Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1447321
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2022 UCW 21 It is a myth that adults cannot learn to ski because I started skiing when I was forty. It is easier for children, but these days, many adults are taking lessons. Skiing is an engaging aerobic and anaerobic sport that the entire family can enjoy. e Baby Boomer generation continues to hit the slopes, and it is not unusual to see skiers in their seventies. Making a good plan for your ski trip is essential to having an enjoyable ex- perience. Look for a beginner-friendly slope with a good rental department and quality instructors. In the begin- ning, avoid investing in expensive ski clothes and equipment to see if you like the sport. Wearing water-resistant clothing will help keep you dry when you fall. Let's face it: you will fall, get cold, and get snow down your pants. Your clothing should be layered, moisture-wicking and avoid cotton be- cause it absorbs sweat and will make you colder. My advice to the beginner is to buy an inexpensive pair of bibs, a jacket, a good pair of gloves and wear sunglasses with a holder strap or goggles and a helmet. Rent your skis or snowboard and go early because the lines are usually long. It takes a while to properly fit equipment, not to men- tion how long it takes you to get settled and put it on. Go to a ski slope that offers other activities such as ice skat- ing or tubing for other group members that may not be interested in the sport. A lesson or lessons are a prerequi- site for navigating your skis or snow- boards, to learn starting, stopping, and getting on and off the lift. Going straight to the top is no way to learn how to ski or snowboard and can be dangerous for you and the others around you when you are unable to stop. e "bunny slope, " as it is affec- tionately called, is there for a reason and a fantastic way to learn and build confidence. Hydration is also a key factor for endurance during the day, taking breaks and eating something nutritious. Choosing a slope suited for your level of experience is essential for building good memories and helping you look forward to your next trip. I have skied out west and in the North Carolina mountains, including Beach, Sugar, Appalachian, and West Virginia, including Winterplace and Snowshoe. e ambiance of the North Carolina mountains is perfect for skiing and shopping. Still, the downsides are the popularity and crowds. My suggestion for beginners would be Winterplace in West Virginia, which is usually less crowded with various beginner- friendly runs. Try to schedule that trip on weekdays instead of the weekend if you love the North Carolina moun- tains to avoid crowds. Churches or schools offer road trips or weekends for youths, and these options are a fantastic way for your children to try skiing with supervi- sion. Planning will save you time and money if you decide on taking a family trip. Plan out your lift tickets, available times, ski packages that include rent- als, lessons and account for any days that may be sold out. Ski season on the east coast typically runs mid-Decem- ber through March. Adults learning to ski should take lessons from a qualified instructor to learn the basics and opt-out of lessons from those eager friends that want to teach you. Enjoy that friend time later while you talk about your runs! Live, love life with skiing and snow- boarding! FITNESS CYNTHIA ROSS, Personal Trainer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910- 484-6200. DAN DEBRULER, General Manager, WCLN. Comments? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. Learning to ski or snowboard by CYNTHIA ROSS From time to time, we all have things pop up that throw a wrench into the works of our usual schedule, and as it turns out, I'm not immune. I work in radio, and I host a lo- cal radio show that meets people in their cars on their way to start their day. However, on a recent morning, I had some appoint- ments, so I prerecorded a portion of my on-air work the previous day. I typically spend some thought- ful time preparing the things I'll talk about through the morning. I even prepare and plan to talk about what people think about as they head to work or school. In addition, there are remarks I'll make in passing – things that strike me at the moment or come out of something I recently read or heard someone say – and on this particular day, I made one of those passing remarks that caused someone listening to respond with a text message after it played on the air the following day. Keep in mind that the number of comments and stories I might share over the course of a week (three and a half hours a day, five days a week) is considerable. Suffice it to say: I don't always remember exactly what I said. e text message I received was, "I want to be a bridge." ough it came as a result of one of those comments I made in passing, it was driven by some- thing that had been in my notes for a while. As a Christian, it meant enough to me that I jotted it down to keep it as close to top-of-mind as pos- sible. What I said was more of a ques- tion on this day. I asked, "What kind of repre- sentative are you as a follower of Jesus? Are you a bridge, or are you a barrier to people coming to Christ?" Honestly, these questions should be top-of-mind for anyone who calls themselves a Christian. What we do, the things we say, the love and compassion we lack or show – they all factor into what those around think and believe about who Jesus is. Just as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in ancient Corinth, "erefore, we are am- bassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We im- plore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthi- ans 5:20, ESV) As an ambassador, people equate the message we bring or send with one coming directly from the one we represent. In other words, the opinions others form about the one who sends us depends, to a great ex- tent, on how we treat them as we deliver the message. Whether you represent your family, our government, the place you work or – in this case – Jesus, it's best to be true to what you declare. And like the person respond- ing to my questions that day, as a Christian, I want to be a good ambassador and bridge rather than a barrier to people coming to Christ. A bridge or a barrier by DAN DEBRULER FAITH Photo courtesy of Pexels Photo courtesy of Pexels