While You Were Sleeping
I think we can unanimously agree that this has been the longest, coldest and most wintery-est winter season we’ve had in a really long time. Like, um, really really cold. But hey this is Canada right? So we’ve all been oot and aboot bundled up, dealing with it and moving along on our daily adventures.
But in the dead of night when the wind is blowing and the sun is long gone, most of us have retreated to the warmth and safety of the indoors. Perhaps you are in your matching all grey on grey sweat suit watching internet videos or snuggled up on the couch in your Mom’s snuggie watching Doctor drama reruns. Well not these dudes! While you are nestled up nicely at home, perhaps even in bed these guys are out making things better for your next trip out to the Terrain Park.
Whether they are fixing up lips, mixing up features or installing all new setups, the Night Shift park staff are out in the freezing cold all night long to make sure everything is ship-shape.
I was looking for something constructive to do for my 30th birthday that was both interesting and productive. Glen Eden is my local hill and they were kind enough to have me up super late and give us a chance to see what these heroes of the hill get up to during the most bleak and bitter part of the night. And they do all of this for you and the love of riding!
I’m sure there may be a paycheque in there somewhere, but to be out working in -40° (w/ wind and there is lots of wind) there has got to be a pile of love and dedication involved.
Except for maybe Dusty. Now I’m not saying he doesn’t have love for the hill, but that dude is hooked up in the cab of that sweet sweet groomer. Cushy seats, heat blaring, bumpin’ tunes, beeping buttons and pushing snow, could things get any better? Maybe that’s why shotgun was such a hot seat that night.
The next time you are out riding your favourite feature, no matter which hill, think of the park staff and groomers that worked all night fighting off frostbite to make it happen for you. When you cruise up to something new in the park remember, that happened while you were sleeping.
If you liked this photo essay, love a feature in your local park or just like being a good person be sure to thank your park staff for making it all happen. Without them you’d be stuck learning disaster boardslides all day in the mogul field.