My 11-year-old wanted me to take her snowboarding so we could get some one-on-one time. Her sister’s skis were just sitting there, so I figured I’d take them with us and give it a try. I’d never gone skiing, but how hard could it be? I’m really good at falling, and equally as good at getting back up. People always said that skiing was easier than snowboarding, which I’d tried before. So we headed up to the Snowbowl for a morning on the slopes.
Wrestling on those boots was unreal, and I immediately declared it my least favorite part of skiing. Once my skis were on, I kept sliding backwards, and it took an encouraging push from my daughter to get me on the Magic Carpet. My confidence was high as I started to ski down the hill … until I discovered I had no clue how to stop. I tried to lean backwards. Do NOT do this while skiing! You will go backwards, but your skis won’t stop. I slid down the hill flat on my back, bent at the knees, my daughter giggling as she watched.
Somehow I stood back up, got back to the Magic Carpet, and tried again. “Pizza, pizza, PIZZA!” my daughter yelled encouragingly. I knew she wanted me to get good enough to take her up the big hill. I was determined, but my pizza wasn’t pizza-ing. It felt like I was going to break the sound barrier there on the bunny hill. I decided to bail sideways. After an embarrassing number of attempts to get back up, I lay there admitting defeat. My muscles were shaking. My ankles were bent in the wrong direction. I wondered if I’d need a crane to rescue me. At least the view of the snow-covered canopy above was quite beautiful.
My valiant hero, my 11-year-old daughter, removed her board, walked down and wedged my ski between her feet. She tried to help me up — and failed. Both of us were now on the ground, laughing and laughing. Somehow, finally, she managed to get me back on my feet. I made it the rest of the way down the bunny hill and kicked off my skis. My brain, ego, and body felt bruised.
Driving out of there, I wondered if getting my kids into skiing and snowboarding was some sort of punishment. Of course, they’re better at it than I am, and seem to enjoy it. I confess – I enjoyed my morning at the Snowbowl, too. But skiing is not easier than snowboarding. Not for everyone, anyway.
– Becca Trayah is a homeschooling mom of three in Brandon.