first time for everything
over the thanksgiving holiday walter and i went on a ski trip to Copper Mountain, CO with some other family members. walter had gone several times before and this was my first time on a pair of skis. it was quite an adventure!
the first full day was a bit rough on me, i rented my equipment and bought my day of ski school and lift tickets for the rest of the week... i was ready for the challenge of learning to ski, it couldn't be that hard could it? i had a bit of problems my first day and it was all due to a pair of ill-fitting ski boots. i was told "they're supposed to fit that way". nope, they aren't supposed to bruise your calves, shins maybe but not calves. so during my lunch break at ski school, i went back to the rental place with tears in my eyes to exchange my boots for a different pair. after lunch, same problem... i had to take a 15 minute break in the warming hut with my boots off to get some circulation back in my feet, they went numb from them squeezing my calves so badly. i was ready to give up just from the pain. an instructor walked in to check on one of her students who was having the same issue. she knew immediately how to fix it. i was so thankful! the problem was that i have muscle-y calves and that unisex boots are really mens boots in wormen's sizes. women have larger calves and are lower than mens, so i had to find women's boots. after my first day of lessons, with tears in my eyes, while everyone else was finishing up their last run, i returned my equipment and went to just about every rental shop in the village to find a pair of women's ski boots and skis. i finally found what i needed and even though i was in pain, i could instantly feel the difference and comfort in the new boots. i had renewed faith that i was going to learn to ski.
the second day i decided to take another day of private lessons because i hadn't learned much the first day from all my personal drama. i was still a bit scared, but by the end of the day i was ripping it up! i had made amazing progress with the combination of new boots, equipment and my awesome instructor. Jan (pronounced Yahn), only several days in America from Czech Republic, was so patient with me on the first day and the second day we started making progress. his steps of excerises and then putting them all together into one fluid motion gave me confidence and ability. i was taking the lifts and skiing by myself long after my lesson had ended! i couldn't believe it, i didn't want to stop... i was skiing!!!
the third day i once again decided to take another day of private lessons from Jan. there was so much more to learn... in three days i had moved from being a first-time beginner, stopping and turning with a wedge to a seasoned parallel skiier! 
i'm hooked!!! 
5 comments:
sounds like you both had a fantastic time! Maybe me and pd can go with you sometime...as long as you promise not to laugh too hard at me as i continue to fall all over myself.
we did have a fantastic time! even though we didn't see much of each other during the day, since i was taking lessons and he was out on the runs. we shared our stories of the day over dinner in the condo, it was great! next time we'll be skiing together...
it would be fun if you guys could come too, and you won't fall as much as you think, but i do suggest lessons! ;o)
that sounded like so much fun. you actually make me want to try skiing!!! manny's always wanted to try a cold weather vacation. hrmmmmm. I love all your pics!
i really regret not learning sooner!
the dish is... walter's aunt is considering buying a condo at a ski resort.... i'll then have a place to stay in CO for cheap, and would be fun for us all to meet up out there, maybe next winter!
nice!
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