Let Go and Ski! – A Beginner’s Ski Story

Mountains calling...Scary or fun? This was the midway height view from my most recent ski run at Ski Cooper, Colorado

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Travelling is not just about ticking off bucket list places; it is about collecting memories, having new experiences and sometimes also about pushing your limits to overcome your fears. At least that is what travel has been for me. For some time now, I have been toying with this idea of sharing about different interesting activities and adventurous experiences I have had during my travels. So, here is something on those lines!

Where the magic happened! Where I learnt to ski - Mt Hood Skibowl, Oregon.

Last year, around New Year's, I had gone to Portland, Oregon for three days with a couple of my friends. Unfortunately, due to icy conditions and imminent snowfall, everything in Portland was shut down! After being totally disappointed on day one, we started searching what else we could do the next day. Imagine, entire Columbia River Gorge area was closed due to the forest fires (that had happened earlier that year), Portland was on snooze mode for the two days, and since it was going to rain and snow in the state for those two days – the coast was totally out of question. So, my dear friends, totally oblivious to the fact that I am dead scared of heights, decided we should go skiing!

All ready for lesson number one...and hoping it to be the only time.

Since it was first time skiing for all of us, I assumed the slopes wouldn’t be scary and my head won’t go reeling at the sight of the angle of the run. So, swallowing my fear and the knot in my stomach, I said “Yes”, and we signed up for a ski class at Mt Hood Skibowl’s Olympic Ski and Snowboard School. First ski adventure, first lesson, on a volcano’s turf and no height – I couldn’t have been more excited about it all. (no sarcasm I swear)

Post the initial two hours training I was all smiles!

The training began at noon and I think it went on for two hours, with three amazing teachers! We started with the standard fries and wedges techniques of skiing, getting up on a slope when you fall, and then went on to practice how to traverse on slopes with skis on and turn with multiple techniques. In no time, we were having so much fun, that I actually forgot about my fear. For the next 3 hours after the lesson we kept trying out our new skills on the magic carpet (beginner level) slope and some milder slopes in the ski area. Frankly it was a different feeling, new, exhilarating and something like I really wanted to do! And so, I decided to head up to one of the intermediate slopes on a chair lift.

The mountains called me again and I just had to give skiing another try

The feeling, that fresh glass of comfort was about to shatter though. Going up the lift, one feels the weight of the skis, the lack of ground underneath, and you get a sense of the height. I was terrified. By the time, I reached up the slopes, I was glued to my chair. The chair operator asked me to get down a lot of times and I couldn’t even say no the first couple of times. Finally, the operator sensed my fear and let me return to the base in the chair lift. Thus, marking the end of my first ski adventure. Some start to the year, right? The scare caused me to take another lesson at Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard School, my second ski-venture and after 4 hours of lessons and practicing on the magic carpet, the lift still managed to snuff out the confidence from me.

Place where gained some confidence and decided enough was enough - Steven's Pass

But skiing was the first time I was facing a fear of mine and also enjoying a lot (till the chair part). Determined to not give up, my next three times – Summit at Snoqualmie, in Washington; Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area, in Vermont and Mountain Creek, in New Jersey – I decided to only ski down level one and two slopes that require chair lifts. 

Right after I went up on a chair and finished a run successfully for the very first time! My pale face and feeble smile should tell you how terrified I was.

Initially I used to close my eyes while going up, asked a friend to give cues when we were reaching the top, didn’t stop at the top for more than 30 seconds so that I had less time to contemplate the height, took like fifty falls but finally I could feel the fear fade away. I had started enjoying the rush of adrenaline. But winter was over, and the snow faded away.

Imagine that slope, that height scared me. (By the way, pictures can be deceptive, it was not an easy slope!)

I was actually waiting for the winters this time so that I could go out and ski again. And this year, I started my ski season in Vail, Colorado!!! Technically at Ski Cooper, Colorado. Surprisingly, I was not scared of level one slopes anymore - could take the lift too and I was able to stare down the slope for more than a minute! Sure, I didn’t get over my fear completely, nor did I ski like a pro ready to conquer the mountain, but I could ski, I could go up a tricky slope and I enjoyed that for hours.

Finally Leadville was the place where I felt I had accomplished something in this 1 year. I could Ski!

Somewhere I think, my fear made skiing really exciting for me and gave me confidence to try out something new and exciting during my travels. Thanks to what happened in Portland, now when I plan my travels I also seek out what activities I can do in the area along with sightseeing and experiencing the culture and heritage of the place.

Keeping up with fries...

Have you done anything during your travels that has not only helped you overcome some of your fears but also changed the way you plan your travels? Do let me know in the comments below!

Chair Lift still scares me, but I can manage now!

More about the ski places I have been to so far: (Ranked according to best for beginners)

Oh and some wedges, because I am still a beginner!

1.   Mt Hood Skibowl’s Olympic Ski and Snowboard School, Oregon – With 20% of its 70 ski runs marked as beginner slopes, one cannot find a better place to start out skiing when near Portland, Oregon. Also, given I learnt how to ski for the very first time here and loved it, I would totally recommend the school if you want to take a class. And before I forget, you can ski all day and all night here because Mt Hood Snowbowl is USA’s largest night ski area. (More)

2.  Ski Cooper, Colorado – Sure, Colorado Aspen-Vail region is known for ski resorts and ski towns, but unfortunately very few are budget friendly. Ski Cooper is one such budget friendly gem, hidden in the highest city of USA. Even though I did not take classes there, I observed a lot of trainers taking classes and they were really good, plus they have multiple beginner and intermediate level slopes, which makes it another great place to start. (More)

Let go and Ski!!!

3.  Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard School, Washington – Steven’s Pass was where I took my second lesson, to gain back some confidence, and though the lesson was not as effective as the one at Skibowl, it was good for beginner level and the trainers were very friendly. Steven’s Pass is about 2 hours away from Seattle and is very close to Leavenworth, so you can combine a trip to both if you pick this as your ski destination! (More)

4.  Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area, Vermont – Similar to Colorado, Vermont is also known for its ski areas and they are neither cheap nor very beginner friendly. But in the same area, Killington is the odd man out and a saviour for beginners in budget. I did not take the lesson here, but a friend of mine did and she loved it, so I am guessing they do teach you well! (More)

Snowy days are actually the best days to ski for beginners since the snow is fresh and traversing on slopes is easier.

5.  Summit at Snoqualmie, Washington – I have mixed feeling about this place. Though this was hardly 40 minutes away from my place in Seattle, it wasn’t my first choice for skiing, simply because the place is overpriced. Also, the beginner slopes were too easy and intermediate slopes were too difficult and required you to take the chair (which I was not comfortable with that time). But still, if you want to ski more and spend less time driving to your destination (when in King County), Summit is the place to go. (More)

6.  Mountain Creek, New Jersey – Disclaimer, I went there towards the end of March, so most of the snow had melted away, and they only had one beginner level run open (which required the use of chair lift). Slope wasn’t even and within an hour of getting there, there were grass patches in the middle of the run. Had some bad falls, but hey, winter was almost over. So, I might give the place another try this year! By the way, it is also the closest beginner level ski resort near NYC, which makes it the most convenient pick when you are in or around the Big Apple. (More)

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