Being Swiss almost naturally sets you up for snow sports, and even if some stop doing it later on, I am sure 90% of my generation was sent to ski and/or snowboard school at least once during their childhood. We had sports vacation in February/March and most of us went skiing with the parents (who loved to drop us off at ski school) or went to ski camp. My sister and I were no exception, but while she stopped trying to fly down hill, I still love the slopes and usually manage to go at least one day a year.
I thought 2017 would be the first year I couldn’t go. You usually don’t connect Ohio much with skiing or snowboarding, especially not as a Swiss. I mean, I have yet to discover a mountain in this state. Nonetheless, some people, like my fiancé, have learned how to ski and snowboard on the hills that can be found in this area. Ohio does get a lot of snow, after all. I didn’t go skiing in Ohio though, we drove to Western New York. J. and I got day passes for skiing and snowboarding (because that’s what J. does) at Peek ‘n Peak Resort for Christmas.
Peek ‘n Peak Resort is located on the foot of a small hill, base elevation 1,400 ft (427 m), top elevation 1,800 ft (549 m). However, they have managed to make the most out of that hill and offer 27(!) trails for skis and snowboards and 4 terrain parks, along with 6 lifts. This sounds quite big for only being located on a hill. However, the longest run is only 4,100 ft (1250 m) long.
We were both really excited to go skiing (and snowboarding) as it was my first time in the US, and also the first time we went together. We rented our equipment on location and set out to the (slooow) chair lift, and up the hill. There weren’t too many other people on the trails that day, and most of them were good skiers, so we didn’t have troubles sharing the space. It was freezing cold that day, and since going down hill felt like it only took seconds, and even the Black Diamond slopes (the most “difficult” ones) were not at all challenging, I never actually got warm. I guess I am too used to going downhill for a long time before you reach a lift and sit down again.
Once I started shivering on the chair lift, we called it a day and drove home. I think I would need to go out West, to real mountains, if I wanted to get a similar experience to the Alps. On the plus side, it was fun while I wasn’t freezing, and I now know that my future husband is a good snowboarder and can be taken to the Alps any day. Yay! J. and I might still venture into the Appalachian Mountains for snow sports in the future.
On a side note: School is starting again on Tuesday, so I might be too busy to write much. I will, however, try my best.
Love, Jen
