Its story time boys and girls.
I first joined this site about 5 and a half years ago, when I was 14. I am now 20 and work for a plumbing, fencing, and general building contractor. I have alot to thank for this site.
Because of this site I learned that there was a summer ski camp 3 hours away from where I live on the Beartooth Pass. I went to All Stars Ski Camp as an insecure 14 year old who had just learned 360s the winter before going. I had a pair of OG Dynastar Concepts at the time that I managed to break the first day of camp. Heath Ordway (wasatchrider) was coaching there and loaned me a pair of his skis. By the end of camp I was super stoked to ski and not so insecure about it. Mikael Dechenaux was there and he sold me a pair of Troublemakers with bindings for $50 on the last day. Since that epic week I have been super stoked to ski whenever I can and charge as hard as I can.
I have met some awesome people because of this site. One of them is David Steele aka Veggie Dave (Guddgulf) Two years ago He posted a bunch of pictures of summer skiing in Jewel Basin in the Montana regionals. I was super interested and started asking him about the skiing possibilities. He invited me and pat_in_the_hat and miralas to come stay with him and ski. It was one of the best weekends of skiing ever. It was at an Ihop that my friend Drew coined the nickname Veggie Dave for him. We didnt actually tell him until this year and he was stoked for his nickname
It was also through this site that I found out about ON3P skis. I just got my pair of Caylors earlier this week and I cannot wait to ski them. I skied Dave's Wrenegades last June at Jewel Basin and they destroyed.
I could go on and on about all the great things this site has done for me and my skiing life but most importantly I wanted to say that life is to short to let stupid things get to you. Let the flame wars go and treat people like you would if you were meeting them face to face. Make the most of life and ski as much as you can with as many people. I love skiing park but my favorite person to ski with was my dad. We would charge the mountain and make the most out of any condition and terrain. Unfortunately he died when I was 18 but I was lucky enough to ski with him two days before he died and shared many epic pow days with him. I have no regrets because I always made the most out of every chance to ski I could. Try to meet kids in your area and ski with them. Make sure to keep the vibes at your mountain positive. Chances are you could meet your best friend through skiing. I will admit I have been in my fair share of flame wars on here but there is no member who I would not like to meet in person and ski with or just chill.
Keep it real NS and respect each other. Maybe in another 5 years I will have 10,000 posts.
March 2008 faceshot. Grandma's Mountain Wyoming.
Me and the old man about to shred Targhee in Christmas 2006:
First handrail 2005
Beartooth pass:
