Parking lot walk...

[Pequenita]

So, it's not quite "skiing"....

I always tell people that I'm a complete idiot when I'm carrying my skis from the car to the lodge (or back to the car), and today I proved it. So, other than it being 20 degrees outside with gusty wind, the conditions on the concrete curb and asphalt driveway were dry. And I decide to pitch forward and completely bite it over the curb while carrying skis, boots, poles. Landed on my knees first, and then because I was carrying my skis the way a 6 year old does (arms underneath skis length-wise), I landed on the backs of my wrists.

I had mittens and jeans on (and other appropriate clothes!) but I drew blood on the back of one hand and the opposite knee. And have collassol (sp?) bruises on both knees, under the caps. Sigh.

My friend's questions were: 1) are you okay? 2) are your skis okay?!

 

[Jilly]

Was this before or after skiing?? Before skiing - not a good way to start your day. After - well you we're just wore out!!

 

[Robyn]

Ugh, I hate it when stuff like that happens. I hope they don't hurt too bad. And, uh, are the skis okay?

I was waking to my boot shop at the bottom of Copper the first day I tried to ski on them. I was having a bad day anyhow (contact issues) but then I managed to fall onto my knee on the bricks. I was carrying my skis on my shoulder and managed not to drop them but I went in, had my boot worked on and went home. It just wasn't going to be a good day and I was more likely to get hurt.

 

[SueNJ]

Isn't it amazing how we can be so graceful on the slopes and so klutzy in the parking lot? I remember a couple of years ago, I went to Gore Mountain in NY with my now-24-year-old DS. I had just bought new winter hiking boots that were advertised as having some kind of special rubber compound on the soles that was supposed to grip better on ice--I mentioned it to my DS about 15 minutes prior to stepping on a patch of ice, slipping, and landing on my hands and knees. My boot backpack flipped over my head onto the ground, and my skis and poles splattered all over the parking lot. After a few seconds in shock, I started to laugh loudly and uncontrollably, still on my hands and knees, thinking of how ridiculous I must have looked. :ROTF: Fortunately, it was the end of the day, and surprisingly there was no lasting bruising on my knees. To this day, when my DS sees me with hiking boots on, he asks if those are the ones with the special compound on the soles and cracks up laughing.

Your fall sounds painful, especially the part where you landed on your wrists. Ouch! And the fact that you've got bruises on your knees is a testament to how hard you fell on them. Sounds like some icing may be in order!

 

[Pequenita]

After skiing - the most embarrassing part was that I was walking with a snowboarder guy I'd met that day and fell right in between two parked minivans at the skier drop off area. I was really amazed at what happened, and surprised that I didn't sprain a wrist or something. I think tomorrow will be killer - may have to take an Advil tonight, too, just to make sure I don't wake up from pain....

But yes, just took a shower and will be icing as I watch an all-new episode of Brothers & Sisters (Rob Lowe in a suit = ).

And the skis are alright - I even managed to dodge the rocks and dirt patches on the slopes. Sad.

 

[Gloria]

See next time this happens to you after skiing, you just get back up and tell your friends firmly and loudly: Guys, I told you I didn't want to drink that shot with you. Now see what happened!

 

[Sheena]

Ok, so you are OK, albeit a little bruised. The skis are OK.

So the other question is. Was the snowboarder guy hot, and do you have a date?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

OW! Poor diva! Feel better. If it makes you feel better, we've probably all done our parking lot/sidewalk crash at least once. Okay, sorry - that probably did NOT make you feel better...

 

[persee]

I'm always afraid of taking a header, but so far I've managed to escape. DH was not so lucky last year when we were skiing at Bolton Valley The stairs to get to the base lodge were all icey. They had kindly posted a sign to that effect and he was just reading it when down he went. Had a bruised tail bone that lasted for months!

(personally I think if they could post a sign about the stairs being icy they could have done a bit more to make the traction better there )

 

[SueNJ]

So the other question is. Was the snowboarder guy hot, and do you have a date?

That was going to be my next question!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Speaking of cute snowboarder guys and falling down in parking lots, DS was walking into a building a few years ago after a thaw-freeze event. He was in street shoes, all done for the day (always wears a helmet on-slope). Slipped, went flying and down, KNOCKED OUT COLD. Was taken by ambulance to local hospital, obligatory CT scan, fairly significant concussion!! Okay, this is a grown man, but "mom" here is the emergency contact, and how I so dearly love these phone calls from the ER.....
Ultimately, it was okay, he had to chill out for a few days, but this happened to someone who does major slopestyle-type jumps. Hit his head on a sidewalk........

 

[Pequenita]

lol - no date, but he knows how to find me. I'm kind of creaking along today. I'd love to go to yoga tonight to stretch out some skiing muscles, but I really have no idea if I can hold the downward dog position (wrists) or anything that requires my knees touching the ground.

The most ridiculous part of the spill was that the ground was bone dry. I still have no idea how it happened, other than my momentum was going forward and I forgot to lift my foot.

 

[Jilly]

could have done a bit more to make the traction better there )

Tremblant uses small gravel stones to gain traction on the packed snow and ice. Great if your in street boots, but it does nasty things in your ski boots. I know I should be using my cat-traks!

 

[num]

Oof. Hope the aches and scrapes clear up soon. I'm just glad you didn't get a season ending injury out of the spill! Imagine explaining an acl tear on a ski day, in street shoes, in the parking lot.

 

[Marigee]

Glad you are okay - keep healthy for Solitude!

 

[skihawk]

I'm glad you are okay! I am famous for tripping myself...

 

[Pequenita]

Thanks, everyone. For the most part, I don't notice the bruises on the knees, but someone shook my right hand last night -- yipes, that hurt (flesh wound).

Being in good health for Solitude is definitely a goal.

 

[Shellski]

OUCH! Yes, I am no stranger to the parking lot crash. We've just finished a hectic 3 week ski trip and the worst fall I had was walking out of the parking garage at Vail, I slipped on a patch of oil and went down on the concrete in a clatter of skis. On one hip and one elbow, the elbow felt yuck and sticky all day, sure enough I took all the skin off it, and a massive bruise on the hip. It's hurt like a biatch ever since. :fume:

 

[dloveski]

Heal fast.

I maintain the the parking lot is the most dangerous part of skiing. While hosting I watch folks biff it all the time in their boots. My worst fall of the season was dropping from a snow bank to the parking lot at Brighton. Buggered up my neck, but the xrays showed no spinal fracture. It happened in a nano-second, no equipment, no reason other than my boots slipped out from under me. Crampons are my new BF for walking around.