Top 12 Grammy hits to add to your skiing playlist

When I go for a long run, I don’t leave the house without my iPod and running playlist. Even when the USATF outlawed headphone use among all runners—a law that was amended in 2008—I sported them, using the music’s beats to fire me up for the pavement pounding and distract my mind for long enough to reach the finish line. When I’m skiing, I’m still a purist, although it’s perhaps more because I don’t want to deal with the wiring set-up—I can’t change songs when my iPod is in my pocket and I lack the snow-specific technology—than actually enjoying the wind rush through my helmet.

With the Talons Challenge coming up, and knowing that I’m going to need the mental stamina to power me through those 13 challenging runs at Beaver Creek—especially if the top face of Birds of Prey is an ice field—I’m thinking my no-music-while-skiing rule is going to have to change. After watching the 2011 Grammy Awards, I think I’ve compiled the perfect playlist from the nominees. It may not last all day, but I know I could tolerate these beats on repeat. Maybe you can, too.

1. Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons. I rooted for them to win Best New Artist, and award or not, the fervor in this song will start my skiing on the right note.
2. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. She’ll keep the energy alive from the first song—and I can hum along.
3. Keep the Car Running by Arcade Fire. This band’s latest album, The Suburbs, may have won the Album of the Year, but I can hit repeat all day on this hit from the Neon Bible album.
4. If It’s Love by Train. The sing-along lyrics will help me forget about the beating my knees are taking on the bumps.
5. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Up for Record of the Year and winning as Best Rap Song, this big city ballad puts me in a skiing state of mind.
   
6. F*** You by Cee Lo Green. Whether you download the explicit version or the radio class, “Forget You,” it’s the beat that’s energized me from the start.
7. The Cave by Mumford & Sons. Another favorite off their freshman album, I dig the fast pace, which I know I’ll need to push me down Grouse Mountain.
8. Beg Steal Or Borrow by Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs. Introduced to me as a headwind song during a Spinning set, I’d want this as the recovery song for the lift ride to another run.
9. Waking Up in Vegas by Katy Perry. Mentally, I’ll be telling myself that Colorado is my Vegas, and I’m striking it rich.
10. Radioactive by Kings of Leon. I don’t know why, but when I hear this song, I think ski movie footage—except I’m not as graceful.
11. Rebellion (Lies) by Arcade Fire. This song on repeat made me love Arcade Fire, and every time I hear it during a workout I want to move faster.
12. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. The Glee cast was nominated for their remake of this classic, but it’s the original that I need to close out the day, to power me down the final run and say, “Take that, Talons!”

-- Kate Bongiovanni