• It tore at his exposed cheeks and lips. No shelter for him to take to hide from this tearing wind as he sat atop the snow pack. His eyes and limbs were the only things hidden from the wind. Thick stream lined clothing guarded his body from the frozen winds. His eyes hid behind the plastics of his goggles small amounts of snow clinging to the crevices were the lense met the frame. At his feet he was strapped to what had become known as a snowboard. A device which only purpose was to slide over top the snow with. In the hands of an untrained user this could be a lethal combination. But he had been riding for many many years. He had broken just about all the bones taht could be broken from doing this sport. Many called it a hobby, other ridiculed them and said they were nothign but punks clogging up the ski lift. He was niether, he rode with pride and respect for everyone brave enough to come out and bomb it on the trails of the local ski resort. After all they were all here for one purpose, to have as much fun while still being safe and in control of their equipment. Digging the edge of his board into the snow of the hill side he lifts himself up not fully straightenign his knee's. This was to maintain stability over the board. Hopping slightly he sucks his knees into his chest while his weight twists to turn the board down the hill. At the bottom his friends waited with a stop watch, wondering how long it would take him to reach the bottom from the top if he went as fast as he could. The begining of the trail was long and not very steep. Sliding down it he takes the inside root of the corner. Catching the slight increase of speed fromthe turn he drops low on the poly covered plank to which he was trapped. In his ears his MP3 shouted beats into his brain keeping him focused on what lay ahead. soon after the first it got steeper. Hitting the down slope he weaves about the amss of people fillign the trail, ideally he would've tried this much later in the night when most had left so he wouldnt have to aviod so many people. Weaving through them he comes out quicker than when he had started. Up ahead a split sat to one side a medium difficulty trail on the other a double black diamond trail. Both ended at the very same place but one reguired skills beyond that of a novice. Plowing into the double black with no sense of stopping he shot off the initial startign ledge. Landing ina pile of soft shifting powder he sends a small puff floating in the air. B lasting from it he shifts abotu adjusting his weight forewards the board responding with more speed and control. Ahead a bank had been erected to turn the boarders and skiers away from a part of teh trail that many wouldnt be able to negotiate. A series of nasty mogles of around forty feet in length sat. Shooting up the bank wall he spun off the lip his hand reaching for the ground. Landing with a soft thud he shot over the top of a mogle landing on the crest of another. Turnign he heads for the tree line along the edge of the trail. Here thing leveled otu and speed could be attained. His guess was soon confirmed as he rocketed past trees at speeds that would be lethal should he impact upon one of the said trees. Only several hundred more feet and he would fly past his friends. Popping out at the midway point of one of the mountains two terrain parks he shoots through the opening sfindign his goal. The parks crown jewel, a giant twenty foot kicker. Shooting up it he is soon latching his hand between his feet spinning abotu at a seemingly slow speed. Soon the ground approached, releasing his beloved board he extends his feet ready to land on the ground. Hitting, his knees come up halfway to his chest. Riding aways his friedns come sldiing up yellign and congratulating him on his record and trick. Falling onto hsi back he laughs his face raw and sore form teh wind and the excitement of landing such a jump. he had mastered the snow and made it do his biding. No longer did he ride by its rules, now it took his commands and did as he decreed. He had accomplished somethign he could brag long about for many years to follow. He had riden faster than anyone yet, on the slope.