You ever look in the rear-view mirror of life and realize that the old you was a real dope?  I do all the time.

I just had another enlightenment that I want to share.
I used to rally buddies on nasty weather days or out of post-party funks with my trusty line
“Today is one of those days where you decide whether you are a ‘Skier’ or just somebody who skis.”

That macho b.s. was usually just the ticket to shake somebody out of the lazies.  

What’s bad is that I was really proud of this little ditty. It was (in my opinion) American rhetoric at it’s finest. The perfect call to action, it was a double-edged sword. It offered inspiration to define oneself heroically: “I am a SKIER” as well as label someone a dud: “just someone who skis”.

What a croc!  But what do you expect from somebody in a neon Nevica ski coat…with HOT PINK gloves?  Like I said, it hurts to look back.  And just so the hip snowboard types don’t scoff at another glam skier- Burton was cutting their teeth with neon stuff at the time too…really! Ouch. And don’t get me started on Oakley.

But unfortunate wardrobe choices aside, my philosophy was bankrupt.
If you ski once, twice or 75 days per season you are “A Skier”. (And for all my snowboarding friends, please feel free to insert “Rider” where appropriate.)

Nobody winds up on the top of a ski hill by accident. (If you have, I’d love to read your story in the comments section below.) Some days are sunnier than others and some days warmer.  On some days the snow is soft and fresh and others packed and firm. STILL:  Anybody who has made the commitment to get to the top of a hill, point the tips back down and stand the whole way is part of a special club.

That club DOES have an elite group.  All of you who manage the strategy and logistics required to get little ones on the hill- You are the “Mother of all skiers”.(Or father where applicable).

I am lucky to ride among you…even if I’m just a big-mouthed fashion victim.

-JJ