Skiing Is

Skiing Is… 

Skiing is…
Alpine thrill ride on four inch boards
Boggy in the bumps – a schuss to the lodge
Carving a turn leaving icy rooster tails in the air
Drag lift to ride on thick moving ropes

Skiing is…
Extreme black diamond runs on endless terrain 
Flat hills of green for bunny slopes
Googles of amber for blizzards or flat light
Hardpack and boiler-plate; blue ice and corn snow

Skiing is…
Into the heart of pure mountain splendor
Jet sticks on snowfields under blazing blue skies
Keeping upright avoiding face plants
Lift lines of frustration at chair lifts and gondolas

Skiing is…
Moguls that hide crafty snow snakes
Nordic dance of short swings in fresh powder
Outside skis with a mind of their own
Powder hounds piggin’ through aspen trees

Skiing is…
Quick turns called weidlin from Austrian lore
Runs of legend like K-2 and Exhibition, Wild Child, The Plunge
Sitzmarks the size of a lunar crater
Telemark turns on frosty cross-country trails

Skiing is…
Under the smile of the crystal solstice
Vertical drops into wide open bowls
Weighting unweighting parallel turns
Experts and bunnies apres ski with tall tales

Skiing is…
Yards sales of googles, poles, hats and lost skis
Zest for taking your life in your hands!

2-28-23

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/8/2023 12:29:00 PM

Congrats on your very well deserved win, Sam.

JCB Brul

Date: 2/28/2023 8:01:00 PM

SO much lovely imagery created in skiing! Made me try the fun in the next winter! Congratulations.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/1/2023 10:50:00 AM

Hi JCB! Thank you so much my friend. I hope you do try skiing. The sport has been a part of my life since childhood and brought me many happy memories. I even had the privilege of teaching skiing for five years. Wonderful memories. Blessings to you!!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 2/28/2023 2:32:00 PM

Your "Skiing Is" sounds like a ton of fun. I have never tried it. If I did I would kill myself. Hahaha... Gave a great day................

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/1/2023 10:45:00 AM

Have always loved to ski and spent many a happy hour sliding down the mountain. It really is "a ton of fun" even when picking oneself out of the snow especially on one of those crystal clear days when the mountain's splendor shines! Thank you for your fun feedback! Perhaps cross-country or snowshoeing on flat terrain would be fun for you. Many thanks for your visit. Blessings!!