MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Fall / Winter 2017

122 MLCM FALL/WINTER 2017 together countless times. Scott drives the motion with his upper body, using his arms as rudders, while Eger skis behind holding a pair of handlebars on Scott’s customized sit-ski, taking cues from Scott’s movements. They make it look effortless. At the bottom, we’re far more efficient in loading the Lunchbox and it’s rinse and repeat for several more runs, without a single major mishap. When we finally return to the lodge to debrief over whiskey, every member of the mission is on a high from the unexpected ease of success, while startling snowflakes begin spiralling down from above. “We’re completely shifting the perspective of disability—that this snow coming down right now is no longer an obstacle, but an opportunity,” Dueck says. “That we’re sitting here right now at the forefront of the sport thanks to Jeff’s leadership, Mustang Powder, and the Live It Love It Foundation is an incredible honour.” So ultimately, what does the success of Lunchbox mean? “If you think about the drive and mentality of the age group that’s sustaining serious injuries, these are people taking on challenges and living full and adventurous lives,” says Jeremy Hanke, owner of the snowmobile avalanche education operation, Soul Rides, an instrumental player in the Lunchbox’s R&D. “Backcountry adventure is about progression, and that’s what this design can offer—it opens doors for those people to push as far as they can go.” But Scott’s vision doesn’t end with the Lunchbox. This trailer is the prototype for moving sit-ski athletes around terrain to serve his end goal: the first-ever backcountry, big mountain competition for sit-skiers, rider- driven and rider-judged. Everyone agrees that if anyone can pull off the groundbreaking event, it’s Scott. Scott just shrugs and says with that slow smile, “I believe in friends on a powder day. That’s what it’s really all about.” The Lunchbox wouldn’t have happened without the support of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Soul Rides, The Village Idiot, Clif Bar & Company, High Fives Foundation and Extreme Everest Challenge. liveitloveit.org Sam Danniels, at the forefront.