Chronicles of a first-time skier

On the way to the Loveland resort
Now, who wouldn't want to ski in such beautiful snow!

Martina insisted that I wear the red pants she offered, but I eventually decided to wear Walter's beige skip pants. However, Martina's logic that red would be highly useful when search and rescue would look for me at the end of day did make think twice. But who wears red pants? It was only later that I realized red could also look cool while skiing and men wear it too.

Walter volunteered to be my guide and in return he got to develop an infinite capacity for empathy, restraint and self control, and some excellent shots of a lone man falling over and over and over again!

That's Martina, Walter and me (from R to L, and yeah its me laughing like a monkey)


So here are a few tips for adult first time skiers, based on my first impressions of this fantastic sport:
  • DO NOT be afraid to fall. Fall as many times as it takes to learn, and falling could be fun as well :)
  • LISTEN to your instructor, and make sure you understand how to slow down and stop before you go on the main slopes. And if everything else fails and you think you are moving too fast, just topple over and fall. I did it many a times and saved many lives :)
  • DO NOT be scared to upgrade to tougher terrains, that's the best way to learn. This would maybe add more falls to your kitty, and who really cares for that at the end of the day!

That's the summit, though the lodge on top isn't visible
The view down from the trolley

As I sat on the trolley that took me up to the top of the hill, I started questioning my intelligence. The slopes were huge, and I never saw those from down below, and a two mile slope started looking scary. I was already a little scared and the summit was not even visible. All I could see was snow and trees and a few people skiing at rather maddening speeds. I already knew my skill level wasn't ready to do this. However, once you are on the way up, the only way down is skiing all the way. Wow…

There were only two more people on top and they looked like pros. I asked for directions for the green route (blue is tougher and black should be avoided at all costs). The slope was a sheer drop and I knew I was in for some real rough times ahead. Maybe at this time I would have taken the trolley down if I had an option. I don't even remember the no of falls anymore, I skidded, rolled over, fell and did all sorts of fun stuff :) So many skiers came and helped me. Eventually I found the ski guards and they taught me some real cool tricks, I think even they realized that I need some more free skiing lessons to come down in one piece.

That point onwards it was fabulous, I finished the second half with just one fall. But the best thing was the relief on Walter and Martina's face when they saw me. They had already informed the guards about their missing friend :) However, all is well that ends well!



The parking, it seems there is usually much more snow at this time of the year
That's Martina skiing down
Walter and Martina :)

I had such a fantastic time in one full day of skiing, something I never quite expected when I planned this trip. Skiing was never ever a part of my bucket list, and now I think I am absolutely hooked to it. In the hindsight would I do the slopes for non-first timers again? Oh yes I would do it! Only because of the slightly mad act, I have much lesser fear of skiing. In my head I am already planning to take the next skiing trip, before all snow melts!

p.s. I hardly took any pictures here, most of it is Walter's hard work...

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Just an update...I finally do exist on Facebook - Sid the Wanderer :)

Comments

  1. Looks like an awesome place to go skiing!! I haven't been snowboarding in almost two years, it's about time!

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    1. It was quite nice actually, and I am now extremely keen to try out snow boarding as well :)

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  2. skiing aint in my bucket list too......but if you recommend it..maybe if i happen to visit any ski resort sometime..i will give it a try!!

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in

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    1. Oh yes you really need to have it in your list, and try it out soon :)

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  3. Oh snow. Something I haven't felt or touched yet. My closest experience which includes sliding on a cold surface was an indoor skating in a mall in Bandung, West Java. So seeing the snow by myself is something that I really look for (soon I wish).

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    1. Bama! You certainly need to experience snow...its quite something :)

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  4. What gorgeous sceneries! Great shots.

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    1. Thanks JM, though I didn't really take most of those pics!

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  5. Now that sounds (and looks) like a great and fun adventure!

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    1. It certainly was, especially to a first timer like me :)

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  6. nice that you enjoyed skiing and the mountains look gorgeous :)

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    1. Thanks Daniel, I surely did...I love the hills and snow :)

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  7. My cousin who returned from Hungary , was also sharing similar chronicles about Skiing ...

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    1. Cool, I guess every first timer goes through the 'falling' routine :)

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  8. such a beautiful place, thanks for sharing this with us

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  9. amazing pics...m so very jealous of u nw....even i wanna do it.........

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    1. Lets go next winter, they do it in a few places in India also...notably Gulmarg, J&K and Auli, Uttrakhand. I would love to try it with more friends :)

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  10. Love it! I have been skiing 25 years now and always welcome a new face to the sport! Glad you had fun and made it through the day!

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    1. Thanks Adam, and 25 years! Wow...I know what I was missing for so long...

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  11. I suppose you had a great time out there. Lovely place and nice clicks.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Das, and I certainly had a great time that day...

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  12. Sid, I can't believe I didn't find your travel post until now! You were one of the best first-time skiers I've known. Nice photo-journalistic work! Keep in touch! Walter

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    1. Hahaha...thanks Walter :) And you were the best skiing teacher. Ever. Period.

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