I missed the opening bonus weekend at my home mountain. Hardly impressive, I know, but in my defence I was skiing. It just happened to be at Nakiska for Canada’s National Ski Cross Championships. Because I missed it, when true opening day rolled around this past Saturday and the hill had been closed since the weekend prior, I realized I was going to have to make up for lost time.

Two very stoked McLaughlins on our first lap of the day.

Lucky for me, a very rad crew had assembled at the hill and we made sure we were up more than early enough for fresh tracks. Once we got to the top, the fog opened up and left us standing in the middle of a bluebird morning with the 50 cm’s that had fallen during the week just waiting. We charged it hard all day, skiing lines that normally wouldn’t fill in until February – something that came as no surprise to anyone who made it out earlier, but had me pretty excited to take advantage of the snow.

First real air of the season on the first lap of the day.

I also had a chance to try out my new skis for the season, and I’m definitely fired up on them! Epic Planks has taken a lot of athlete feedback to heart, especially in the design of the new Rippers, and it makes for great skis for a guy like me. The Rippers love to go fast and stomp hard, which is a blend of characteristics I can most definitely work with. Unless every venue is covered in three feet of blower pow this season (Yeah right), I think I’ve found my comp skis.

Back at the hill, it doesn’t seem to want to stop snowing any time soon, and this season is shaping up to be all time. Big, big lines are already filling in, and I can’t wait to get out again and get after it!