Skiing, a black man’s introduction

From the outset, let me say that I am a big sportsman. I pulled my athletic muscle back in school, and have coasted ever since. Occasionally I will go for a run, maybe even go to the gym. But sporting events, they are to be watched. Participation is for the person not clever enough to think of an excuse.

That was me, October 2013. My friend John sends me the link for a skiing holiday. I retort “Bro, racism is black peoples’ version of extreme sports.” He told me to man up and I agreed. Luckily, the good Lord, had other plans, and I came to Lagos instead. Fast forward to summer 2015. I get a confirmation email from a skiing company, ‘My Booking Confirmation, Skiing 2016’, John had booked our ski holiday.

We set up a group conversation, and everyone started sharing tips. I was one of the two people who hadn’t been skiing. The other person promptly booked skiing lessons at Hemel Hampstead dry ski slopes, and I tried to do the same. Unfortunately, I am assured there are no ski resorts, or dry ski slopes in Nigeria. Furthermore, there are no plans as yet. So I was stuck.

Undeterred, I saved up, booked my flights and went on to Austria. Through the same booking company, we were able to book a return coach for €100, to the hotel, and back to the airport. The hotel was functional; it was a two bed flat with a sofa bed, big enough for three. Yes, there were five guys in a room. It did have storage for skis and a drying rack for the ski boots, but the piece-de-resistance was the sauna and steam room. Most evenings were spent tending to aching muscles and bruises.

The first day of skiing, I get on the snow, thinking I’m a big man with a beard; I go up the lift and stare down a red. Then, I start to ski down the red and I fall down the red. A red, or red run, it is an intermediate to difficult ski run. The grades go from green, a baby or beginner slope, blue, an easy slope, red and black. Black runs are the most difficult. Skiing is not hard if you know what you are doing, respect the slopes, and respect the sport. I took a few tumbles but the best advice I got, from a non professional skier was, ‘learn to embrace the fall’. That is to say, fall properly, and safely. It is very easy to hurt yourself while skiing, the truth is, you are descending quite rapidly down a mountain, no matter which way you look at it, it is extreme.
After that, I got some lessons, and they were well worth it. Skiing is intense, and a work out so do not be ashamed if you have to take a breather. I took several, but by the end of the week, I was doing runs back to back. After the days’ exertions, the sauna and steam room are your best friend. Get in there, and just let your muscles recover. The last cable car down the mountain is around 4pm, so you have plenty of time to recuperate and get out for dinner. After dinner, there are a plethora of bars to visit. Different styles, sports bars, chic bars and many other. We were relatively early to bed, 12/1am and then up again and on the mountain for 9am. We were determined to get our fill of skiing and mountain top views.

On the off chance that skiing really isn’t your thing, there are still other options for you on the mountain. We had a quite a few bars and canteens, the food is not half bad, and given that you are at the top of a mountain, with nowhere to go, the prices aren’t too bad either.

All in all, I cannot recommend skiing enough. It is a breath-taking experience that one would be hard pressed to match. It is so exhilarating and freeing, it will leave you wanting more. It is also very family friendly, there were people of all ages on the mountain. I had a 50-year-old in my ski lessons. Looking down from the mountain gives you a new perspective on life and the awesomeness of nature.

Tips for Skiing:

• Stretch and get your muscles used to working before you go out there.

• Shop around for everything, don’t always accept the first price.

• Pre book your gear to pick up on arrival.

• It is cold and wet on the mountain, waterproof everything.

• You will need base layer gear, and a neck gaiter.

• Pack lots of underwear and socks.

• GET SKI LESSONS!!!! (Even on the mountain)

• Pre book the lessons and they maybe cheaper.

• Flights – €800

• Coach – €100

• Hotel – €350