Slope Songs

Riding solo? Don't turn the volume up too high, but listening to tunes on the slopes can make you feel you've got your own soundtrack.

I love to listen to music while skiing. Not exactly a shocking statement. Many, many people can be seen on the slopes with iPod buds poking out beneath hats and helmets. And granted, it seems counter-intuitive to allow skiers and snowboarders (who may already be impaired) to cut off the outside world with the latest, hottest underground Turkish house beats while approaching downhill speeds of mach 5. But whatever. Nothing beats listening to some slow-building, epic Mogwai track or frantic Lightening Bolt riff while tackling Sun Down’s Straight Shot. And that is exactly what I will tell the judge at my next skiing accident trial.

I’m just kidding.

My lawyer will tell the judge. I’m not allowed in courtrooms (long story).

Once I started listening to music while skiing, I haven’t really looked back. Obviously, whenever I roll out solo it’s me, the mountain and whatever my iPod can cook up. I subscribe to the “shuffle technique”. I can understand the lure of listening to Ziggy Stardust straight through on a deep powder day, but I’m all about the anticipation. When I’m out on the mountain I am repeatedly asking myself two questions: 1)“ Will I survive this jump?” and 2) “What tune is next?” Sure, every once in a while Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports will come on while I’m swimming through Montaine Glade trees and maybe I’d like something a little more upbeat, but that is the price of surprise, my friends.

Listening to music however has extended to skiing with groups, and I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I’ve never really felt self-conscious about it because many of those I ski with also listen to music. Things, of course, are a little awkward whenever we stop to discuss direction. Everyone is was shouting but no one hearing a thing. On the plus side however, you will become better at reading lips. Not great, but better. It does seem a little anti-social to ski with a group while plugged-in. Recently, I went skiing with some friends from back East without my iPod, and I had forgotten about all the whooping and hollering and, what’s it called, communicating, you do while riding down the mountain. I had some pretty entertaining conversations while flying down a nicely groomed Blue Ox. I used to believe that the mountain is for music, and chairs are for chatter, but now I’m conflicted. Downhill social interaction is fantastic, but let’s be honest, nothing beats deep powder and a personal play list. You feel like you’re in your own Warren Miller flick. Except, you know, with better music.

I think at the end of the day, it’s a technology issue. It’s near impossible to locate my iPod, buried within several layers, and pause it for mid-mountain chats. I really have to go all or nothing. But I think if I had a helmet with speakers and an easily accessible play/pause panel, all the issues would be alleviated and I could enjoy skiing and music in appropriate doses. I haven’t, however been able to find a helmet with speakers that live up to my exacting standards (Please leave your suggestions below).

Well, we’re interested in your thoughts on music and riding, so please leave us a comment, and I leave you with my top five (in no particular order) ski tunes of the week. These change with increasing regularity.

1) “The Reverend Green”- Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam
2) “Go To Hell”- Alice Cooper, Go To Hell
3) “45:33”- LCD Soundsystem, Nike Original Run
4) “Bamboo Banga”- M.I.A., Kala
5) “Fireworks”- Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam

By John Elliot

Video

Man on the Street: What's on your playlist?

Kevin Heinz hits the Beaver Creek to find the hot tunes that are burning up skiers' and riders' playlists as they zoom down the slopes.