In the latest poll readers were asked if they listen to music when they are out on the slopes. The question was inspired by the fact that I had one iPod stolen a year ago and then this season lost its replacement, and have since not brought myself to purchase yet another; so I spent the end of this season riding without a personal soundtrack for the first time since I first started riding I'd say. Anyway, my experience with life outside of tiny speakers was interesting and prompted some poignant observations:
What I noticed in my days sans-iPod was a powder day is just that much more epic when ridden in subtle silence and the scrape of your snowboard up to the lip of a kicker and the moment when sound and time stops as you fly through the air is pure magic. I noticed that communicating with other riders when queued to hit a feature makes things not only safer and way clearer, but a bit more entertaining as well.
To my surprise, the majority of readers said they listen to music while shredding at all times. This means when you're with friends, when you're cruising an epic powder run, when you're hucking through the park, when there's a really busy day... regardless of the what the day hands you, your headphones are on. I'd say I would fit into this category as well if I still had an iPod.
Without musical accompaniment, I found out that bringing a friend that listens to music at all times when riding fucking sucks! There is nothing more awesome than silent lift rides (or realizing you've been talking to yourself the whole time) and screaming directions at your oblivious friends as they turn down the wrong runs--that's my experience anyway, and personally I bring friends along hoping to vibe, learn some new tricks and just get stoked on snowboarding.
I've come to the conclusion that music while snowboarding has its time, place and purpose. For me, on an insanely busy day--or contest, if you a contest kid-- where there is a lot to tune out, some music is definitely called for. Of course any solo-day is fair game (incidentally this was the runner-up in the poll). I don't think I will ever listen to music while riding with friends again after my experience on the other side. I guess the bottom line is just the next time you find yourself strapping in at the top with your music blaring, consider the question,"What does snowboarding even sound like?"... or something inspiring and meaningful like that.
I ride 100% with music but I'm also not a fuckstick about it, I use the Skullcandy Icons and just pull them back off my right ear when I roll up to a feature to communicate and put them around my neck on the chairlift. I can't ride without music anymore, I need my metal to keep me sane.
ReplyDeleteLike when I'm on a chairlift with tourists I leave them on crank it up and just bob my head, they evidently think I'm saying Ok to everything they're asking.
nothing sweeter than the sound of air rushing past your ear
ReplyDeleteTrue that on riding with friends and yelling at them with no response, that's a pain. But even when I'm alone I prefer the silent sounds of snow under my board and riding in the trees is the best, listening to everything whipping past you. The distance cry of someone eating it in the background. Slashit.
ReplyDeleteim the only one of my friends that jam out on the slopes.. they always ask me where i go and i alwasy say" WHAT" ... i say park all day everyday..unless you get some powder thats always nice to jam too
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