Thursday, March 13, 2014

Skiing is like Pizza.

Today we're talking about the time I survived my first ski trip and don't have any bruises to show from it. We'll do some talking, some gif-ing and some laughing at my expense. Thanks and you're welcome!

I've only been up on the mountain for snow recreation once and it was a traumatizing snowboard experience where my brother said "go" and not a single soul stuck around long enough to make sure that I could "stop". Bruised ego and body were dealt with and 10+ years have passed since I've been brave enough to strap boots into any board-like shape and volunteered to skid down a mountain. 

Ugh, how old do I feel saying it's been "10 years" since something. 

It was on our family's winter to-do list to hit the slopes and learn the basics of skiing. With mom out of town (welcome back!), dad and I decided to take advantage of a sunny weeknight afternoon where nobody would be up there to see us struggle.

Once we got up there (yes, cool how the mountain is about an hour from the city, right?) we found out where to spend our dollars. This clearly meant we were now entitled to strap some sticks on our feet and barrel down a mountain. Not sure this is an appropriate way to handle things but who am I to judge? 

After putzing around for a bit, we made it up the lift and both fell trying to dismount at the top. Like a baby deer trying to walk for the first time. At the top is where all of the "experts" were strapping into their boards and picking their favorite pow-pow playlists. Here I am, on my butt... trying to first of all get back on my feet and secondly make it down this mountain without death or significant physical harm. The other people's reaction:






There was probably a 20 minute stretch where I laid there, flailing. Trying to get up fall after fall. Crash after crash. Close run-ins with trees and near collisions with more experienced people on the slopes. It was everything I could do to get up on my feet until I realized that this guy may be hot on my heels:


With the Yeti inevitably hiding in the woods, I found myself speeding down the hill faster than I often drive and having no other option than to intentionally crash to my death stop the momentum behind me. From there on out, the word was "pizza" and oh-my-gosh was there ALL the pizza on that hill. My dad yelled "pizza", I yelled "pizza", hell - I was even hAngry for pizza. 



The first time down the mountain was a disaster and I may have even thrown a fit and cried a little. This happens when I want to be successful at something yet I'm failing miserably learning.

So, I searched high and low for pizza the rest of the night.

The nice tow-rope operator gave me a crazy helpful tip to steer my upper body like I'm driving a car, and that way I'll be able to navigate the larry's and randy's better (lefts and rights). 


And do you know what? This worked! 

On round #2 we did so much better, much faster and with WAY fewer falls. I only fell 3 times including the dismount off the lift, then another scary fall where my skis were both 100ft and 50ft up a hill from where my body had landed. An epic fall I wish I had an aerial camera for or at least someone on the lift saw and chuckled at my expense. "Mountain Climbers" really do work if you need to climb a mountain, though. Thanks HIIT workouts. 

After safely reaching the bottom, we decided to make an ambitious move and went back up for a third and final time, attempting to do a no-fall run. When I successfully dismounted the lift, dad and I celebrated something like the image below. Little did we know, it was foreshadowing to a majorly successful ZERO fall third time down the mountain. YES.

From tears to cheers, I had a blast learning how to ski and was happy for the bonding experience with dad on a weeknight. Here's some images of me, the mountain and sister who drove us there(?)

One of the better parts I'm not ashamed to admit was the late night dinner on the way home. I don't care who you are, fiery Doritos tacos and Cinnabon delights hit the SPOT. #notPaleonotSorry

That's all for today. Hello to the new faces around here! 

I'll see you again someday, mountain. Until next time. 





17 comments

Kait said...

cinnabon, yes. glad the experience got better as the day went on! when i first read this - "I may have even thrown a fit and cried a little" - I read it in my head as 'I may have even throw up and cried a little bit' ... I was like WOW ok that's a bad day :)

Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon said...

Ahhh yes!!! You did awesome!! I am impressed you just hit the slopes and got it going. I love the Top Gun GIF you added, and I am guilty of falling off a ski lift so I feel your pain (hit my head, thankfully helmed head!).

Alex[andra] said...

I keep meaning to ask you, what side of the car is your steering wheel on?!

These GIFs were fabulous and I'm glad you ended up having such a good time! One day you shall teach me how to not fight trees while skiing. One day.

Katie Elizabeth said...

Yay! I took on skiing this winter for the first time in 10 years (and yes that makes me feel reaaal old) and it went a lot like your trip! I was just happy I made it home in one piece!

Melissa Nicole said...

YAY. im proud of you. when I come to Portland we better go to Taco Bell...

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

i've only had ONE ski experience and it was the worst. my asshole ex boyfriend basically took me up the intermediate hill (i had never been on skis before) and then pushed me down the hill and shouted: ok, SKI!! needless to say, that was my last time.

but i'm glad you had fun :)

-kathy | Vodka and Soda

brooke lyn said...

1) let's talk about how i used to love the ski game on the old comps 2) i would have laughed at your expense because i am a good friend like that 3) cheers to not falling the last time!

Jordan said...

I simply have zero desire to ever try skiing or snowboarding. I have no coordination and a short temper so I can't imagine this would be fun for me; I find happiness on a beach or in the water though! Looks like you had a great time and I bet your next time will be even smoother! Oh, Taco Bell, why are you so delicious?

Helene in Between said...

I've been skiing a couple times but that was a LONG time ago. I'm kinda scared to go back! but I need to. glad you got taco bell and cinnabon. winning.

Lauren said...

YOU MADE IT! Totally impressed by that. And I had pizza for lunch or I would need some now.

henning love said...

skiing is hard that is no joke and i was a fan of the bunny slopes when i first started and congrats on making it down the hill sans falling

JMO said...

bahaha oh my gosh- first of all I completely forgot about that ski game! I always snowboard and only tried skiing once but this story just made my entire day! (cat gif? Best)

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

I know nothing about skiing but I do consider myself an expert when it comes to pizza. And ballsacks.

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

Your gifs were absolutely perfect with this one! Totally cracked me up! So glad you survived girl ;-)

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

Your gifs were absolutely perfect with this one! Totally cracked me up! So glad you survived girl ;-)

kailyn said...

hate to say this but...i've never been skiing. or snowboarding. or anything in the snow. WHY DO I LIVE WHERE THERE IS NO SNOW?!

Kenzie Smith said...

I've always wanted to try snowboarding or skiing.. but I have a feeling I would hurt myself. Kudos to you though, third times a charm!!