We are greeted by meter-high walls of snow and a rather impressive rock massif that towers majestically over the ski area. And Miriam the trainer. A good first impression, which will be confirmed over the course of the next three days. In addition to the expected agenda items such as avalanche and snow awareness, the reduction method and beep search, "Perceive - Decide - Judge" are the main keywords of Risk'n'Fun Session I.
When I think about myself, I am CONSTANTLY making decisions and judgments. Not just on the mountain, not just in the snow, but from morning to night, at work, on the street, in a café. Usually not on the basis of what's out there, but what's inside me in terms of previous experiences, expectations and prejudices. But back to the snow and the ski area and with an outward view and perception - because that's where the essential information required for a great and safe freeriding day is revealed:
Perception
Can I see the mountain peaks as far as the next federal state or my European neighbors, or is the fog so thick that I confuse the forest with my freeriding colleagues? Is the wind roaring in my ear and piling up the snow in fat packs, or is it freezing in wind gangs and cornices? Or does the fragile snow crystal trickle quietly and peacefully and lie down carefully and tenderly on the snow surface so as not to disturb its neighbors? Am I freezing or sweating? Am I ploughing through the snow up to my hips, or is the amount of fresh snow that has been announced unfortunately reduced to the depth of a mouse's knee in reality? Do I see the group as my competition on this day, to whom I want to prove my courage and willingness to take risks, or are they fellow competitors whom I can consult and with whom I can have a frank conversation among friends?
