Replying to I feel very fortunate

I have been skiing since I was 3 years old and it has always given me a feeling unlike any other I could ever find. Its complete freedom. Everything that is worrying me fades away as soon as my skis touch the snow. Until this year I have really taken our great sport for granted. I'm very lucky to have Mt. Hood as my home mountain after going to the east coast and midwest and seeing what they make do with. But yet the people in those areas still find the same feeling I find on my larger mountain with more opportunities. This sport is truly amazing and as the season is winding down for most people I think we should really take a second and realize how blessed we are all to have an opportunity to participate in this sport that, for me, is beyond a sport. Its a lifestyle.