If you know me at all, you know I LOVE to ski. Being a Colorado native, I grew up on sticks and my mom made sure to put me in lessons at a fairly young age. I went through a period in my late teen years where I hated skiing — I think I claimed it was way too cold or something — but luckily, I regrew my brain in college and have been enjoying the fluffy stuff ever since.
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| Marie and I at Copper last season. We’re truly that cool |
I spent a few years up in Steamboat, good ol’ Ski Town USA, and while there, I got the chance to be a ski instructor for a bit. I just worked with little kids so the skiing wasn’t all that technical, but I loved getting to be outside, with the kids, all day on the mountain. Talk about a sweet job. Although, clearly they could have taught me a few things considering I still struggle….obviously.
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| How did my legs get like that?! |
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| No really, I’m sure I can get myself up… |
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| …..so close…… |
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| Fail. Just leave me behind. I’m clearly a lost cause. |
Like how my friends are awesome enough to take my camera and snap pictures of me struggling, yet nowhere do you see anyone trying to help me?! Sad.
Anyway, now that I’m down in the city, I obviously don’t work at Steamboat anymore, but I do volunteer as an adaptive ski instructor through NSCD. I get to work with a lot of great kiddos with a variety of different physical, emotional or mental disabilities. We usually have a great time and these kids are so inspiring. I was even planning on learning to teach sit-ski this year so I could work with para and quadriplegics, but my plans have officially been shot for this winter. Because of my crazy work schedule combined with my full-time slavery student teaching in order to complete my M.Ed, I won’t be able to purchase a ski pass NOR will I be able to teach. I keep reminding myself that it is only ONE season and isn’t the end of my life. Barely, but not quite.
To make myself feel better, I’m planning on seeing all of the awesome ski films that come out every fall. Typically, I’m a huge MSP fan, but this year I am more excited about some smaller film companies that are showcasing new talent and cinematography, as well as keeping it local.
#1: Solitaire, film by Sweetgrass Productions
SOLITAIRE: A Backcountry Skiing, Snowboarding, and Telemark Film from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.
A good friend from college was largely involved with the soundtrack and since he is totally awesome with music, I’m sure the tunes alone will make this film worthwhile!
#2: Facets of Winter, film by AE Films
This is another friend’s film and although a smaller company, they feature athletes from all over Colorado and I’m super excited that another company is getting in on the market. Definitely check these guys out!!
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