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!

Conquering the Slopes

Despite the rain this past weekend, the weather ahead is going to be sunny and mild. If you've been hibernating all winter, Jack Frost won't be nipping at your nose. Temperatures this week will be rising above 10 degrees! So for those of you that still haven't been out, come check out the slopes as we enter the last stretch of winter.

With spring quickly approaching, I've been rushing to the hill every spare second I have – and I'm not the only one! Brimacombe still has a nice coating of snow and many people are here to take advantage of that. With 14 runs and two terrain parks still open, March Break is the perfect opportunity to grab your gear and have some fun! It's still not too late to try skiing or snowboarding and I promise you'll have tons of fun in the process!

On a personal note, I used to love summer – winter's arch nemesis. However, after this past winter, I've fallen in love with my snowboard. After you take up a winter sport, you welcome those fluffy snowflakes with open arms. When you're at the top of the hill, the scenery is breathtaking. The cold weather you once despised is now balanced out by a cup of hot chocolate in the warmth of a chalet. You don't have to hide from winter – if you take up skiing or snowboarding, winter will have to hide from you.

It's been awhile since I last blogged because I just couldn't get away from the slopes, so I'll give you guys an update on what the past few weeks have been like for me.

To recap, my first day on a snowboard was January 11, 2010. After taking my first few lessons with Nicky, I decided it was time to go big or go home. I learned a lot on the beginner hill and was ready to test my skills on a bigger run. As I got off the chair lift (and fell), the first trail I decided to conquer was Park Avenue. Did I fall? Yes. Did I get back up every time? Of course! I laughed and tumbled my way down the hill grinning from ear to ear.

Want to laugh with me? Check out my videos. They cover my beginner lessons, techniques I learned and how I progressed over the season. And yes, there are plenty of shots of me falling.

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…