I kept reminding the boys about the fundamentals they learned, most importantly how to slow down by turning and not just doing the pizza. And I’ve been learning along with them, at nearly the same pace. It’s been fun! AJ had a hard time operationalizing this at first. Poor guy would head straight down the hill, try to pizza to slow down, but soon realize this wasn’t working well, and then sit down on the back of his skis. Usually stopped in time eventually, but a couple of times he flew straight into the mesh safety fence! Never actually got hurt, but his pride took some hard blows, especially when the Eldora employee came to help him out of the mesh once or twice. Had to have a moment to process the frustration and situation and have a few tears. Meanwhile Ryker is standing waiting for us for 10 minutes, then finally said, “well I’m going again, see you!” and got in line and hopped on the lift with a stranger and kept skiing. After another couple of minutes to process the feels, along with my cheerleading, AJ agreed to get back on the horse. Started seeing him improve with controlling his speed and kinda start turning to brake a few runs after that!
The second time we went up, we were among the last cars to get a parking spot, due to ill-prepared cars in the canyon causing an extra 1.5 hrs of delays. Good thing we made it, since it was another beautiful ski day with perfect conditions and fresh powder! This time we skipped the bunny hill and went right to the 3 person lift, staying there for a few runs. Boys both did well. I saw them both progressing their skills and doing good turns better and better. After a quick break and saying hi to our Addington friends, we made a group decision to head up the big lift together. There were no green routes up there, but how much harder can the blues be?! We soon found out.
Turns out blues are about twice as steep as greens, adapting to them is difficult! Well it was for me and AJ anyhow. It was slow going at first, then we both kinda got used to them and were able to start doing some good turns. Then the hill started winning; we both had several good wipeouts. Putting skis back on after they pop off while on the side of a hill can be difficult! We kept slogging through. I would go and then wait for AJ, then we’d go again. I started getting the hang of this hill, so stopped to wait for AJ and coach him a bit. Looking up at him, I saw him going fast and making some really good turns, at least 3 of them in a row. I could tell he was approaching his speed limit, then passed it, and went down in an epic twirling tumble, losing both skis. Took him awhile to sit up, I think he was in a bit of pain. Finally he sat up, found his skis, and started scooting down to me. I was walking up to him as best I could, poor fella! He was mad at the world; mad he had crashed; mad at at me for ‘making us do the blues’ (it was a group decision!). He was just mad; and sad. “I’m never doing this hill again!” After 5-10 minutes, we got him back up and continued on. Only one way down after all!
Once again, Ryker was far ahead of us, waiting patiently for awhile, then continued on at his own pace.
So proud of both of these boys, for learning and adapting and embracing the challenge and fun of the experience!
