No dorm room stay would be the same without a scrabble around in the dark for belongings. I’d already packed everything that I needed for the day but I needed to unlock my locker and drag everything out. It wasn't that early but the room was still dark and everyone was comatose.
Layered up, I made my way across to the bus stop to meet Sapphire and head out to Coronet Peak for our day of skiing. I decided to ski over snowboarding as everyone says that it’s easier to learn. I was so excited.
We made it in good time and got our skis, poles and boots from rentals. To make sure that everything was securely fitted, I asked for help adjusting my boots. These things are practically welded onto your feet. It was a weird sensation having something suctioned to your leg and foot. Walking around was even stranger. It felt like I was walking on the moon.
It wasn’t difficult to find the meeting point for our first lesson. A huge group of people huddled around the locker area gripping skis and snowboards awkwardly. Sapphire and I waddled over and we were introduced to our instructor, Helen.
There was no way of knowing beforehand how many people would be in our group lesson but we were told 6-8. Our group grew to 15 as some late stragglers tagged on. I was a bit worried about how this was going to work but went along with it all the same.
Helen briefed us on the skis and how to step into them. We put one on first and got used to sliding forwards and backwards with it, lifting it up, hopping and twisting it mid-air. The last manoeuvre made me lose my balance and I fell over. I wasn’t wearing any waterproof bottoms so I hoped that would be the only time I fell. Surprisingly my joggers held out the water and I was fine.
Everyone was a bit wobbly at this point so I didn’t feel too inept. We attached our second ski and started to move around in circles and down the smallest of declines. Straight skis to move forwards and a wedge/triangle shape to brake. Helen beamed, “10 out of 10 Danielle.” Ha, this is alright.
Although we had an hour and a half lesson, ten minutes was wasted due to the confusion with the last minute additions. Also, because of the large group it meant that many of us were waiting around to ski down the slope and brake. It didn’t give us much practise.
I look confused even before I put the skis on, oh dear.
The lesson ended and we had a couple of hours before our next session. Sapphire and I had some nasty chips and gravy. Afterwards, I went out for some much needed practise. Whilst doing so, I met a few people from our group. One couple had gone up one of the larger slopes and said it was easy. I asked if they’d skied before and they said it was their first time. I decided to follow them up and give it a go.
It was a decision I’d soon regret as my wedge was not working. I was going faster and faster which made me panic. Thankfully the fluffy snow at the bottom slowed me down and I managed to dodge oncoming obstructions. I did not want to do that again.
Another couple asked about the slope and I told them that I found it tricky but I didn’t fall over. They went up and eased down calmly and broke without any hassles. The girl did say that she almost fell over and hurt her hip as the ski jutted out but found the rest of the way was alright. Hmm, maybe there’s something I’ve missed and I’ll catch up with the second lesson.
Practising wasn’t that easy as the beginner’s slope and area was crowded with instructors and learners. I tried my best until Helen returned and just hoped everything would fall together.
We all went up the first slope together as a group. We weren’t at a level good enough to try the ski-lift. Instead, a conveyor belt system or magic carpet as they call it, helped us up to the top. I felt like I was in a doll factory and was idly waiting for a giant stamp to label “reject” on me leaving me cast out from the others.
One by one, we all descended down the slope. Others went down gently and Helen critiqued their efforts to help us learn. I went next and flew down. Everyone was surprised I managed to stay upright. I don’t understand why I can’t brake. Exasperated, I asked Helen what I was doing wrong. Helen told me to wait where I was and she’d help me out.
It turned out that Helen asked me to wait at the top of the second slope and she’d help me out. Everyone looked at me and wondered why I wasn’t following them. I felt like a reject and was so frustrated with myself. I’m not used to finding sports and activities difficult. I was always able to grasp things like this easily from a young age. Perhaps it’s because I’m not as fearless anymore and the panic throws off my coordination.
The first couple I encountered during my practise earlier looked at me like I was dirt on their shoe. They told me to go up and meet Helen as I should have done before. Smug arses.
This time I was at the very top of the slope and I was scared. Helen told us all to wait where one of the girls was stood. I skied down the first bit ok. The second part was a bit trickier. I sped up and I couldn’t stop. I breezed past one of the girls as she stopped and I kept going until a fence broke my fall. Shit. I was so embarrassed. Helen came over and asked if I was ok and I burst into tears. I didn’t even feel any pain, I was just so frustrated and embarrassed.
Everyone else kept practising and Helen stuck with me. She put a contraption on the front of my skis to make it easier to form the wedge. This miracle piece of plastic helped and I was able to stop. Time and again, I managed to stop. Helen stood in front of me the whole time just in case I decided to veer off into a fence again.
We went down one more time without the contraption and I was able to do it. I still wasn’t confident. Helen praised me for sticking with it despite crashing. I just need more practise and hopefully I’ll get the hang of it. I wasn’t sure if I’d have the funds to come up again but it’s not something I will give up on that’s for sure.
Even though there was still a bit of time left before the resort closed, I was absolutely freezing. Sapphire and I called it a day and went inside to get changed and make our way back to the hostel.
Before I left, I went to the toilets to see if I had any marks on my face. I couldn’t see anything but there was a faint mark under my jawline.
Later on in the evening, I went to the kitchen to make myself some food. I went to fold my arms but I couldn’t. It was so weird. My arm was so stiff and every time I tried to place my right arm under my left armpit, I felt a searing pain.
Once I’d eaten I went back to my room and took my top off to see what was wrong. It didn’t feel like it was my arm. It was so strange. My whole left arm was red and swollen. I had one graze and some nasty bruises that ran from my wrist to my bicep. Yet more bruises to add to the collection. Sheesh, what is wrong with me?
With all that excitement in one day, I decided to rest and plod about the next day in anticipation for the swing. I wanted the soreness in my arm to ease off so I wasn’t up for anything too active. Just like the skydive, I was starting to get nervous!
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