We decide on a small cirque offering a sample of all the goods. Kevin and I memorize lines, looking for key features to recognize during their descents. The snowmobile circles us, we grab the rope and we off we are toed to the top ridge high above our descents. From the top, the terrain looks incredible different. Our key features are hardly recognizable, but the snow is deep and soft. We took into account our exits if something were to go wrong. We stand alone waiting for the queue that the cameras are ready with nothing but a deathly silence with the exception of the sound of our hearts beating.

Were given the word and one by one we drop in disappearing into the abyss. Half a minute later from the top you see your partner signing the signature of his skis down to the pick-up. It’s my turn and my line choice is less then comforting. From the bottom I had planned on throwing turns down a near vertical waterfall. If in doubt, point-em as the bowl below is open. My key features are hard to see as the line falls away immediately and I can see no further than a couple feet in front of my skis. I get the call, and give my count down…5…4…3…2….1.

By my second turn there is enough snow tumbling down my line it’s as if the waterfall has become alive. The force of the slough hitting the bottom bowl has created a cloud of cold smoke and visibility has been reduced to the white room. I throw one more turn, but am dragged into a deep trough from the cascading snow. Plan B is quickly implemented and when-in-doubt point-it is executed. I pick up speed, my skis bounce off the various ice chunks hidden below the flow of snow. The impact of the bottom slope angle pounces my body to adjust and I free myself of natures grasp flowing freely just like my comrades signing my signature to the bottom pick-up. A couple deep breaths, some high fives and were on our away for the second round.

Day after day our story is told by the cameras that document it. Spines are slayed, cliffs are dropped and booters are spun. The sun rises and sets, but the cold of winter has frozen time. The weeks go by and only our bodies give the signs that we must quit. Our muscles are almost to soar to move. Its time to go home, it’ time to heal.

Two weeks of some the best skiing I’ve ever had all documented on film and photo. What better way to get your cake and eat it to. The stress is off and with the cat in the bag the crew ends the trip in celebratory fashion. Cheers are held high as the rounds flow freely and we enjoy some of the local dancing. Be sure to check out Theory-3 Media’s fall release to see more from our tale.

Ciao
-TD

Team Dirt - AKA Colin Puskas is sponsored by: