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Slippery Slopes Heres a story from my past about Two amusing Skiing Trips I took. Hope you enjoy! In 6th Grade, our teacher came and told us, that there was going to be a School Skiing trip. If we couldn't go, we had to stay in the school, and do work! Well, I had No clue as to how to Ski... and was pretty much deathly afraid of it. On the other hand, I was Not about to be the one of two people sitting board, in school! I decided Id go, but probably just watch the others ski while I sat in the warm lobby. I was lucky, because the cost was very low due to it being a special with the school... else my mother would not have been able to afford to pay for me to go. The drive was very far. Maybe 1.5 hrs long. The place was amazing. There was a certain magic in the air. The scenery was beautiful, and the mountains were so impressively huge, and very peaceful. We finally get off the bus. My butt was very thankful! At this time, they tell us to suit up, grab boots, poles, and get ready for a beginner class. I was poor, so I didn't have any fancy snowsuits like most. Instead, I wore like 3 pairs of pants, shirts, and socks all under my jacket. The day was very sunny, calm, and luckily, not overly cold. We were walked up the side of a very small hill. We then were taught the very basics of how to turn using a method called "The Snowplow"... where one ski stays still, and the other turns inwards. We also were taught a very basic way to stop. Once we got our footing, they took us up to the Ski Lift. The lift was a moving set of chairs that are attached to a cable... that travels up and down the mountain. The lift was moving pretty fast... and was downright scary. Getting on it was very hard to time, especially with all that bulky and clumsy equipment on. I remember it slammed into my back with a hard thud... and I almost fell off the thing. Finally, I was on the way up... The lift had two stops on this mountain. One for the lower hill (Lower Robinson - which many called the 'Bunny Hill' cause it was easiest), and one for the much much higher upper hill called "Upper Robinson". As we saw the stop coming up, it was again going to be a trick in timing. We only had a few seconds to try to scoot off and move out of the way of the lift as we exited. I quickly pushed off the lift, but slipped as I was trying to travel down the ramp. Luckily, the lift didn't hit me So, there we gathered, at the top of the "Bunny Hill". Well, that was supposed to be the easy hill... and it was still pretty high up! Anyways... theres the instructor again, showing us the basics, leading us down at a snails pace. I see these other skiers flying down swiftly, and using the advanced method of turning, with both skis close together, and leaning into it. I of course was getting board of the Slow clumsy 'Snowplow', and decided I had enough of the basics. I started to try the other method of turning... and was doing 'ok'. But sadly, the teacher there would not teach the advanced stuff. And we weren't able to get an advanced lesson... so I had to try to figure it out for myself. I started to fly down the slopes with good speeds, using the new turn. I wiped out many times going down the hill... but wow, it was fast and very Fun I returned to the top of the Bunny Hill several more times, Skiing down it better and better each time. Finally, I was no longer falling down. And getting on and off the lift, wasn't bad at all I started to get a bit cocky. A very natural thing for a I thought to myself, if I can handle this, maybe the bigger hill isn't too bad? I told my beginner level friends that I was planning it, and they told me I was crazy! They wouldn't come along. I decided to try anyways... How bad could it be? So there I am, at the Lift which goes directly to the Bigger hill top. The lift is running about twice as fast, and wow, it was a real challenge to get on this one in one piece! I slide in, and the Chair begins to ascend. As the Chair gets higher and higher, I travel past the Beginner hill height. Somehow, I had it in my mind that the bunny hill was half of the mountain, and so Upper Robinson wasn't that much higher... The hill didn't look all that high from the bottom. But as the chair kept rising, I got more and more worried. The height I was at now, was INSANE! I was fearful to even look down the hill.. let alone think about how in the world I was going to get back down it! My stomach was now turning in knots. As I neared the top of the Hill, which seemed like an Eternity to reach... I see a Skier race down the slope. He was shifting back and forth with those turns at such a steep angle, and I doubted I could match such a feat... not even close! I could only do side to side turns, and never had to dig in at a steep angle before. Finally, I see the top where the lift exits. I literally dove off, and slid down the ramp on all fours! I did it, I was at the top of the Hill!... And What they H3ll was I thinking!!! I realized that it was too late to turn back now. I was a bit prideful, and didn't want to ask for help. I didn't think anyone could help anyways. I got myself up there, and thought, that the only way down, was to ski it 'the hard way'. I prepared myself. I slowly approached the Edge of the upper Robinson. My heart was nearly thumping out of my chest! The hill was so Massive, and gradually Steep, that even though I was close, I couldn't see over the edge! I thought "This is it... Ill probably end up in the hospital... but here I go..." (gulp) I slowly inched my way twords the edge, as far as I could go, without falling. I waiting for a few moments in silence and fear, as I psyched myself for the 'fall'... Just as I was about to Push off, I felt a hand grab me, as a voice seemed to come out of nowhere! "Hey, are you Ok?", Said the guy. I was so nervous, that I didn't even hear him sneak up on me! Turns out, he was part of the Ski Patrol. - "Yeah, I'm ok.", I said a bit unconfidently. "Are you a new Skier? - "Well, kinda. I mastered the lower hill earlier today", I said with a bit of embarrassment. "You better not go down This Hill. You better try 'Miles Sweep'. Follow this path here, and go down that way.", He pointed. PHEW! My Heart was almost ready to explode! I was so Relieved! I remember after thanking him... I Thanked GOD several times! I started on my Journey twords the opposite end of the massive Hilltop. The main pathway was very Wide, and I could see the huge drop offs were others were exiting the various mountain runs. All of which looked more dangerous than the next. I started to worry a bit again, thinking how far I still was up into the Sky. How "Easy" could the "Easier" hill really be?! As I glided gradually down the slow slope of the mountains top, I saw many skiers on these little mini-paths that snaked in and out of the woods. There were Ski Track indents where each ski would fit. The paths were very cool, because they had many little mini hills that went up and down about 2 or more feet, all down the paths. Looked like so much fun! So I decided to get on one. I Started to zoom through the pathway, and it really was wicked fun Up and down, in and out, I was racing around in the many mini trails. Thump! I fell over! One of my Ski's went soaring about 40 feet in front of me. The other ski, left behind me about 10ft. heh. Took me like 10 minutes to recover myself, the skis, and get back to the trails. I tried to stay on those trails, but I fell like 3 more times. The last of which, I was stuck in a deep pit! One ski still attached, which made it near impossible to get out. I think I must have wasted 45 minutes of time between the 3 times I fell, just to recover. I decided it was time to stop messing with those trails, and see if I couldn't actually make it to the bottom of the mountain. So, there I go slowly Gliding down the Hill. Taking my time, being very cautious. I see a sign coming up that says "SLOW!"! "AWESOME!!!", I thought to myself! Is that really it? This hill is easier and less steep than the bunny hill so far! Then all the sudden, I started to pick up speed! The Sign LIED! I realized quickly, that sign was there to warn of a merger between two trails! I was traveling at Warp speed now! I was not good at slowing down or stopping! Thump, Roll,Tumble.... SHHHHHHH, Crash!!! The speed was way too fast! I vibrated like an earthquake, lost balance, and tumbled around like a rag doll across the slope. I hit hard, and was a bit banged up from the wreck. I gathered my Ski's and poles, and tried again... shhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHH! Thump, Roll,Tumble.... SHHHHHHH, Crash!!!!! Again I had a Spectacular Wreck! This one just as bad as the last. Try again... Thump, Roll,Tumble.... SHHHHHHH, Crash!!! UGGG! This was getting dreadful. I started to imagine just what would have happened if I had token the Steep Hill down! Wow, I was REALLY Lucky! Finally, I got back on my feet, and was able to make it to the very bottom of the mountain... where I wiped out once more, cause I couldn't stop in time before the plastic gateway fence! I had Snow embedded EVERYWHERE in me. In all my pockets, my hair was dishoveled, my face battered and red, hands bitter ice cold.. and entire body felt like was beaten with a baseball bat from all the wrecks! I stumbled slowly back to the beginner trail, with tail in between my legs. heh Stopping at the Lodge to warm up and recover, as I reported my zany trials to my few friends. After a good rest, I went back to the Bunny Hill, and Skied it many more times, at lightning speeds. The bigger hill really had advanced my skills. I played there for another 2 hrs trying to perfect my skills, and then finally decided to try Miles Sweep once again. To my surprise, I actually did great! I was able to navigate the hill without any troubles, and didn't fall anymore. I was really getting quite good, but sadly, Our time was almost up! Next Year, is the year things get really funny... ----------- Part 2: One Year Later ----------- The time came around again, in 7th grade, when we were to be able to go on another class skiing trip. This time, I was very Excited! I had great fun last time, and did really well twords the end of my day. I thought to myself, that instead of wasting time taking that ridiculous beginner lesson, Id jump right into the big hill. Others warned me to re-take the lesson... but I was cocky... However, when I got there, I got 'Cold Feet' And decided to at Least just try the baby hill first to make sure I remembered how to Ski. As I rode the Lift to the Hill, I remember having trouble with getting on and off it again. That wasn't a good sign! "Well, it will be ok. Ill get it down. I'm the man!", I thought! So there I go, down the Bunny hill... soaring swiftly.. Then Thump, Roll,Tumble.... SHHHHHHH, Crash!!!!! What happened!?!?! I had totally LOST it! All those skills sorta vanished. I now Wrecked three times on the little hill! Ohh, it was so embarrassing! When I finally fumbled my way down, I saw the beginner class. I begrudgingly and embarrassingly asked to join them. Soon, I would regain my legs, and after a few times down, mastered the bunny hill. It all started to come back to me now. I then went right to Miles Sweep. This time, I fared very well. Rare to fall. I had great time rolling down this hill many times, and eventually, I attained a pretty high level of ability on it. I started to wonder if I could handle something a little more aggressive! lol So there I was, trying to look over the edges of some of these other Trails to see if I could handle them. I even asked around to see what others would recommend. A few Suggested a trail called "Clark". It was late in the day, and I only had maybe 2 runs left. I really wanted to make these good! I went to the top of Clark, and stood over it staring down it. A friend appeared. He was the only Asian guy in my class, and he was a natural at almost anything he did. For some reason, I always felt empowered when he was around. That if he could do it, I could too. I don't know why. Anyway, the hill was VERY steep at the beginning. For at least the first 50ft down, it was maybe a 80 degree drop! But then, it flattened out for a stretch. I was not used to such a steep drop though, and had no idea if I could survive that in one piece! So I asked Chris what he thought, and he wasn't sure either. We both stood there and watched a few people go down. Then all the sudden, he actually Pushed off and started down!!! Oh my God. Well, if he can do it... Maybe I can too..?! I then pushed off down the hill. As I start my decent, I see Chris FALLING at the bottom of the steep part of the hill!!! Ohh no. If he fell, I'm in Real trouble! It turned out, that at this time, the slightly wet snow of the mountain got much colder due to the temperature drop, and almost the entire Mountain was pure ICE! Of course, we were unaware of this at that time... Chris had hit a huge patch of Ice at the bottom, and was just starting to stand up. I was headed straight for the same patch. I clenched my teeth, and was prepared to fall hard. Slippp..... I started to slide... and my back bent really far, but I somehow managed to regain control !!! Swoosh!... I flew by Chris at light speed! I tried to stop, by turning sideways... but because of the Ice, it did Nothing!!! I just kept going forwards! I couldn't believe it! lol I was really Pumped up from the speed of this hill! I felt like I was going about 100mph! The wind was whipping across my face, and the Hills bounced up and down rapidly and Violently! As I'm Skiing, I hear some screaming?! There above me, were a group of Girl classmates on the Ski Lift, Cheering me on: (In Chorus) "Go Steve!!!!!" I ham it up, and raise my Ski Poles in the air, while I yell "YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" I'm screaming down the Mountain now. And I know the end must be nearing... A thing which I am very much fearing! Because I have no clue how steep the end is! I practically Fly over the last hilltop, and Ohh My God, this is the Final Drop! Just then, I witnessed about 12 skiers crashed into each other in a Huge pile right in my direct path!!! I'm going WAY too Fast! On ICE! And all the hills are merging into one! One the Left side of me, is the Ski Lift and a Fence! On the right side of me, are about 4 trails filled with Skiers that are ALL coming twords the Left! The hill I'm on, is about 60 degrees, so its pretty darn steep, and directly in front of me is a pile of skiers!!! I had Nowhere to go! And wasn't skillful enough to even attempt what little options were available. As I sped down, I noticed that two of the Skiers in the pile stood up. I made a split second decision, and Tucked into a tight compact shape... as I steered right in-between the two standing Skiers! My Ski's hit the Pile of people on the ground as I passed through the two standing Skiers. This caused my body to flip over! I flipped at least once in the air, if not more... and landed about 7 ft past the crowd. My head hit first, and I slid and skidded on my body for another six feet. From sailing over the hill, to landing...all happened in about 4 seconds time! The Next thing I hear are voices: "Steve, are you alright???!!!", many classmates were asking me... For at least 40 seconds, All I saw was white and yellow. Somehow my sight was temporarily effected! Finally, I snapped back into reality, and was ok. phew! I was so worried that I had somehow hit the skiers that were on the ground very heavily. But amazingly, nobody had a scratch on them! Then, the Ski Patrol guy came over. He asked if "I" was the cause of the pile up! I think he was trying to tease me! lol That day was quite an Awesome Adrenalized adventure! And What a wild ending, to a Great Day of Skiing. I would leave it as it was, just a fun Story, but I do now realize there are a few lessons within it. One is about Pride and the Ego. And How if one isnt careful, it becomes a 'Slippery Slope' which can cause his or her own undoing! heh Hope you have enjoyed this piece of my past. Take Care, Steve 
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Steve, I enjoy your recalling childhood. So much fun there. Your writing so vivid, i could even imagine looking down earth fm the top in a spiral speed. Stay well!
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3/9/2007 6:33 am |
Swallowtsui, Most my childhood was very sad and hurtfull, But, I had a few fun and bright moments here and there  So glad to share them, and to have them be appreciated. Thanks again for your comments and wonderful praise, Steve 
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3/10/2007 5:25 am |
davinci2rinpoche, Sadly I too havent been back to the Slopes. Maybe next year I will make my way back too see if I cant get another crazy story  Maybe this time Ill actually learn toturn and stop properly! heh Thanks for your post, Steve
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3/10/2007 5:51 am |
eclecticgourmet, Maybe 'emotionally charged' is a little better ? I really Love how you took such meanings, and so Poetically created them into such a beautiful post. I could only dream of being able to write so eloquently!  Maybe I do not deserve such high praises, but I do thank you very much for them It my pleasure, to try to make others journeys a little less bumpy than my own. Im very happy that you and others are enjoying the stories of my travels. Thanks again, Steve
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