Given the recent lack of snow, we think this post by CMC student Dustin Eldridge is particularly relevant. “Without the worst years, there would be no great years,” says Dustin. The article first appeared in his blog, Steamboat Livin’.
While I haven’t yet been able to ride up the lifts here at Steamboat quite yet, I’ve heard my fair share about the conditions. Most lament the icy, man-made snow and lack of open terrain. It’s no news to anyone that Colorado hasn’t gotten much snow this year. Even so, hopes and expectations remain high after last year’s dismal season and an opportunity for a fresh start.
However, every now and then some of the comments I hear aren’t about the lack of snow. I’ll hear how about how beautiful the day was and how great it was to be back on the snow. I’ll hear about someone’s first day back recovering from an injury, and enjoying the slushy spring snow.
I can understand being upset at the conditions. Believe me, I have spent gratuitous amounts of time and energy trying to put myself in the best position to enjoy the best snow. I know the feeling of looking at the forecast and seeing nothing headed towards Colorado for weeks. But since when can snowboarding only be fun when the conditions are great?
I remember reading an interview with the great snowboard-mountaineer Jeremy Jones about the terrible snow year in his home of Tahoe last year. Even though Jones spends arguably the most time and energy finding lines and good snow to ride, he still showed gratitude for the challenges the season brought. Jones remarked that he enjoyed the challenge of riding such icy conditions, and that it would be a long time before they had similar conditions again.
Each year the weather dictates what kind of ski and snowboard season there will be. From icy, low-snow years to the deepest years on record, each season has a unique challenge and character of its own. How special would the great years be if they happened every year? How amazing would a bottomless powder turn through feather flakes of snow be if you could do it every day on a whim? Like everything in life, snow is on a continuum of relativity. Without the worst years there would be no great years. It’s been said that happiness is a choice and if you choose to be grateful for opening weekend, and the year, I think you’ll be surprised at how much fun you have.