The past few days have been awesome!!! As the huge 60+ inch storm wrapped up here in Utah, I went out with some friends to Rocky Point, (backcountry Alta) and we had a great hucking session out there. 50 foot lawn darts are insanely fun and exactly what I needed.
Then yesterday we decided to go up and hit our local ski BASE- finally had enough snow to make a solid inrun. All four of us had great jumps and overall it was an awesome session. Check out this little video edit I made!
This week has been what we needed here in Utah for sure.
A few days ago I caught up with Megan Michelson from Skiing Magazine to make some turns and we did a quick “chairlift interview”
Check it out here-
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/fondue-party/athletes/2010/01/chairlift-interview-suzanne-graham
I’ve been crazy busy the past couple weeks-
My schedule goes as follows:
8AM class, ski all day, work all night, sleep, class, ski, ski, work, sleep, ski, class, work, ski, sleep, ski, ski.
Which leaves no time for much else.
I’m sore today and taking a day off from landing square in a bombhole after a 50 foot lawn dart. Amazingly awesome, but the not-so desirable landing spot has left me a bit sore this morning. 
My next post was going to be a heartwarming “Happy New Year!” post with lots of photos, inspirational thoughts, etc… Instead I’m going to rant. I have to take a couple classes this semester (the first winter EVER that I have taken classes) but this means I get to graduate this SPRING! So today is the first day of school, and as much as I hate taking a class in the winter, to make things worse, it starts at 8 AM. Who does that?!? (It’s really not that bad because I’m completely done at 9:30 leaving the rest of the day for skiing- but I’m going to complain anyway- as this is a venting post.)
So anyway, I ride the bus to school- I refuse to buy a parking pass just to drive around for 10 minutes trying to find a spot then have a 20 minute walk to class anyway. Dumb. Plus, the bus is nice most of the time. So I grab one of the last seats just a few rows back from the handicapped seats at the front. A few stops later this older lady hobbles on, can barely get up the step, and ASKS the people sitting in the handicapped seats if she could sit down. These PUNK ASS kids just stare at her blankly, not moving a muscle. She asks again, still- they just look at her like she spit on them or something. Seriously, out of like 8 people not a single person moved! I watched in disbelief and stand up offering her my seat, although there was one open in the row next to me while I hastily stammered out something to the mean people about being unbelievably inconsiderate. The poor lady shuffles slowly back 3 rows and sits down, saying something like she teaches her grandkids better manners than that. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!?!? I know the public transportation system doesn’t really bring out the best of the best sometimes but seriously people….
So then I’m extra grumpy and sleep deprived walking to my class, and some dude passes me going the other way and orders me to smile. I almost freaked out. I HATE it when people do that, seriously, one of my huge pet peeves. Do I really look that miserable to you??? Why can’t you just let me be grumpy!!! WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME TO SMILE!!! I’ll smile when I freaking want to smile!!!! And now I’m officially steaming.
But class was good, it’s a pharmaceuticals class which actually should be pretty cool. And I’m in a much better mood now- especially after sharing my rant with you guys. Now I’m gonna go skiing- and THAT makes me smile. (holy cheezball alert. I apologize)
So uhhhhh, how about some snow????
P.S. Happy New Year to all my friends and family near and far!!!!
About 5 minutes ago I turned a final research proposal, thus ending fall semester 09. Wait, so I can actually go SKIING tomorrow instead of do HOMEWORK??? Oh man, what a concept! I took the stitches out of my knee this morning so I’m all good there- and super psyched to have a significantly lightened workload on my plate. I’m excited to spend some time with the family for Christmas next week and praying for more snow.
Unfortunately I do have to take a few classes this winter (first time in forever) but it shouldn’t be too bad. I can still ski and travel and such, I’ll work around it, because come this May, somebody is going to give me a certificate that officially declares me educated and shake my hand. And I don’t have to go to any more school! (well, until I go to nursing school that is…)
So for now, let the holiday joy commence.
I recently put this little video together of some of this past summers’ fun. I’m just learning how to use my new computer and it’s editing software, so I’ll be putting together lots more little edits! Check it out!
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to ride the final stretch of the Pacific Coast Cycle For a Cause. I joined in with Max Kuszaj, Jesse Hall, Pep Fujas, Cody Barnhill. Sherry (and Ayla) McConkey, -just to name a few- in Pismo Beach, CA to ride the rest of the way to San Diego to raise money for our brothers Shane McConkey, Billy Poole, and Riley Poor and their associated foundations. The next four days were kind of a blur for me as I rode 80-100 miles a day- spending literally all day pedaling on a bike was challenging to say the least after I haven’t really ridden before at all! HUGE props go to the guys that rode the whole way, I’m jealous of your legs of steel!!! My portion of the ride was from Pismo Beach to San Deigo, a rough 350 miles in 4 short days, I lost a little skin on my butt and my legs were sore for a week- but it was amazing.
Even though we all made it, happy and exhausted with a gorgeous San Diego sunset as our backdrop, finishing the ride, the cause must live on. I believe Max put it most eloquently-
“As freeskiing athletes and friends we are involved in an amazing industry, but one that needs a lot of direction when it comes to the health and well-being of its’ participants. Yes, it is a one-of-a-kind industry in many ways, and one that has consumed my life for nearly 10 years. I have met the most amazing individuals, traveled the world, and have made the best family of friends one could ever imagine possessing. With the stream of tragic accidents continuing, injuring and claiming the lives of friends, something needs to be changed. When I say “something” I am stressing the health, life, and general insurance freeskiing athletes cannot carry to protect themselves and their families against the financial struggle that may occur with an accident. I cannot think of another industry where the athletes and participants involved are in a situation like this, and it MUST improve.
Common questions often linger in my mind constantly. “Why can’t an athlete receive health insurance with a sponsor when signing a contract?” “Why can’t athletes like us receive life insurance that is affordable?” “How can companies turn their backs on an athlete who is in need after an injury?” The questions continue on and on, and for some reason I cannot find the proper answers, and that I have an “EXTREME” issue with. I hope that with events like the “Cycle for a Cause” we can bring some awareness and shed some light on these answers.” -Max Kuszaj
With that being said- it’s that time of year again, the mountain tops are getting white and the leaves have fallen. I can smell winter’s arrival and I begin to dream about powder days once again. I’m ready.
Here is a shot of my cover that just came out! Again, Seo- you’re the man.
Check out some recent interviews about me and the cover here
http://www.oakley.com/community/posts/1675
http://fulltiltboots.com/news/2009/10/suzanne-graham-on-the-freeskier-cover/
Also- I am in the new issue of Powder (Nov 2009-) making an appearance in a killer article about Grete and her movie coming out next year!
Also- I made my 300th BASE jump yesterday! It was a great jump with my two friends Virgil and Matthias off this cliff near Ogden, UT we like to call Black’s peak. It is in a gorgeous canyon with a really long canopy ride out of it. So much fun! Here’s to 300 successful jumps!
I have been attempting to train hard to join in on the last part of the Pacific Coast Cycle for a Cause that I am getting really excited about! Please check it out and if you can donate a couple bucks!!! I’ll be at the Warren Miller show tomorrow (Saturday Oct 16th) at Abravanel Hall so come see me and say hello!
So a couple weeks ago I started hearing rumors that I might be on the cover of an upcoming issue of Freeskier. I had no idea if they were true or not but just tried not to get my hopes up. Last night however Erik Seo showed me this on his phone. 
I’m really excited- this is the first time I have ever been on a cover and also my first time in Freeskier. I love that it’s on the cover of the women’s annual as well, I have copies and can tell you who was on the cover and what was inside on each of them. I had a goal to make an appearance in the one this year- and I made it on the cover I still can’t believe it but am super super psyched. Thanks Seo!!! Watch for it in the next few weeks!
