|
Back
in the early eighties, after several dull winters as an adult,
I needed to find a way to enjoy the snow like I did when I
was a kid. Since I was an avid cyclist and very involved with
AYH, it was only natural that I turn to AYH Ski trips. I learned
to cross-country ski under the guidance of several great instructors
(some of whom are still active with the Ski Club). I spent
several years enjoying those trips and improving my skills.
 In
1991, after years of leading trips for the AYH Bike Committee,
I figured that I could lead and instruct for the Ski Club.
Some training from Ski Club Leaders, and a PSIA-Nordic certified
instructor, got me on my way. It has always been satisfying
(and often entertaining) to take a group of first-timers and
watch them go from stiff, timid stumblers to comfortable,
energetic skiers.
For
my own advancement, I've joined some of my Ski Club friends
in telemark and downhill skiing. I continue to work on my
skills as I lead Ski Club trips.
On
one recent trip, a few of us played a game that I think is
the most fun I've had on snow - let's call it Human Slalom.
A group of 6 - 12 skiers ski down one-by-one, each one stopping
just a little farther than the last, making turns between
each standing skier (sort of like leap-frog) as they go. Then
each skier at the top of the line skis down, turning between
everyone, and stopping after the last. This continues all
the way down to the bottom of the hill. It can be challenging
as well as fun, and it gets the attention of other skiers
along the way and on the passing lifts. I can't wait to do
it again.
|
| As
a child, I did not "allow" myself to ski or engage
in any physical activities other than those that would further
my career as a professional ballet dancer. Skiing was something
that other people did - not me; it was too risky (what if
I fell and broke my leg?) and would develop the "wrong"
muscles.
Then,
when I was 17, I broke my leg in the dance studio while practicing
a difficult variation. I began swimming as physical  therapy,
but I never regained enough motion to dance again and the
thought of doing anything remotely close to dance was painful.
I began engaging in "fun" sports - bicycling, roller
skating, and ice skating - and re-learned how to enjoy moving
without having to analyze and perfect every movement.
After
college, I took a job in the membership department at AYH
down on Spring Street. Since everybody working there was involved
in some kind of sport - biking, hiking, skiing - I had many
friends who helped introduce me to the basics. Also, as part
of our "training" on the job, we were required to
go on a bike trip and a ski trip, so we would know what we
were talking about when customers came to ask about them.
I was soon signing up for every hike/bike and ski trip at
AYH, and within a few years became a PSIA Nordic Certified
Ski instructor.
That
was the beginning of a lifelong involvement with outdoor sports.
Since then, I have been on many long-distance bike tours,
both solo and with friends, have skied on week-long backcountry
tours, and have kayaked in Alaska and British Columbia. Almost
twenty years later, I am still involved with the Ski Club
and continue to enjoy making new ski friends and taking on
new challenges. Although I have skied many of the same trails
countless times, each time I discover something new and different
that always rejuvenates me, whether it's sharing a good laugh
with friends after making spectacular face plant, or managing
to skate a "blue" trail without feeling I'm going
to expire, or just enjoying the quiet beauty of Nature, so
noticeably absent from my life in New York City. Skiing allows
me to be a child again, to enjoy what is and not to think
too much. Skiing is FUN!!!
|
