Hello Everyone!!!
Today I did something that I never thought I would – skiing! 😀 😀 😀
On Wednesday out of the blue I told my coworker “I want to go skiing.” I have never given the sport much thought and am unsure of where it came from but couldn’t get it out of my head. That evening I started looking into skiing and felt some sticker shock.
It’s not cheap.
I thought of the episode of the K-drama Boys Over Flowers where Gu Jun Pyo took Geum Jan Di to a ski resort where they lodged for a few days and she was decked out in ski gear. $$$$$$ Oh my gosh…. I suddenly have a greater appreciation of how much money Gu Jun Pyo showered on her. Despite my sinking heart and mentally seeing my bank account emptying, I kept researching how it works and what I minimally would have to have for gear. The most useful article I came across stated that if you could only purchase one piece of ski gear, get good snow pants. I wanted to go Saturday but it seemed like a pipe dream. So I challenged myself to think differently about this potential outing. Instead of focusing on how impossible it seemed, I focused on how to make it possible. To put it simply, don’t over think it. Cut out all the negative talk and focus on the steps.
Wednesday night I located Pine Knob ski resort which I thought was reasonable driving distance, checked out the prices, decided on the services, Googled snow pants and found a pair that was on sale at Dick’s sporting goods. Thursday I resolved that I was going to do it, Friday I fought my negative self talk and called the resort for additional information, messaged everyone that I knew who had experience with skiing, then went to Dick’s Sporting goods to locate the pants.
When I found them in the store they weren’t on sale. Fighting the panic I went to a cashier and asked if they price matched their online storefront. She stated that they would so I grabbed the last pair of their largest size which was a medium and tried them on. They were too small. Fighting another wave of negative self talk, I used my big brain to think around the problem. (BH6 reference lol) They fit my legs perfectly, so just because I couldn’t zip the pants didn’t mean that they wouldn’t offer the protection that I needed. I bent and stretched to test them out. No issue, I would just have to wear a belt to ensure that they stay put. Issue resolved. While I was there I also located a face mask or “Ninja Hood” as I like to call it. 🙂 It seemed rather important in the articles I was reading so I picked it up. (Was it ever important to have this! If you don’t have a face mask and are going skiing, get one!
Before I checked out, I looked to see if I had gotten any responses to my information request about basic skiing gear. Nada. Nothing. I was in this alone without any other opinion other than what I found online, and my own conclusions. Was I really going to go through with this? Just the two items were costly. I swallowed hard and checked the forecast. Weather looked really good. I told myself “It’s now or never. I’m going to do this.” and I checked out.
When I brought my expensive purchases home I discovered that one of my younger brothers was spending the night. I remembered that he and a few other brothers had gone skiing with my uncle before so I picked his brain for information. 🙂 After talking about what he wore and where they went I felt reassured that I could pull off “mission I’m-possible” and got the rest of my gear ready.
Specialty Gear
Clothes with wicking are very important to the skier – so I used my exercise clothes as my base layer. 🙂
When I got ready to leave the next morning my younger brother asked me a very valuable question – “Are you bringing hand warmers?” I actually had one pack and they were a total finger saver! I don’t own ski or thick gloves and they kept my hands nice and toasty. 🙂
The Journey
Pine Knob Ski Resort
After my hour lesson I was left to my own devices and used the tow rope and ski lift myself. So much fun!!! Other skiers that I chatted with were surprised that I was advancing so quickly! I really surprised myself when muscle memory kicked in while going down the most difficult path in the beginners section. I successfully made it to the bottom without incident and I swear other skiers were rooting me on as I made my way down! 😀
Skiing is absolutely exhilarating and I can’t wait to do this again!
Second one down! Twenty six to go!
Thanks for reading!
-Anna San♥
Anna’s Skiing Adventure Gear List
- Snow Pants
- Hand Warmers
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Ninja Hood
- Hat
- Gloves
- Regular Socks
- Exercise Pants
- Exercise Shirt
- Exercise Jacket
- Jacket
- Coat
- Visa
- Car Key
- GPS (my phone)
- Camera
- Lunch Bag
Golden Year Project Status: 2/28
- 2/14/2015: Oh Canada!
- 2/21/2015: Just do it! A Morning on the Slopes
Everything Anna 
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