Author: Jonathan Lawson

Summer started a bit late in Breckenridge, CO. The summers are relatively short at 9,600 ft, so we try to make the most of it. This is time to rest the body, or at least get the feet out of ski boots. But with my mind focused on skiing and teaching I look for activities which carry over passion and fitness into winter. I would like to credit a friend of mine, Lindsey A. for helping me remember how much I enjoy two activities, Mountain Biking and Photography.

I keep 10% of my income in a jar(literally) for education, and another 10% for “passions”. Well, let’s say those jars have been somewhat depleted this summer in exchange for tangible items. I am currently the proud owner of a new Panasonic G5 DSLM camera, and a used Santa Cruz Superlight mountain bike. The camera was just what I wanted, and much more than I even knew was possible. My previous bike was a Team Marin hardtail that I bought in 1996. Oh how much more fun Full-Suspension mountain biking is.

I have been reading many of my older photobooks, and focusing on the nuances of Aperture priority, and longer exposure shots. There was a time in the “old days” when my wife and I would shoot 40-50 rolls of film a month. That was one heck of a monthly budget item. The ongoing cost is so much lower now. I love the idea of digital for this reason alone. I find the learning curve much quicker in the realm of digital. I have an idea, take a shot, immediately evaluate the results, take a shot, evaluate results. Then go back to the books for more ideas and understanding. Great stuff.

I plan on taking and posting more photos of my students for the winter. I want to find the special and unexpected shots that make my student’s vacations and lesson experiences that much more special.

My passion with mountain biking goes back to when I was 4 and I started motorcycle riding. I then raced between the ages of 7-11. I rode mountain bikes in college, and then again when I moved to Colorado. However, when I had children cycling took a back seat. Work and helping with the kids consumed most of my time. I started road riding more around 2006. A good way to combat the drop in metabolism which accompanied my mid-30s. I also found that I came back to the ski season much stronger when I spent my summer cycling. Pedaling also complimented my desired skiing movements as well. Plunging a singletrack decent is pretty awesome as well.

As I prepare for the second half of summer 2013, I am grateful that I have found a few activities which keep my mind and body in focus. Keeping physically fit will prepare me for another 155+ days on snow. These new activities will keep my mind sharp for a better quality of teaching.

What are you doing new this summer to keep you growing? I look forward to reading your comments.

And if you have a digital camera, and don’t know how to do this (below), learn how. It’s not that hard, and it is fun.

Colorado snow was sparse in the early season. It was important to keep the edges sharp and to go with momentum and gravity. March, April, and May provided outstanding snow conditions. I traveled with with my students to a number of destinations throughout Colorado and Utah. But come April and May there was no better place to be than Summit County, Colorado. Most areas closed in April and this was unfortunate. May 2nd was the biggest day of my season. I skied Loveland Ski area. During the course of the day (8am-4pm) Loveland received 22″ and due to the foul (incredibly awesome) weather there were very few people on the mountain. We took laps and laps in low visibility deep powder conditions.

As often happens the masses missed the big powder day and get there for the day after. May 3rd snow report stated 15″ of new and it was a bluebird powder day. Most of the people headed up to the Ridge and Chair 8 in hope of deep snow. This left me and a good ski friend PSIA Level 2 PSIA instructor from Winter Park, Lindsey Antonio to explore the powder and bumps on Chair 1.

The following video is a compilation of 4 runs we took together. I suggest you bump up the resolution on the video to 1080p and expand it on your screen.

See you next season for lessons at Copper Mountain, or if you go to Winter Park look up Lindsey. Enjoy

I have enjoyed skiing Copper Mountain over the years, And this is the first year I have taught there. As part of my training we took the “Intro” course at the Woodward Barn. The staff of Woodward took us through the process of initiating us the freestyle life of Woodward.

I was looking forward to the experience, yet when I put on my workout clothes and stepped onto the gymnastics floor my anxiety level elevated. Fortunately the experience staff anticipated this as well. We started with a good warm up and stretching. As we stretched, the instructors offered a verbal preview of the session ahead. This lowered the anxiety slightly.

We went through a simple progression of somersault type activities (front and back) on the mat with wedges and multiple instructors to help us improve our technique. The foam pits just off the gym floor reminded us of what was to come. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to try. Front flip, and 360 with a grab were two moves I wanted to complete. I was assured that it was very doable. Before we were to use the trampolines we were coached on entering the pit. Two footed jump and landing in a tuck butt first was our first pitjump. The landing was simple, but I did feel slightly claustrophobic getting out of the 6″ blocks of foam. The next jump off the map into the pit was a either a front flip or a somersault roll. I delayed entry for a bit, unsure if I could do it. I thought, maybe just the somersault into the pit. Fortunately there were other 1st timers doing what I wanted to do… a front flip. I took a big gulp, stepped forward and made a front flip into the pit. When I sat on the foam, I did so with a feeling of accomplishment. My first front flip accomplished.