Lessons learned and challenges overcome on the way to a new sport

By Malena Larsen

Before moving to Colorado, I had never downhill skied despite being cautiously interested in it. Being a non-skier here felt like being an uncool fish out of very cool waters. The move was the final nudge I needed to take on this new hobby in my late twenties.

First up: acquiring all the necessary gear. It was overwhelming, but luckily, Colorado has plenty of helpful resources, like Powder7, a ski shop in Golden.

“We spend a lot of time training all of the staff,” explains Alex Stettner, Powder7 content coordinator. “You meet customers where they’re at. What are their goals? Are they trying to progress quickly to keep up with expert skiers? Or are they simply trying to have a good time? The answers to these questions change the conversation about what skis you need.”

Getting the Gear

I wanted something affordable and I was not determined to keep up with the experts. In fact, I told the Powder7 employee that I was a wimp and that speed was far from a priority for me.

I ended up with a pair of 2022 K2 Reckoner 92 Alliance demo skis, size 159cm, with Look NX 12 Konect GW demo bindings. Demo gear is previously rented equipment often sold at a discount.

At around 5-foot 7-inches, 159 cm skis are on the shorter side, which can be ideal for beginners because they’re more forgiving and easier to control. I expect these skis will carry me through my first couple of seasons.

Rough start on ‘No Beginner Terrain’

My first day “on the slopes” was early in the season at Eldora Ski Resort. Next to the chairlift was a sign that read “No Beginner Terrain.” After attempting to french-fry and pizza at the base, I naively thought I could handle it. Spoiler: I couldn’t. I ended up pizzaing 10 feet down a blue run, falling in a panic, crying, and walking the rest of the way down.

It was not only embarrassing but also unsafe for me and others. Whether you’re 3 or 30, it’s okay to wait until later in the season when the bunny hill or some greens are open.

What I Spent to Ski My First Season
• Skis and Bindings: $349.99
• Boots: $50 (hand-me-down)
• Komperdell Rider Ski Poles: $54.95
• Smith Maze MIPS Snow Helmet: $115.93
• Ikon Base Pass: $829
• Goggles: Free (hand-me-down)
Total: $1,399.87

Back to Basics

Needing help, I turned to my fiancé, Ty Erhard. After switching from snowboarding to skiing a few years prior, he was tackling runs like the East Wall at Arapahoe Basin and spending weekends backcountry skiing at Jones Pass and Berthoud Pass.

He took me to the bunny hill at Copper Mountain, where I was surrounded by young ski school students and tots on leashes. After learning to stop and turn, I graduated to the Pitchfork lift.

I spent all day on the glorified bunny hill, riding it repeatedly with no lift lines. I’d recommend this run to anyone starting out.

Meanwhile, Ty and our friends tackled the blues and blacks. I was determined to improve by the end of the season so I could join them.

(Black) Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

Three months after my rocky start, I conquered my first black diamond run, Challenge, at Eldora. Despite falling on a few moguls at the top, I managed to get the hang of it by the bottom.

At this point, I was comfortably skiing greens and most blues. My speed had increased, I was less anxious, and I was actually having fun. For those of you in the midst of learning, it does get fun, I promise!

The key was consistency. I skied most weekends, trying new challenges each time—whether a more difficult run, different terrain, or a faster speed. Breaks were also crucial. They helped me clear my head and release the expectations I’d placed on myself.

“It was awesome to see you improve,” admits Ty. “It was personally rewarding because it meant you got to ski the things I wanted to ski and it was also fun to see you do the things that you originally felt were impossible.”

Ty’s patience and skill accelerated my learning. He felt like my ski security blanket.

“I remembered how stressful it was to learn,” he says. “Trying to keep a calm atmosphere was important because as soon as you get flustered, you forget all the things you’ve been taught. It was important to find a balance between offering tips and letting you learn on your own.”

Learning wasn’t linear. I was embarrassed pretty consistently for three months as tweens yelled “go faster” or toddlers zoomed by on tiny skis. Learning to let go of embarrassment was essential in getting better.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” Powder7’s Stettner affirms. “There are loads of people in the same position. It’s an overwhelming thing when you show up to the mountain and people are skiing fast and in cool gear. Just remember, you’re not the only person learning.”

Beginner tips from a beginner skier
• Get a ski pass
• Wear a helmet
• Go as often as possible
• Learn the basics and start on the easy stuff
• Pay attention to the signs (literally)
• Ask for help
• Do your best to let go of embarrassment
• Don’t compare yourself to others
• Take breaks when you’re feeling frustrated
• Set goals and keep challenging yourself

It’s (Not) All Downhill From Here

In February, I went on my first multi-day ski trip with Ty and two friends at Steamboat Ski Resort. I was so excited to finally ski with the group.

On the second day, we were lapping the blues under the Sunshine Express lift. During our 9th lap, Ty zoomed past me with his usual speed, in his element, a smile spread across his face. He veered into the trees and hit an unmarked ravine at about 40 miles per hour.

“My leg!” he screamed. He had broken his tibia just above the ski boot. Ski patrol was by his side in four minutes.

Ty, my coach, partner, and ski security blanket, spent seven days in the hospital. I slept next to him every night, replaying the accident in my mind and questioning the sport and myself.

Seeing his injury made me wonder: if it could happen to him, what’s to stop it from happening to me? Unfortunately the answer is nothing and that’s a harsh reality of skiing. While you can take precautions, staying injury-free isn’t guaranteed.

Safety on the Slopes

“Don’t let your guard down, even on easy runs,” advises Ty. “I’d ridden that run multiple times and considered myself a competent skier. I took more chances than I should have, given the flat lighting, assuming I was safe. Statistically, injuries often happen on easier runs for that reason.”

“Ski cautiously and have your wits about you,” Stettner says. “Especially during spring and winter break, the slopes can get chaotic. Wear a helmet, obviously. Goggles, too. If the weather is bad you can get vertigo or frostbite. Goggles help protect you.”

After three surgeries, compartment syndrome, an external fixator, a rod, and three screws, Ty’s season was over. Seeing his injury was disturbing, and I initially decided to end my season too. But he encouraged me to get back out there.

“I knew that watching something like that would leave a scar on your psyche,” he says. “The longer you let that scar callus over, the harder it would be to get you back out there. It was important for you to see that you could still do what you learned that year.”

With his support, I returned to skiing. By the end of the season, I had not only worked hard to overcome my fear but I had also improved significantly.

By the end of the season, I had completed 18 ski days, progressed from bunny hills to blues and blacks, increased my speed from 10-15 mph to 20-30 mph, and skied at five different Colorado resorts: Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park, Eldora, Copper Mountain and Steamboat.

Point ‘em Straight

“My main goal is to ski a full season,” Ty shares, his left leg now lined with scars. “Sure, I have goals for specific lines I’d like to ski, but for now, staying healthy is my top priority.”

As for me, I’m excited to hit the slopes with Ty again. Plus, I have new goals, including skiing 30 resort days, trying backcountry skiing for the first time, and tackling The Cirque at Winter Park.

To the adults learning to ski: have fun, be safe, prepare for horrendous traffic on I-70, and don’t expect a completely seamless journey. Skiing is a great way to set and achieve goals, see new places, make new friends, overcome hardships, and challenge yourself both mentally and physically. Cheers to a great season!

Malena Larsen is a writer and Minnesota-to-Colorado transplant. Her favorite subjects to write about are craft beer, outdoor adventures, and any topic where she gets to learn something new. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, taking photos of mountain goats, and checking out breweries with her pals.