When the leaves fall off the trees and most see a dark cold world and begin their hibernation for the next 2 seasons my eyes light up, my heart begins to race, and I again am a child. Once again I dream and I know that despite all odds... Everything will be ok, everything is now in my hands or feet if you will.
When you look to the hills covered in white what do you see? When others see a shovel and a hectic commute I only see the most beautiful sight that nature has given us the opportunity and the privilege to take in with every sense we poses.
You may think I am crazy for my love and obsession with the winter mountains but you may just be missing something that is right in your backyard. There is so much more to the power of the snowflake in numbers than you could ever imagine.
The Challenge: Racing is the purest form of self testing. The rules are simple and the game is clearly defined. Be the first to the bottom. Beat your fellow man, Beat yourself, Beat the clock. The variables are limited and the truth is all that is left between the gates. Racing gives me the ability to be better than I have ever been to focus my mind on one thing for a short period of time. The focus that it brings me is so intense I only wish I could transfer this focus into my day to day. The thrill of traveling faster than I should be, negotiating gates, and make decisions in under a second helps me become the best I can possibly be.
The Adventure: Freeriding allows me to express myself and who I am. This is something that no bad economy, no war over seas, and no bad day at work can ever take from me. The art of moving sliding across the cold snow to paint a perfect picture that can only be seen by me. To let loose and say HELLO world when I want to launch off of a kicker or spin off of a wall. This is the only true testament to my freedom. I owe nothing to this day and it owes nothing to me but there is a mutal respect to be something great.
The Truth: Only once you have done it can you ever understand what it means to set down first tracks on a powder day. This is the closest I have ever been to flying, to myself, and to GOD. Ask yourself "Who am I" and then take on the back country, when the slope of the double black and the navigation of the tree lines floating in peace, harmony and danger, spit you out on the other side you WILL have an answer.
You see while some under paid and over worked phone rep is demon dialing my phone to remind me that some insignificant bill that I was over charged on was due 40 seconds ago... I am living and I do not care. I take a look at my surrounds these trees are my cubicle, this run is my office, and this board is my pen and I am about to sign my name. I have a connection that starts with the cold snow transferring energy to the plank and right on to the bindings that ensure my feet stay true and in position up to my legs that respond to my mind taking directions from my eyes while I feel the cool breeze zipping by nose with the sun shine on my face and suddenly realize... it all comes down to heart.
-Dave Jungst
