I went skiing for the first time this season, and the first time on the West Coast yesterday. The bad news is I've gained so much weight since this time last year that I could not do up my Ski pants. The good news is that the slopes here are *amazing*. Our 'local' ski resort is bloody brilliant with tons of runs, great elevation and much more akin to going skiing in the alps than Ontario was! I was completely blown away by it.
My friend and I headed out at 5pm for floodlit night skiing and it took us about an hour to get there owing to some slow moving traffic and bad rain on the freeway. It's amazing that you can leave home where it is a mild 10 degrees C and not a speck of snow in sight, and arrive an hour later high up in the mountains where there is feet and feet of the stuff and it is pelting down with snow.
We started off on a couple of green runs to get our 'ski legs' back in shape and then tackled one of the more difficult runs. I was wary - I've never had lessons and while I have good technique as a result of going often, I'm scared of very steep slopes and I'm scared of going too fast. It was also dark, snowing, and we were in the clouds so we had no idea where to go when we got off at the top of a 20 min long chair lift ride.
We ended up traversing over to the other side of the mountain on a not too steep blue run, but then coming out at a mogul-filled BLACK RUN steep cliff type slope and I was really freaked out! Managed to slide across to the other side, too scared to turn and point DOWN. Finally overcame fear enough to turn and fell on my arse. Got up, slid back to the other side.... found a shortcut back to the lift and took it, with much relief. Then we did it again. That time we continued down the BLACK RUN, very bloody scary! I got a bit more confidence though and began parallel turning as my fear decreased. Got to the bottom and did it again..... legs beginning to hurt! Last time I was still nervous but just got on with it..... came to the end of the really scary bit and shouted YAY, DID IT and then fell flat on my face. Doh!
Anyway, it was brilliant and we're going to go every week.
Posted by katie at January 19, 2006 02:43 PM