The Sun Valley Nordic Center is a perfect place for beginning skate skiers. Despite my snowboarding fiasco, I’m going try my hand at skate skiing. I figure I’ll be a natural, after all, I’ve cross country skied without too much trouble ,and I think I’ve done some sort of skate ski maneuver on the flats on my downhill skies. Piece of cake . . .

My sister and brother in law are strapped into their traditional cross country skies and looking at me expectantly. “Let’s go Shawn, you’ve held us up long enough.” Said my sister.

“Just go on without me, I’ll catch up, skate skiing is much faster than regular cross country skiing.” I said with a bit of a smirk.

Ten minutes later I’m still trying to figure out how to lock my boots into my new skis. There’s nothing else for it but to ask the instructor at the front desk. He looks like he needs something to do anyway.

“Now this is a three point system, you slide your boot across this bit here where it hooks in at the middle, and then your toe goes here and hooks in.” Said the harried instructor. It’s snowing heavily and he’s without his coat and I’m a slow learner—a bad combination.

Five minutes later I’m ready to go. It’s now been fifteen minutes since my sis and brother in law skied off into the fog.

“Oh and don’t use your poles for your first go around, just use your legs.” The instructor shouted as he ran into the warm confines of the lodge.

I’m off and ready to experience a complete aerobic workout with my new specialized equipment. I envision myself gracefully gliding up to my sister with nary a hair out of place. A virtual blur of blue as I then streak past her and make my way to our rendezvous. Yes, it will be an easy sport to master.

What I didn’t consider was my complete lack of balance. Pushing off one ski requires me to balance and glide on the other. I pushed off the one ski but my other spindle leg wobbled so much that I couldn’t attain the beautiful glide that I envisioned. I tried several times but only succeeded in breathing and sweating like a race horse. Perhaps the path hadn’t been groomed for skating. This thought gave me a glimmer of hope. I’m sure if the path was groomed I’d be much more efficient.

My slow forward progress finally brings my sister and brother in law in sight. I wave them on but they continue to wait for me. They kindly refrain from commenting on my lack of prowess as a skate skier. “We’ll just try this three-mile loop first.” Said Shannon.

“Sure, no problem, you go ahead.” I said.

Fortunately we are on the crest of a small hill and I begin to feel what the thrill of skate skiing actually encompasses as I actually glide from one ski to another. This is brilliant! I’m actually moving at a rather rapid clip without breathing like a bellows. Then the slope flattens and my momentum ceases and Shannon and Dick glide by in a slow methodical pace. I hate them and everything on skis. I wonder if I’m over half-way to the lodge.

After trudging (not skating) for another fifteen minutes or so, I come upon my sister again. “What took you so long?” She said.

“Shut up, this is a difficult sport to learn, it’s not as easy as it looks you know.” Dick simply smiles as he listens to us bicker back and forth.

Since we’re stopped, I take off my jacket and hat. This motion proved to be too much and I fell over into the snowbank with a slight yelp. Shannon laughed and nearly joined me in the snowbank.

Looming ahead is a rather large incline. Someone skates past us and up the hill with seamless effort. I plod forward and contemplate the hill. There’s only one thing for it, the old herringbone has always worked in the past, so I start the duck-like walk up the hill. The skinny skis don’t cooperate and I have a few shaky moments but remain upright. I take another break. “Where is the lodge?” I ask.

“You asked that question at the bottom of the hill.” Said Shannon.

“Ok then, where is the rescue sled?” I said.

“I’m sure we’re almost there. I have some leftover Christmas candy in my pocket, do you want it?”

I eagerly grab the candy and stuff it in my mouth. Wrapper and all melts in my mouth as I dream about the Sun Valley Nordic Center and the lunch that awaits me. The Nordic Center used to be a one room shack out in the middle of nowhere, it was rather quaint but I’m pretty sure it dated back to the glory days of Ernest Hemingway. The new facility has a restaurant, ski and golf shop with equipment rental and repair. Of course it’s not as charming as the old place but charm doesn’t hold a candle to an excellent lunch at the best resort in the Rocky Mountains.

Shannon and I at the Sun Valley Nordic Center