EUROtrip

2 weeks ago I came to France, stoked to ski for the first time since I fractured my pelvis at Dew Tour. After looking forward to this trip all season, i was determined to heal as fast as possible and get back at it. I met Ben, Tai, and Devin in La Plagne just in time to watch my two teammates win the xgames qualifier SFR comp. I think that night set the tone for the rest of the trip, at least for Devin and Tai, who both continued to kill it at xgames and the world cup. My first day skiing was one of my favorite days this year. Being in France and those amazing mountains on a sunny perfect day was already amazing, but the feeling you get when you get to ski again after (what seems like) a long break, just really made me the happiest person in the world that day. I love skiing so much, in my mind, it really is worth any and every injury I may acquire.

La Plagne

A couple days later we packed up and moved to Tignes for Euro X. Getting back in the pipe wasn't the same as getting back on my skis and cruising. The first two training sessions were rough. My nerves wouldn't go away and my strength wouldn't come back. With some noticeably weaker legs, I was definitely affected by the slightly under-vert walls. Every hit required so much attention and thought. It was a weird feeling to go back to, after skiing pipe all season like it's the most amazing and mind relaxing activity. I did a lot of straight airs during those training sessions, just trying to get comfortable again. Finally I felt like it was coming back, and started spinning. On our third training day I felt better than I had all week. After one run, I decided I wasn't going to ski like a little girl. I was at Euro X, I might as well go for it. My second run was just as good, taking even more speed into every hit. It felt natural again and my legs felt strong... until maybe the 5th hit when I forgot to pop. I decked pretty hard and front flipped into the pipe, landing on my collarbone. I think that was the most pain I've ever been in. Everything hurt. They gave me an IV with morphine and took me straight to the hospital. Broke my collarbone in 4 places.

To say the least, this trip hasn't turned out as I expected. I've been a spectator instead of a competitor. I think that's the hardest part.. to have to watch you're friends do the only thing you want to do. The back to back injuries doesn't help either. I keep wishing I could have just broken everything at once and cut the healing time in half. But the trip hasn't been all bad. I'm still in France with some awesome people, seeing new things and celebrating their accomplishments. My girl Devin has had such an amazing year, and it's been so cool to see her kill it at every competition, never missing the podium. And watching Tai ski in the xgames made me so happy. He's one of the ballsiest skiers I know, and he makes an impression on everyone who watches him.

X Games pipe, Tignes

You can't give up on something you think about everyday. I couldn't live without skiing, and it's something that I plan on doing for as long as I physically can.