Freeride. We are already used to this term, although no one is able to say what it is exactly, even the riders themselves. The word “freeride” is usually understood as free descent along an unfamiliar slope outside the laid tracks at the maximum possible speed under the given conditions. In a sense, this formulation is probably suitable. But this is only a miserable attempt to choose terminology, to drive into a narrow framework of the formula an absolutely immense concept, which includes philosophy, attitude to skiing, to oneself and perception of the Mountain … Perhaps the attitude to the Mountain is what distinguishes a rider from a beautifully skiing expert? That’s right, to the Mountain – with a capital letter, because all the people whom we call freeriders (they prefer to say something about themselves like “well, we know how to ski a bit”) have great respect for the Mountain. Otherwise, it’s simply impossible, Continue reading →