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learntoski

Feb21

Learning to Ski at Blue Mountain

Well hello there!

I hope everyone has had a fabulous week! I spent the week foam rolling and icing my IT Band (while keeping an eye on the Olympics) in hopes that it is up to snuff for my first race of 2014 this weekend!

Screen shot 2014-02-20 at 2.42.25 PMI may have to drop down to 8 KM from the 8 Miler depending on how my leg is feeling by Sunday but I have my fingers crossed. Side note: I am so so proud of our Canadian girls for their huge win yesterday. Going down in Canadian history, I’m sure.

Regardless, let’s talk about something I do significantly better than keeping myself injury-free…trying new things!

At my recent stay at Blue Mountain, I was given the opportunity to learn how to ski and I jumped at the chance!

bluemountain_ski

I have been a snowboarder since high school and I recently was gifted a shiny pair of skis that have been collecting dust in my basement. I decided it was time to bite the bullet so I spring for a pair of boots and booked myself a ski lesson.

Screen shot 2014-02-20 at 2.59.47 PM

The lesson itself was about as un-intimidating as they come. I met my private instructor at the Ski Lesson shelter and he did a quick check on my ski experience and decided to throw me on the hill right away considering I had cross country ski experience.

Blue Mountain has a five step learning system to teach you how to ski. Starting at level one and two, you learn techniques on the ground before heading up the hill. I began on level three which puts you on a moving belt up the hill (which is actually more like a slight incline).

bluemountain_ski2

It is the perfect slope for someone who is headed down the hill for the first time and I spent a few runs there mastering my technique with my instructor before he sent me to the next hill over, which is the steeper level 4.

I spent a few more runs on the hill working on leaning on my leading leg and perfecting my form. The hour had flown by at this point and it was so helpful to have someone analyzing my form and technique from the get go. I feel like I have a solid base to build on and I didn’t fall once during my lesson! My instructor was super patient and knowledgable and ended up being a triathlete from Collingwood so we had lots to chat about on the way up and down the slopes!

bluemountain_ski3

After the lesson, I headed to the level 5 hill to spend some more time getting more comfortable in skis on a steeper hill. I have been up to the resort a couple times since and it has been good to see progression every time I go.

It was a lot of fun tackling a new sport, especially one that it feels like everyone else is doing! I like to be as versatile an athlete as possible so it is a lot of fun to have the option to ski or snowboard now.

bluemountain_ski4

I highly recommend a lesson to anyone who is learning to ski or snowboard. If you think it takes a long time to learn with a professional, just wait until you try to do it on your own! 🙂

And now for the big giveaway announcement from Sears Canada for three $50 gift cards:

1. Tammy from @mommaoftwoboyz
Screen shot 2014-02-20 at 3.37.10 PM

2. Rebby from @RebTheCatSitter

Screen shot 2014-02-20 at 3.38.52 PM3. Ann from @justamuggle2

Screen shot 2014-02-20 at 3.41.43 PM

Congratulations ladies! Please send me your contact information and I will connect you to Sears Canada for your prizes.

Have you ever had a ski or snowboard lesson?
Do you ski, snowboard or both? 

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Filed Under: TrainingTagged With: Blue Mountain Resort, giveaway, Gocanadago, Olympics, Race, Review, RunWaterloo, Sears Canada, skiing, snowboarding, WearewinterFebruary 21, 2014

Comments

  1. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    February 21, 2014 at 8:20 am

    Awesome job, Jess! Speaking of skiing, I was watching the ladies ski cross this morning while I ran and we got a silver AND gold – wahoo! I hope your IT band is ok for this weekend. Looks like the temperatures are supposed to be around 0 so that’s good – you might needs some rubber boots though! 😉 Happy Friday!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Jessica and this is my endurance sport blog where I share my training, races and sports nutrition. New here? Feel free to learn more about me here and if you are looking for a place to start, check out my popular posts.

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