What goes through the mind of a Skier

                                                                      

                                                      Chilling in Chun Cheon Korea

  I have been to ski resorts a total of 3 times todate and I have been skiing for the last 5 years on and off, and I can  say that it is one of the most satisfying sports I have tried. It is also a very terrifying sport, especially when you are on the chairlift or ski-lift on the way up to the top of the hill or mountain as the only way down the hill or mountain is through your skis and one mistaken slip, overly fast downhill or uncontrollable speed can land one crashing and landing awkwardly can cause injuries amounting to broken limbs,or even loss of life. Take a look at the great Michael Schumacher who had a terrible accident on the slopes and he never recovered to this day. 

 Having said that, it is as safe as driving, if one takes lessons from qualified ski instructors and undergo fitness training before attempting the slopes.  My son Andrew fractured his wrist when another snowboarder knocked into him and I myself tore some ligaments when I fell awkwardly, in all places, at the ski training centre in Singapore. So it is best to come to the slopes trained and well prepared.

 What goes on in the minds of a skier. I am going to say these  :

a) a prayer to God to help me ski down that damn mother of all mountains and not break a leg or worse. I wear a ski helmet for all my ski trips. 

b) a self assured mantra (repetitive chanting) that I can conquer the steepest slope because I can swerve and stop and control my speed and its not so difficult after all. Looking at all those young kids who ski with no fear in their eyes and going at 60 km/h downhill makes my attempt feel quite pedestrian.

Its true that the older you are, the greater the fear of failure, danger and death. Its called 'KIASU' and 'KIASI' in Singapore.

c) Focus on what is ahead, side and behind. Have a complete 110 % awareness through sight, sound, and feel. I sense with my eyes what is ahead, what is coming from my sides left and right, the swooshing sound of the skis nearby, the smoothness, roughness of the snow beneath me and  the gradient of the slope. Its a huge overload of sensory inputs on sight, sound, touch and bearing (slope gradient). 

Finally the big confidence booster is to tell myself "YOU CAN DO IT !" 

When I am skiing down, I am terrified as well as exhilarated at the same time. The double rush is quite unbelievable. 

I should try sky diving next time, and see whether the adrenalin and endorphin (body's natural feel good chemicals released during high activity sport) high is the same.

Carpe Diem.