TR: first day back on skis in a while - A Gaper's Tale

OK. So I'm one of them. I went to the dark side - snowboarding - years ago, and never really looked back.

But since I've got an injured right shoulder, which has made me super tentative on a snowboard, I decided to pick up a pair of SKIS today. And damn, was it fun.

So, here's how it starts. I borrow lph's GF's equipment - 165 pocket rockets. I grab them and think - cool! two mini snowboards! I can do this!

Then I grab the boots and put them on and think, "hey - these are actually quite comfy!" Until I realize I have lph's boots on. oops.

So I grab the right boots, load up the car with skis AND snowboard (just in case) and head off to Sierra. On the way there I'm thinking about what I've got in the back: skis, boots, snowboard, snowboard boots and....oops. No poles. Damn. What a gaper.

I arrive at Sierra and clunk my way to the rental shop to rent poles. Then I scoot over to the lift, and the fun begins. Already, I'm feeling pretty cool.

First run: WHOA! What the hell are these two planks on my feet doing! Why are they going different ways?? Ok. Control. Get control. The snowplow is your friend! Stop sticking your butt out!

Second run: Alright - this is coming together now. Starting to ride like a normal person. Trying to channel my skiing role models: Supu, lph, Kellie, Shoe. I am Shoe! I am Shoe! It' works...for a second until I'm flailing again and skis seem to want to go different ways.

Then I start to fly a bit faster. Woohoo! I'm carving! I rock! I'm flying - WHAAA! I'd better slow the F*** down or else I'm gonna crash. Visions of blowing out my knee and having to be on crutches at the same time I have a bum shoulder starts to freak me out. I slow down.

Then I peek into the trees. Mmmm. Powder. I can do this on a snowboard, so why not skis? I drop in. GET ME OUT OF HERE! I drop out.

A couple of runs later, I'm in the lift line and I'm looking for the skiiers who look like they know what they're doing so I can ride the lift with them and snag some tips. First couple of attempts fail. But finally, I start chatting with a guy who is a former patroller at Sierra. I ask for some tips, and he invites me to ski with him and his buddies, who he's also teaching. SCORE! (by the way, he mentions that he needs some new gloves and I tell him that PM Gear has the most bomber gloves he'll find!). He gives me some great tips and suddenly I'm cruising! I'm shoe! I'm lph! I'm Supu! Ok, not really, but at least I'm not gaping too badly anymore.

End of the day, I return my rented poles. Throw my skis over my shoulder, jump in the car, turn on the Rev Road Trip mix and cruise over the pass. Suddenly, I realize that even though my season may begin and end this week, as I get ready for shoulder surgery, I can already say it's been a good one :). Life is good. Skiing is amazing. I'll be back tomorrow. With poles. :)

Happy New Year all! Thanks for always making it fun, and for keeping the stoke alive year round.

Nice report, WSD. I'll prolly be out on skis sometime this week. Had a few days this season, all fun. Though I want to be DanTheMan...

J-

Nice!!!

I'm guessing I'll see you at Sierra tomorrow?? If not in the morning then, 10 @ bottom of whatever the hell the name of that chair we were lapping last time was?? West Bowl? yeah I think that's it :)

Sweet! Looking forward to seeing you on two planks at SAT tomorrow.

Having two unwieldly sticks on you feet rather than one isn't any harder than having one unwieldly board. Just rememeber to keep the hands down the hill and the ptex side down (mostly anyways)

Yay!!! I finally get to ride with you and you won't be sporting one of those damn smear devices. :D

See ya tomorrow!!!

It is getting contagous. I was on skis one run last Friday for the first time in 8 years.

Bad, I did bad.

Next time I need to start with a positive attitude. As soon as I put on the ski boots, the thought of hurting my knee and ankle a month before the MINI (nightmares of last year), I just sourpussed it the whole way down.

Give me a sunny day on the groomers and I'll have a lot more confidence. There was too much pow and I got right back on my board and had a big smile then. Well, there is never really too much pow, but for me skiing that day, I wanted some control and that day grooming was unheard of.

I won't give up.