Keep your friends close..but your enemies closer still...
There are many grizzled old (would be) mountain men who will swear to the life changing effects of getting first tracks.
If you're ever at a cable car first thing on a powder day, (and I mean very first thing - 1 minute after the cable car opens and the spectacle is already over), you will notice that the waiting queue will be mainly populated by furtive-looking, unshaven faces, who will greet each other with knowing smiles. Whilst friendly on the outside, behind the smiles there will be a Machiavellian thought process going on, plotting how to shake off the "opposition" or how to at least get in front of them, so that the virgin powder will be their's.
There is an old skier's adage - "No friends on a powder day", and by and large this holds true. Even the strongest, oldest and closest friendships will be forgotten when faced with the choice of getting either first or second tracks in the powder. Second place is just not good enough - even if your buddy is godfather to your firstborn, or pulled you out of a fire, or listened to you sobbing when your relationships broke up.
Survival of the fittest...
Standing at the top of an untracked powder field appears to awaken the most primeval instincts in a man - the dweeb turns back into the hunter, stalking his prey, and becoming master of all he surveys. Add a "mate" into the scenario and the picture just doesn't look right does it? Worse still add in a snowboarder, and the whole dream comes crashing down.
You see snowboarders have managed to conquer the powder field without having had a proper apprenticeship. Instead of spending years learning the trade they can sail through after a couple of weeks. They haven't had to kneel at the feet of a sensei or heed wise words from the masters - they just went ahead and doggone did it.
And maybe it's because of this relatively easy access to the joys of powder that snowboarders will give it less respect and possibly be a bit more relaxed about it. Hey man you go first - no after you - no I insist. Snowboarders tend to be far more metrosexual than your average hunter skier!
Testing the testosterone...
So if you're wondering why it is that on a powder day the atmosphere seems a bit more charged, there's less chatter on the chairlift, the guys you're with seem preoccupied or distracted - it's all down to the power of the pow. As it quietly falls at night, it's quietly transforming your average Dr Jeckyll into a mighty Mr Hyde, stripping away the veneer of manners and education and exposing the animal beneath!
But hey, it doesn't happen that often - so let them play while it lasts!
The photo is of first tracks in the Grand Massif and supplied by the Skiology Brothers of Les Carroz, who are currently offering catered weeks and weekends at bargain prices - just £299 for a week, fully catered! Thanks guys - this photo is also a main contender for the Coolboard prize in our SnowSnaps competition - there's still time for you to get your entry into us!
