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Mar. 30th, 2008 05:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcI was up on Cypress cross-country skiing with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
toneyvr on Saturday morning. The morning started out perfect (2C, sunny, about 20cm of fresh, freshly groomed snow), but as the morning wore on the clouds socked it and the snow started again. By the time we left the mountain at 11h, it was clear that the day wouldn't be clear.
Which really didn't matter at all. I was quite struck yesterday by the difference between those who were on the mountain to enjoy it, and those who there to prove something. Vancouver is absolutely the fittest place in Canada and perhaps North America. Being overweight is unusual; being obese exceptional. For the most part people here are fit, to varying degrees. And not Hollywood fit--usually--but genuinely fit. Largely because people are active, eat well (or better, often), and maybe even know how to shop for clothes. But I digress...
There are always a fair number of type-AAA personalities on the mountain. They are skate skiers, wearing their LuluLemon or MEC gear (perfectly teamed), and they go round and round, up and down, racing both up and down the pistes. Skate skiiing is an awesome full-body workout...but so is classic style skiiing. What I've noticed more and more lately is that about half the skate skiers never look up: they are focussed on their runs, their course, and (from their glances at their watches), how fast they are burning up the trails.
Trails bordered by fir, spruce and pine. Trails with over 5m of snow on either side and 1-2m packed under their skis. Trails that offer views of a dormant volcanic alpine, Howe Sound, and shiny Vancouver down below. And trails where there are many smiling, happy skiers (and snowshoers, where our paths cross) romping around having fun. And soaking in all the good energy.
I like the idea of skate skiing: it's balletic and beautiful and I know I could pick it up very quickly: I can already skate adequately on my classic skis, though that functionality is limited. In fact, I know I would absolutely love it, and Gawd knows I could always use a bit more of an intense workout.
So this Saturday morning was the annual used equipment sale on the mountain. Each year they take some of the rental gear and sell it for cheap cheap cheap. I was seriously toying with the idea picking up some skate skis/boots/poles: $100 versus $700 for the full kit.toneyvr wasn't interested in switching to skate, and while querrelle plans on taking up the sport next season, I think the leap from non-skier to skate skier is probably too much. Though there would be no problem finding someone at work with who to skate...working in an elite sporting organization makes finding playmates for sport easy.
But you know what? I didn't start cross-country skiing for fitness: I was partnered withtoneyvr, he did it, and I was quite happy to follow his spry lil' bouncing bum up and down the mountain. By then, of course, I was into it. When I got back to Canada, we decided to dust off our gear and give it another go. The exercise is great and important, but the time spent with toneyvr is the realy highlight. Followed by the positive energy I pick up from the alpine, the bright snow, and the happy people. Who still remain the majority on the mountain. Including some of the skater skiers even. ;)
Instead of skate skis I picked up a set of classic skis--a more advanced pair. And at first I thought "bad decision: they're harder to climb with and less stable...this is unfun."
Until I did my first run downhil, where I veritably flew down the piste. On the lovely, fluffy, friendly, forgiving fresh snow. And then my bestest friend came down after me, with the same smile on his face. 45 minutes and a hot chocolate later, we skied up and out to the car. Feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
toneyvr on Saturday morning. The morning started out perfect (2C, sunny, about 20cm of fresh, freshly groomed snow), but as the morning wore on the clouds socked it and the snow started again. By the time we left the mountain at 11h, it was clear that the day wouldn't be clear.Which really didn't matter at all. I was quite struck yesterday by the difference between those who were on the mountain to enjoy it, and those who there to prove something. Vancouver is absolutely the fittest place in Canada and perhaps North America. Being overweight is unusual; being obese exceptional. For the most part people here are fit, to varying degrees. And not Hollywood fit--usually--but genuinely fit. Largely because people are active, eat well (or better, often), and maybe even know how to shop for clothes. But I digress...
There are always a fair number of type-AAA personalities on the mountain. They are skate skiers, wearing their LuluLemon or MEC gear (perfectly teamed), and they go round and round, up and down, racing both up and down the pistes. Skate skiiing is an awesome full-body workout...but so is classic style skiiing. What I've noticed more and more lately is that about half the skate skiers never look up: they are focussed on their runs, their course, and (from their glances at their watches), how fast they are burning up the trails.
Trails bordered by fir, spruce and pine. Trails with over 5m of snow on either side and 1-2m packed under their skis. Trails that offer views of a dormant volcanic alpine, Howe Sound, and shiny Vancouver down below. And trails where there are many smiling, happy skiers (and snowshoers, where our paths cross) romping around having fun. And soaking in all the good energy.
I like the idea of skate skiing: it's balletic and beautiful and I know I could pick it up very quickly: I can already skate adequately on my classic skis, though that functionality is limited. In fact, I know I would absolutely love it, and Gawd knows I could always use a bit more of an intense workout.
So this Saturday morning was the annual used equipment sale on the mountain. Each year they take some of the rental gear and sell it for cheap cheap cheap. I was seriously toying with the idea picking up some skate skis/boots/poles: $100 versus $700 for the full kit.
toneyvr wasn't interested in switching to skate, and while querrelle plans on taking up the sport next season, I think the leap from non-skier to skate skier is probably too much. Though there would be no problem finding someone at work with who to skate...working in an elite sporting organization makes finding playmates for sport easy.But you know what? I didn't start cross-country skiing for fitness: I was partnered with
toneyvr, he did it, and I was quite happy to follow his spry lil' bouncing bum up and down the mountain. By then, of course, I was into it. When I got back to Canada, we decided to dust off our gear and give it another go. The exercise is great and important, but the time spent with toneyvr is the realy highlight. Followed by the positive energy I pick up from the alpine, the bright snow, and the happy people. Who still remain the majority on the mountain. Including some of the skater skiers even. ;)Instead of skate skis I picked up a set of classic skis--a more advanced pair. And at first I thought "bad decision: they're harder to climb with and less stable...this is unfun."
Until I did my first run downhil, where I veritably flew down the piste. On the lovely, fluffy, friendly, forgiving fresh snow. And then my bestest friend came down after me, with the same smile on his face. 45 minutes and a hot chocolate later, we skied up and out to the car. Feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
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Date: 2008-03-31 12:14 am (UTC)btw.... pics are loading now
KISS
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Date: 2008-03-31 12:37 am (UTC)You guys are so fortunate to live so close to skiing. We could be on the snow in 40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake, and I really miss that.
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Date: 2008-03-31 08:12 am (UTC)