I wish I had tried harder to learn to ski (snow ski, that is) when I was young. My one big opportunity came in the South of France…seems like anyone could ski in surroundings like that.
But no.
It was a gorgeous sunny day in the mountains. Hang gliders sailed off the mountain, rode the wind down, then glided to a stop on their skis.
I was decked out in official ski equipment, ready to try the smallest bunny hill.
Actually, it wasn’t even a bunny hill. It was a small incline.
I decided to start there, headed downhill (like two feet), and watched while my feet and skis zoomed out in front of me. I fell backwards onto the snow and lay there, watching the hang gliders from a new and interesting vantage point.
And that was that. I quit.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at an outside cafe table with a glass of red wine and let my husband enjoy his time on the slopes.
But I do wish I had tried a little harder.
I love skiing but it can be a hard one to learn! Hey, nothing wrong with watching with wine in hand. 🙂 Some might even say that’s better than skiing.
I have so many regrets like that, where I tried something once and never tried again.
I’ve never being skiing or been anywhere close to skiers. I’d love to do it one day. It does look a bit scary, though.
Ref to “I fell backwards onto the snow and lay there, watching the hang gliders from a new and interesting vantage point.”
That sounds like what would happen to me if I were trying to snow ski. I joked with a friend the other day. He skis black diamonds, swore by the rush. I smiled and just told him to make sure to drop me off at the first cottage or lodge so I could enjoy a very large glass of wine and hors d’ourves if we ever planned a group trip to the slopes lol!!1
Now skiing is one thing that has never been on my wish list. I’m too afraid of breaking something. My husband was a wind surfer. I spent many long hours on the beach waiting for him. A glass of wine – or two – would have been nice.
Skiing isn’t for everyone. I can’t do it. I think it’s one of those things you need to learn as a youngster.
The cafe and wine sound like a better choice.
Play off the Page
You gave up too soon … or maybe not if you fall each time.
I remember the downhill “rush” when I was a California skier … until I wrecked my foot doing site survey. Probably just as well. Skiing’s too expensive for my miserly soul.
i have never been skiing–hope i am not missing too much–as a matter of fact, i don’t even like snow–your time sounded good to me
I’ve never tried snow skiing, just water skiing. (And that’s exhausting.)
I have never tried. My son is a snowboard lover, so much so he moved to Canada. He broke his back last year, and put me off trying. He is back on the slopes, but my feet will be firmly on the ground when I visit in Sept. In fact there shouldn’t be any snow! Phew!
I like your idea of watching the gliders!
I’ll never ski, I don’t think 🙂 Good luck with the rest of it!
I’m far too clumsy to ski. Your peaceful time sitting and drinking wine sounds more my speed. 🙂
I’ve tried skiing – and I think I’m the worst skier ever! Now my knees have too much damage to try again … or at least that’s my excuse! 🙂
Pat – I’ve never tried skiing in my life and now, reading your story, I wonder what I’d do even on a gentle incline. I think we all run into proverbial walls like that…