A=(nR x E)

Where A=Amp Level, nR=Number of Riders, E=Energy)

The energy of my crew radiates the amp level. Whenever there are riders better than me, I like to push. Progression feels good. When we all push each other, it becomes a dream team. It’s all about keeping a maximum energy level. It becomes a science. We’ve even planned out the best time for lunch breaks where the crowds are minimal. So we ride on empty slopes while everyone is taking their lunch break. That is what a good crew is all about.

Hm. What to say about my crew. Well, we ride a small Ice Coast resort in PA, and needless to say, I am by far the worst rider haha. But, I would be far, far worse than I am now if it wasn’t for the awesome crew I ride with. Right now we are working really hard to set up a Park & Pipe team to represent our hill(to call it a mountain would be a bit of a stretch), but it’s moving kind of slowly due to lack of funding and recognition. The kids in my crew are out there day in and day out, digging out features in the park and making it the best park at this resort in memorable history. They work so hard, ride with the cats at night, and get out there and dig some more the next morning without even being paid for it. My crew works hard just because we love our hill and we love our sport. We ride bruised, broken and beat, but there is never a day without at least a few of us out there throwing down. The crew definately makes me a better snowboarder, no doubt. This is only my second season, and last season I could barely even carve my turns. These kids push me so hard to keep up with them, both freeriding and in the park, that this season I am easily carving my turns, and I just learned to backside the flatbox. Conquering that flatbox was a huge thing for me, since last time I tried it at the end of last season, I fell and smashed my face on it really hard, and my fear of it has gotten the best of me until just a few weeks ago. I know I couldn’t have done it without the crew, and especially without the other girls in our crew who really throw down and represent the women in the local comps, and win. These girls really inspire me to get over my horrible anxiety and get out there and try to compete, even though I may not win, just to help to encourage some of the other female riders out there to enter and compete with the boys. All the funny stories, all the best memories, and all the things that no one else would understand, these are what make our crew what it is – even if there is a little drama thrown in here and there (as the Whitetail turns baby!), this is where I fit in, finally. I want to be on the hill with my crew all day, everyday. So much so that I am the proud new owner of a goggle tan line! Like I say, I have no life outside of the mountain life, and I kind of love it.

My crew is small, about half a dozen, and even then its hard to get us all together at one time. My crew is the group of guys (and two girls) that push my riding. They are the ones that tell me I can when I think I cant. They are the ones that give me first runs in the back country when I made the bootpack. They are the ones I trust with my life and they trust me with theirs. My crew are the ones that stand by without saying a word when Im doubled over after a brutal fall. They dont say anything they are just there and thats all I need. They are the ones that share knowing smiles with me when the fall weather starts to set in. They leave me voicemails like ” Hey man I had to turn on the heater this morning soon well be riding!” They are the ones that make me come to the mountain when the “snow is crap” or when ” the lights too flat” because all those excuses fly out the window when we are together. Hi-fives, Yeah dudes, and big smiles .. thats my crew. But most importantly my crew is my group of friends that know its always better to start a story with ” remember the time we” instead of “once I”.

I love boarding with these guys – They are much, much better than me but don’t leave me behind. They rib me enough to make me determined to catch up, but not enough that I get disheartened or try things that would be dangerous. They don’t care that they have to wait for a girl (Or at least they are very good at pretending!) and are so much fun on the lifts and on the skitube. I’m sure I’m going to get hammered with snowballs first day out as revenge for winning the snowball fight last year :]

I knocked myself out last year – on the first day of a week long trip. My boy came home with me and pandered to my every whim – Movies, popcorn… And didn’t whinge once about having to miss our long planned week at the snow.

I love my crew. They are what makes boarding worthwhile. They challenge me to improve while keeping me safe. We all look out for each other – I think there is a type of camaraderie you get on the snow that you don’t get anywhere else. I can’t wait for many seasons to come boarding with these great mates.

I choose my crew wisely. I like riding with people that will look out for you or wait for you going through sketchy terrain. I have friends that charge but without worry about consequences of their actions. I’d rather ride slower and easier terrain with people that I can trust so that I can be safe in the backcountry and tree areas where avalanche terrain exists. My crew mostly rides Sierra and Heavenly. We slay both the park and the powder depending on conditions. We film each other and help each other out when we’re stumbling on progression. We usually end up at the pub at the end of the day to talk about how the day was and then go back to the cabin to make dinner and sit in the hot tub.

Snowboarding is fun, but even better with a crew to share the stoke with.