Strange is good. Photo: Evo
The ski and snowboard season has a way of sneaking up on a person. One day, it’s blue skies and green grass, and the next thing you know it’s opening day. You don’t know where any of your gear is, you don’t have a pass yet, or even remember if you’re goofy or regular. Luckily with just a little bit of powder preparation, you can have a full season of waist deep turns and rewarding white room visits.
I know: doing stuff sounds like a lot of work — but at least half of these steps can be accomplished without leaving the comfort of your couch or even putting on pants.
1. Film Study
Some people would consider watching every ski or snowboard video as borderline obsessive, but you know it’s only research. Just like the dudes in the NFL, studying tape of someone much better than you at riding powder is key to enjoying it in real life. Before getting out there, it’s important to learn things like how to keep your speed up, and how to flow through your run. Some things can only be learned by studying film.
2. Work Out, Or At Least Start Stretching
As much as a lot of us don’t want to admit it, skiing and snowboarding are sports and they are sports that require at least a small amount of physical fitness. While going to the gym, doing squats, and going as far as getting a personal trainer are all well and good, just doing some basic stretching in your living room is a good start. Having a limber body will really pay off after those first few ragdolls and cartwheels.
3. Invest in a Quiver
Five years ago, ski and snowboard companies were all about rocker, but now that’s finally calmed down and it’s all about powder. Powder shapes incorporating huge noses, swallow tails, and surf-inspired designs. Things are getting weird — in a good way. If you’ve never ridden a powder-specific board or skis on a deep day, then this is the year to invest in your quiver. From the well-known Burton Fish to the more avant-garde Capita Spring Break series, or the many powder ski offerings like the LINE Magnum Opus or Atomic Bent Chetlers, there is a shape that will change your powder experience.
4. Get Avy Gear
Riding deep powder is one thing, getting buried in it is another. As important as a new powder board or the latest GORE-TEX outerwear is, having a beacon, probe, and shovel is even more valuable. The next step after picking up those things is learning how to properly use them, throwing them in the bottom of your pack’s not helping anything. A Level 1 certification is a good start where you can learn enough to be properly scared while you’re out, but a Level 2 is even better. In addition to having your own avy gear, making sure your friends have their own is equally important. Sorry, things took a heavy turn there for a second, but this is heavy stuff. Be safe out there.
5. Don’t Blow It
Unless you got an unlimited heli budget or a hook up on cat skiing, that powder ain’t going to hang around while you’re doing brunch or hitting the snooze button. Not blowing it is key to powder days. If you think you already get up early all week long and getting up for a powder day is too much for you, then it might be. Don’t be lazy, get up early, and get there before everyone else or you’ll be left claiming three-inch Instagram slashes and not making any of those turns you learned from watching all that tape.
