Five things I learned from one day of skiing

This past week I managed to knock one item off my list of 24 things I want to do in 2024. My kids and I went downhill skiing for the first time. Granted, this was one of the more fun things I put on my 24 in 24 list, so it was easier to get done than other less enticing items (like “write my will”). But it’s been on my list for a long time and I am so thrilled that we finally did it. We tacked it on to the end of a long, delightfully snowy, weekend at Frost Valley YMCA camp. We were only able to squeeze in one day of skiing at Belleayre Mountain, but we made the most of it with a two hour lesson to start the day, and then we stayed til the lifts closed at the end of the day.   

And here are some things I learned about myself from this one day of skiing: 

1.) I am getting older. We all are (that is a gift, I have to remind myself) But I am not TOO old to learn to ski. I’m not too old to try something new, to have new, fun, exciting adventures. I can’t ignore the fact that my body is different than it was when I was in my 20’s, 30’s, and even 40’s, and there are things I need to do differently. For example, Iknow that I have low bone density (likely due to a combination of hormonal changes, genetics, and going through chemo and radiation in 2020), and therefore I don't really want to fall and get injured. So I did not speed down the mountain with carefree abandon as I might have 30 years ago. I went slowly. I was careful. But relaxed. (I was even kind of good at it). And I LOVED it. 

2.) The extraordinary things my body (and yours!) can do are more important to me than what my body looks like. This is not always easy for me to embrace. I don’t think that all of the changes that commonly happen during peri-menopause and beyond, are inevitable, and I do think there are things in our control that we can do to mitigate some of the unwanted changes (strength training, staying active, a healthy diet, understanding our hormones, decreasing stress, and getting good sleep to name a few). But some of the changes are going to happen no matter what I do. I am never going to look the way I did in my 20’s or 30’s, and wishing that I did or could is simply exhausting and a waste of time. (Not that I was too kind to myself about how I looked when I actually was in my 20’s and 30’s, but that’s another story.) The moments when I stop looking at myself and judging and simply appreciate and enjoy what my body can do  -  like run and climb and even ski - that is when I feel pure joy.  

3.) Being a beginner at something is the best. When I showed up with my kids for ski lessons, I was nervous. But more than worrying that I would get hurt or that my fear of heights would kick in, I was worried about going to the wrong parking lot, wearing the wrong clothes, (or even wearing the right clothes when I had no business wearing the “right” clothes.) Basically I was worried about broadcasting to the world of experienced skiers that I was an imposter, someone who did not belong there. This is probably not surprising. Many of us want to move through this beginner stage of whatever we’re doing as quickly as possible, so we can feel competent, feel like we belong. But truly being a beginner at something can be pure magic. There can be such joy in discovering a new way to move and play, and I am happy to say I approached this learning opportunity with curiosity and wonder, and that felt magical. And when you’re completely brand new at something, you can really see yourself learn and improve, and that’s just a great feeling. 

4. Being a little scared is good. After our lesson ended, the girls and I got on a ski lift for the first time. We did know that we were on the correct lift to get to the green trails, but that’s about all we knew. We had no idea how long we would be in the air. We had no idea what to do when the lift got to the end. As we were swooped up by the chairlift, all I could think was that it was not natural for humans to be suspended in the air like this, dangling by a few small cables. What if my skis fell off while we were on the lift? What if my phone falls? What if WE fall out??!!  When do we lift the bar? We decided we would simply watch the people in front of us and do what they did. As we approached the end, we lifted the bar, my older daughter and I stood up and promptly got tangled up and fell on top of one another. My younger daughter, on the other hand, was still sitting calmly in the chairlift… it hadn’t occurred to her that she had to stand up to get off!  The kind operators stopped the lift. (Sorry to everyone behind us) They helped her get off, helped us stand up. We laughed for about 5 minutes straight, got ourselves situated, and proceeded to make our way down the mountain – the girls with some speed and some falls – me with no falls, but slowwwwwly. The second time we went up the lift we knew what to expect, we were calmer, more confident, and had a little more skill and grace.  But I really cherish that first run – when we were scared, when it was brand new.… the adrenaline, the laughter, the relief and satisfaction of overcoming our fears. That was a pretty cool thing to share with my kids. 

5. Saying out loud that you’ll do something will help make it happen. 

As I said, “taking a ski lesson” is not exactly a huge undertaking or accomplishment. But it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but never got around to prioritizing it. I honestly think that simply putting it on my list of 24 in 24 was why I finally made it happen.

Did you write down a list of things you want to do this coming year? If you didn’t, it’s not too late!  (And I actually think that New Year’s resolutions / intentions / goals are better made a little later in the new year when we have a little more energy and are more ready to emerge from hibernation.) 

If you did make a list, go take a look at it. How are you doing on it?  

What’s something you wanted / want to do this year? Can you do ONE thing to move closer to getting it done?  

Did your list include that you wanted to start running this year? Train for a 5k? Or even a half marathon? Get back into a regular exercise routine? Simply get outside and get moving? Maybe leave your comfort zone and join a workout group? Or get up a few hours earlier than usual to see the sunrise? 

If your list includes anything related to moving, going outside, feeling more energized, connecting with some amazing humans, check out our beginner programs and our workout schedule, and join us in Prospect Park for some adventures!