I had a dream last night that I was magically transformed into a strange-looking bird. I could still think like a person and write using my large talons, but I could fly. So I flew around for a while, shit on a couple people’s heads that I don’t like, then fl apped my wings to a heli operation. I loaded the heli with a group of skiers, got dropped off at the summit, and skied down the hill on little magical bird skis.
I woke up thinking, “Sick! I went heli skiing!†Then I thought, “Wait, I was a bird, why didn’t I just fly around?†It occurred to me that this obsession is real. Though I could fly, all I wanted to do was ski, and used my new-found flying powers to head straight for the greatest experience ever, heliskiing.
In a way, that’s what this issue is all about: traveling to the goods, looking for that ultimate experience, whether that’s by taking a plane to the far reaches of North America, or shredding in your backyard.
This issue is loaded with travel features: Tanner Hall, Seth Morrison, Kye Peterson and Dana Flahr head way north to Last Frontier Heliskiing; Josh Bibby and Duncan Adams head to Revelstoke; Eric Pollard, Pep Fujas, Andy Mahre and Chris Benchetler travel all over the world in search of the goods; and the Liberty team ventures to Switzerland.
Each of these stories has its own unique vibe, but the message is the same: For these athletes, the quest to find the best snow, the best lines and the biggest cliffs is never-ending and far-reaching. They may not have wings, but they find a way, and the photos are loaded in this magazine for all of us to live vicariously through their exploits.
The season is in full swing; the snow is out there waiting for you. What will your skiing experiences be like this season?Send in a photo and a brief story to [email protected]. The most interesting tale will be published in our February issue.
Matt Harvey
Editor
Features:
THE LAST FRONTIER
Chris O’Connell brings you behind the scenes of a heli trip with Seth Morrison, Tanner Hall, Kye Peterson and Dana Flahr.
DECEMBER EPICS
The beautiful images that graced our gallery in the December Issue.
FREESKIER 2009 MOVIE GUIDE
Everyone loves ski movies. Here’s 11 of them reviewed for your convenience.
THE NIMBUS EXPERIMENT
New Media — Ninja Suits — The Art of doing things different.
UP IN [Revel]STOKE
Josh Bibby and Duncan Adams travel north to Revelstoke, skiing’s next big resort.
Eric Hjorleifson Profile
Profiling one of Canada’s good ol’ boys, who happens to be one of the best skiers alive.
POSTCARDS FOR THE MIND
Liberty Skis takes a trip to the heart of the Swiss Alps.