Boys and girls:
I am about to experience the first sight of snow in over 6 months.
The electricity in the air is overwhelming. Standing outside even just for a few minutes, the power and force of this invisible energy is truly spiritual.
For those of you who have already experienced the first snowfall of the season, take time to reflect and ponder why one becomes so exuberant and almost childlike at the sight of a mere snowflake. Slow down the thoughts in your head and concentrate on each individual emotion that erupted in your psyche when the winter season presented itself.
And for those who haven't been quite lucky enough to see the first sign of snow, be patient. The best things in life take time. I suggest, when the atmosphere is about to give way to a snowstorm, to run outside, close your eyes, and breath in that electricity and purity that you are about to receive. Let it overwhelm you. Absorb it into every pore and being of your body. Allow it to flow through your bloodstream and tickle even the smallest atom of which you are made of. Think about everything you will benefit from this simple collision of elements. Because that's all snow is. It's a mere combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Simple and natural.
That is a beautiful thing my friends. That something that has been around since the beginning of this planet, something created not from humans but from mother nature, gives us our greatest pleasure. That idea needs to be rediscovered. In the midst of this crazy industry filled with advertisements, clothing, constant emerging trends, and just the never ending need to consume, has clouded the basic roots and principles of why we ski.
Please, I ask you, just to take the time and remember why you participate in this truly pure and uncompromising sport. Ask yourself, "Why do I ski? Why do I commit so much time, effort, and energy to this activity?". Meditate on your answer. Remember what aspect of skiing brings you such bliss. It's not because you want to buy new gear, it's not because it's a fashion statement or a time to compete with others on the material aspects. You ski because it's your life, truth, passion, soul, spirit, mind, and above all love.
And the best part is, it only takes one single snowflake, to remind us of what we live, and sometimes die, for. I can't think of a single other thing in this world that effects us so significantly, but is no larger than pebble.
We are children of the snow...
We are skiers.
