FREESTYLE & FREERIDE CAMPS PROFILE FOR CHRIS M

STARTED SKIING: When I was 1 year old because my Dad was a ski instructor.

TRICK BAG: 180 Mutes.

AIMING TO LEARN HOW TO: Mute 540s.

FAV TV HERO: Murdock from the A team… he’s so cool!

LINE SKIS HOLIDAY & CAMP, APRIL 2006

REPORT BY CHRIS M

There are so many good memories from this trip that I really do not have a clue where to start, apart from maybe saying that it was by far the best ski trip I have ever been on and I am proud I was a part of it!

Although I lost the last two days due to injury I still don’t think any holiday will live up to this one for the amount of amazing skiers and people I’ve met… Campers, Coaches and Pros.

The first day’s skiing was kinda scary, not knowing how good everyone would be and how accepting they would be, but by this point most of us were already friends and then seeing everyone stack straight away into the powder on the way up the mountain the first morning definitely relieved some of my worries because of the light-hearted attitude of everyone.

Then when we all hit the piste for the first time it was such a new experience for me to ski with so many good skiers that I really could not get the grin from my face. Seeing 20 odd people blasting down the mountain, winding in between beginners and each other, all on twin tips, was an awesome sight! Then for the switch run back at the top everyone was still skiing just as well and just as fast, that was cool!

When we all hit the Park for the first time it was another eye opener for me because not only was it the biggest Park I’ve ever seen but also the amount of people just going off was amazing. Seeing switch tricks and big lazy spins everywhere was awesome.

The first night was cool too, getting to know everyone and learning names and stuff. Then watching the BUSC Big Air was just unreal, seeing people like Tom, Murray and Glen as well as James go big.

Monday was better for me because now I knew most people and I was so up for it, it was unbelievable and I started learning new tricks immediately… so after a day and a morning on the camp I had already landed my first 540!

I also got to know the coaches better which was really cool. Sessioning jumps and stuff with people like Glen and Gav gave me a whole new outlook on skiing!

I think Tuesday was when we finally found the fence jump and to see people just hitting it, baring in mind they had never landed in powder before, was really inspiring. I also started to become good friends with people by now and to see them progress was even cooler than my own progression, like little Harry having so much style on the rails and seeing James and Charlie do the slowest 5s ever was just awesome.

Wednesday was almost a white-out which I really enjoyed because those are the conditions I’m used to, plus skiing in a small group was quite cool just for the one day. Seeing those few people so up for skiing even though the weather was terrible really made me appreciate that I’m not the only one with such a passion for skiing!

Thursday was my last day’s skiing and it wasn’t the best one for me because I just kept falling all day because I was getting tired and stuff. But sitting and seeing James land massive Corked 7s was really cool. Unfortunately on the way down I managed to nearly wrap my feet around my head scorpion style and couldn’t ski anymore, but I really wasn’t that annoyed after having such a good week, learning new tricks, seeing people progress around me and making new friends.

I used the last day and a half to rest a little and to appreciate the beauty of the area which I haven’t really ever had time to do before, and also to become even better friends with some of the people who were sitting out too!

All in all it was just one of the best experiences of my life and one that I would definitely recommend to anyone. I made so many friends and contacts and learnt new tricks and phrases along with old ones (eg. “GET YER RAT OUT!”) which still makes me laugh now!

I think all that’s left to say now is thanks so much Matt and I will definitely see you next year! GET YER MATT OUT!

Chris