Why does skiing make your heart sing?

[Robyn]

So, earlier today I was asked on another board to post what I like about winter. They all know I love to ski, any ski questions these days are directed right to me. But, I decided to take it a bit further and post why skiing makes me so happy. So, it made me think what would the Divas say? So, here's what I said, please add to the list!

*The peace of riding up a lift, chatting with people on the chair or watching the beautiful mountains around you, the snow topped trees, the occasional grey squirrel digging in the snow, watching the child make their way down the slope grinning ear to ear or that fantastic skier with beautiful technique turn their way down looking completely effortless.
*The view at the top. It takes my breath away to see all of the mountain ranges topped with snow in the distance. I live here. I am so very, very lucky.
*The feel of the crisp air against my body as I make turns down the slope, sometimes quick and short, other times long flowing arcs.
*The powder hitting my boots or my knees as I float down the mountain on a powder day. Or, the crunch or squeak of the snow under ski on a groomer.
*The feel of my quads, calves, hamstrings abs all working together to do quick hop turns on powdery steep slopes.
*Getting "lost" in the trees with nobody around. The complete silence except for the sounds I make as I weave through the maze of trees, picking my own line through, knowing it is my own unique way of getting down the mountain.
*The feeling of complete satisfaction when you complete a run you were nervous about or have someone tell you that you look great on the slopes.
*The complete exhaustion at the end of the day knowing I worked hard but had so much fun.

 

[Jilly]

That wonderful feeling when the run just clicks together. Effortless, co-ordinated and just plain fun. Makes you go back up and do it again.

 

[NannyMin]

The feeling of shared joy when skiing with friends, that makes me giggle with glee!

 

[Calgal]

I feel a sense of complete freedom when I ski.
Freedom from whatever my worries are at that particular time .... and the challenge that skiing provides is absolutely exhilarating !

 

[SkiNurse]

Oh Robyn, I couldn't agree more. My heart starts singing as soon as I see the view from I70 & Genessee.

A patient's family member asked me the other day if I do yoga for de-stressing/meditation. I answered "No, I ski".

Speaking of squeaky snow...On Wednesday, the snow @ Copper was especially squeaky!

We were on just about to go into Far East, when these two gals showed up and one said to the other "Ask her, she has K2s also"
So, the one gal asked me if my skis had been squeaking a lot that day. I said no. It's just the sound the powder/snow makes when it is very dry. And it is the very dry powder that I love!:ROTF:

 

[num]

Ah, so there's squeaky snow that's a good thing? In my experience squeaky snow usually just means it's cold as hell.

 

[SkiNurse]

Ah, so there's squeaky snow that's a good thing? In my experience squeaky snow usually just means it's cold as hell.

Cold & DRY!! I'm not a big fan of cold, w/ heavy wet snow,

 

[Jilly]

By Jack Heggie:
Skiing is like a dance with the mountain.
You move with ease from side to side, suspended by a magical thread somewhere between heaven and earth.
When you are touched by the spirit of skiing you will know the joy of the mountain and the freedom of the wind.

 

[Robyn]

By Jack Heggie:
Skiing is like a dance with the mountain.
You move with ease from side to side, suspended by a magical thread somewhere between heaven and earth.
When you are touched by the spirit of skiing you will know the joy of the mountain and the freedom of the wind.

Jilly, you just took my breath away with that quote. Magical, absolutely magical. In fact, it might just deserve to be printed and framed for somewhere special.

 

[Jilly]

It used to be an inspirational poster you could buy for your business. You know the type that are usually about teamwork!
I also have another that says: Ben z knees, $5 please!

 

[ski diva]

When you are touched by the spirit of skiing you will know the joy of the mountain and the freedom of the wind.

I love this. I can totally relate.

I've always felt that skiing is the closest I can get to flying without leaving the ground. It truly makes my spirit soar.

 

[Robyn]

Oh Robyn, I couldn't agree more. My heart starts singing as soon as I see the view from I70 & Genessee.

And that view on the first ski day of the season brings me to tears. I think that after being away from regular skiing for so many years I'm so thankful each season to be heading up that the emotion is overwhelming.

It truly is wonderful to have a community of women who understand what that song in your heart feels like.

 

[jaydog]

Feeling my edges bite into firm, packed snow or corduroy at top speed.

When some technique I've been struggling with all of the sudden WORKS and becomes second nature.

Hot chocolate in the lodge or restaurant when I've just come in from the biting cold.

 

[Kimmyt]

It's knowing and feeling just what my body is capable of.

Pure strength, grace and rhythm.

 

[abc]

I ski because it's hard! ;-)

 

[Ski Spirit]

It makes me feel totally free and it does feel like flying. It's also trusting your body (in the good moments) and just feeling as opposed to non-stop thinking. Seeing yourself face fear and go beyond it can feel very rewarding also. Skiing feels like celbrating life!

 

[mollmeister]

For me, there are a couple of things.

Skiing is one of the few times in my life right now when I can (and need to be) 100% present for myself only. I spend a lot of time being present for small children and a husband, but it's exceedingly rare that I am connecting with myself and just myself. I have to be very present in my body and mind in order to ski well, and I love the meditative connection skiing gives me to the person I was before kids and to the person I am now, as mom and caregiver. I don't worry about anything while flying down the hill. I just am. And then I have the luxury of quiet and time. . . to think or speak about things that I love while I am on the lift.

I also have a very strong personal connection to Colorado and the mountains here. My mom is a fifth-generation Colorado rancher whose family began raising cattle here around the time of the Civil War. For me, Colorado has always been home, in both a literal and figurative sense. And although the ranch wasn't in the mountains, I am by nature a mountain person, so the Colorado mountains have become my mountain home. Understandably, it really gets my back up when certain people, on certain internet boards, imply that Colorado skiing isn't real skiing. And that real skiing is only done places like Utah or Wyoming or the Pacific Northwest.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Oh my, what else can be said after some quotes like this except


My son got to Silverton (CO) yesterday and said the powder was so deep, he usually could not see for all the snow kicked up. He literally had mouthfuls of it. I could hear his voice "smiling!" when he called

 

[Bravosarah]

I have a need for speed!!!!:p

 

[ISki]

So many things, but I really just love to turn skis. I like the bending, the twisting, the timing, and the challenge to make it look effortless and graceful. I love the athletic power of the turn and the freedom of expression. It is so much fun!

One reason I still ski old school on long straight skis is because I adore the dance to turn these skis.