We
spent the day “Shredding The Love” today at Red Mountain Resort in Rossland. Yes, the management at Mountain FM
determined that it would be okay to send me out skiing today. The last time I
scarred some children at Phoenix Mountain when my pants fell down on the bunny
hill (for that story click here).
Today
I was way out of my comfort zone heading up to Red. I am not great at skiing. I
wouldn’t say I’m dangerous on skis (to anyone other than myself) so I set out
to shred the love.
John
and Jenny (from the New Morning Rocks) were broadcasting live from the bottom
of the hills and they were my safe place. This was my first time at a straight
up mountain; it is definitely the biggest place I have ever skied. As we
approached I started to get a little bit of an anxiety attack looking at the
incredible runs and small dots making their way down the mountain.
The
first half hour of my Red Mountain experience was really more proof that I am
becoming a pansy with age. Last week I learned my lesson with dark places on
rides and roller coasters, this week I learned I really need to keep skiing or
I will always get the antsy feeling before going to the hill.
On
a side note, for the first time since we moved to the Koots I went to the gym
this week. I am making every effort to work out everyday after my show. I have
been to the gym three days in a row straight; I was feeling pretty much like
jello when we hit the slopes.
After
we got into the day, more like after Kevin dragged me to the first run of the
day I was totally back in the swing of things. I was pretty freaked out by the
lift at first; I haven’t been on one other than at Martock pretty much a decade
ago. It totally weirded me out at first but I got over it quickly.
Skiing
Red was great! There was 0 wait time to get on the chairlifts and the runs were
a lot of fun! When they say, “Ditch the Crowds!” they really mean it. Red is a
great place to cut the crap and get time on the slopes.
After
taking in my share of the first chair lift during the first part of the day,
Kevin coaxed me into going up to the top of Granite Mountain. I have never been
anywhere like it. I wish I could have taken pictures from the lift; we were
higher than I have ever been in my life!
By
the time we reached the top it had changed from lightly snowing to pretty much
almost whiteout conditions. It was blustery and ice pellety when we got off the
Motherlode (as you can see in this picture). We were going to take the run that connects to Grey Mountain
and ski Grey for bit. The weather turned on us a bit and we ended up making it
our last run of the day and took Northern Bell to the bottom.
In
my truly anxious way, the white made me worry. Kevin’s red pant was my beacon
on the trip down. I kept them in site and knew all would be all right. This is
typically how I am on my first run anywhere; I am guessing you would be a hell
of a lot more ballsy than I am on the first run. The entire time all I could
think of was about the news headlines reading “Idiot Girl From Flat Province Gets
Lost On Ski Hill”. Passing university was easier to me than basic navigation and judging
distances. This is a “me thing”, children and basic skiers were whizzing by me all day at Red.
Another side note, I was totally blown away by the crisp smell of the freshest alpine air while skiing down these runs.
Overall
a great first trip to Red! There are lots of runs for all skill levels.
I
was really impressed by the numbers of kids out on the hill. There were so many
kids killing it on the slopes! It is so nice to see families out keeping kids
active. I wish I had learned to ski as a child L
As
I mentioned, in the first part of the blog, today was great event at Red
Mountain called “Shred the Love”. “Shred the Love” is a fundraiser for Boarding
for Breast Cancer (B4BC) John and Jenny broadcasted live from the event all the
important details about this initiative from 10a-2pm. 50% of the revenue from
the day lift ticket sales at Red were donated to B4BC!
Next
week there will be another amazing fundraiser at Red Mountain, if you missed
out today or want to get another run in before the end of the season it is the
perfect time to get to Red (and support an important cause). Next Sunday is
“Slopes for Hope” a fundraiser to support the Canadian Cancer Society.
“Slopes
for Hope” is another cool event that challenges everyone partaking a chance to
ski the height of Mt. Everest (29,092 ft). You can register now here.
Just
in case you are wondering what maps out to be at Red Mountain here are the runs
you would have to get in to meet the goal:
Red-
1,420 feet - 20.5 runs
Silverlode-705
feet - 41runs
Motherlode-2,332
feet - 12.5 runs
Paradise
– 1,286 feet - 22.5 runs
Grey
– 1,988 feet -14.5 runs
You
have a week! Get to it!
Register
up and start fundraising. Any adult who raises $100 will receive a ½ price lift
ticket and any child who raises $50 will receive a ½ price lift ticket. Support
this important cause and win some swag on March 16th 2014 at “Slopes
for Hope”.
Friends, come visit us and lets go skiing!
In just about a hour you can check out Bend Sinister performing at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland. Performing does not feel right in this context; I think the better fit here is rocking out. Phrasing Kate, phrasing. In less than an hour you can check out Bend Sinister rocking out at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland.
