While there, a few ladies in their 20's came by and when I told them I was the current President of the Pacific Ski Club, I had to show them my PSC business card. Then, the selfie cameras began clicking Had I charged $5.00 a photo, the snowshoe ticket would have been free!
"This hill is not too steep. Let's see where it will take us." Sven says with a smile.
"Dumkopf! It vill take you up za mountain, ver else vill it go ven it rises one metre for every two metres ve go forward, nein?" was the reply from a local german or Swede who ran up the mountain so fast we couldn't get his picture.
The best days are when the fresh snow is still falling. Then, you can go in circles and still think you are cutting fresh tracks even though you are lost.
"Look down, Dumkopf. On za snow with za snowshoes still attached to za feet and not bolted to your head. Mein Gott za novices are alveys asking so many questions."
"Oh! Yes, I see."
Truly beautiful British Columbia. Why go anywhere else?
SITZMARK STAND? What is a Sitzmark?
"When you are standing up and walking in our snowshoes, you leave a tell-tale track, usually in line with the path you choose to take through the snow. When you fall down, you land with a 'bump'. Depending on the direction, you make either a face-plant or you butt hits the snow and leaves its impression. In German, it is called a 'Sitzmark' as looks like you sat down in the snow. This kind of a snow mark is very common when lots of PSC members are beginner skiers and keep leaning back and then fall down. Leaning forward, over your skis is what the instructor keeps telling you to do, but you are afraid of leaving face-plants all over the mountain so you naturally lean back. Quite simple, really."
As night fall on the First Day, we find new snow falling once more and we point our snowshoes down the hill. Within 40 minutes, a meadow opens up and between the trees we see the ski lodge. It pushes us forward with renewed vigour as it beacons with its warmth and hot chocolate.
"Hey I just found Olaf!"
Once more lots of fresh snow greets us.
Once more we cross that bridge we have come to.
Once more the trail lead up hill, but I an NOT going to ask, "where will it take us." I alredy heard the answer the day before. "Up za Mountain, Dumkopf", and I remain quite, for once.
This time we meet other younger adventurers with snowshoes.
we race down the mountain
as no one wants to snowshoe
in the dark.
Yet,
what strange burning cross do I see?
An Omen?
And--and the big dark raven at the top?
Will it descend to feed on us as prey or is it
already feed its young?
We don't wait for it to espy the little beings trudging down the mountain lets it gets the idea we are food.
Day two has also passed.
Day three
I can tell you this, however.
It was a very sunny, bright day with so much new snow we could not step on every square foot and pack it all down.
Pick up a pair or come out and rent a set to see if this wonderful sport and its beautiful surroundings are a part of your future, your destiny!
As a skier who came from Austria in 1954 and has skied Hollyburn and Mount Seymour since 1955, then tried unsuccessfully to mount a water ski to the bottom of a gum boot about 1981 to 1983, I must say, "Yes!"
With so many mountains in B.C., just join the Pacific Ski Club, hop on a plane or a bus or drive your car into the mountains. Take out your snowboard, you skis, or your snowshoes and hit the slopes. The clean air, the fresh snow, the winter winds, the sunny days are there for each of us to enjoy.
Ski all of you in the next ski season!!! Sven
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.