I'll admit it. I'm slightly competitive.
Alright - I'm slightly more than slightly competitive.
Ever since I started using EpicMix to track my runs this season, I've become obsessed with analyzing the numbers, pins, and statistics that are at my fingertips. I've started setting personal goals, and have already begun trash talking with my buddies over who will score the most vertical, the most days, the most pins, and the most points before the end of this season.
In order to stay ahead in this race, it's going to take a little bit of strategy. Here are 5 tips for the best Epic stats to compare, and how you can improve them!
1) Vertical Feet
During chairlift conversations with skiers and boarders, the most often bragged-about statistic I hear is vertical feet. EpicMix calculates your vertical feet based on the height of the lifts you ride, and the number of times you ride them in a day. If you're looking to increase your total vertical, go on a weekday when the lines are shorter, and do laps on the lifts with the least traffic. However, it's important to remember that faster, longer lifts will cover more distance more quickly, even if it does require some patience in line. Just yesterday morning I racked up over 13,000' in the first 90 minutes Keystone was open by wasting no time and jumping right aboard the Montezuma Express.
2) Days
I wish there were more in the season - what do we even need summer for anyway? Sadly, except those lucky few who call the mountains home, and consider skiing "work", the rest of us must make use of our precious free time. My Snow Squad colleague Kevin offers some tips for working stiffs who want to play in the snow more often.
3) Pins
This year, EpicMix has made all the pins viewable at EpicMix.com and on the iPhone and Android smartphone app. Take a look at each one, and be sure to look for the ones that span multiple hills. Yesterday, I got BreckStone for checking in at both mountains in one day. Pick a few each time you go out, and don't even think about après until you've got them.
4) Points
For those looking for an all-around competition that includes vertical feet and pins, points are a great way to even the playing field between a pin hunter and a vert junkie.
5) Photos
Getting EpicMix photos taken is an incredibly easy and memorable way to gain pins and points. Pins like the Centennial Closeup can earn you a quick 200 points just for striking a pose at the top of the lift. I've already gotten 83 taken this season. Check out my photo gallery of my 10 favorites so far.
There you have it - five epic ways you can improve yourself and outdo friends this season.
Catch you on the slopes.
--Mac Jaehnert