No Schussing, Carving or Apres

 

I am giving up snow skiing.  The sport has been part of my life since I was fourteen years old, so this hasn’t been an easy decision.

 

Truth be told, skiing hasn’t been easy since my feet went on me and I had to have reconstructive foot surgery. I was born with an extra bone in my feet which ultimately led to extremely flat feet, then inner pronation and finally stretch and tearing of my post tibial tendons.  The surgeries in my early 50’s was brutal- removing the extra bones, building new arches, breaking my heels to re-centre my feet, removal of bunions and pinning of a hammer toe.  After each surgery, the foot continued to swell for a year and didn’t feel like a ‘normal’ foot for two.  The physiotherapy was extensive.

 

I lost strength in my ankles so ‘edging’ (digging the edges of my skis into the snow to turn) has been challenging.  I’ve been a spastic mess on icy patches or if the run was too steep.  Before this time, I was an advanced skier who flew down the mountain.  I loved the wind through my hair, the fresh air and magnificent mountain views despite fracturing my pelvis on the slopes of Whistler.  I recovered and I kept going albeit at a slower pace.

 

And I absolutely adored my ski haven of Whistler Blackcomb where the après ski was as good as the skiing.  In fact, I have asked that my ashes be scattered on Blackcomb Mountain when I pass.  I’ve changed my mind because ever since Vail purchased the resort, the atmosphere there has changed from a community feel to that of a bustling, expensive resort.  The change was one of the reasons we sold our place there.

 

The last couple of times at Whistler, I had bronchitis, then pneumonia which kept me off the slopes.  Since then, a couple of years have gone by where we’ve spent time in the sun in the winter and that is to be my life going forward – winters in South Africa.  She offers a whole new adventure where I’ll exchange the time on the slopes to safari, hiking in the Vinelands and golfing in the Garden Route.  Not at all a bad alternative, just different.

 

It’s the end of an era.  I’ve had to come to terms with being of a certain age where I must care for my fragile bones instead of putting them at risk.  After having a handful of screws placed in my feet, a partial knee replacement, three knuckle replacements with a new thumb joint planned for later this year, reason tells me to take my metal and me off the ski runs.

 

However, this passage of time saddens me because skiing has been one of the most joyful experiences of my life.  In fact, writing this has brought a tear to my eyes.  When I think of all the friends, family and work colleagues I shared my ski days with, I am filled with immense gratitude yet my heart aches a little because those times are no more.  And I’m giving away a Helly Hansen ski outfit that I never had a chance to wear.  Turquoise with yellow trim, it made me feel like a million bucks.  Perhaps I shall just wear it around the house from time to time. :>)