Learn Your Lesson

There are few things I fear more than breaking a leg. Having a terrorist as a roommate or being forced into an intellectual conversation with Parris Hilton pale in comparison to my fright of fractures after I broke a leg on, of all things, a motor scooter at 15 (sometimes I substitute “Harley” for “motor scooter” when I’m feeling macho).

After suffering one break, I have tended to avoid activities that may leave open the most remote possibility of bone breakage until this past winter when I tried snow skiing for the first time.

When my siblings decided to visit their baby brother in Boone, they were all gung ho about skiing and since I offered free accommodations they jumped at the chance like a politician on a spare ballot.

We chose Appalachian Ski Mountain for our day trip because of its proximity to my house and its reputation as an ideal slope for beginners.

We arrived at App full of excitement and a little fear and proceeded to outfit ourselves with skis and boots and all the essentials. Everyone looked like models from a Suzy Chapstick commercial except me. Since I’m allergic to style, I resembled a neoprene-covered hobo, despite my best efforts.

We clomped outside and met App Ski Mountain instructor Jim Cottrell.

Jim heads up the resort’s French-Swiss Ski College. Opened in 1969, the school is the oldest and is regarded as the best-known ski school in the Southeast.

On this cold, pre-spring day, Jim had his work cut out.

In addition to tutoring a pot-bellied journalist with two left feet, Jim and his assistant faced two grade-school kids, my twin nieces and my oldest and very single sister, who seemed more intent on “accidentally” falling into Jim’s arms at key moments like the proverbial damsel in distress.

Jim handled the Reagan clan like the professional he truly is. He started by teaching the basics of simply moving with the skis. And although we mostly resembled drunken penguins, he had all of us improving our mobility within a few minutes.

“Your getting better all the time,” Jim repeated several times, even after I fell for the tenth time (maybe he meant better at falling). Jim and his staff were especially adept at teaching the kids. As with most skills, kids pick up skiing much easier than stubborn adults.

And, like all students, each of us excelled at a different pace. My brother and his wife, who participate in triathlons and foot races in the warm months, picked up skiing like Teddy Kennedy in a singles bar — fast and accurate.

While I was still learning to stop, they were shooshing (yes, that’s a word) down the intermediate slopes like they were born wearing skis.

As I said Jim was a great teacher, but he and his staff had a daunting challenge in trying to teach me to stop. While the folks at French-Swiss are good, it will take more than all the French and Swiss know-how the world possesses to rewire my brain-to-leg connections. So, I will still enjoy the slopes but I must have something soft to stop me.

At the end of the day, we were all pleased with the App experience. I can’t say I’m very far past the beginner stage but I only took one lesson.

Most people skiing for the first time never return. Jim said for the average person, it takes three times to be comfortable and in control on the more difficult terrain.

The greatest joy for a parent in ski school is watching your wee ones begin to master a new skill — especially a fun skill. My son constantly gawked in amazement as I had the audacity to actually flop several times on my behind.

“C’mon, Daddy, this is easy,” he said with a chapped-lip grin. As I picked my self up and removed snow from bodily crevices I recalled the old saying about youth being wasted on the young and vowed to remind my son of what he said when he is someday a middle-aged dad.

But seriously, I can’t stress enough the importance of taking ski classes for first-timers.
The French-Swiss College divides the lessons into:

First: balance,
Second: transition to the chairlift and intermediate terrain,
Third: building confidence and comfort on intermediate terrain.

French-Swiss also conducts accredited physical education course and recreation programs for area colleges and universities as well as programs for scouting, 4-H Groups, church youth groups and ski clubs.
Appalachian Ski Mountain offers the following “learn-to-ski” packages. The information also appears on the resort’s Web site at www.appskimtn.com.

Learn to Ski Package (includes lesson, equipment and ski ticket)
Our special ‘invitation to skiing’ is designed to make your first time on skis an experience that’s easy, fun and inexpensive. Taught by members of the famous French-Swiss Ski College. Learn to Ski packages are offered only during the Early and Late season (Nov. 21 - Dec. 14 and March 8 - 28). Tickets for this package are purchased at the French-Swiss Ski School desk on the lower level of the lodge. Lessons are at 9:30 and 10:45am, 1:30, 6:30 and 8:00pm. Reservations required at least one day in advance. For beginning skiers ages 6 and up. 1-hour group lesson, equipment rental and beginner ski ticket - $30

Learn to Snowboard Package (includes lesson. equipment and ski ticket)
Try this fun and easy way to get the basics of winter’s hottest sport. Taught by members of the famous French-Swiss Ski College. Learn to Snowboard packages are offered only during the Early and Late season (Nov. 21 - Dec. 14 and March 8 - 28). Tickets for this package are purchased at the French-Swiss Ski School desk on the lower level of the lodge. Lessons are at 10:45am, 1:30 and 6:30pm. Reservations required at least one day in advance. For beginning skiers ages 6 and up. Credit card imprint required for snowboard damage or loss deposit. 1-hour group lesson, equipment rental and beginner ski ticket - $42

Group Ski & Snowboard Lessons
Appalachian’s premiere ski school is offered all season long. Classes are small to guarantee individual attention. All levels of skill accommodated. Tickets are purchased at the French-Swiss ski school desk on the lower level of the lodge. Lessons are at 10:45am,1:30 and 6:30pm. For ages 6 and up. Equipment rental and ski ticket not included.

1-hour group lesson - $15
Two 1-hour group lessons in one day - $28
Three 1-hour group lessons - $40
Private Ski & Snowboard Lessons
There is no better way to improve your skiing than through personal instruction. All ages and ability levels accepted. One-hour lessons begin at 9:30am, 10:45, Noon, 1:30 pm, 2:40, 6:30 and 8:00, or by appointment.
1-hour lesson - $35
Each additional person - $15

SKIwee Lessons for ages 4 -10
The SKIwee program is designed to teach children to ski well and safely. The SKIwee program is an instruction and play program designed for ages 4-10 and developed by SKI magazine. Instructors are specially trained in teaching children. Participants receive an individual progress card and SKIwee pin. The price includes ski ticket, equipment rental, instruction and supervision. A hot lunch is included in the full day session. Register at the Ski School desk on the lower level of the lodge.

Please note: Registration times are strictly observed.
Full day SKIwee program (9:30am - 11:30, 1:30pm - 3:30) - $58 - Registration required by 9am
Half day SKIwee program (1:30pm - 3:30pm) - $40 - Registration required by 12 noon.

Story by Jason Reagan