A faster winter
By JIM PRATT
|
12/9/2007 - Special to the OBSERVER
Winter's a-coming on fast, isn't it? And it's gonna be longer than you want, and colder, and you're going to be sitting watching TV and complaining about the weather, aren't you? Then spring will come and you'll wonder how you managed to gain 10 pounds and start to worry about how to shape up before shorts and swimsuit season.
Well, what if you could avoid all that misery, have winter fly by and actually lose weight during the shut in season?
It's really simple. Start skiing.
Oh I know, you're too old, you'll get hurt, it's too cold outside. I've heard all the reasons people stay indoors for four months each year. But I've also found that most of those reasons will evaporate once a person actually tries the sport, so let's look at the list of why not and see if any can really hold water.
Reason 1. I'm too old. (Ha!) You might be, but age is a state of mind. One of my favorite stories involves a 73-year-old grandmother taking her first ski lesson on a snowy Saturday in January a couple of years ago. The funny part? Her instructor had just turned 85. Factor in that her son owns a ski shop and had never before taken her skiing. At least he provided her with equipment. Let me tell you my afternoon class of 20-somethings had trouble complaining after she smoothly scooted by.
Reason 2. I'll get hurt. You might, but the most dangerous thing an American adult does is drive a car. Most people who think they'll get hurt have seen the Wide World of Sports opening where the ski jumper crashes too many times. Remember, he was jumping! You must be a few steers short of a herd to consider such a thing! Secondly, the equipment today is much better than it was even 10 years ago. The new ski bindings work so well that knee injuries are almost a thing of the past. Oh yes, you can get hurt, but your chances are pretty low. In 2005-2006, there were about 25,000 injuries out of 60,000,000 skier days. And you can lower your odds of getting hurt more if you take advantage of a lesson or two from a trained professional (that could be me).
Reason 3. It's too cold. Yep, it can get cold. I've spent days at -40 degrees, and that was cold! I was young and crazy enough to only notice that there were no lift-lines anywhere. So I tried to get extra runs in. Smart people don't do that. Add in new clothing technology, with all the high-tech materials, and I have stayed warm on days that in the past would have forced even me inside. Wicking material, gore-tex, thinsulate and all those other miracle fabrics really work. You only get cold if you don't take advantage of these materials. And there is a new problem with the temperature. Because of these new materials, often the participant will get hot. I've had to take a break and go indoors to cool down!
Now what about the advantages I listed? Are they real?
The short answer: yes. Winter will go by faster, you can lose weight, and getting outside will lift your mood. And it's all close by. We are particularly blessed in our area. Within a two-hour drive you can be at five different ski slopes. That's equivalent to living in Vermont or New Hampshire. The hills are smaller, but they're easy to get to. Cockaigne is only 25 minutes from downtown Dunkirk. It's a shorter drive than getting to the mall (For married men, a day of skiing is typically cheaper than a day of shopping. Think about it.) In fact, with this much skiing available close by, I don't understand why Western New York hasn't produced more Olympic skiers.
You can lose weight skiing. I typically drop 5 to 7 pounds after the holidays. The movements of skiing pits your own weight against gravity, producing an isometric resistance exercise. Studies are showing that resistance exercises will trim you down. It will also tone the musculature of your legs and backside. Unless you do some racing, you won't get too much aerobic exercise, but you will still burn a lot of calories just enjoying the snow.
Will winter go by faster? Yes. Remember, we live next to one of the Great Lakes, which helps moderate our temperatures. It's really only cold enough for consistent snow for 10 to 14 weeks a year. Oh yeah, we get the oddball storm in October or April, but by April, most of our local ski resorts close down for lack of snow. The really good stuff falls in late December and lasts until late February. That's about 12 to 14 weeks, max. When you have something planned every Saturday, the weeks just fly by. Trust me on this — you'll be saying, "Where did winter go?"
And while you're out there, you'll find the reason I spend time skiing. Winter, despite its cruel temperatures, cold winds and snow, is a beautiful season. I've seen days with skies so blue and clear that your eyes can't believe such colors exist. Or when the snow frosts the trees, painting them white and sparking. Passing through the woods when it's snowing so hard, the only sound you hear are the flakes hitting the ground. Or the moon rising over a nearby hill as an owl floats silently past. The snow under your skis feeling soft as velvet, or fluffing up over your knees.
How about riding up the lift, through a cloud and breaking out into the sun, looking back and seeing the world covered in cottony wisps, the nearby hills islands in a fluffy white sea. Faces red from the cold, but smiling to see friends and family in a warm lodge. Young kids, excited to be outside sliding down the big hill. I once had a class of inner-city teenagers whose enthusiasm and pure desire to seize the day gave me hope for the next generation. Memories of my kids first turns down the slope, falling into deep, soft powder.
The list goes on. So come on. This year, join me outside and have a short, healthy and fun winter.
Jim Pratt of Fredonia has been teaching skiing for years and is certified nationally by the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
Winter's a-coming on fast, isn't it? And it's gonna be longer than you want, and colder, and you're going to be sitting watching TV and complaining about the weather, aren't you? Then spring will come and you'll wonder how you managed to gain 10 pounds and start to worry about how to shape up before shorts and swimsuit season.
Well, what if you could avoid all that misery, have winter fly by and actually lose weight during the shut in season?
It's really simple. Start skiing.
Oh I know, you're too old, you'll get hurt, it's too cold outside. I've heard all the reasons people stay indoors for four months each year. But I've also found that most of those reasons will evaporate once a person actually tries the sport, so let's look at the list of why not and see if any can really hold water.
Reason 1. I'm too old. (Ha!) You might be, but age is a state of mind. One of my favorite stories involves a 73-year-old grandmother taking her first ski lesson on a snowy Saturday in January a couple of years ago. The funny part? Her instructor had just turned 85. Factor in that her son owns a ski shop and had never before taken her skiing. At least he provided her with equipment. Let me tell you my afternoon class of 20-somethings had trouble complaining after she smoothly scooted by.
Reason 2. I'll get hurt. You might, but the most dangerous thing an American adult does is drive a car. Most people who think they'll get hurt have seen the Wide World of Sports opening where the ski jumper crashes too many times. Remember, he was jumping! You must be a few steers short of a herd to consider such a thing! Secondly, the equipment today is much better than it was even 10 years ago. The new ski bindings work so well that knee injuries are almost a thing of the past. Oh yes, you can get hurt, but your chances are pretty low. In 2005-2006, there were about 25,000 injuries out of 60,000,000 skier days. And you can lower your odds of getting hurt more if you take advantage of a lesson or two from a trained professional (that could be me).
Reason 3. It's too cold. Yep, it can get cold. I've spent days at -40 degrees, and that was cold! I was young and crazy enough to only notice that there were no lift-lines anywhere. So I tried to get extra runs in. Smart people don't do that. Add in new clothing technology, with all the high-tech materials, and I have stayed warm on days that in the past would have forced even me inside. Wicking material, gore-tex, thinsulate and all those other miracle fabrics really work. You only get cold if you don't take advantage of these materials. And there is a new problem with the temperature. Because of these new materials, often the participant will get hot. I've had to take a break and go indoors to cool down!
Now what about the advantages I listed? Are they real?
The short answer: yes. Winter will go by faster, you can lose weight, and getting outside will lift your mood. And it's all close by. We are particularly blessed in our area. Within a two-hour drive you can be at five different ski slopes. That's equivalent to living in Vermont or New Hampshire. The hills are smaller, but they're easy to get to. Cockaigne is only 25 minutes from downtown Dunkirk. It's a shorter drive than getting to the mall (For married men, a day of skiing is typically cheaper than a day of shopping. Think about it.) In fact, with this much skiing available close by, I don't understand why Western New York hasn't produced more Olympic skiers.
You can lose weight skiing. I typically drop 5 to 7 pounds after the holidays. The movements of skiing pits your own weight against gravity, producing an isometric resistance exercise. Studies are showing that resistance exercises will trim you down. It will also tone the musculature of your legs and backside. Unless you do some racing, you won't get too much aerobic exercise, but you will still burn a lot of calories just enjoying the snow.
Will winter go by faster? Yes. Remember, we live next to one of the Great Lakes, which helps moderate our temperatures. It's really only cold enough for consistent snow for 10 to 14 weeks a year. Oh yeah, we get the oddball storm in October or April, but by April, most of our local ski resorts close down for lack of snow. The really good stuff falls in late December and lasts until late February. That's about 12 to 14 weeks, max. When you have something planned every Saturday, the weeks just fly by. Trust me on this — you'll be saying, "Where did winter go?"
And while you're out there, you'll find the reason I spend time skiing. Winter, despite its cruel temperatures, cold winds and snow, is a beautiful season. I've seen days with skies so blue and clear that your eyes can't believe such colors exist. Or when the snow frosts the trees, painting them white and sparking. Passing through the woods when it's snowing so hard, the only sound you hear are the flakes hitting the ground. Or the moon rising over a nearby hill as an owl floats silently past. The snow under your skis feeling soft as velvet, or fluffing up over your knees.
How about riding up the lift, through a cloud and breaking out into the sun, looking back and seeing the world covered in cottony wisps, the nearby hills islands in a fluffy white sea. Faces red from the cold, but smiling to see friends and family in a warm lodge. Young kids, excited to be outside sliding down the big hill. I once had a class of inner-city teenagers whose enthusiasm and pure desire to seize the day gave me hope for the next generation. Memories of my kids first turns down the slope, falling into deep, soft powder.
The list goes on. So come on. This year, join me outside and have a short, healthy and fun winter.
Jim Pratt of Fredonia has been teaching skiing for years and is certified nationally by the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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