Snow vs. Sunshine

     **Imagine the scene to the left covered in snow- this is where I ski**

     Today I was blessed with another day off from school (Thanks be to the presidents!). So what did I do to take advantage of the bright sunshiny day? I went skiing.

Let’s just say it was a learning experience.

I love being outside – especially when it sunny. However, my love for skiing doesn’t really bode well with my love for the sun. I went outside, strapped on my skis and got going. After only one trip around the yard I was starting to sweat. It was a balmy 35 degrees out; not the warmest, but certainly not the coldest it could have been.

Right from the start we could see that if we stayed in one place for too long, the snow would stick to our skis and make our travel very difficult. My mother and I went up to the pipeline to see if the snow was deeper up there, but it wasn’t. We went for it anyway.

Lesson 1: If it's been sunny the whole day, expect the snow to be warmer and stickier than usual. Don’t forget to wax.

It was actually pretty hard work getting up to the top. By the time I turned around up there, my snowsuit was hanging by my waist; I had shed my hat and gloves and rolled up my sleeves. I was warm.

 

Lesson 2: Check the weather before you go out and dress accordingly! Remember: sun = warmth.

I regained my breath and looked at my surroundings. It was well worth the climb. The sky was nearly cloudless and a beautiful blue, the snow was glittering all around me and the smell of the fresh air was magnificent.

I turned back to the slope in front of me, got rid of the excess snow on my skis and pushed off. It was actually a lot smoother than I though it would be, albeit a little difficult trying to dodge the occasional clump of field-grass.

By the time we made it to the bottom, I was winded. That and the discouraging thought of having to stop every so often to clear our skis and evade more grass compelled Mom and I to only ride the first little bump of the hill again before heading back home.

It really was a beautiful day though, albeit a little tiring. I think having days like these really help the winter blues. Just feeling the sun on my face can turn my mood for the better, and sometimes, if I’m lucky, I can smell the faint whiff of spring (by far one of the best scents in the world).

For now though, it’s ski-season. And from the looks of the radar, we’re in for a bit more snow. Maybe there is hope yet for a good ski this week!