Note from the editor: So, yeah, we’ve been really busy lately, and the Holler blog has been quiet. So the next few posts will be all about catching up. We’re going to post some pics and stories about our favorite moments and best adventures from the winter. And Sammi goes first! Here’s a recollection of the day she taught her dad to tele! –Hilary
Holler from Sammi:
I thought I’d share my favorite holiday moment of 09′. My sister, Marti, and I both live up in the NW corner of Montana and usually during the holidays we pile into one car with dogs, husband, boyfriend, and gear and drive around the state to visit our parents. With typical questionable road conditions, it always makes for a harrowing, long drive. So we were thrilled when my dad, Keith and his lovely wife, Mary decided to come and stay with us for the holidays, rather than us having to go see them.
We are fortunate to have a very sporty Dad, making it easy to plan stuff to do. Almost 60, he is the guy with more bike shorts than neckties, fly rods from the last 5 decades, and various skis, bikes and camping equipment spilling out of the gear room (yes, there is a whole room dedicated to fun things.) Dad, being a life-long alpine skier recently bought himself a second-hand telemark set-up. I, being the token tele- skier in the family, was about to become the teacher.
Anyone who has made the switch from alpine to tele can share in the frustration. It is ridiculously hard because mentally you think, I can alpine ski just fine, why am I flailing around like an idiot on tele-skis? I can attest, learning to tele five years ago was hands-down most humbling thing I have ever done. I’m talking huge wrecks, green runs and poles being thrown in fits of rage. So, teaching other people how to tele ski can sometimes bring out true colors–like stormy blacks and greys. I am thankful my husband made it through that learning phase of mine. So, I was a bit nervous to teach my Dad this maddening/amazing sport.
It is really impressive my Dad is still learning new things and challenging himself. As we rode up Chair 1, I reflected a bit and remembered ALL of the things that my dad has taught me in my lifetime. Pretty important things like walking, talking, shooting a free-throw, hitting a baseball, long division, riding a horse, driving a stick-shift (that was almost a deal-breaker) and being critical of boys to name a few. Role reversal with ME teaching HIM was a big deal and definitely something new.
It was a beautiful day at Whitefish Mountain Resort and were treated to some much needed Vitamin D. The day went great. He was making tele-turns, not beautiful ones, but definitely making turns. Sometimes he would fall, get right back up and keep going. With his legs getting tired in the afternoon it was time to go and he was all smiles. One of the best lessons for tele-sking is knowing when enough is enough; when legs are wasted it’s time to go. Trust me, it doesn’t get any prettier after those quads are quivering.
It turned out to be a very successful day considering his poles were intact, his calm attitude was something to aspire to and his true colors were beaming in beautiful shades. Lessons were learned all around. Thanks Dad for the inspiration and for becoming a great new tele-buddy.
Holler!
Sammi
