I have done many things on skis that might be considered dangerous. Ducking ropes, solo skiing in the backcountry/sidecountry, suspect route selection, etc. But such ill advised exploits hardly compare to running the gauntlet opening weekend on the only open trail. Cannon’s lone route, comprised of Middle Cannon to Gremlin, was flooded with sliders. Surviving the WROD was more a matter of luck than technical prowess and staying alert.

Obstacles on the trails included three ski teams, a variety of lower level skiers, college yahoo straight liners, and the rest of the general skiing population. Trail density was highest when the Peabody Quad–a high speed detachable–was running full capacity, effectively dumping four skiers onto Middle Cannon every eight seconds. There simply was no break between skiers to get some space for turning.

My decision to ski with my new (to me) Volkl Six Stars was not helping matters. These skis are jaw dropping in high speed wide arcs. You can not put them on without feeling double dog dared to rip it edge to edge as fast as possible. Reigning them in is more difficult than stopping a runaway stage coach whose horses are galloping towards a cliff without a second thought. Whoa… whoa!!!

Reign in the big arcs I did but dancing along the sides of the trails was just as dangerous. Instead of skiing a human slalom course, I suddenly become a human gate for others. The best course of action was something in between the two extremes. Wait until you have a clear path, give it some gas, and then hit the breaks and wait for the alley to clear again.

The danger to fun ratio had decidedly tipped towards the dangerous side after five runs. I have all season to engage in dangerous skiing behavior. There was certainly no reason to risk life and limb on a WROD during Cannon’s opening weekend of the season.