MORE WARMTH. LESS WEIGHT.
FREERIDE
T L E S S O N
Merino with a nylon core
Breathable
Brushed merino traps heat
N O. 3
B E
S M A R T,
B E
S A F E
instructor’ and this conversation could easily
how to use the kit, learn about the rules, learn
be an exchange between many riders heading
about the mountains.
off-piste every week. We hear about the incidents that go wrong, but we don’t hear about the
LEAVE YOUR EGO BEHIND
narrow escapes. They might appear as learning
Don’t be a Maverick, on an ego trip, pushing the
experiences, even stories that can be swapped
boundaries, taking a chance for a quick buzz,
over some
a good story in the
après-ski. But for
evening, trying to be
many that first
cool in front of your
“mistake” may
mates, the quickest
also be the last.
in, first down. Be
Let’s begin
calm, calculated,
by ensuring
back out, turn away
that you as
when it’s not right
a potential
and play by the
he third in our series of freeriding tips and the
freerider will
rules.
most important – safety.
be safe, not
Cometh The Iceman
dangerous, not
Top Gun film enthusiasts will remember fondly
a cowboy, not
the exchange between Maverick and Iceman
a Maverick,
in the locker room after a combat training
taking a
session in the air.
chance,
Iceman: You two really are cowboys.
pushing the
Maverick: What’s your problem, Iceman?
boundaries.
Iceman: You’re everyone’s problem, Maverick.
Learn to be an
That’s because every time you go up in the air,
Iceman – cool,
you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re
calculated,
dangerous.
trustworthy,
Maverick: That’s right, Iceman! I am dangerous.
taking no
Off-piste skiing is
chances,
dangerous, and a
SAY NO TO PEER PRESSURE
PHIL SMITH SNOWORKS
Don’t feel under pressure. Learn
Phil Smith is founder of Snoworks
to say no – learn
All-Mountain Ski Courses. Snoworks
to say no to your
run Off-Piste and Backcountry courses
mates, learn to
throughout the winter along with Off-
say no to yourself,
Piste Adventure trips to destinations around the world. info@snoworks.com
learn to say no to temptation.
Iceman was cool, calculated, played by the rules.
playing by the
Icebreaker RealFLEECE
But Maverick did things his way, bent the rules
rules. Don’t let that first mistake be your last.
be costly both to yourself and others, but you
Merino fibre wrapped around a nylon core for strength, then brushed to maximise warmth and softness
and pushed the boundaries; he was wild, would
Here are my three golden rules for off-piste
can learn to be safe, you can learn to have
take a chance, appeared fun to be with – but
skiing for potential freeriders.
exhilarating experiences, you can learn to ski
®
icebreaker.com
Maverick ends up losing his best mate, and it
single mistake can
fantastic powder and ski extraordinary places.
took a big lesson before he started playing by the
GET EDUCATED
However, it takes education, professional
rules and became someone others could trust.
Get trained, get educated, book on lots of
advice and local knowledge. It takes the cool,
Swap ‘air’ for ‘off-piste’ and ‘Iceman’ for ‘ski
courses – hire guides or instructors, learn
calm collectedness of the Iceman.
Icebreaker is sustainable, renewable, merino clothing from the Southern Alps of New Zealand. For stockists information telephone 01572 772437
008 // DEC14
SNOWORKS.COM