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!

I 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!

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.

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).

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!

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.

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

2. Rebby from @RebTheCatSitter

3. Ann from @justamuggle2

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?