Monday, January 11, 2010

To Ski or Not to Ski

http://www.greatmodernpictures.com/sk04.jpg

I've never been snow skiing. I've lived in Utah (we like to think our state is the home of "the greatest snow on earth") my whole life and never hit the slopes. Some say this is a travesty. But there we are. I thought my "learn to ski" window had passed me by and I would never learn. Ever. And I really didn't care too much.

But last night in my dreams I went skiing and it was exhilarating and lovely. Makes me want to learn to ski in real life.

I'm going to have to think about this.

Are you a skier? How/when did you learn?

20 comments:

Marilyn said...

Like you, I've never been. (I've been cross-country skiing a couple times, but not downhill.) I'm too afraid to start now. Maybe if you got to do it in warm weather I'd be more motivated?

fosplu.

Amanda D said...

I lived in Utah for 28 and never skiied downhill. I'm quite certain that I would break my neck. Or my knee. Or something else really important.

I have cross country skiied. And it is quite lovely. A killer workout too.

Denae said...

I've never been either. And with my accident to adventure ratio I don't think I should start.

LL said...

SO funny you would blog about this TODAY. I just got home from the "mountain". My kids all snowboard and they CANNOT understand HOW I grew up in Utah and never learned to ski. I have ZERO interest. BUT, today as I sat there watching them...I had thoughts. (mostly because no one was there and so it didn't seem so intimidating) Still, doubt I'll ever do it, but I sure am glad my kids know how. It's a FUN activity for them! Just wish we still lived in Utah, the snow REALLY is better there! (or so my kids and husband tell me)

Kati said...

I have never skiied down hill either... But snowboarding is quite the thrill! If you want to go snowboarding, I would love an excuse to go!

Katie said...

GO, you fool, GO!!!

I didn't start until after I graduated from BYU and left Utah. I love it so much...it's the only thing that makes long cold winter bareable!

the fellers said...

we would go in Jr. High, but I havent been since 9th grade...but I loved it!!! I think you should at least try it, so you can say you did, and who knows, you might love it and go a lot!

C C & R said...

I learned to ski when I was little and loved it, but then I married an avid snowboarder. I have to say that skiing is a ton easier to learn but harder to get good at. Snowboarding is a pain to learn but much easier to become awesome at!

Holli and Billy said...

I think you should really go! I started taking lessons when I was about 4. I am not an avid skier, but I like to go at least once a year. Check out this link...

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/10695/january-is-learn-a-snow-sport-month-in-utah

Jenny said...

Go. At least once. You can even stay on the bunny hills if you need to. But you really need to go. I started in about kindergarten back in Michigan -- home of the greatest ice on earth. When my Dad brought me to UT during winter break one year in high school to ski, it was heaven. I felt like I was skiing on clouds. Awesome. Just do it. Then you can say you've done it. It'll be a fun adventure and workout. And hey, you'll be able to make your dreams come true -- literally. How cool is that?!

Aly said...

Matt took me when we first started dating. I was only 17. Matt did competitive skiing in high school and I had never skiied before. He took me up to the top of the mountain and skiied down without me. I had the first panic attack of my life and pretty much rolled down the mountain rather than ski down. Then when I caught up to him I had some not so nice things to say to him and then he swore at me for the first time ever because he was mad that I was mad at him. It was awful. But I have been quite a few times since then. I still don't really like it though. I'd take water skiing any day over snow skiing.

If you go, just prepared to be extremely sore the next day.

Camille said...

Megan, I too have lived here my whole life and my first time hitting the slopes was December of 2007. After two children. I felt this was rather unfair. I mean, I was in pretty decent shape before children, I just knew I could be like a world-class skier/snowboarder, but POST children? Hmmm... Nevertheless, I strapped on a board and I think I made it down the big slope twice. The second time down I fell so hard on my tail bone, I thought I would never walk again. I decided that next time I will try the skis and maybe even sign up for a learn to ski class for the first half of the day. Let me know if you decide to go! It is pretty fun, but a bit scary, too. :)

Tia said...

Wow! You have a ton of comments on this! I haven't ever been either - not even when they handed out free passes in High School for getting on the honor roll.

Holdinator said...

Huh. I've never been either. What's with these Utahns not taking advantage of the state's most famous asset?

K said...

Rachel was a ski instructor for years. I would rather chew chalk. It's cold up there - you get yuckcicles inside of your NOSE, and your feet go numb, and you have to ride way the heck up in the air, looking down on really high pine trees - and what if the cable breaks? Oh, yes it has. Rare, but it would be when I'm dangling from that skinny little chair. And going down hill really really fast with wood strapped to your feet? Exhilarating and lovely. Yeah. Not close. For some people. I think most people are just grateful to get down without running off a cliff or into a tree or losing a leg.

Don't tell Rachel I said any of this.

Leslie said...

My mother told me if I was going to go to college in Utah, then I should take it for P.E. I had gone a couple times before during a family vacation to Park City. (The vacation turned out to be very beneficial for two reasons: 1) Utah was experiencing a draught and the snow was minimal — this made stopping easy. 2)The sales on equipment were awesome and so my dad , the only non-skiier of the family, bought us all skiis.

When I got to college, all I had to do was buy bigger boots and and have my skiis adjusted for them.

Skiing for PE was great! Every Saturday I walked to the Marriott Center parking lot ,from Heritage Halls, wearing my ski boots (too cheap to rent a locker, to hitch a ride in the bus.

Maaaaaannnnnnnnnyyyyyyyy years later we returned to Utah for Christmas vacations. This time I was the mom. The first year we took lessons. I swear the teacher was the same teacher I had for P.E. The two best parts: 1) boots are warmer now. I NEVER, NEVER was cold. Even once. 2) I actually could still ski.

Go for it. If you can run and keep up with three kids under three, then skiing is a breeze. Seriously.

Katie Gee said...

I learned to ski when I was 10 and went about 3 times that year. Then when I was 17 or 18, your brother and Randy H. took me to Sundance to ski. I didn't have time to rent the skis so I borrowed Courtney's skis. I couldn't stay up on the skis to go down the hill and ended up twisting my knee. I think Courtney's skis were just too long for me and that's why I had a hard time. Anyway, your brother and Rand had just been ordained Elders and they gave me a blessing. I stayed in the car and napped the rest of the time while I insisted that they continue to ski. Then at the end of the day, my knee didn't hurt anymore. Miracles...
Also, in March 2008 my husband and I decided to go skiing. I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to stay upright and that I would just roll down the mountain the whole time. So I went to:
http://www.ehow.com/video_2347503_ski.html
I watched these tutorials over and over until I felt like I could do it. I would watch the way he positions his feet and stuff like that. So, my husband and I had the greatest time and on this trip I made sure that my skis were fat and short. I hope I can go again soon. I hope you can try it sometime. It's super, super fun!

Megan said...

I have also lived in Utah my whole life and had never been skiing until I got home from my mission. Ryan hadn't either and we went together. When we were almost to the top of the bunny hill, we realized we had no idea how to get off. So we basically slid/fell off and they had to stop the lift. There was a loud beeping noise when they stopped it so everyone could stare at the idiots who fell off the lift. We spent the rest of the day tumbling down the bunny hill, with three-year-olds passing us and laughing. It was a blast! We've gotten a little better since then :)

Ashley said...

I LOVE skiing!!! I first went with my church youth group and have gone back several times. Last time I went was with some college friends about 7 years ago. Eek! I definitely need to go back! I've only been skiing in the East. I would love to come out West for some 'real' skiing! Everyone is different but I picked it up pretty quickly. They have classes on the bunny slopes to get you started. That should start you off in the right direction. My husband has never been skiing so I need to get him out on the slopes, too!

Jennifer said...

Ha! I grew up in Utah, too, as you know, and the first time I went skiing I was 25. And I did NOT have a good time. I think it's because I was too old to learn, but I think it's probably also because I never had a lesson. My patient husband tried to help and teach me, but I really just hated it. Now that I live in NY, there is a LOT of skiing and I've heard that they give lessons for adults and they have small hills. THAT'S probably the way to go, so that's my advice to you. And we'll see if *I* follow it! :)

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