COMP - Dongers, Chongers, and Freeriding with Hoji

Donger: a pillowy launchpad, cliff, or otherwise steep rollover by which air time can be gained on skis.

Whenever I've been asked who would you like to ski with in your life, my answer is always Eric Hjorleifson, or that One piece ski ballet chick from the 80s. Now I can say I've shredded with one of those people.

Becoming a first time father this year I  rewarded myself to a 4 day mission to try to keep up with Hoji (unexpectedly more on the skin track). Sunrise lodge sits in the Esplanade range, a close neighbour to the big peaks of Rogers Pass and the Selkirks.

As we arrived on a stellar day with 10 cm of fresh and blue skies, we were greeted across valley with a perfect run via heli-drop, and when you're Hoji, why not?

School was in session.

P: Hoji on day 1

The camp was 3 full ski days. I only knew 2 of the 13 in our group, but after a few sauna 'showers' and passing around the bottle of whiskey, I would trust all of them with my son. Brotherhood was easy to come by on the best ski days of my life.

P: Darcy skis into the sunset

Amidst what was already a great ski trip and 11 days in a row for Hoji and Russ 'the Mayor' Lybarger the nights were even better. Hoji took up ski tech duties to get us all on 4Frnt/ Dynafit demos, and the Mayor belted out the best guitar and harmonica solo performances I've heard outside of a Neil Young concert.

P: Eric pulling an inversion

Returning camper John Power said it the best: "F*** that was a good time". I've already started counting down the days to next year: 297 days left until the next FRC.