Beginner Stories! Ayden from Newcastle.

It was a December day in 2009 when my mom and me were on a drive in Kendal. Then, mom said were going skiing! Our car pulled into the long, narrow driveway. We parked the car and I rented some skis. They were HEAD. My first and new Instructor was Jerry. He was very nice and taught me a lot. He showed me how to pizza, ski backwards, peanut butter and jelly, snowplow, and how to avoid others. 

When we were on the chair lift we played I spy and talked. His skis were orange and black HEADS and his coat matched. We went down Bambi, Park Avenue and Pete's Elbow. Then we went back to mom - and I have skied ever since. Now my mom, dad and little brother ski too!

- Ayden, 10 years old.

Beginner Stories! Lisa Remembers...

The crisp, refreshing air of a winter day.  White snow sparkles in the afternoon sun.   It’s a bluebird day at Brimacombe.   I strap on my bindings, tighten my helmet and stomp my board a little.  The hill stretches before me.  I can see every bump reflecting in the winter sunlight.  Every curve taunts me.  I exhale, my icy breath hangs in the air.  I position my board down the hill and begin my descent down my nemesis – Bambi.

I’d been trying to learn to snowboard off and on for years.  Anyone over 30 will agree – you don’t bounce like you used to.  I had decided after a two year hiatus that 2012 was the year I would finally figure it out.  I was tired of the “falling leaf” – a step in the learning curve that I was stuck at.  Fairly new to the area, I asked around and everyone agreed that Brimacombe was a great place to learn at.

February came before I summoned the courage to hit the hill and give it a try.  I made my way out to the magic carpet lift with toddlers, children and other adult beginners like myself.  I was daunted and slightly embarrassed.  The lift staff were helpful and kind.  They didn’t even so much as giggle when I asked how to use the lift.  I worked for hours and after several spills and a sore bottom I could ride on both edges of the board.  I didn’t pick it up that first afternoon, but I did have a great time slope side in the fantastic weather.

Over the next few weeks I kept returning and trying to pick it up.  After several runs I was able to turn from my front edge onto my back edge.  But I was still having difficulties linking my back edge to my front.  One fateful afternoon amid a crowd of school kids I heard an instructor shout “Look up the hill when you turn”.  It worked!  And that was it – my snowboard epiphany.  From that moment on I can finally say that I am a snowboarder.  I am grateful to the staff at Brimacombe every time I “shred the pow!"

Lisa

Beginner Stories! Lesley Remembers...

I have skiied for many years, too many to accurately remember my first time other than ending up in a shallow creek and not to wear woolen mittens on tow ropes!  But I wanted to relate the story of my son Christopher, who tried skiing for the very first time in the winter of 2010 at Brimacombe.

I was one of the parent chaperone's for our school ski club and it was the second year that my older daughter was enrolled.  I decided instead of finding a minder for him each Tuesday, I would bring him along and try to teach him to ski.  He was eight that winter and reluctant to learn anything new, but I promised him it would be fun and if he didn't like it after giving it a real try, we would just sit in the chalet until his sister was done.

I didn't get him a tow lift ticket straight away as I wasn't sure we would be out there long so we walked up about  a third of the way on the bunny hill (magic carpet), and I got our skiis on. I held onto the back of his coat and slowly brought him down while teaching the 'snow plow' method and how to keep pressure on each leg as he wanted to turn.  The first run went well enough for him to want to try again, so we took off our skiis and walked about half way up the side of the hill again. 

I was still getting into my skiis when off he went, weaving back and forth with no problem at all.  I quickly came down and he asked with a smile, "could we go up to the top next?"  I said "sure," and said I'd go buy our lift tickets and to wait just outside the booth. When I returned with the tows I was shocked - he had already gone to the top of the hill! I waited and watched as he skiied down with style, and stopped easily in front of me.  I was stunned.  Remembering the effort it took for me to learn such easy style on the slopes, I was very impressed.  After a few more runs, we decided to try the chair lift, and Christopher skiied just like he'd been doing it for years.  When I asked him how he learned how to ski so easily, he said he had watched the ski instructor from the Snow School! Sometimes we teach without ever knowing it's happening.

We looked forward to another season of skiiing at Brimacombe as it is a favourite thing to be able to do with so many friends at one time.  We will continue to ski whenever time (and snow!) allows.

Lesley

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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].

Beginner Stories! Shawna from Courtice.

I am a busy but energetic mom of three sweet little boys, ages 4, 6 and 8. I have always loved to ski and prior to having children, I had skied at Brimacombe for years. Last winter I decided it was time to get my boys hooked on skiing and so the 4 of us braved the hills at Brimacombe. On our very first day of skiing, all of my boys (then aged 3, 5, and 7) made it up and down the Bambi hill on their own, while they worked on their "pizza stops" and loving every minute of the very fun "magic carpet". 

Not only did they excel on their first visit out (proving if they can walk they can ski!), my oldest son Baylan (then 7) decided after his first day of skiing, that he was ready for the bigger hill and the chairlift! And so, for the rest of the winter he and I had some very special mother and son dates, where we went up and down the chair lift together, skiied down "Pete's Elbow', and enjoyed hot chocolate together in the East Chalet.  

Not only was the skiing fun, the drives to and from the hill made for some very special conversation.  Now we all love to ski and are looking forward to another winter of fun at Brimacombe! Thank you Brim for the wonderful family skiing experiences!

Shawna

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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].

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.

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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].

Beginner Stories! Nicole from Bowmanville.

This year is my second year skiing! I am 18, and had a pretty fun but hilarious first day on the slopes! On my first day skiing, I showed up to Brimacombe with my friend to try and learn. I was scared - but excited! My skis where from the '70s to '80s and my boots were just as old - I was definitely bringing back retro fashion!

The first thing I did to get started was suiting up in warm winter wear and heading up the beginner Bambi slopes on the Magic Carpet Conveyor lift. My first time down Bambi took about one hour because I couldn't get up! The first hour was a long one, but shortly after that I was going up and down the same slope like there was no tomorrow!

After gaining confidence, we made our way to the main chairlift. We decided to (try) to head over to Pete's Elbow - a beginner run. I fell multiple times on the way to this run, and down it too, when an older male skier saw me take a spill. He took off his skis and picked me up off the snow. After asking if I was okay, the man showed me an easier way to stand back up and continued to help me down the hill. He really helped me understand what to do and I was very grateful. I spent the rest of the day going up and down the hills and having fun even though I was still tumbling my way down the slopes. That man showed me that you should never give up and if it wasn't for this kind stranger at Brimacombe I may have given up and wouldn't be skiing today! 

My first time on the slopes at the Brim was the most amazing thing ever and I truly had fun as well! Since then, I have bought new skis, poles and more and plan on spending this whole season on the hills as much as I possibly can! My first time skiing, I found something I could be passionate about, and I found it at the Brim! I will continue to come to Brimacombe every year to hit the slopes in hopes of one day finding the man that helped me on my first day, and thank him!

Nicole

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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].

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month at the Brim!

Humans were never mean to hibernate. Break up with your couch this winter and discover skiing or snowboarding at Brimacombe!

January is Learn to Ski or Snowboard Month at the Brim and we want to see you on the slopes! Discover the fun side of winter with a Discover Package. For $48 a beginner can get one-hour group beginner lesson, a four-hour equipment rental and a four-hour beginner lift ticket!

PLUS - Because we love to see new people fall in love with winter sports - we've got a special offer for January. Discover Packages are Buy One, Get One Free* on two Friday nights only! January 11 and 25 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. you and a friend can hit the slopes for a discounted rate! 

Learn to love winter. Learn to ski or snowboard!