Ski Bum Glum....

Snowbird, UT

Ok, I must be getting spring fever or something cause I am itching to be in the sun somewhere, and skiing! That's all I've been thinking about lately. Must be all the Warren Miller commercials. LOL! Why I ever stopped being a ski bum, I don't know. I guess you get caught up in all the trappings of what you're expected to do: buy a house, own a nice vehicle, have a "normal" job, blah blah blah. Oh what a mistake! I gave up a fun carefree ski-instructor healthy life for this?! Slap me silly!!

Now, it's not to say that I don't have a good life, I do. But looking back would I return to the life I once had? You bet! And is it too late now? No! It's never too late! I've had all the "trappings", and is it worth it? No! All you get are more bills!

And ya know, ever since I moved up here to WA from CA, and even though we have some pretty decent ski resorts; Crystal, Mt. Baker, Alpental, etc., I've hardly gone. And why? Because I freeze my butt off here! Sounds crazy I know, but the cold here is different than the cold in CA or UT or other snowy areas. It's bone-chilling damp and wet. I freeze out on the slopes despite being bundled like the Michelin girl!

Ok, so last year, in preparation for the season, my bf Bob being sick of my whining about the cold, bought me some great silk long underwear (that helped), and a new ski coat, and then I thought if I bought a really expensive pair of gloves like North Face, that I'd be warm and toasty too. Not! After 2 runs, my hands were frozen! I had to trudge back to the truck for my other pair, way cheaper, but Gortex. (Tip: Always bring extra of everything!) Needless to say the next day, I returned them.

And I think it's been 2 seasons ago now when I taught Bob how to ski. He's super athletic anyway and very competitive - has to be great at whatever he does. I've taught a lot of people to ski, well obviously. But some people are just naturals. He was! We had barely even gotten on the snow and I was just opening my mouth to talk about stopping (we had practiced on the living room carpet the day before), and he's schooshing down the hill! And stopping! I said, "oh baloney! You've been skiing before!", he said, "no, never. Today's my first time." Needless to say I was totally blown away. By the end of the first day, he was making turns and we were on blue runs! The following season, we took a run at Crystal where the ski racing team skis. He wasn't the most beautiful to watch, but he stayed right up with me! We were going to continue to ski and travel to different resorts, but then I got injured on my horse, then had surgery earlier this year, so we haven't done any skiing this year. That will change for next year!!!

Mammoth Mtn, CA

My goal for this year is to get in great physical shape, move to a warmer climate where there's snow and lots of skiing (maybe Utah?), and become a ski bum again next year and forever! At least that's the plan....