Ski-biking rekindles passion for the mountains!

By: Kirsty Smith

Parker, Colorado

I am sitting at the top of Durango Mountain on a late February morning.  I am awed by the majesty of the surrounding mountains.  The sunshine glints off my handlebars and into my eyes.  I smile anyway because it feels magnificent to be here at the top of the world!  This is living!

I wouldn’t be enjoying this Hallmark moment if it weren’t for the exciting, easy to learn sport called ski-biking.  Yep, ski-biking has opened up the mountains to me again! 

First, let me back up a bit and make a confession.  I’ve always been a terrible skier.  No, I’m not talking someone who has a bit of trouble on skis and just needs more time on the bunny slope.  Nope, I’m a disaster.  Let me paint the vivid picture for you.

1990:  On our honeymoon, my husband and I went to Spirit Mountain Resort near Duluth, Minnesota.  I attempted to ski on the easiest and greenest runs available.  Unfortunately, I managed to stand in a precarious spot in the lift line and soon found myself sliding backwards down a slick, icy mountain.  Granted the mountain wasn’t huge and I wasn’t going to really get hurt, but the embarrassment factor was huge!  My first skiing experience was a disaster! 

1993:  Fast forward three years and relocate to Showdown near Great Falls, Montana.  It was my next attempt at skiing and it was another day of horror on the slopes.  The morning started out well after a lesson or two.  Soon after the instructor released me from his talons, I was swooshing down the run which grace and looked pretty cool.  I was even headed in the correct downward direction which I considered quite an accomplishment. 

Then on my second run, I fell down face first into the groomed, hard packed snow.  I had landed smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest runs.  I desperately tried to get up and out of the way of the other skiers who were whizzing by me.  I flailed around for about ten minutes though it seemed like and eternity.  Somehow I got my feet released from the bindings and I crawled to the nearest tree line to lick my battered, bruised ego.  When I managed to get up, get the skis back on, get down the mountain and then back onto the lift, more embarrassment awaited me.  Yep, I managed to fall off the lift at the top rather than skiing off in a smooth, graceful arc.   I was mortified with embarrassment again.  I decided that day that I was never going to be caught dead on any ski mountain ever again. 

2002:  I read a brief article in my local newspaper about a new sport called ski-biking that was being promoted at the Silver Creek Resort near Fraser, Colorado.  The article claimed that ski-biking was so easy that anyone who could ride a regular bike could learn to ride on the slopes in a matter of minutes.  “Heck, I can ride a bike,” I thought.  I immediately picked up the telephone and talked to Silver Creek Resort’s ski-bike instructor, Ed Brown.  I explained my previous experiences to Ed and he just laughed then promised I’d be a “pro” in no time.  Could it be true?  I doubted it, but went ahead and booked a trip up to Silver Creek for the next weekend.  What did I have to loose except a few hours, a couple of bucks and my pride? 

My experience at Silver Creek changed my whole outlook on ski resorts and snow sports.

During the first minutes of our ski-bike lesson, Ed patiently explained that everyone was a novice sometime and to keep trying until I felt comfortable on the ski-bike.  He again promised me that I would have “no problem” learning to ski-bike. 

After just a few more minutes of instruction at the base, Ed took me and my husband up the lift.  We mimicked him as he loaded and unloaded his ski-bike.  Getting on and off the lift wasn’t too hard, just a little bit awkward.  At the top, Ed demonstrated how to slide forward, how to turn uphill to stop, and how to carve down the mountain to control our speed.  We watched him slide down the first portion of the run with ease and confidence.  Even though he made it look easy, I was sure another disaster awaited me just down the run. 

Ed beckoned to us.  My mouth got dry and my stomach felt queasy.  What I was doing on a ski hill again?  Hadn’t I learned my lesson well enough the first two times?  Ed beckoned again and so I hesitantly slide the bike forward.  I was soon racing down the hill.  The speed was incredible, but I was able to turn easily and slow down.  I stopped just short of where Ed was sitting with a graceful, easy turn. To my utter amazement, I’d made it down the first hill with no trouble!  I didn’t fall!  It was fun, fast and I wasn’t embarrassing myself.  Hallelujah!   Happy Days!

Within an hour of starting ski-biking, my confidence was soaring!  I loved the speed and the freedom.  I loved getting off the lift gracefully.  Mostly, I loved going down the mountain not falling.  I had found my niche in snow sports! 

Now that you know a klutz can learn this, here’s some the reasons for you to try ski-biking:

1.  It’s truly easy to learn even for folks who had bad experiences with skiing or snowboarding.

2.  It’s a hoot and a holler.  For northerners or European readers, that means it’s a lot of fun!

3.  If speed is your need, here’s a way to play!

4.  It can be done by all ages and athletic ability levels. 

5.  It makes a great family sport.  All ages can and should participate!

6.  It’s a social sport: you get to meet a lot of people on the hills and at various events.  I’ve struck up conversations with folks from all over the world because the ski-bike is so interesting and fun.  The curiosity factor is huge!  Also, people from as far away as Austria and England participated in the 2005 Durango Mountain Festival. 

6.  The sport is still small enough that world champions happily share their expertise with first day novices.  Thanks guys!  J

7.  The opportunity to compete is wide open, especially for women.  American Ski-Bike Team anyone?

8.  It’s easy on the legs, even after a full day on the mountain either skiing or snowboarding.

9.  Did I mention that sitting on top of the mountains on a ski-bike is soul reviving?  Well, it’s true!

The next time you’re at a resort that offers ski-biking, do yourself a favor and try it!  I think you’ll find your place on the mountain too!-ks