Ok, so the ski trip was interesting. Let me preface it with I had fun. Heavenly mountain kicked my butt. I decided that while Chuy took a lesson, I would go do a couple of blue runs. Well, since I took lessons last year, and I was damn good, I could handle it. Well, I got slightly longer skis (mistake #1) and it was my first time on powder (mistake #2). Here is how the story goes.
I get on the Gunbarrel lift. I would describe it, but I think the name gives it the respect deserved. But it was the only way I could see to get to this run called Round About. So, after 1 minute on the lift, I turn and look back down. I can not see the parking lot, or the beginning of the lift. It was snowing, so that is why. So, I get to the top of the lift, and look for some information. I see someone from ski patrol. I ask ski patrol #1 which way to get to Round About. He asked how well did I ski, and I said, I took classes last year, and I can do a blue run. He said, ok, walk up that hill, and go under this lift. Should put you on the back end of Round About. It is the advanced part, but it should be ok.
So, I followed his advice. Note - Ski boots are not for mountain climbing. So, I get to the top, and try to put my skis on. Putting skis on in fresh powder is quite difficult. But on the bright side, I was alone there, so no one saw how stupid I looked. I saw three people heading in the direction I was to head. I went to ask them to make sure, and they didn't respond. So, me being the expert skier I am, decided, I would go (mistake #3).
I think I went a full 10 seconds before falling. But I got up and kept going. I get to the point of pretty much no return, and I look down to see my skis, only to not see them. I knew they were on, because I was moving. Then I noticed my feet we under the snow. I did what most normal people do when this happens. I fell down. Well, as I fell, the ski popped off. That is fine. I just had to get my ski back on in 12" of powder. Any advanced skiers, let me know if this is easy for you. So, I am going again, and I get a rhythm down. I am doing well. There is this kid though, coming up behind me, doing better. So, I decide to move off to the left, and let him pass. He does, then I hit a .... I think it is called a snow drift, but I am most likely mistaken. I was about chest high in snow, and I was standing (not moving in it) when ski patrol #2 comes by. I don't know if they have to take an intelligence test, or just know how to ski, because his next question was "Are you alright?". The first thought that came to my mind was "he did not just asked that". Once I believed that he did, I though "how can he not see that I am a 6" black man, chest deep in snow, on skis and not know that I am not alright". So I said, "Yeah, I am fine. Do you know how I can get out of here". And guess what he said. He said "no".
So, I start to pop off my skis, and toss them up towards him. I was hoping to hit him, but I missed. The first ski came back to me, and I was thinking "Yes, another shot." Then he said, oh, I should hold those for you so that you can get out. This man needs an IQ test. So, finally, I get both skis off, and I use my poles to get out. He said, "Hey, that is a good idea." So, I get out, and try, for the third time to get my skis on. Ski patrol #2 is no help right now. After I get them on, he asked where I was heading. I told him Round About. He says, ok, follow me, I will get you there. >From here on out, just assume I fall every 30-45 seconds, as this becomes boring to describe, with the exception of some great falls, I am tired of explaining it.
Well, here comes where this gets interesting. So, I follow him about 200 - 300 yards. (Yes, I fell again). Then I see these 2 trees. He stops gracefully, and says, ok, go between those trees, and it isn't much further after that. So, I think, "TREES" oh, hell no, he lost his freaking mind. I verbally said, "OK". I mean he was ski patrol. He knows what he is doing (Mistake #4). So, I go through the trees, and I looked good. Until I fall and land at Ski Patrol #2's feet. I get up, and he says, "See those leaves coming out of the snow?". I nod. He says "Go over them. If you go to the right, you will have to go over a rock." I stand up, and start going backwards. Fall, get up, go over the rock. I looked damn good. real quality jump and landing....but I went to fast, fell down.
So, I am thinking, this is it. I should be there. He said we are almost there. It was another 1000 - 1500 yards... when you fall every 100, it is a long run. Finally, we get to the Advanced Round About. Same as the Round About, but a tiny bit more difficult. I am like, ok, fine. "Thank you for wasting half an hour with me. I really do appreciate it." He was polite when he left.
So, I go. I am skiing and falling, skiing and falling. There is finally people who come past me while skiing. It is good to be around civilization. Then I hit Round About. Here is the description I have of it. The run is about 6-8 feet wide. On the right side, you have mountain. On the left side, Out Of Bounds. Out of bounds is a term for non-ski able terrain, such as cliffs, trees, rock, things that can and do cause death. So, let's put this in perspective:
OUT OF BOUNDS |--------|MOUNTAIN
So, by now, I am panicking. I have to go to the bathroom, and I am lost on a mountain. No, I didn't write my name in the snow. I decide, hell, I am gonna go for it. Ok, again, remember the falling thing I said before. I am skiing, and I am staying closer to the mountain side than the OOB side. I keep going, getting some good speed. So I panic again. I know panicking does nothing to help, so I try to stop. Doesn't work, but it gives me something else to focus on. So, I am speeding down the hill, (which really isn't that steep) and I say, ok....to stop best, I should do a sharp turn (lesson #3). I did, and went into the mountain, into nice powder. First my skis hit, then stop, then I come out of my skis, head first into the snow.
Ok, so I get them on. I continue, I get towards the end, where Gunbarrel and the Face meet...I am tempted to roll down gunbarrel to get it over with. But I continue on. I figured, it has to be easier. I get to the bottom run, and fall. I fall face first, slide 20 feet. Skis are still on, over my head as I bent my knees so I wouldn't get stuck in the snow.
I then took off my skis and walked the rest of the way down, where I saw ski patrol #3. He asked me if I was hurt. I said just my pride. He giggled and went away. I was happy for that fact.
All in all, it took me 2+ hours to do a 30 minute run.
The End