The Sweetgrass film crew had been saving this super secret sick zone for Cardamon, Jacqui, and I. After skiing and shooting “one turn wonders” on short Hills I was beginning to wonder why I left my backyard elk mountains to fly all the way to Japan, but I was reminded as I dropped into my first line and slough poured down on either side of the spine I was on and like a freight train rumbled into the creek below. This gem zone is down right burly, with 1300 vertical feet dropping 50+ degrees into a freezing creek and blower pow sloughing fast to the valley floor. We were pretty scared at first and approached the runs with respect and caution, but after getting comfortable with the area and its dynamics I was able to open it up and truly express my skiing style. Our first day there was amazing but I knew I could have charged harder. We were stoked on the shots, footage, and experiences we had but we hoped that it would dump again and then become blue so we could go back and get after a bit harder. As we only had a week left had only seen spots of blue our entire trip the chances were slim, but by some miracle nature worked with us and dumped a fresh coat of blower on the steep spines. We returned one day and the lines were ready but our bodies were tired from no rest days and the sun never poked through so we onsessioned (sessioned the onsen or hot springs) the sweet hot springs that were perched across from the dream like ak spines with Japanese trees holding the hill from eroding into the creek floor. Rested and recharged we returned early the next morning to blessed with a fresh canvas in which we painted our masterpieces on run after run. Knowing what to expect and with time to mentally prepare I was able to let loose and fully surf gravity. The first run was epic, with blower pow, and as the day continued the sun baked the snow and it became heavier and started slough hard like a mud slide. As our trip is coming to an end and we have had a bunch of fun days and great experiences I have understood that my whole life is worth living just for that one day, just to be able to express myself and dance in the moment with nature and gravity, Namaste!
Here are a few shots that will hopefully better portray this amazing experience.
onsen meditation
MC checking out the snowpack, it was about 20ft deep.
Marie Claude Larivee from BC nailing it. Photo: Will Cardamone
Am I in Japan or Alaska? Photo: Gabe Rogel
The healing waters of the secret zone onsen.
Cardamone flying like an eagle. Photo: Gabe Rogel
I love my life!! Photo: Gabe Rogel
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