Hilary Sheppard - Skiing as a Way to Connect with Wilderness

I mentioned in my blog about growing up in NH that I was practically raised on skis. I can still remember my first pair of skis with little long neck dinosaur designs, which were then passed down to my sister. Alpine skiing has always been a large part of my life. In middle school I decided to start snowboarding as well and in high school I was a member of the nordic ski team. Although you are not truly in wilderness while skiing (there are obvious signs of human life around) I think it definitely brings you closer to wilderness. It is the most amazing feeling when you turn the corner of a trail and you're alone gliding down the path of snow between two walls of trees. Its almost as if you are experiencing flow; you forget that other people are around and you're completely in the moment taking in the whole experience. I find this to be especially true while nordic skiing, because a lot of the time you are alone on a portion of the trail and you feel removed from all other people and society. I simply love skiing and the feeling that it gives you and I find it unfortunate that not many people here have had many opportunities to experience it like I have.