Weekends

I sit here, bored. I should be skiing. I took weekends off to go skiing. There is a slight problem with that plan, however. Apparently my significant other had previously made plans to go rock climbing, and I can't get anybody else to answer their phone. ARGH.

I generally do not ski by myself unless there is a fresh dump. Nothing, other than my job, will stop me at that point. But when the snow is old...unless it is really, really nice outside, I find myself getting bored very quickly when I ski alone. I'm not one of those "chat with random people" types when on the chair or waiting in line. Usually the line is filled with punk snowboarders and skiiers who have no manners. I'd rather ride with an old-timer or mature ski veteran, and share stories, but those types are harder and harder to come by.

Not that I am exactly the most veteran ski guy out there, but I have been skiing for probably about 20 years total. That's about right, I'm 29, started when I was 4, and took 4 or 5 years off after Mt. Tom closed. So although I appear young in looks, I have had boards strapped to my feet for awhile.

I certainly can appreciate the antics that experienced boarders and skiers do...all those jumps and flips and twirls. Those guys who are experienced and usually pretty polite and willing to talk to you. I love watching them. I do not do that kind of stuff myself very often.

What I do not appreciate are people who stop in the middle of the trail and sit. That just so happens to most of the time be boarders. Those parents who stick their kids on trails way too advanced for them annoy me too anyway. That is one thing I remember when I was learning. You did not move on to the bigger trails until you proved you were ready. Absolutely not.

So what type of skiing do I like? Well deep powder isn't my favorite, but I do it anyway. Sooner or later that skill might come in handy. I admit, I like the groomers. I'm more of a Giant Slalom or Super G (super Giant Slalom) type skiier when it comes to competition. I'm not quite nutty enough to do all-out downhill style, but I do love the high speed and turns around wide spaced gates. I am told that average speeds at the World Cup level are 55 mph...which I can achieve on my skis, and have recorded a few times with the GPS. Of course, Hermann Maier is quite the guy. (after all, who could go through a fall like he did and get up practically unhurt?)

Because I don't compete, I usually take a deserted trail and let 'em loose once in a while. You can't do that with other skiiers around, it's just not smart. But there is no feeling quite like screaming into a turn, puttin up on edge, and feeling your weight demand to keep going straight. By some miracle, you do not, the turn is made, and you straighten em out to regain your speed. It gets hairy when you feel the side of your boot hitting the snow it it's chunky though. I took a good spill like that once, it wasn't pretty.

I also very much enjoy the preparation stage of skiing. Doing the hot wax, sharpening the edges, and letting the bottom of the skis talk to you. They can tell you what you are doing wrong or right. For instance, my bases after their initial few runs (new skis) are telling me that I am not putting my weight forward enough. They are longer than my other ones, and I am getting used to them. I will need to correct that the next time I go out.

Well there is nothing else to talk about right now, nobody has called me back, and I can't think of anything I can go do that will allow me to get back here by the time the lady arrives back here. I really would like to go on a nice long hike, but meh. Next week, however...I am going skiing.