Ski Trip 2010 - Taos, New Mexico

In past blogs, I have eluded to the fact that I am nothing, if not a trooper.

I’ll try most anything at least three times – even if I hate it. My ‘three times rule’ has applied to food, sports and yes, even dating. If by the third time, I was still averse to it, then... it was tossed out, given up or broken off.

I gave skiing three shots. If only someone had virtually slapped a little sense into me before I decided to attempt the ridiculous.

If you are considering 'hitting the slopes', I have compiled few questions for you to consider first...

1. Do you consider yourself to be fit, agile, possessing a great sense of balance?
2. Do you enjoy freezing cold weather?
3. Do you tolerate shortness of breath well?
4. Does a lot of snot gross you out? Believe me, it’s in the faces of the people you see and many times, you are producing it yourself. Bring tissues.
5. Do you enjoy walking in the snow?
6. Do you enjoy walking in the snow with boots that weigh about six pounds and bruise your shins with each step you take?
7. How graceful do you think you can be when getting on a moving carousel while wearing 6 foot long skis on your feet?
8. How do you feel about heights? Especially while on that afore-mentioned carousel without a seat belt travelling at least eight stories high.
9. How graceful do you think you can be when getting off of a moving carousel while wearing 6 foot long skis on your feet?
10. How confident do you feel about sliding downhill at a 30 degree angle on waxed skis with potential targets (trees and people) all around you?
11. How do you feel about falling down- alot?
12. How do you feel about getting yourself up after falling-alot
13. Are you familiar with the diagnosis of a “torn ACL”?

[A “torn ACL” is a common injury caused by a twisting motion of the knee. It sometimes requires surgery and frequently requires up to a year of rehab]

So there you have it.

After three ski trips, one torn ACL and shedding a few tears along the snow capped mountains, my answers to these questions are as you would think.

I have resolved to give up skiing but not to forego ski trips.

Now, as my sweet husband sets the alarm to get up at 7am so that he can be one of the first skiers on the freshly groomed mountain, I find myself all snug my bed until I feel like getting up and going to the little wifi-enabled coffee shop that plays smooth jazz while drinking my caffe mocha caramel latte. Afterwards, off to the local spa for a massage/facial/mani/pedi then a movie/shopping/casino visit …ahhh, I’m all about ski trips.