I wasn't a great basketball player, but I like to play the game. In eight grade, I tried out for the middle school BB team and was cut. I still want to play so I joined a CYO team from my church, but the coach on the team had two sons who also played the guard position. I would see limited time and I became disenchanted with the basketball.
My older brother had been a member of the high school ski club and decided to teach me how to ski. Well, I would try anything so my brother and several of his friends took me to Swain. I went in line and throught the process of getting boots, skis and poles at the rental shop. I was struggled to put on the ski boots. My brother waited and watched impatiently for me to get dressed. Finally, I am sure that he was thinking it was about time we get to the lift line. This was very interesting trying to put my skis on and move toward the lift lines. Without really knowing how to ski, I was suppose to move forward and get ready for the chair to pick us up. I kind of didn't get in properly and ceremoniously fell forward out of the chair lift. Everything stopped ... I finally got back into position and away we went to the top. It was my first real experience in getting on a chair lift and surprisingly not my last fall. Now, after the ride up the mountain, the real trick was going to be getting off the chair lift. At the top, there was a little dip to ski down and off. 
I put my ski tips up and true to form, I slide to the left and fell there as well. My brother's eyes were rollling back in head. Already, he had just wasted an hour with me pickings out my skis and other stuff. It was finally time to show me how to ski. 
He explained the simple things first like ... lifting the bar before you get too close to the drop-off area and where to put the t-bar so you don't fall. The more important signs were to come.
The basics were explained like the trail symbols and signs. It appeared to be safe as many of the skiers were heading in the same direction toward the sign that said "Easiest" and that where we were going to as well. Everyone has to start somewhere, I started on a neat trail called "Mile Sweep". I looked down at the path and it did appear to be easy to ski down. Now remember, I have fallen on the lift twice, yet I was still willing and able to try this skiing thing. Well as you might imagine, I racked up at least eight falls as I slowly made my way down the slope. It was amazing to see, but my brother was standing at the bottom of the slope waiting to take me up again. After about four more trips on Mile Sweep, I thought that I might venture onto other trails. The next trail 80 Acres would test my resolve to continue this madness. 80 Acres had some moguls @ the top of the run. I managed to somehow slide down a portion of the slope. That is not how you are support to do it. Also, the rental skis did not have breaks, but were attached to your legs by run away straps which means when you fall the skis would stick with you ... no head injuries thank God.
I put my ski tips up and true to form, I slide to the left and fell there as well. My brother's eyes were rollling back in head. Already, he had just wasted an hour with me pickings out my skis and other stuff. It was finally time to show me how to ski. 
He explained the simple things first like ... lifting the bar before you get too close to the drop-off area and where to put the t-bar so you don't fall. The more important signs were to come.
The basics were explained like the trail symbols and signs. It appeared to be safe as many of the skiers were heading in the same direction toward the sign that said "Easiest" and that where we were going to as well. Everyone has to start somewhere, I started on a neat trail called "Mile Sweep". I looked down at the path and it did appear to be easy to ski down. Now remember, I have fallen on the lift twice, yet I was still willing and able to try this skiing thing. Well as you might imagine, I racked up at least eight falls as I slowly made my way down the slope. It was amazing to see, but my brother was standing at the bottom of the slope waiting to take me up again. After about four more trips on Mile Sweep, I thought that I might venture onto other trails. The next trail 80 Acres would test my resolve to continue this madness. 80 Acres had some moguls @ the top of the run. I managed to somehow slide down a portion of the slope. That is not how you are support to do it. Also, the rental skis did not have breaks, but were attached to your legs by run away straps which means when you fall the skis would stick with you ... no head injuries thank God. 
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