First things first. What should I wear? Tennis shoes or high heels? A skirt or slacks? I found out that I don’t have much choice: plastic ski boots, winter ski coat, snow pants, long underwear, hat and gloves. Maybe if I continue I’ll drop a load of change on fancy outerwear, but for now I’m going with what’s in my closet.
I thought that the hard plastic ski boots with the thick foam liners would be eno
ugh to keep my feet warm. That’s true, but socks are important too. My husband, who skis for a living, told me not to wear the pair I had on throughout the day, but to put on dry thin socks when I got to the hill. When your feet perspire in street shoes or boots, he said, that can turn into cold feet once in your ski boots and out on the hill.Getting ski equipment can be done by renting. Renting is a great way to determine what type of gear you want. The rental department is a great way to learn about ski equipment. Make sure goggles and helmet are a part of the ski gear.
So I am dressed and have ski gear. Hum, now what? TAKE A LESSON. Take a lesson from an instructor, not husband or children. Let me tell you my husband is a peacemaker, until it comes to skiing lessons, then something happens. Ok, so a bit of an exaggeration on my part. My son, skies around me and makes snow fly in my face. I think he just likes to hear me scream on the ski hill. Nothing is worse than the three old child ripping down the hill, that asks if I am ok, after of course snow flying and I lie breathless on the hill. Something about skiing, but I
end up crying more on the ski hill than any other place.Back to taking a lesson. There will be no better money spent than a lesson. Someone all to myself to teach me skiing. I recommend a certified ski instructor. They are taught to read your body language for fear, they anticipate and guide your skiing adventure to your learning style and to make certain that words of affirmation are spoken throughout the lesson. I come away from a lesson feeling ten feet tall and invisible. I feel that “I CAN”.
Moving on the snow seems to be next step after getting dressed; balance and having fun are the basics of the first time on the snow.
Now onto the bunny hill, magic carpet, little hills, no lifts, turn those skis. Fall and get up. Go again and have some fun. Enjoy the scenery, the people; listen to the laughter of the children and the screaming of the adults.
Why when you learn to ski they talk about fast food? Make a pizza and french fries. Has the fast food industry really infiltrated skiing to that degree? Is this why we have such an obesity proble
m in this country? Therefore, I am calling it, make a triangle and straight like a pencil. Not nearly as cute, but just makes me feel better.So graduating from the bunny hill, the magic carpet area involves some new skills. The mountain awaits me.
There is the lift, really the only way up the hill. Ever tried to stand still and sit your butt on a moving chair, a cold moving chair. Why when on a ski lift, your body feels like 500 pounds? When you go to get off the lift, well the butt just does not lift like getting off the toilet. Up and off. Well, did you make it? Not to worry, practice, practice getting off those lifts. I have
crashed into people, the lift has had to come to a complete stop, while I am wailing and whimpering. All the time, my friends, husband, and son are a close distance away, just enough so that people are not certain if we are together or not.Going down the hill, well I say screaming always helps. No real verbiage, just pure screaming. Others cannot tell whether you are serious or just having fun.
Repeat and repeat. Have fun and enjoy. See you on the hill.
Pamela D Bussi was born and raised in northern Montana along the hi-line. Writing and photography are her passions. Pamela is predominately a non-fiction writer with top
ics related to health, wellness and lifestyle. She resides with her husband and son in Bozeman, Montana. She is a graduate from the New York Institute of Photography. She is a contributing author to Montana Healthy Living Magazine as well as a photojournalist for the Examiner at examiner.com and Power Women Magazine. Check out more information at www.pamelabussi.com.
