The terrain park crew has been doing an amazing job this year, buffed hits a wide variety of features and some really sick stuff. From Ambush to Explorer these guys have it going on. Tyrell, Kevin and I drop into Calamity Jane, its smooth and groomed to perfection. We make a fast cruiser to the park entrance. The Swifty Park is an excellent place for photos, especially today. Lone Peak looming in the background “pops” out against a bright blue sky. People on the chairlift are shouting encouragement and the place is teaming with activity.
Now, let it be known that not only am on skis, I am also in the terrain park, a dangerous combination, thank goodness I am taking pictures. We meet the rest of the Saturday crew and I slide under the first box, a flat to down one, to grab a few shots. Isaac drops first and nails a sweet slide, 180s at the kink and sticks it. Miah nose presses to nose slide and the rest of the guys follow suit. These guys are good!
We slide down to the flat box and I set up. Here is where it pays to be shooting the pictures. One of the park crew, he will remain nameless to protect his identity, drops in and proceeds to catch the nose of his board on the box and promptly fall. I am sad to say that due to uncontrolled laughter I missed most of it on film, but for the right price I could be persuaded to release the images.
We hit the jumps and then head to the Ambush Park. Once again awesome sunshine and great light make for great conditions all around. I slide down to the second big hit and snap the guys going huge. The hits are smooth and safe and they allow the rider to go anywhere in-between freaking huge and nice and easy.
Slide into the freshly cut pipe and the boys once again don’t disappoint. My fingers are a little chilly but the sun warms my face. I have to say today could not have been beat. If its not snowing then a sunny day is fine by me. The parks are riding great and there are still fresh stashes to be found. No lift lines, sunblock and jibbing, why are you still reading this, get up here and get out.
Chad Jones
