Wrinkles — jeremy p. mcghee

I've come to realize that i'm not what i used to be when it comes to skiing. A flat brimmed ball cap hides my thinning hair. Creases, at the corners of my eyes, from years of smiling, peak out slightly from the edges of my large rectangle sunglasses. Something in me changed a year or so ago. I don't need to go fast anymore. I don't need to scare myself. I don't need to push the limits. I just want to be adventuring with my friends. I don't want to impress them. I want to connect with them. I want to share this passion for nature with them. I find that the people i bond with the most understand this passion, this need to be close to the ocean and engulfed by the mountains.

BTS follow cam with Andrew Bydlon. Photo by Wes Rochfort

Recently, i went on a shoot with Eider in Colorado and it was not the easiest day for me to say the least. My equipment was failing me and a group of us was relegated to the lower mountain groomers because of it. The mountains had just received a little refresh though, and my equipment problems didn't stop us from shredding together. That's what i enjoy. I used to relish in skiing out front, leading the way, being the first one down and bask in the glory of the ensuing compliments. Now, i like skiing behind or next to someone, choreographing what seems to be an orchestrated symphony, drawing on a soft white canvas, feeling together, not set apart. Togetherness: that's what this sport has become to me and this day on the mountain embodied that. And look at our sweet Eider gear!