Beginner Stories! Joanne from Port Hope.

T'was the night before skiing, my first time to try,

I was so scared about it, I wanted to cry.

My boyfriend, he promised, he would teach me right,

But, I paced and I tossed - all through the night.

We started off early on the bunny hill we rose,

I stood mountains above them, from my head to my toes.

The children, they flew by me without a care,

I went down slowly, fearful and scared.

While I worked on pizza stops and fries on the side,

My boyfriend arose to the standard for a great thrilling ride.

After several hours, he took me up the hill on the chair,

But my ski got stuck, and threw me into the air.

I couldn’t stop screaming at him, thinking he threw me out,

But, it was really my ski tips that stuck, no doubt.

I became more secure and dared to ride down,

and at the bottom of the hill, the ski shop, I found.

My goal to look like a pro was now within reach,

with new skis, poles and gloves, I had mastered the feat.

Now this year, I am back with a smile on my face,

Because skiing at Brimacombe is such a great place.

________________________________________________________

Want to Discover the Slopes?

For only $48, you can learn to ski or snowboard with a Beginner Discover Package that includes a four-hour equipment rental and beginner lift ticket, plus a one-hour beginner lesson – everything you need to get you started on the slopes! Learn more [here].

All Geared Up for Winter!

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season with family and friends. It's always nice to reconnect with loved ones and have everyone under the same roof again, if only for a short while.

Today is my first day as an intern here at Brimacombe and I already feel like part of the family - everyone has a positive and upbeat attitude! As for myself, I'm ready to conquer my first New Year's resolution of 2010: learn to ski and snowboard.

Just after Christmas I treated myself to a nice Boxing Day sale and purchased my first snowboard! Were any of you lucky enough to have Santa bring you some new equipment for the slopes this season?

While at the shop, I was given some great advice. Read on to discover the same tips and make sure your board will help you ride your way to success.

Choosing a Snowboard

Finding a suitable board length is not just influenced by your height, but by your weight as well. Choosing a board that fits your body structure will make your learning experience easier and smoother.

• New snowboards should have a weight range on the back. Check each board you're considering and make sure your weight falls between the suggestion for that board.
• Lighter people should have shorter, more flexible boards. This is because a lighter person on a longer board commonly has a hard time controlling the board and initiating turns.
• Heavier people should have longer, less flexible boards. Too much weight for your board will make it perform poorly.
• Of course, it's always nice to have a sweet looking ride, so grab a board that catches your eye and reflects your personality!

Getting a Pair of Boots

Finding a great pair of boots is vital to ensure the most comfortable experience on the slopes. A good boot will help your performance and connect your body to your board in a secure way, so it's important to find the perfect fit for your feet.

• When looking into purchasing new boots, you will want a tight fit.
• In a new boot your toe should touch the end, so don't be afraid to go down a size.
• Keep in mind that boots usually expand after wear about half a size.
• Getting new gear doesn't have to be expensive. I purchased a pair of ladies' boots which were brand new, but for half price - simply because they were last year's model. So don't be shy to ask a salesperson about anything they might have in the back.

Finding your Bindings

Finding bindings for your snowboard isn't difficult. If you are a beginner like me, a good salesperson will help you find your bindings easily.

• Bindings typically come in two or three sizes - Small, Medium, and Large.
• The size you choose will depend completely on the snowboard boot that you have chosen in combination with the binding.
• Appearance has a lot to do with bindings. Have some fun with it - choose a color that matches your board or even a pair that will stick out like a sore thumb against the white snow.
• One last tip I was given was to strap my boots into my bindings and leave them in overnight. This will allow the straps to adjust to the shape of your boots.

Safety First

• The most common snowboarding injury are broken wrists. Therefore, wrist guards are a good investment.
• As always, a helmet will protect your noggin' and is highly recommended when you're out on the slopes!

With these tips in mind, I hope you will be finding your equipment with confidence! Next Stop, the Ski Shop! Finding the perfect set of skis…