Now that Christmas and New Year’s are over, what else can we do to enjoy the rest of these cold, bitter winter months? It’s time to hit the mountains.
I’m not a pro skier or snowboarder, but I used to take my family on ski trips to Pennsylvania and shred those mountains like a little wannabe ski racer. I was even part of a ski club in middle school and I fondly remember busting my ass on the slopes all night. Sometimes, when I was feeling brave, I’d even make my way into a black diamond with pizza and fries. After a long day, I went back to the lodge with my friends and we healed our bruises with bottomless mugs of hot chocolate. It was a great time.
The first skis were forged in prehistoric times for traversing snowy terrain, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that people began to enjoy recreational skiing. Snowboards were actually designed by a guy who loved surfing and wanted to bring the activity into the winter by creating a board called the “Snurfer” which has been redesigned over time into a modern day snowboard. For whatever reason, sliding down a steep slope at 40 miles per hour just moments away from a near-death experience with one wrong move provides an adrenaline rush that’s not entirely reproducible.
Many people dread learning to ski or snowboard when they’ve never done it before, but even Lindsay Vonn and Shaun White were once beginners. It’s never too late to try something new, and you never know when you might find your new passion or escape from the world. Skiing and snowboarding are classic winter activities and I urge everyone to give it a try, even if it ends in a face plant or two. Luckily, these tattoos don’t hurt like the icy snow piercing your face — or maybe they do?