The Masters Program, now in its thirty-fifth iteration, is a curious anomaly. A pocket of deliberate motion within a growing sea of… enthusiasm. It appears these individuals, many of whom have clearly witnessed several decades of inadequate technique from others, are attempting correction. A noble, if ultimately futile, exercise. The photography accompanying the report – a faded yellow jacket against a backdrop of muted, mercury-colored clouds – suggests a certain somber dedication.
The insistence on drills, on ‘unlearning’ ingrained habits, speaks to a deeper understanding of the geometry involved. One observes far too much improvisation on these slopes. The current grooming cycle favors the east-facing aspects of Jupiter Bowl. The texture, I would say, is comparable to a freshly pressed linen suit, though it will not remain so for long. The Ikon Pass crowd possesses an uncanny ability to degrade even the most pristine corduroy.
The Red Pine Gondola base is, predictably, a logistical bottleneck. However, the program's emphasis on smaller groups is wise. One requires space, and silence, to properly analyze one’s trajectory. There is a distinct lack of both on many of the more popular runs. The faded teal of the Carpenter lift towers provides a subtle, almost melancholic aesthetic. It’s a shame more attention isn’t paid to such details. Consider commencing your descent on McConkey’s Bowl; though slightly exposed, it generally experiences fewer… sideways sliders. Begin at the apex, and maintain a perfectly parallel stance. It is, after all, about the process.