We received this letter in the mail. It’s a little hard to read, so we transcribed it below. 

Dear Unofficial Editor,

Your constant coverage and, dare, I say, obsession with park skiing needs to end. While I appreciate the enthusiasm for this particular style of skiing, I must respectfully disagree with the notion that park skiing has anything to do with actual skiing.

Skiing is about more than just performing tricks and stunts in a designated area or a U-shaped stunt ditch. It’s about navigating natural terrain, being one with nature, and  the art of the turn. Park skiing, on the other hand, is a contrived and manufactured experience with man-made features and predetermined routes.

I’m a very good skier, but when I tell people this, they ask if I can do a backflip or a 360. The answer is no, but I’m not trying to be the best gymnast on the mountain, I’m trying to be the best skier.

Now, I’m not saying that park skiing doesn’t require skill or athleticism. It certainly does. But skiing is about exploring the mountain, adapting to changing conditions, and pushing oneself to endure the elements. Park skiing, by contrast, is a closed system, limited by the same features and obstacles every time.

So, park skiing may be a fun activity for some, but it is not a true representation of skiing as a whole. Let’s celebrate the diversity of skiing styles and recognize that each has its own merits, but let’s not forget what skiing is truly about.

Sincerely,

Ron from Montana

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