By Sadie Shippen
Special to the Hard News Cafe

Blue skies, subtle breeze, happy faces and a peaceful atmosphere. Every man, woman and child's picture-perfect paradise. The dull sunshine's rays cast a magical mood over the busy resort. Hats, scarves, runny noses and crying children with numb feet can be seen.

Yes, it is the beginning of ski season.

Justin Dunkley, a 25-year-old Logan native, has been familiar with the term "snow-skiing" since he was 4. He has been on the Al's Sporting Goods ski team for two years and soon will be starting his third year. Dunkley said he tried out for the team because his friend belonged to the rival team of Nordas, and challenged him to a ski-off competition. It started out as a joke, he said, but now it is his favorite hobby.

Dunkley said they ski about four to five times a week. He said when trying out for the team, they had to pass some requirements.

Time trials, parallel skiing, and completing and landing three out of the five major jumps were among the few, he said. The jumps include a spread eagle, daffy, back flip, double daffy, and their all-time favorite, a poleless pike, Dunkley said.

Dunkley said there are some great perks that go along with being a member, including store discounts and free snow gear.

"There is nothing that creates an adrenaline rush like snow skiing," he said. "When you are free falling off of a jump, that is the ultimate feeling."

Dunkley said they ski at many resorts in the surrounding areas. He said they ski at Beaver, Brighton, Alta, Snowbird and Snowbasin.

Dunkley began as a skier, but has since switched to the fairly new sport of snow-blades. Snow-blades are about 2 to 3 feet in length and about 6 to 8 inches in width.

"They allow more freedom in the air, and are much easier to control down the mountain," Dunkley said.

He decided to make the switch because he loves to take jumps and wanted to improve his technique in the air.

Dave Mcevoy is the friend who started it all, Dunkley said. Mcevoy is on the Nordas ski team, which is Al's Sporting Goods rival. Mcevoy said he has been a member for four years. He said he also enjoys the perks that go along with his membership.

Mcevoy said some of his perks include receiving all of his ski equipment for free, a season pass to Beaver Mountain, a discount at Nordas and money for competitions. Free ski lessons from a local instructor are available to any of the team members, he said. The ski team consists of 18 people. Nordas treats the ski team well and is always looking or ways to expand the team's skills, Mcevoy said. Beaver Mountain, Snowbird, Tahoe, Alta, Teton village and Targhee are a few of the places the ski team has traveled to, he said.

Mcevoy said his favorite snow to ski in is heavy powder.

"The best kind o snow to ski in is the kind that, if you slow down to much, you'll sink in it," Mcevoy said. "This kind of snow makes jumping the ultimate."

He said his tricks include a 360, 180, front flip, back-flip, spread eagle, daffy and double daffy. Mcevoy said he is still working on the poleless pike that Dunkley hangs over his head.

"I thrive off of competitions and look forward to kicking Dunkley's can,"

Mcevoy laughingly said, "Competitions are something both teams look forward to because it helps them improve daily, they both said. They said that even though they are best friends, they love to compete against each other because it keeps them striving and working for the next new exciting thing.

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