If there’s a video more emblematic of the dry western ski season than this, I haven’t found it.
The latest foray by pro skier Parkin Costain has everything. And by that, I mean a few heaping piles of dirt, questionable (or inspired!) decision-making, and a straight line that isn’t for those with weak stomachs.
Without further ado, here’s a run with more mud than snow. Tap or click to watch.
Look familiar? To most skiers on the western side of Mississippi, it probably does. Beyond that, I won’t throw the book of stats at you: last winter was rough and tumble. Most of us are hoping to forget it.
But bad snow, as evidenced by Parkin’s line, can also be a chance to get creative. Skis, despite how they’re marketed, slide on a remarkable number of surfaces, including everything from sand to escalators.
Now, I’m not necessarily advocating for dirt skiing, at least not on the professional level showcased here. We can’t all risk a blown edge or a core shot by riding over gravel. More importantly, I’d fear for my ligaments trying to push through the compression at the end of the video. Knees, after all, are a bit harder to replace than skis.
Still, I was reminded of all the times I decided to go skiing anyway when the snow sucked.
Rather than heading to the tried-and-true haunts, the lack of powder encouraged craftiness. Once, years ago, on a day that could’ve been forgettable, my friends and I found ourselves crowded into a tiny drainpipe, yelling at each other as our skis got stuck under the ice. Different adventures have, yes, also involved skiing dirt.
None fit the usual definition of a “good” ski day. “Fun,” in the moment, was often out of reach. Yet, here I am, more than a decade later, reminiscing fondly about those moments. It goes to show that skiing is as entertaining as you make it.
Although I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping that next winter doesn’t involve too many chances to stretch the definition of what “skiing” means. Those of us who got skunked out West could use the clarity of a no-BS powder day. Fingers crossed.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
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