By SkiMum Denice

Today was Skimums last day with “Sherpa Emilia,” our terrific Mountain School instructor.

It was amazing how every Monday the weather was good and the skiing even better.  The “mom gods” must have been looking out for us.  With everything Emilia taught us over four weeks, we put it all to good use on our last day.  She pushed us to our limits (and then a bit further), and we had a blast!!

The final tip I took home today was to keep the lower half of my body moving and loose.  I need to absorb the bumps with my knees and hips, while keeping my upper body open and facing downhill.  The facing downhill part is always a little intimidating, but with all that powder, at least I didn’t have to hear the scrape of ice.  I don’t know what it is about that sound that puts my whole body into a panic.

It all came together, and today proved to be my best day yet.  By the end, I actually felt I was skiing … like a real skier.  Add sunshine, powder, good friends, and a great teacher — What more could you ask for?