learning to ski as a grown a$$ woman

Every year for my birthday, I try to give myself the gift of a new skill. This year, I decided to gift myself ski lessons. I didn’t do any winter sports or any rollerblading/skating growing up. I knew this was going to be a huge challenge for me, but one I was eager to overcome.

I spontaneously signed up for lessons with Winsport at Calgary Olympic Park and counted down the days until I got on the bunny hills. Naturally, to encourage myself, I ordered a super cute one-piece ski suit off Etsy. Luckily, my friend, Reina, was also super excited to learn to ski. Naturally, she ordered a matching ski suit for some self-encouragement as well. And so, the Powder Puff Girls came to be😅.

Reina is also the mastermind behind fashion/style blog Silk and Tee - make sure to go check out her website for fabulous style tips.

Absolutely love this suit I got from Etsy. Found a similar one on Amazon as well.
First of all, I wasn’t too sure how much money to invest on ski gear as I didn’t know if I would even enjoy the activity. I wanted to get a cute snowsuit that I can use for skiing or other winter activities. This suit was under $300 and it kept me warm and looking super chic. I would recommend sizing up - I took a size M and I’m usually a US size 2-4.

We were both so nervous going into our lesson. We managed to not fall that day, but I accepted the fact that falling is inevitable and it’s ok to take a tumble, even the pros fall! Once I made peace with that mentally, I felt so confident and it wasn’t before long until I was able to glide and slow down. Then suddenly, the “fun switch” turned on. Now I think I’ve been bitten by the ski bug and can’t wait to get back on the slopes for more!

I really recommend getting lessons if you’ve never been before. You will be with a professional who skis and teaches people how to ski for a living. So you can learn at your own pace and get techniques that you won’t necessarily be taught by just winging it. The lessons also comes with all the equipment rental you need so you don’t have to worry about investing in some pricey ski equipment before knowing if you’d enjoy the sport or not. The staff at Winsport were all super awesome - such a friendly and warm, welcoming bunch. So lucky we have the Olympic Park right in our city! For those of you who may be unfamiliar - Calgary was home to the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. We’re so fortunate that they’ve kept the park operating in pristine condition, and have even expanded to include other fun family activities like snow-tubing!

WHAT TO WEAR

Being prepared makes a world of difference between being miserable or having the best time of your life. With the Canadian winters, you never know what kind of weather conditions you’ll be met with. Wearing layers is key to having blast on the slopes. Here’s what you should wear:

Breathable base layers - you can quickly work up a sweat, and having breathable layers will ensure you stay comfortable and dry
A mid-layer for warmth like a fleece, light puffer vest or jacket, or a wool sweater
Face covering or scarf/balaclava
Ski gloves/mitts
Toque
Helmet
Ski goggles
Warm socks
Snow pants
Ski Jacket
or Jumpsuit in place of the snow pants/jacket
Snowboots