The following article was submitted by Will Fell, a first time "never-ever" skier on the December 2007 Steamboat trip.
Confessions of a first time skier.
Back during the late summer while I was contemplating my impending retirement and the end of life as I currently knew it, I was persuaded by a friend during a weak moment to consider going skiing with the Savannah Ski & Adventure Club. I reviewed the agenda and figured what the heck, for 800 bucks you can't go wrong on a weeklong trip to the Rockies even if you never get on a pair of skis. I sort of figured that at my age I could say, "Well, I tried it." And then I could check it off my to-do list if nothing else.
I was more or less in the dark on this whole business, but being that they offered a full week of lessons, I figured with all the lawyers out there, they really wouldn't let me hurt myself. I outfitted myself with a pair of insulated pants I found in the hunting section of an Ace Hardware store in the North Georgia Mountains and an old Forest Service jacket I had been issued years ago and saved in the closet for lord knows what. I stocked up on a couple of pair of quilted cotton union suits from Ag Supply and a pair of fishing sunglasses from the Bass Pro shop. I was ready to hit the slopes.
We arrived at Steamboat after an uneventful flight to Denver and a bus ride over the mountain that's suitable for a whole separate story. And there was snow there and it looked just like it did in pictures I had seen of it. Later we gathered at the ski rental place and I got fitted for a pair of skis that they assured me would be just what I needed and THEN I got the boots. I began to wonder that maybe I needed to rethink this whole scenario. All I could think of as I tried these things on was that movie from back in my childhood, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea. They fitted Captain Nemo with this identical pair before they cast him over the side to the depths of the ocean. The black helmet they gave me as I left the building just sealed that vision. I didn't get much sleep that night.
I was up at daylight the next morning, thanks to the snowplows scraping through the parking lot at 5:00 AM. I did layers, many layers, just as I was told. As I headed out the door I looked for all the world like the Michelin Man's long lost green cousin. I've got pictures to prove it. Well I clunked over to the gathering spot for my lessons in my Capt Nemo boots thinking well if nothing else I would safely roll down the mountain in my current state of attire.
Well the lessons began uneventfully. For two days we would take two steps up the slope and slide back three. And hey I didn't fall. But really when you think about it a sphere doesn't fall, it just rolls. About the third day they asked who wants to do the six pack (a ski lift, not a handful of PBR's) and feeling pretty smug I raised my hand. I loaded successfully and wrapped both arms securely around the back rest as it propelled us up the mountain. As I gracefully exited the chair, it smacked me square in the butt sending me flailing face first in the snow. Maybe I should have opted for the six pack of PBR's. Well next time I learned to leave my hand on the chair as I exited and let it push me out of the way.
Here I am on my first trip down the slopes like a real skier. This was great as I zigged and zagged down the gentle trail through the conifers. Then right around a sharp left curve….oh shoot (or something to that effect)…, my world dropped out of sight as visions reappeared of Capt Nemo taking the plunge. I lived. We did beer that night.
Well the next day we returned. I've always heard that if the horse throws you, climb right back on. I did. It was great.
I can ski. I am ready to go again.
Congratulations, Will !!!!
The Savannah Ski & Adventure Club promotes the sport of skiing for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels and camaraderie among its members by providing quality ski trips at group prices and year round opportunities for social interaction.