Calgary and BC Ski Trip – Day 2

Woke up about 9:15 this morning. We were all a littlie groggy after our evening of wine and card/board games. The smell of Julie’s Tim Horton’s coffee was a welcome one. A fresh mug of warm coffee on the patio gave way to the beautiful sight of Sunshine on the mountains. John Denver’s song was playing through my head as I soaked up the scenery and the atmosphere.
Sue made us an awesome brunch of Bacon and eggs then it was time to get ready for the trip to the ski hill.
A couple of coffees later and we were all showered, packed, and ready to rock. We hopped in the Ford Explorer and headed up to Fairmont Ski Resort.
Conditions were pretty good. Nice and warm, hovering around 0 to -2 C, Sunny and Bright. No New snow unfortunately, but the sun melted the top layer of snow to give us a decent surface.
First stop was to the ski school to sign the newbie (me) up for a lesson. It ended up being a private lesson, so that worked out well.
After getting the lesson booked for 2:45 we headed to the ski shack to get our rentals. We decided to rent for 3 days instead of having to do this every day and the prices were great. $77.00 for 3 days then $22.00 per day after that if we kept them longer. Just bring them back when we’re done and pay whatever balance isn’t paid for. Great arrangement.
I was outfitted with a set of 160cm Rossingnol skis, a pair of boots and a grey helmet to match my grey and orange borrowed ski suit (thanks Will, the other Will, I’m not talking to myself.)
Since we had an hour and a half to kill before my lesson, we ventured up to the beginners hill and started at the first level, no 2. My introduction to the Poma Lift was interesting. I somehow managed to get my skis crossed and took a header into the ditch between the lift and the hill. This was good amusement for Susanne, Julie, and Will. Since it happened right near level one on the hill I decided to start there and get my legs. I could tell that Susanne had been skiing before since she was stable and knew how to walk with skis on. I on the other hand not so much. I managed to get down the hill from there with only one wipe out (not including the Poma Lift).
After that, it was back on the lift to level no. 2 this time, to scare myself further. After a “successful tow” I made it down the hill with only one fall. (Stopping was fun) Getting up was even more fun, but I figured it out with Sue nagging me to get my skis across the hill before standing up. (Good advice)
A few more runs from the second level and a few falls later, I ventured to level 3. 3 runs down from level 3 and only one fall, I was ready to go to the top of the bunny hill (I’m so brave). I found out this was called the cowboy run when I got to the top. (Yippy Kay Yi Yay)
A couple successful runs (no falls) and it was time for my lesson.
I met my instructor David at the designated place, and as I had been successful in making it from the top level a few times, we started there.
I found out that I was paralleling (if that’s a word) and not snow plowing and that that was pretty good for a newbie.
David watched make a couple turns then gave me some excellent advice on turning and instructed me in the benefits of a really wide snow plow on steep slopes or when you really need to shed some speed/be careful. I learned the right way to turn and how to use the ski edge etc and in no time I was shooshing down from level 4 quite comfortably and feeling much more stable.
I had one more run in with the evil poma lift when one of my skis decided it wanted off and I had to do a wide snow plow down the side of the poma lift area without killing anyone. It started out a littly scary and out of control but I recovered and continued from level 3 down.
So endeth my lesson and my introduction around 4. David told me I would be ok for one of the other green runs tomorrow after practicing on the beginner’s hill for bit again.
I found Julie, Will, and Sue back at the chalet on the deck and found out that Sue went down one of the other green runs and loved it. She took the chair lift. After that it was back to the condo for a break and a Guinness.
Its about 7:00pm Mountain time as I right this and we’re just thinking about rustling up some grub, then we’ll likely play some cards or a board game again.
More to follow in tomorrow’s blog entry.