Skiing Notes from Ira Riklis

When last we left Ira Riklis, he was telling us about his experience of speeding down a ski slope without the all-important “stopping” lesson. Here’s the rest of the story:

“God was watching over me because I was aimed directly at the entrance door to the lodge and there was a canopy over the entrance with supporting columns. Just before I was to hit the door, I grabbed onto one of the columns and was able to bring myself to a stop. It is amazing but I didn’t hit anyone else, I was uninjured, and there was no property damage –go figure.

“After that rather inauspicious start, I went many times on daily and weekend ski trips. I enrolled in classes and learned how to turn and stop. I used some of the money I got from my bar mitzvah to buy myself a comfortable pair of boots without laces (early buckle closures), high quality skis, and STEP IN BINDINGS! “

Ira Riklis continues:

It wasn’t an easy start, and learning to have my technique was not easy, but the thrill of skiing has provided me with one of my greatest pleasures in life. I can tell as I age that my reflexes are slowing. That my body is less forgiving of the stress and strains caused by skiing is a daily reminder. I am beginning to slow down and be more cautious that I not write checks that my body cannot cash.

“I know that one day I will have to give up skiing altogether. When that happens, I will be both sad at the loss, but also warmed by the memories of so many exciting days. I hope that it is many years in the future.”

Ira Riklis, in this interview about skiing, continues:

“So, it is hours since we left home, hours since I could feel my feet, hours since I started the process of simply getting into my equipment and walking to the slopes, and now I’m ready to try and get some elevation so that I can ski.  I’m not yet ready at this point to ride a ski lift or even to tackle the beginner slopes where they still had rope tows.

“Rope tows were usually an old, jacked up pickup truck with the wheels removed and a rope attached to the axle in such a manner as to cause the rope to circulate.  You would grab hold of the rope and it would pull you up a small slope.  I haven’t seen a rope tow in over 25 years, but ski gloves still have a reinforcement designed to protect the palm from the scrapping effect of the rope tow.

“Using the sidestep motion that I had now mastered, I climbed what seemed to me as a huge slope.  Today I could probably jump that slope without giving it a second thought; but at the time it looked like I was atop Mt. Denali.

“I’m finally ready to ski.  I point my skis down the slope and I begin to move.  I feel the exhilaration of flight and I’m hooked.  I’m just lovin’ it.  I know that I’m going to be coming back again and again to get this feeling.

“Nothing could diminish my thrill and pleasure, except . . . .  It suddenly occurs to me, I don’t know how to stop!  I’m headed downhill at what seems to me an incredible speed, I don’t know how to avoid the people in front of me and that’s not my real concern.  I’m headed straight for the base lodge; this can’t end well …”

Stay tuned for what happens to Ira Riklis in our next installment …