"There are no friends on a powder day"

I have often caught myself likening mountain biking to skiing;  which has got me thinking about how similar the sports really are.  I mean, I’m not sure how appropriate it is that at the top of a sweet section of flowey, technical singletrack, I look at my riding buddies and say “ there’s no friends on a powder day” before I tear off… but I do it anyway.  But for those of you who swap derailleurs and suspension for fat skis and beanies through winter this probably makes total sense. 

As a skier you are constantly waiting for the perfect day.  The right weather, the right amount of base, and most importantly the right amount of fresh powder. (loads). And when all the planets align to provide perfect conditions skiing is one of the most exhilarating eperiences on earth. I am the first to admit that there is nothing better  than hucking off a cornice into a steep chute that is covered in knee deep powder after a big storm.  And for those you unfamiliar with skiing culture, that’s why “there are no friends on a powder day”.  It’s simple… you can’t wait for your mates, because you’re trying to get the most fresh tracks possible in the ideal conditions, which incidentally don’t happen that often.

So back to my original point.  Skiing and mountain biking are extremely similar. Both skiers and mountain bikers aspire to go the best areas for their sport, they both dream of their idea of a perfect run or trail and they both love the adrenaline rush you get from railing a technical corner or stealing some air off a random feature that presented itself.  There is no doubt both sports share a lot in common apart from one very important thing of note:

Mountain bikers get way more powder days than skiers! 

Think about it? What do we need for a perfect trail ride, the conditions necessary to give us that giddy excited adrenalin rush?  It’s not much really.  We need a well groomed trail, on a warm clear day, that was lightly rained on the day before or that morning.  Bang! That’s it.  You get the grippy, flatout, freedom rush that we all enjoy so much.  The mountain bikers powder day!  And we get these perfect days often, and in many places.  So get out there and search for your “powder day” and smoke your mates to the bottom, because “there are no mates on powder days”