Skiing as Religion? April 8, 2009

Appreciating divine turns.

The ski bums in Big Sky were treated to a chain of winter storms all last week.  Big Sky and Moonlight Basin were pounded with several feet of snow. I personally was elated by this late season winter weather. The informational board at the top of the Lone Peak Triple lift read; “spring has been cancelled.” There was a large smiley face drawn next to the phrase. The whole town seemed to bond together in celebration of this fortunate event. Bridger Bowl and Red Lodge Mountain both extended their ski seasons. Every person that had a deep love for skiing running through their blood celebrated. It was almost as if we were all experiencing a spiritual revitalization.

 

 

When speaking to my non skiing co-workers, family and friends back home, I had an increasingly hard time vindicating my ecstasy. This week I will attempt to explain the culture of ski bumming. Ski bums do not own ostentatious possessions; instead we prefer cold mountain mornings. We do not follow the stock market, we follow the NOAA website. We do not take pride in having the best career, but the craft of our turns. Unfortunately this way of thinking is conducive to frost bite, Ramen noodle eating and large medical bills. We have wasted rather expensive educations, we pay outrageously high rent and our apartments reek of well used ski equipment. But everybody must sacrifice for the things they love.

Everybody has heard surfers try to justify their addiction by comparing surfing to some sort of religious experience. I always wrote this claim off as a boneheaded notion. Nevertheless I have been called a number of names from “crazy” to “obsessed” when it comes to skiing. Is there something that sets skiing apart from other sports? Is skiing a religious experience that results in fanatical allegiance?

I have a hard time believing that baseball players feel as if they experience something personally spiritual each time they run to second base. Maybe a young man in junior high may feel something divine for reaching second base for the first time, but I have a hard time picturing Derek Jeter feeling spiritually affected by hitting a double.

Maybe it’s the venue that makes us skiers feel as if we are in a sanctuary of worship. Although Joe Louis Arena is massive, it fails to deliver the same magnitude of wonder that a view of the Spanish Peaks, Taylor Hilgards, Tetons and several other surrounding mountain ranges ensues. And when we look around, we are observing great natural wonders of our earth. At Joe Louis Arena in Detroit you may observe many seemingly unnatural wonders of humanity…by people watching. (Don’t be mad, I’ve got nothing but love for you Detroit.)

Skiing is not possible without certain gifts from nature. First of all, we must have accommodating landscape, such as mountains. Secondly we require snow storms. Religious or not, every skier prays for snow. Skiing is no “drop a ball on the ground and kick it into a goal” sport. Skiing requires summoning contributions from the heavens. And when the snow flies, prayers have been answered. Skiers burns skis as sacrifice to the “snow gods” or “Ullr” (god of snow and skiing). Skiers also have some sort of conviction that binge drinking somehow leads to snowfall. I personally do not describe to this theory. If I am” over-served” by a bartender and it dumps that night, I usually attribute this to bad luck on my part.

Skiing is an intensely personal sport. Although one may enter competitions, competition is not required. In fact, I highly recommend that you avoid competition, as a purist I believe that the wrong motive can spoil the experience. One should ski because one truly loves it, not to win, not for glory and not for a sexy lifestyle. (We all get to enjoy a little well deserved glory any way.)

Skiing allows you to challenge your body, push the limits of your strength and realize your physical potential. Skiing teaches humility when you tossed out of your skis and cartwheel 500 feet, then hike back up to collect your belongings. You can challenge your mind to overcome fear and realize your own capability. Self-enlightenment is the closest thing to a deity for many. Some actually get to see their life flash before their eyes in certain “challenging” circumstances.

Skiing can be adrenaline filled action, or it can be a calming meditative experience. One can experience ethereal gratification through skiing. One could argue that skiing connects us to nature, and if nature is God, then skiing brings you closer to God.

Skiers like devoted worshippers have a fanatical obsession with traditional customs. In Big Sky the traditional ski bum après ski beverage is a White Russian. The traditional activity for many skiers is to race for the tram on a powder day. In ski areas all over the world there are traditional spring celebrations where skiers dress in ridiculous costumes and celebrate their lifestyle.

Skiing also instills a strict code of moral ethics. People who break this code are punished, much like receiving a penance. We not only have a code of responsibility (which can be found on most ski area trail maps), but we have an unspoken code of ethics amongst us. There is no cutting in the tram line, even if you want to ski with your buddy and he is only one tram load in front of you; there is absolutely no cutting in the tram line. When another skier is ripping a sick line; you do not traverse in front of them.  When skiing through constrictions do not slide your skis or board and remove all the snow so the next person is on rock. (Snowboarders, please pay extra attention to this rule.)

Ski bums are like monks. Ski bums live in communities together and are separated from the normal practices of society. Ski bums are often celibate. Although I this is usually not by choice. Ski bum men have a hard time finding women in a ski town, where the population is mostly male. Women ski bums find the gross amount of men, to be just that; gross.

Is skiing a religion? If so, can I claim that coming to work on a powder day is against my religion? Hmmm. Not sure if the powers that be would buy that… But I can assure you that last week every ski bum in Big Sky experienced a religious experience enjoying the white flakey treasures that fell from the sky. Everyday was a new powder day. And as we enter our last week of the season we are all eternally grateful.

Faithfully yours,

Erin

 

Events

Monday 4/6 – Sunday 4/12 – Free Ski Week for Frequent Sky Card Holders at Big Sky Resort.

Saturday 4/11 – KILL OUR KEGS party at Buck’s T-4.  – Come help the folks at Buck’s T-4 drain the kegs!

$3 Micros

$3 Bottles

$8 Pitchers

Complimentary appetizers after 9 p.m.

 

Sunday 4/12 – Last day of the ski season at Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin.

 

Weather

Wed 4/8               Rain/Snow (high 49)

Thurs 4/9             Rain/Snow (high 40)

Fri 4/10                Snow (high 44)

Sat 4/11               Rain/Snow (high 42)

Sun 4/12              Snow (high 40)

Mon 4/13            Snow (high 37)