And it’s easier than ever to learn these winter sports. But before hitting the trails, let’s take a quick look back.
In 1905, Portland cabinetmaker-turned-ski-maker Theo Johnsen wrote the first ski book in North America. Ski instruction was limited, so Johnson’s book described how to use his hand-crafted skis. Imagine, taking a book outside so you could learn to ski. That’s not very user friendly.
Fast forward to the é0’s. During this era, ski instruction improved, but the old wooden skis were tough to turn. Today, learning to ski, snowboard or
Nordic ski is relatively easy.
For the first alpine experience, ski areas offer special equipment for beginners. The skis are short, lightweight and a snap to put on. The ski boots are warm and comfortable, and the teaching slope is wide and smooth.
Ski instructors utilize a standard method that quickly teaches gliding and then turning. Once you turn, you have control to slow down and stop at will.
Learning to snowboard follows the same template. There are specialized boards with a slightly convex base which helps turning and reduces falls. Many new riders are able to balance and turn within an hour, and before the end of the day, the fun factor has kicked in.
For those wanting an experience based on a more level surface, Nordic skiing is the perfect match. The greatest advancement for Nordic skiers is the availability of Nordic centers. Although the popular belief is that “if you can walk, you can Nordic ski,” you can definitely increase the “fun” factor of the sport with the least amount of effort. The groomed snow at the Nordic
centers, skilled instruction and a warm lodge nearby, eliminate many of the distractions that skiers can experience when trying to learn from friends and families.
Learning any one of these sports is very affordable. The learning packages are easy to sign up for and the areas all offer discount prices for equipment, lessons and lift or trail fees.
So here are your three steps to a better winter:
Step 1: Pick a day in the next week or two and put on your calendar the appropriate “ski/snowboard/cross country day.”
Step 2: Pick a location to enjoy the day. There are many local, community areas close to home, or you can travel to the mountains for a bigger resort experience.
Step 3: Block out any negative messages you get from the “non-winter” people you meet. You’ll hear some common phrases like “it’s too cold, it’s too hard, it’s too expensive.” Each obstacle has a solution and you’ll thank yourself when you come home from your first experience.
Winter is Maine’s longest season and the winter of 2007-08 is sure to be one of the premier snow producers. You’ll find information on skiing and
snowboarding on the Ski Maine Association’s website, www.skimaine.com.
I’ll see you outdoors in the snow soon!