Where should I start ...There is an aspect of doing something dangerous that attracts people. In the case of skiing, it is the Black Diamond trails. As most skiers know, the designation of black diamond is made by each ski resort as they classify difficulty of the terrain. The steepest and narrow trails, the one's requiring hairpin turns and / or that have advanced terrain are the black diamonds.
In addition to my son and I skiing together, on occasion we are joined by others who sometimes aren't as experienced. I feel an obligation to have them get the chance to ski down a black diamond run. Now don't get me wrong, I don't drop them off the lift at the top of the mountain and expect them to schuss uncontrolably down trail and become a yard sale case. They are first sent off for instruction (a ski lesson), then to ski on easier slopes to gain experience and confidence. Then they would be asked / told that a black diamond was calling their name. A blank stare as blood rushes out of their face is the only expression I would get back. It always seems like the best time to break the news is after lunch. You catch them by surprise when they are more relaxed, but more importantly once they have explained how they were carving up the slopes after the lesson. Usually as a group, we'd head out together for the afternoon runs with the first trip up the mountain to the black diamond. The actual choice of which black diamond isn't as important as hearing nervous laughter approaching the fall line and the full effect of the sign as it appears ... Danger Experts Only, such a serious warning followed by it's name like "Boneyard", "Solitude" or "Splitfire" followed by the black diamond symbol.
As they're looking over the fall line, I would give the last bit of advice "remember to do your S's" and over the edge they would go. You are not judged on how quickly or smoothly you skied down, or on the number of falls until you reach the bottom of the mountain, but that you did it. For the rest of the day ... all you'll hear "let's do it again!"
As they're looking over the fall line, I would give the last bit of advice "remember to do your S's" and over the edge they would go. You are not judged on how quickly or smoothly you skied down, or on the number of falls until you reach the bottom of the mountain, but that you did it. For the rest of the day ... all you'll hear "let's do it again!"
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