Recently, we held a staff contest to see who had the most embarrassing ski-related story. The winner received a ticket to local VT skier’s paradise, Mad River Glen, and the honor of having their story posted for all to see.
Our winner is Grace Mayer! Here’s her story in her own words:
“So first of all, you have to imagine a new 50 year old skier (I’m a late bloomer I guess) who is absolutely terrified to ski down a mountain on thin pieces of plastic. But I faced my demons and went for it. I found one of the hardest things to conquer was actually getting off the ski lift.
I will start “preparing” to get off the lift about half way up to the top. I will put myself into some weird looking racing pose, by shifting my butt to the edge of the chair, crouching down and holding my poles on either side of me. Let’s not forget the huge smile on my face, which is actually a fear smile.
On this particular day, I was all set in my crouch, approached the lift ramp, the lift slowed down allowing me to get off. I dug in my poles I guess a little to voraciously as one of them sunk in and got stuck right in the ramp! Of course I continued my momentum and slid off balance right into a face plant. This is not the embarrassing part! As I looked up in horror, there was my ski pole totally mangled under the stopped chair. It looked so sad all crooked and there by itself.
The lift was stopped for what seemed an eternity waiting for me to compose myself (every try to get up with only one ski pole to balance on?).
I was pretty humiliated but I’m sure no one else even noticed! Needless to say, I didn’t give up my skiing career, but still experience a lot of anxiety getting off the lift!”
Want to win your own ticket to Mad River Glen? Click here for all the details!