Ridgeline Moseley

Beaver Bowl, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, California
On assignment for Warren Miller

Athlete: Jonny Moseley

Camera: Hasselblad XPan

What makes it special: "What a magical day to be alive."

The story:  "While working on the "Ski Lake Tahoe" segment for Warren Miller Productions, we spent seven cold stormy days exploring the light fluffy snow in the trees. The visibility was low, so we skied by feel. On the eighth day the storm cleared, we rose in the dark and found ourselves on top of the mountain at sunrise ready to "get the goods." The emotion in the transition from the soft diffused light of the storm to the bright, crisp, clear blue sky was unreal. This day was exquisite. Crystal particles danced off my breath as I watched the storm clouds dissipate over the lake. With heightened senses, I was again inspired by Tahoe's singular light.

The countdown over the radio brought me back, "Dropping in ten, nine, eight, seven..."

Jonny came in hot and graceful on the ridgeline. A billowing powder trail filled the sky. At times it looked like he would never come up for air. Three powerful turns, a sweet exit air, and he was gone. Later, when he checked in over the radio, all we heard was laughter and three words, "Good to go."