Icelandic Forests

January 5, 2013 at the top of North Lynx at Sugarbush

There’s an old joke about Iceland and the absence of trees in the countryside: What do you do if you’re lost in an Icelandic forest? Stand up!

I often make reference to altitude when teaching skiing. For me it’s about how close to the details we are and the need to rise to a higher elevation to make sure we can put the details into proper perspective lest they become pixelated. It's not just about effective teaching: striking a balance between being down in the details and being high enough to see the big picture is absolutely essential if we’re going to continue to share in the joy of our guests' skiing.

The truth about this idea of altitude adjustment is that it’s also a cautionary piece of advice generally for those of us who have made our passion for skiing and riding our careers. Too often professionals in the industry either lose sight of the real reason that we’re all here in the first place or we simply lose the ability to find that joy in skiing and riding. I’ve written about this on several occasions before, but for me this year it has particular resonance and I have found that perspective, that view from a higher elevation, in some places that I might not have expected.

At Sugarbush, we have a great program for new skiers and riders. It’s called First Timer to Life Timer and it’s a lift, rentals and lesson package that includes three two-hour group lessons. What makes it unique in the industry is that upon completion of a guest’s third lesson, they receive an all-mountain season pass to the resort. There are a number of aspects of the experiences we and our guests have with this program that are really terrific, but none more so than the celebrations that spontaneously break out when people receive their first season pass after only a few days of skiing and riding. Spouses, parents, children, friends, instructors, supervisors, sales staff, random passers-by and even the Director of the Ski & Ride School give and receive hugs, high five each other, make funny faces when posing for pass photos, and generally have an amazing time with what has become a sort of joyous initiation rite for new skiers and snowboarders. It’s absolutely fantastic, and even the most jaded, downtrodden old pro who has been too close to the details for too long would find the experience elevating. It definitely is a wonderful perspective-refreshing tonic. And there are others.

I have several friends around the industry and at home who have been going out of their way to make sure that despite the amount of work I’ve been putting in and the size of the challenge I face in my new role that I continue to be able to see the big picture. Some young kids who made their way with their parents to Sugarbush from Okemo specifically to ski with me over the holidays all drew crayon pictures of our time on the hill together, made thank-you notes on them, and then sent them to me via FedEx last week. A couple of my new colleagues in particular have proven to genuinely interested in making sure that I remain true to principle, that I can keep the big picture in focus, taking in the view from 30,000 feet, so to speak, and it’s been much appreciated.

And occasionally, on days off like today, I get to free ski, out of uniform, at home and away from the resort where I work. Today was like a one day vacation where I was a simple skier, enjoying an awesome morning of making relaxing turns with a good friend, occasionally bumping into other folks that I was genuinely happy to see, who were genuinely curious about how things are going for me, and who did not under any circumstances want to talk about work. Together with great conditions, a quiet day around my old stomping grounds, and beautiful weather, and it definitely provided a mind clarifying bit of skiing that was gobs of fun and rejuvenating to my spirit. My point is definitely not to be taken as a negative comment about where I work (or about any other work place), but more about the benefits of taken a step back, or a step away, from them from time to time.

There’s nothing quite like high altitude to engender a philosophical mindset. Whether it’s astronauts on the moon looking back to the earth, mountain climbers at the summit of some great peak, or even weary travelers simply gazing out of airplane windows, elevation provides a big picture view that puts things in perspective. In Iceland, that may mean simply standing up when lost in a forest. For me in the ski industry, it means lots of little things and opportunities that I need to take hold of and appreciate.  And most of them involve simply skiing and spending time with people who love it simply. I find that, more and more, I’ve been seeking out those moments, I’m very grateful when I find them, and that they definitely make me better at and more appreciative of my job and my place in the industry.