We Are Skiing, Who Would Have Thought!

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Open, 32º at 7 a.m., cloudy. At 7 a.m. there is nothing falling from the sky. Overnight we had snow, sleet and freezing rain all mix together for a nice 0.8″ of a soft, fast addition to the base. 20 km open, Woodcock, Snow Goose, Turkey, Grouse, Peregrine all a little faster than yesterday, snow showers might slow it down. Chickadee, Upper Blue Jay open, experts only.

We were open yesterday, the skiing was ok, some people thought it was really good, some people thought it was good, but a little fast, and a few people took their skis off and walked. (A bad idea for everyone behind them.) We were way busier than we expected, given the forecast, and it was lovely having so many people ski. And at the end of the day, the forecast for the night had the “R” word in it and it was so iffy, we thought we’d be closed today.

And here we are, open and skiing. Ian skied the Turkey and the Grouse at 5:30 a.m. this morning, he reported back, “It’s totally fine. Fast,  but soft.” He also said, “If the snow get hard as the temperature cools down I can groom with the snowmobile on the easy trails and Grouse.”

The photo is courtesy our friend Hillary taken on the Chickadee. They went up there with their friend Jimmy. This is Jimmy on the ground with no idea how to get up on cross country skis. Hillary and I spent some time discussing this problem after she shared the photo with me.

I have now been teaching people to ski since 1976. (HOLY smokes!) And teaching yoga for 15 years. Getting off the ground can be a problem. If you are helping someone else, or you are having trouble getting up, here are some tips:

  • Don’t worry about being embarrassed.
  • You can practice at home with no gear, where it is warm.
  • Take a deep breath, you don’t have to hurry.
  • From your back get your skis across the hill, not pointed down.
  • Fix your skis and don’t move the skis as you move your body.
  • Get to your side, uphill of your skis.
  • Then to your hands and knees. Hands and knees on your skis.
  • Lift up onto one leg, and then push yourself up to standing.
  • Use your arms and legs to get up, not your poles.
  • Ask me if you want help, one of us can coach you through getting up on skis.

 

2 comments

    • Pete Rettaliata on January 26, 2020 at 11:37 am

    Thank you for that written lesson…sometimes the worst part is being embarrassed and rushing to recovery.

    • Hilleary on January 27, 2020 at 6:31 am

    Good advice!
    I guess Jame thought it was a good time to focus on eating his snack🤣

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