Let it snow

The author (center) with her skiing instructors Michael and Patrick.

What a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years of marriage: heading outside of one’s comfort zone and learning something new.

In my case, my husband Rob (Chien) took me and our daughter Nicole to Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan, for a ski vacation. We’re accompanied by our friends Carlos and Sid Tayag and their children Sabina and Gael. They were all here last year for skiing, and this year, it was my turn to join them.

I have to admit, skiing is something I never thought I’d ever do in my life. It seemed the domain of those for whom this was more easily accessible. But after hearing from friends who have made skiing in Japan, Australia, New Zealand or the United States a regular thing, and knowing that Rob himself skied as a youngster in Park City, Utah, with his mother, cousins and friends, I thought it not as inaccessible anymore.

The day after we arrived, Jan. 10, was our actual anniversary. On my first day of ski lessons. Sabina and Nicole were levels above me, so the instructor, Michael from Czech Republic, kept a close eye on me, teaching me one ski at a time.

There are teaching runs that are short and easy to get up and on to. But, once one has mastered putting the skis on (the skis need to be perpendicular to the slope of the mountain), how to do a crab walk (walking side to side in skis), and actually gliding and braking. Oh my God, it was all so difficult!

The skis felt heavy, and I always felt like I was about to fall. But Michael got me gliding on both skis before the end of the session and doing slow runs with my feet in a snow plough position. He instructed me to keep my weight forward, despite the body’s instinct to lean back, and to keep my shins in contact with the tongue of the boot at all times.

He also taught me how to brake using the snow plough, nice and wide. It was a challenge on the first day, but by Day 2, it felt easier to do.

The evening of the 10th, we headed to a lovely restaurant called Kamimura in Niseko town for our anniversary dinner. Using Japanese ingredients with French execution, every dish was beautifully presented and incredibly delicious.

Quiet in sound and ambiance, with the snow gently falling outside, it was the perfect way to celebrate. The night after, Nic and I paid a visit to an “onsen” to soak our sore muscles in a soothing hot mineral bath.

Our second instructor was Patrick from Australia. He got me to ski without poles on a practice run in order to get my upper body to relax, and to figure out how to turn with various visualization tools to help teach us what to feel in the feet to get the skis to move in the desired direction.

By the end of our session, we rode the ski lift to Hanazono 2, a very easy beginner’s run. After going on it a few times to get used to the terrain, the run felt very zen and peaceful. I let myself look at the beauty around me, and listen to other skiers and snowboarders as they went on their runs.

The crisp and clean mountain air cleared out a sinus infection I brought with me from New York in only a day. My body is healing following my time on the “Island,” and my skin felt smooth and soft despite the below-freezing temperatures. I’ve also been sleeping very well, maybe just from being tired at the end of the day.

But it’s not all fun and games … there is always the danger of serious injury. Conditions can change from soft and powdery to icy and fast, and well, the mountain conquered all of us adults. An easy run landed me on my derrière at least three to four times.

Another friend on a snowboard ended up sliding down on his back, head first. One more met the powder face to face, and Rob was getting cramps in his leg. It seems the kids are faring far better than we are.

However, with each fall, I am reminded of the words my mother would say to me: “Malayo ’yan sa bituka.” I didn’t hurt anything too important (meaning, I’m still able to sing), and no internal organs were damaged. My pride, though, felt the pain more than any body part.

So, despite all this—the amount of gear, the risk of injury, and the freezing cold—do I still want to do this again? Heck, yes! The beauty, the clean mountain air, the almost meditative state my mind enters when on a familiar run, the camaraderie with my family and friends, and getting to learn something new, and something I never thought I’d ever do.

I look forward to the next time we go on a ski trip, no matter what happens.

Thank you for this, Honey! This was the best anniversary ever.