Last Thursday, I was skiing on a run called Upper Keystone. It’s a groomed black diamond run. Not particularly difficult to ski, but there are some good pitches on it here and there. It was the end on the day and this was going to be my last run. The entire run was open in front of me. I had noticed earlier, the wind was picking up a bit. I had also notice the run had gotten icy in parts. It gets a lot of sun during the day.
Just as I was about to come over the top of a crest, a guy on a snowboard passed me. This is not unusual, but when he passed me he made a turn and sprayed me with snow. The wind blew the spray up into my face. I was temporarily blinded not more than two seconds, but it was on the worst place it could happen on this run. Not knowing which direction I was skiing I tried to make a turn to come to a stop. That’s when I hit some ice and got turned around backwards. I was accelerating backwards down the crest when I fell. I landed on my back and continued to slide another 100-150 feet on my back. My skis did not release.
When I came to a stop, I was on my side. Somehow, my right ski crossed behind my left boot. Unable to stand or pull the ski tip back around my boot, I wondered how I was going to get out of this. I was still on a pretty steep section of the run. After I pondered it for a bit, i decided the only thing I could is release my binding in the right ski. So, I pushed the ski pole into the release and the ski came off. I thought the ski brake would stop the ski from moving, however when the ski came off it was on its side rendering the brake ineffective, especially on this steeper section of the run. The ski started to slide down the mountain. It buttered it’s way down another 50 feet from me before it turned over and the brake stopped it.
Now I needed to get down to the ski on one ski…. fun. I was about half the distance down the steep when a snowboarder stopped to help me. He even took his board off and walked the ski back up to where I was. He positioned the ski so that I could put it back on. That was awesome! I thanked him and took off (tentatively) back down the mountain.
Crashed by a snowboarder, redeemed by a snowboarder.
Wow a good start for a book … glad you came out without any injuries ….
Wow this a goid start for a book .. glad you were no Injured
Thanks Judy! Yeah, me too. 😁
The big storm that hit you guys missed us, unfortunately. We could use some new snow. We haven’t had any big dumpers yet this season. Snowing lightly this morning though.