“People are so obsessed with how much vert they’re getting,” says Glen Plake. “It’s stupid. Turn off the vert meter. Take the time to enjoy each run. Every ski hill is different, and 99 percent don’t have massive bowls, miles of grooming or a high-speed heated quad. That’s not what makes a ski area,” insists Plake. And that’s not lip service. Skiing’s original shock jock—known for skiing the biggest, gnarliest lines on earth—has been visiting the country’s rinky-dinkiest, locals-only ski areas every winter since 1991 and ripping it up with racer kids, newbies and guys still skiing in rear-entry boots. Plake says it’s a privilege. Here’s his take on how to have a great day on the slopes, even when the mountain is more of a molehill.

More Tips from the Pros:
Jonny Moseley–Flow
Ingrid Backstrom–Respect