INSIDE AN EMOTION

From a young age the prospect of visiting what is know as the ‘Last great frontier’ with the prospect of that dreamy Alaskan powder had always been a dream. When the opportunity arose to travel there to ski in one of the most famous areas in Alaska we jumped at the opportunity. I’m Samuel Confortola, outdoor photographer and freeride lover, and along with Lele Tizzoni & Gerry Cusini we jumped into this adventure looking for the purest snow in the world.

We went there to chase a dream. Because ‘Alaska’ wasn’t a place in our eyes. It was a dream, an idea, a feeling. That’s what we went there for. We were going there because of the emotions we felt just watching the legends like Doug Coombs skiing in those places.
We weren’t travelling to Alaska, we were travelling to feelings that we knew that place could give us.

When it comes to travelling, skiing or any other outdoor sport, could it be possible that the end destination isn’t the deciding factor in how you feel about an experience. Why do we even partake in the sports, for what reason? Are we chasing something, are we running away from something, or are we doing both.

I know why I do it. At least I think I do. I ski because when you are doing it, that is the only thing that matters. You are focused on what is in-front of you. You are engrossed by the moment in a way that is hard to achieve in many other ways.

Outdoor sports give you that release, they give the opportunity to feel mindful and to be completely happy in the present, without any consideration for what came before or what will come after. You are completely in the moment and free of nay distraction or emotion external to what you are experiencing. In Tibetan Buddishm it’s known as Sati and is one of the seven factors of Enlightenment.

When you do that perfect turn, reach that rocky peak or climb that perfect pitch you reach a level of consciousness unrivaled in normal everyday life.
That is what we were chasing. Not a place, but a state of mind. We where chasing freedom.