Marker Völkl's Ultimate Fantasy Camp Contest

In life priorities change, what once was filled with crazy and exciting adventures is now filled with the hustle and bustle of every day life. We long for the days where we could be so care free, once in a while we get a glimpse of what that felt like. My refresher, my passion, my "put life on pause button" all takes place as im rocketing down Mt. Alyeska on my board. As I mentioned, priorities change, my main priority in life is a beautiful four year old named Braelyn. What makes this year different is that my priority is now my motivation to get on my board more than I have in the last few years. This year, my mini me is learning to snowboard so instead of sitting at home, she and I can enjoy the view together. One day I will watch her rocket down faster than myself! In every aspect of my life, braelyn is my motivation.

My passion in life is snowboarding and nothing else. I teach children how to ski/snowboard for a living and I love sharing my passion with others. Unfortunately I am a full time student at Pepperdine University so the only mountain I get to ski regularly is a small local mountain called, "Mountain High". I rarely get to snowboard real snow and never get to ski powder. Alaska is like paradise to me and I would live there if I could. My goal is to travel to as many different mountains as I can this year and deepen my knowledge and experience when it comes to snowboarding powder. I don't know what I would do without snowboarding in my life because it has molded me into who I am. Most of the time I get to spend snowboarding involves teaching others this magnificent sport so I would love the opportunity to have a week to enjoy myself doing what I love more than anything. This experience is a dream come true and there is no better place to ride than the Chugach! Each day I will push myself to be a better rider!

My inspiration this year is to ski my gotama skis as much as possible. I first skied the gotamas last year during a ski trip to Kirkwood. I initially skied Volkl skis while on the U.S. Army ski team in Europe. See the attached picture. I still have these skis and the MRR bindings I had mounted on them. I’ve skied Volkl ever since. Back to the “Wood”, as we pulled into the resort a 92”snowfall was underway and the roads closed soon thereafter. We woke to 3 feet of powder and with the conditions being not so P40 friendly; I demoed a set of gotamas. The skis performed insanely as I laid fat GS turns through powder, wind packed crusty powder (what??), steeps and chutes. What really blew my mind was how they performed on the groomers. They felt like a racing ski as they popped from ski to ski while holding a solid edge. These are the best skis ever and I need more big mountain skiing. I am a father of 2 awesome kids, an engineer, a surfboard designer and builder who has been looking to make a heli ski trip happen for quite some time.

My inspiration/goals for this year are to ski as much as possible on my new gotama skis. I was first introduced the gotamas last year during a boys ski trip to Kirkwood. I was first introduced to Volkl skis during my racing days, after trashing my Rossi’s, K2s and Head skis, while on the U.S. Army ski team in Europe (Garmisch). See the attached picture. I still have these skis and the Marker MRR bindings I had mounted on them (now retired). Back to the “Wood”, as we pulled into the resort a 92”-ish snowfall was underway. The roads in and out were closed soon thereafter. We awoke to about 3 feet of fresh powder and with the conditions being not so Volkl P40 friendly; I demoed a set of 194 gotamas. Skeptical at first, I was insanely stoked by turn 3 in hip deep powder. The skis were performing “off the hook” as I laid fat GS turns through powder, wind packed nasty crusty powder (what???), steeps and chutes. What really blew my mind was how they performed on the groomers. They felt like a racing ski as they popped from ski to ski while holding solid GS turns. SICK. These are the best skis I have ever skied. Hands down. I need more big mountain skiing. I am a father of 2 awesome kids, a mechanical engineer and surfboard designer and builder who has been looking to make a heli ski trip happen for quite some time. Stoke me out and set me up in Cordova!!! Cheers!

My inspiration/goals for this year are to ski as much as possible on my new gotama skis. I was first introduced the gotamas last year during a boys ski trip to Kirkwood. I was first introduced to Volkl skis during my racing days, after trashing my Rossi’s, K2s and Head skis, while on the U.S. Army ski team in Europe (Garmisch). See the attached picture. I still have these skis and the Marker MRR bindings I had mounted on them (now retired). Back to the “Wood”, as we pulled into the resort a 92”-ish snowfall was underway. The roads in and out were closed soon thereafter. We awoke to about 3 feet of fresh powder and with the conditions being not so Volkl P40 friendly; I demoed a set of 194 gotamas. Skeptical at first, I was insanely stoked by turn 3 in hip deep powder. The skis were performing “off the hook” as I laid fat GS turns through powder, wind packed nasty crusty powder (what???), steeps and chutes. What really blew my mind was how they performed on the groomers. They felt like a racing ski as they popped from ski to ski while holding solid GS turns. SICK. These are the best skis I have ever skied. Hands down. I need more big mountain skiing. I am a father of 2 awesome kids, a mechanical engineer and surfboard designer and builder who has been looking to make a heli ski trip happen for quite some time. Stoke me out and set me up in Cordova!!! Cheers!

My inspiration for getting to Cordova for Marker Volkl’s Fantasy Camp is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience PNH with one of my best friends, IB. For many years I witnessed Ingrid’s crazy travel schedule, and always looked forward to the incredible stories when she returned to Squaw. We’ve shared plenty of coffee talk and KT laps, but have yet to experience a big mountain heliski adventure together. I moved home to Vermont 2 years ago after 13 years in Northern California. Living close to my family and pursuing a career as a creative professional has been a great change and challenge for me, though I miss Squaw Valley and friends every day. My trips back so far have been to celebrate the lives of Arne, then Kip. An opportunity to reunite with the amazing tribe of passionate skiers and riders who are Points North, as well as to reconnect and recharge in the Chugach with Ingrid, is pure inspiration, and it’s keeping me fired up on the ice bumbs over here! Skiing with Dashe Longe sounds pretty awesome too? Thanks for the contest, Marker Volkl, and thanks for considering me.

My goal for this season was to make it to 50 days. With the Idaho snowpack being very subpar early, coupled with being away for work for most of January had me only at a couple days by the end of January. 50 may still be out of reach but to work toward my goal I've been skiing every free moment, touring further, higher and longer for the goods. Day 20 was had last weekend, praise Ullr for the best day yet! Here's to 30 more days!

Hey, My inspiration/goals for this season is to get out and ski the Volkl gotamas more. These skiis are insane! I wasn't a believer in the concept initially but last year, on a boys trip to Kirkwood, I was introduced to the gotamas. I have been skiing the Volkl/Marker combo for a long time. I was first introduced to Volkl skiis, after trashing my Rossis, K2 and Heads skiis, while racing for the U.S Army ski team in Europe (based in Garmisch)and have been totally stoked ever since. See the attached pic - I still have these with the marker MRR bindings (retired). It was a super sick racing ski back then. Back to the "Wood", as we pulled into the resort, the roads in and out were closed as a 92"-ish snowfall commenced. I ended up shelving my P40s to demo a set of 194 gotamas. They were sick, sick sick as I ripped fat GS turns through hip deep powder. They also handled insanely in the wind packed bowls, steeps and chutes. What really blew my mind was how they handled on the groomers. I loved how lively they were. Super poppy, amazing on edge and fast - super solid - on fat GS turns and quick edge to edge. I must have more - take me to Cordova!!!! I am a father of two amazing kids, a mechanical engineer and surfboard designer and builder who has been consumed with grinding the life related stuff out. Skiing is one of my main passions and a heli ski trip has been one of my goals for the last several years. Cheers!

Oops! For some reason I thought two people were to be selected. So in reference to my entry, I guess I wouldn't have much influence on another winner's experience, but I would be really psyched to be the sole, fortunate champ of this contest!

Greetings Marker Völkl Staff - Catching a big line in the Alaskan Chugach Range is a skier’s Hollywood dream, come true! The pure joy of life and winter inspires me to ski. Snow and attitude appreciation turn the ordinary into extraordinary, especially when in the Vermont back country. Flying, breathing, smiling, loving a day on snow and imaging it all, unlimited under Alaskan skies, snow-capped peaks, expansive views, along with Ingrid and Dash is the goal I strive to reach! Life itself carves the best line, like working and playing hard and helping neighbors and family. I share the joy of skiing with my teen kids - who shred and rip – while my wife cuts first tracks. The hills are our church and we never miss a Sunday service. We ski the east, turning among the sweet maples, but dreeeeam of the big west and breathtaking Alaskan treeless hills. We hope for a magic carpet ride to majestic mountains of snow and endless jamming; turning a day dream into an unforgettable Alaskan heli-ski reality! Thanks, Regards -- BP

Its simple. I am on year 5 with my original Dukes and they need to experience some Western Pow before they die. I also need to stop and eat some pie at Cordova's Harborside Pizza, owned and operated by a high school friend. I wont make it to AK on my own so you guys need to take me! Year after year goes by and I am always satisfied with our winters in Vermont; plenty of backcountry adventure, good friends to share with, and usually enough excitement on the trails and in the woods for me. And yet, my heart and mind dream, and dream, and wonder about points west, CO, MT, UT, NM, WY, AK, etc. But I work (keepin it real in the local repair shop Frankensteining skis) and before I know it its time to spoon some new tires on the motorbike and clean out the grooves on my irons. And here I am, year 12 of eastern ski bummin' and I have yet to get out there. Take me, take me, I'll make you laugh, I'll bring the beer! As for the photo, I thought you might enjoy this more than another shot of a skier.

I'm guessing that you're getting a lot of sympathy essays. It's a tough economy. So here's my deal, I'm 42. I have 13 and 10 year old boys from my first marriage and 13 and 11 year old stepchildren from my second marriage, which is to my high school sweetheart. I grew up in New Jersey I've lived in Maine, Idaho, western New York and Pennsylvania for a bit but wound up back in New Jersey. If you don't know, it's tough to raise kids away from family. Likewise, when the mother of your children cuts your sorry ass loose, it doesn't mean you can move wherever you want. Here's a figure for you, in For Better: The Science of a Good Marriage, Tara Parker-Pope writes that divorce "decreases a person's wealth by about 77 percent". Being a divorced father is not a fate I would wish on my worst enemy. But here's what I've done with it. 've been to Jay Peak, Sugarbush and Keystone during a drought in 2009. I've taught my boys to ski and outfit them. They haven't been beyond the Poconos but that's OK for them right now. I've only gotten to ski in powder a few times in my life and, to be honest, I'm not sure how many more chances I'll get. I know you'll get essays from better skiers than me, although I can shred. I live for the mountains and feel like a fish out of water here. I've been skiing on Voelkls since 2007 and love them. If there is any way that you could give me this opportunity to transcend my normal existence I would greatly appreciate it.

Spend more time swimming! Good exercise

My goal is to ski lines like water flows down the mountainside. We see gravity's effect on mountain terrain in the work water does as it carves its way through fall lines. When that water turns to snow and falls on the mountains it's our turn to carve. I want to get better running a mountain by watching water work its way through terrain, arching around mounds, falling over ledges, riffling through bumps and following gravity to the run out. I watch this in the off-seasons, wading with my fly rod or hiking up drainages. I think it's something we're all striving for, as a sport - to move as gracefully as nature does while we play – but we don't realize it. It's something I like to keep in mind while skinning, hiking, skiing, fishing. It helps me navigate and seems to tie all my outdoor activities together, like there is some deeper connection going on. Here's to mountains, moisture and gravity! And Alaska, where the combination is AWEsome. PS. another goal is to kick ass like marker and vokyl kick ass and ski harder, faster and bigger lines than I thought I could. (shameless plug, I know...)

My goal is to ski lines like water flows down the mountainside. We see gravity's effect on mountain terrain in the work water does as it carves its way through fall lines. When that water turns to snow and falls on the mountains it's our turn to carve. I want to get better running a mountain by watching water work its way through terrain, arching around mounds, falling over ledges, riffling through bumps and following gravity to the run out. I watch this in the off-seasons, wading with my fly rod or hiking up drainages. I think it's something we're all striving for, as a sport - to move as gracefully as nature does while we play – but we don't realize it. It's something I like to keep in mind while skinning, hiking, skiing, fishing. It helps me navigate and seems to tie all my outdoor activities together, like there is some deeper connection going on. Here's to mountains, moisture and gravity! And Alaska, where the combination is AWEsome. PS. another goal is to kick ass like marker and vokyl kick ass and ski harder, faster and bigger lines than I thought I could. (shameless plug, I know...)

Its simple. I am on year 5 with my original Dukes and they need to experience some Western Pow before they die. I also need to stop and eat some pie at Cordova's Harborside Pizza, owned and operated by a high school friend. I wont make it to AK on my own so you guys need to take me! Year after year goes by and I am always satisfied with our winters in Vermont; plenty of backcountry adventure, good friends to share with, and usually enough excitement on the trails and in the woods for me. And yet, my heart and mind dream, and dream, and wonder about points west, CO, MT, UT, NM, WY, AK, etc. But I work (keepin it real in the local repair shop Frankensteining skis) and before I know it its time to spoon some new tires on the motorbike and clean out the grooves on my irons. And here I am, year 12 of eastern ski bummin' and I have yet to get out there. Take me, take me, I'll make you laugh! I'll bring the beer. As for the photo, I thought someone might enjoy this more than another shot of a skier.

Its simple. I am on year 5 with my original Dukes and they need to experience some Western Pow before they die. I also need to stop and eat some pie at Cordova's Harborside Pizza, owned and operated by a high school friend. I wont make it to AK on my own so you guys need to take me! Year after year goes by and I am always satisfied with our winters in Vermont; plenty of backcountry adventure, good friends to share with, and usually enough excitement on the trails and in the woods for me. And yet, my heart and mind dream, and dream, and wonder about points west, CO, MT, UT, NM, WY, AK, etc. But I work (keepin it real in the local repair shop Frankensteining skis) and before I know it its time to spoon some new tires on the motorbike and clean out the grooves on my irons. And here I am, year 12 of eastern ski bummin' and I have yet to get out there. Take me, take me, I'll make you laugh! I'll bring the beer! As for the photo, I thought someone might enjoy this more than another shot of a skier.

Every fall, it’s weeks of preparations, watching the weather, and “How big a pig do I need to get?” My husband’s annual pre-season party, Ullrfest, is his goal and inspiration. Open to all TGR maggots, friends and neighbors, it marks the beginning of ski season for many in New England. A tradition of sorts and rallying place for local ski fanatics, they gather together and pray for snow. For the last three years, it was torrential rains instead, but that hardly dampens their spirits. Tents are erected, outdoor ski movies shown and bonfires still burn into the night. 100 excited ski freaks, talking skiing, making plans and thinking snow. This year, thoughts turned more serious, as Vermont had just suffered a devastating hurricane. In an effort to help, my husband spent thousands from his pocket, to host a fund raiser, giving donations of nearly $2500 to charity. Not a lot, but certainly the cost of a great cat skiing trip. A hard driving skier, he has dreamed of heli-skiing since age ten, and promised himself by age 40. That was 14 years ago. Please send him to Alaska…. he’s the best (deserving) skier on the mountain! Signed: An addict’s wife.

It's my ultimate goal to get out and play in the unspoiled places that we call mountains! I do it 50 times a ski season. Snow is THE drug that makes me happy and keeps me there. I find 8"s to two feet awesome when it's not too eastern heavy for my stout frame. Floating and slithering are what I exist for. Can't imagine a season without floating in snow. Winter without skiing is NOT winter!!!

Going crazy fast on the east coast boiler plate!

My inspiration to return to Points North Heli-Adventures comes from the fact I was already there this season and it's mind-blowing how good the conditions are. I can honestly say that while there, the snow was the best I've ever skied in my life. I was able to shoot a few photos, but not nearly enough and nothing other than on-slope work. This is an incredible, if not historic winter in Alaska-certain not many heli-ski operators have seen this much snow before-if ever. Help me return to PNH and shoot more(ok, and ski a bit as well)!!

The biggest inspiration I have to getting out this season is my wife. We are sacrificing everything from our stable careers to our home in order for her to pursue her dream as a psychologist for children. The next 6 years of her education will limit our financial resources, our downtime, and our opportunities to ski - Virginia doesn't catch all that much snow in the first place. We've been skiing what we can in the Midwest (as seen by our photo from last month), but the opportunity to ski in Alaska with two of our favorite ski athletes would be the greatest send off on our new life's journey we can possibly think of.

My inspiration and goals remain the same every season: I'm inspired by the fun I have and strength I achieve hanging out with my friends in the mountains; and my goals are to stay safe, become a more competent skier than ever before, and push others to get out and find the same enjoyment I do. Entering this contest would enable the continuation of these inspirations and goals, specifically with Ingrid. She is one of my closest friends and if I don't win this contest, I might never have the opportunity to share Alaska with her, a place dear to her heart and the place she has the most fun in all the world. It would mean so much to be there with her and other friends who spend their winters in Cordova. Additionally, Dash sounds like a darn cool guy to go skiing with and I think I can contribute to the amazing time that the other winner will have in beautiful, special, strange, Cordova! Check out my pic from one of the few times Ingrid, Jessica, and I got to ski together this season...SO THIN! Clearly we didn't get in enough time together on snow in 2012...YET!

The lack of no snow in the east this year has been very difficult to get motivated to go ski and find snow yet the weekend rolls around and we still look for a place to go ski . This season has been a bust in the east with virtually no snow at all. I wish I could win the contest so I could at least get a couple of days under my belt this year. Thinking snow! But not getting any. Send some where where they have snow please. I am sick a dn have cabin fever very bad! Need to ski this winter. John mazurick in need of snow!

My good friend Michelle had A stroke last year, and nothing makes her happier then seeing her friends do what she loves. I wear a sticker on my helmet for her, knowing she's not physically with me, but spiritually she's right by my side.