I used to ski all the time. One of the best ski hills in Saskatchewan was only a 20 minute drive from my house, and luckily I had parents willing to take me out there and let me have my fun, get me equipment, and - best of all - lessons! I really enjoyed the Nancy Greene program, even though I was usually older than the other kids. It didn't matter because I was learning how to ski better!
I managed to make it out to Snow Valley last Wednesday night for the Instructor Prep course and spent at least 3 hours on the hill. It was fantastic and really got me motivated to try my best for the weekend. I'm hopeful that I'll manage to pass the CSIA Level 1 course, and then potentially work at Snow Valley this winter. The salary may be peanuts, but the experience and the benefits would definitely make it worthwhile. This course will certainly be an asset while I'm travelling and hopefully it won't be too long before I get to the next level!
Being back on the hill and (essentially) back in lessons has been absolutely wonderful. Taking a three year break has definitely hindered my performance, but the basic abilities are all still there - I just need to practice. A lot of the things I learned in lessons are coming back to me - I think I must have had great instructors! All this skiing on a small hill makes me want to go back to Table Mountain. The nostalgia has been strong, especially the longing for more runs and a better hill. I really can't complain though. The fact that *any* runs are open while the rest of the city is surrounded by dead brown grass and leafless trees is enough for me.
It has been many years since I've done drills and skill development. I can't imagine why it's been so long. I hear people complaining about certain exercises, "Oh no! I hate this one!" and I can't think of *any* of the drills that I don't like to do! If I'm not very good at one of them, I just keep practising until I get it. I can *feel* the improvement as I work on it and I know the kind of results it can achieve. That practice and improvement is what makes it so much fun!
Since the weekend, I've barely been able to contain my excitement. I'm a woman possessed, obsessed with getting back on the hill. I fall asleep each night exhausted from the skiing I've done and wake up each morning thinking about getting back on the hill. When I realise I'm supposed to be going to work, I'm saddened by the fact that I won't be on the hill for at least another 9 hours. Maybe this obsession isn't healthy, but that hardly matters! I haven't felt this great in a LONG time - at least seven years... the last time I was out skiing this well.
The only hindrance I have now is my old, straight skis. Everyone else in the course has parabolic skis, but I may be using a pair of demos next Saturday when the course resumes. It'll change the way everything feels, and I'm sure I'll be addicted to them by the end of the day. So if you're looking to buy me an expensive birthday/christmas present... look no further!! ;)
Wow! Writing all this out has just flamed my desire to get back out there and ski RIGHT NOW! I should quit my job and become a ski bum! You should see the way my dad looks at me when I say things like that... he's never sure when I'm serious. In fact, neither am I! I may just be jumping on a plane to ski in New Zealand this summer!
