Extreme Practice

Peter Gardell

14 years ago

I was reflecting on the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, which takes place at the mountain where we ski, Killington, Vt.

What these skiers and snowboarders do is unbelievable; they defy gravity, possess cat-like reflexes, and have a go-for-broke attitude.

How many hours do these men and women spend perfecting their art? They don't nail the trick on the first attempt; they go through the tried and true process of practice, practice, practice. Or in the case of these diehard athletes, the process of crash, burn, repeat. They sacrifice their bodies for hours at a time, all for 30 seconds of prime-time.

You really have to respect their dedication. It's amazing what can be accomplished when one has a goal, and the determination and vision it takes to attain it!