When asked to write a “Be Bold” themed piece, one thought came to mind: “Uh, could we BE any bolder?”
I may be biased, but we slide down mountains at high speed. I think that says it all. From the beginner taking their first “Bambi-on-ice” steps towards glory, to the pro dropping a 100 foot cliff, a certain amount of bravado is required to take on downhill sports. Apologies to the birdie whackers of the world, but this ain’t no badminton match.
To me, and many other die hard skiers and snowboarders to be sure, “Be Bold” means do whatever it takes. Get up early, drive long hauls, call in sick, sleep in the cold, sing or dance, wear costumes, busk, scrape change… anything it takes to make it up that hill and get those turns in. I looked to my friends and colleagues of the skiing world to help prove my point. It didn’t take long to fill my inbox with hilarious pictures and stories. Take a whiff of bold, ski bum life.
What to do when your buddy can’t buy a lift ticket? Malcs got creative with some busking and robot art sales to get on his board asap.
Wanderlusters, meet Rosie. This girlie figured the best way to house herself for ski season was to occupy a wee shed. Minimal space and heating didn’t scare her off with the prospect of slashing snow all winter long.
When Hannah and her friends had been left stranded by the temperamental Mt. Ruapehu for over a week (!), they decided to take matters into their own hands. Collecting snow from as high up as they could, they carefully covered a ramp at their hostel for some fun in the sun.
Forget hitching a ride. Larissa and her buddies decided to make their own way to the airport, using shopping carts as their trusty steeds. Ride on, bold wanderers.
Ah, bunions. The plight of the hard-boot-bound skier. Tom says there can be no better way to relieve sore feet than a beer and icing session in the sun.
No fancy ski racks are required when you have a few pieces of foam and a cereal box. In any case, this is how Marianna and her buddies made it to their destination. She was pleased to report that no skis or boards were injured in the making of this journey.
There’s nothing better than the sweet, fresh air of… parking lots? Jason thought so when he cozied up to his planks in a trailer just adjacent to the hill. Now that’s some inventive ski-in ski-out accommodation.
What better to start the day then some fresh camp stove cooked Mac & Cheese? Nothing according to Shawn who traded a modest meal for some spectacular skiing.
Bob has to be one of the boldest skiers I know. In 1966 he decided putting an air mattress on the roof rack of his car in the Vail parking lot would be the ideal way to crash. These days, his motorcycle has been the vehicle of choice to get him to the slopes.
What does “Be Bold” mean to you? Comment below to share your thoughts.
Winter is coming,
K
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Photo credits:
“Boarder’s Ballad” -Malcolm Hayes
“There’s no Place Like Shed” -Rosie Gray
“Ramp it Up!” -Hannah Rasmussen
“Shopping for a Ride” -Larissa Vanderkruk
“Self Prescribed” -Shane Zeleny
“Rack’em Up” -Marianna Moodie
“Home Sweet Parking Lot” -Jason Mackinnon
“Breakfast of Champions” -Shawn Robert
“The Bold/Bad Boy” -Robert Campbell