Skiing

Terry Allen Blackburn · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 01:20 AM

I used to ski every weekend for years. I always got a Boyne season pass which allowed us to go to every Boyne Resort in the US and Canada. Boyne is the largest family owned ski operation in the world. They own Crystal Mountain, Washington; Brighton, Utah; Big Sky, Montana, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands in Michigan; a scenic chairlift in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Cyprus Mountain, British Columbia; Loon Mountain, New Hampshire; Sugarloaf, Maine; Sunday River Resort, Maine; The Summit at Snowqualmie, Washington; The Inn at Bay Harbor; many Golf courses; Boyne Realty; and a Water Park. They are a class act and huge. Boyne Resorts

I absolutely loved to ski and was pretty good at it. I have not skied since 2003 as I had my accident in 2004.

I finally went skiing tonight. I skied for four hours tonight and didn't fall at all. It was like getting back on my bicycle where I didn't forget how to do it. My boots barely fit and my Atomic skis, which I bought brand new in 2002, looked old and out of date compared to my skiing friend that I went with, but I had a blast. It was $10.00 night and great fun and entertainment for $10.00. I felt stiff for several runs and very cautious but, then I relaxed and skied faster and took more risks. By the end of the evening I remembered what a fun time I used to have on the slopes. I felt like this was my one last thing that I had to get back to to have my life back from before the accident.

I appreciate all of the support from my friends here that kept telling me that skiing is possible after ADR surgery. I have cycled over 2,000 miles per season for the last two seasons after my surgery so getting back on a bicycle was not something that I ever considered not doing again. Skiing was something that I honestly thought I would never get back on them.

I have a grin from ear to ear tonight.

Terry Newton

Cindylou · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 02:57 AM

Way to go ski buddy! Good for you!

Cindylou

Gil Denis · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 03:09 AM

Hi Terry
I grew up skiing in Maine ,Sugarloaf was were I learned to ski. And other areas.
I moved to Jackson Hole Wyoming to become a Ski Bum. 23 years of ski bumming a pro ussa ski coach and race official. Skiing is still my life.
Still Coaching and working races,how ever not able to ski like I used to. Maybe after ADR I will?
I am glad to know you enjoyed skiing. It is a life time sport, keep on grinning life is going down hill

Hope to ski with you some day.
ski you later
Gil

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 05:57 PM

I don't think I've found the words that adequately describe how amazing it is to recover oneself after a long disability.

Yahoo Terry... great news. enjoy!

Kathy · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 11:33 PM

You guys gotta promise to teach me how to ski after my ADR! I can't even water ski. My hubby tried to teach me, I drank so much water, thought I was gonna drown. I then decided that my job on the boat was to drink as much beer as possible! Those were the days, we had a boat and no kids.

I am so coming to jacksonhole to see you Gil! I will just stay with my family in Driggs. My brother used to teach skiing in Keystone, that's how he met his wife. They tried to live here in Texas for about 6 months, couldn't handle the heat and moved to Idaho. Kinda funny that we are even in the same family! Well, congrats Terry!

ImpOssibleOne · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 06:31 PM

Wow Terry!! What a milestone!!!
Thanks for the inspiration...

Maria · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Terry,
That's GREAT!!!!!
Even tho I've not had more surgery I'm always so happy and elated when I do something I've not done in a long time tho loved to do in the past~

phylly · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 05:37 PM

Terry,
I am so glad that you went skiing and had a blast. I am looking forward to doing the same next year. BTW I think that skiing is easier on your body than biking over the bumps and potholes in the road. (my perception) I guess doing what we feel more comfortable with is the key and looking out for the crazy's on the slopes or roads. I hope that you are feeling better now? My friends think that I am nuts for wanting to ski again but it is the one sport that I am really good at. You get personal gratification for doing those activities. I also don't think you can hurt the the discs once they have been in for as long as yours but I guess it's wishful thinking. I skied after my neck fusion and the only problems I had were turning my head all the way over my shoulders to look out for the boarders that were on my heels. Now I probably won't be able to bend over to latch my boots. Anyway, so glad that you had fun.
Phylly

Terry Allen Blackburn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:36 AM

Thanks Phylly. I am feeling really good again. It took about three weeks after my two SI joint injections to start feeling better but I am there. I am anxiously waiting till Spring to get back on the bicycle. We got 14" of snow the other night so Winter has not left yet. Soon!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you are doing better as well. Hang in there.

Terry Newton

New-disc · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:01 PM

Terry,

What a great day you had!

Did you happen to take pictures?

If so, I'd love to see them.

Happy to see your out enjoying the fresh air!

Todd

Terry Allen Blackburn · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 11:11 PM

Todd:

I went night skiing. The radio station 98.9 had a special they sponsored, so you could get a lift ticket for $9.89, which is unheard of here. I love night skiing as there is something about the darker evening/night skiing that makes my fear and inhibitions go out the window. the next time I go i will have my friend take a picture of me in my Klem Kadiddlehopper skiing outfit.

Terry Newton

Gil Denis · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 12:24 AM

Hi Terry
I love night skiing, So glad you are skiing, keep it up.
Hope to see you on the slopes some day

Is water skiing next

Take Care

Gil

phylly · #13 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 02:22 AM

Gil,
You must have great skiing where you live! I'm jealous.
Phylly

Terry Allen Blackburn · #14 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 01:23 PM

Yup; Gil lives in skiing paradise. What we have in Michigan is yo-yo skiing. At least it is not like the old days where you spend most of your days freezing your butt off on the chair lift. We have high speed quad chairs at the Boynes. Gil has the kind of skiing where the runs are measured in miles and you have to stop on the way down to catch your breath. I love that kind of skiing. I hope to head out west again before I am old and totally gray.

Terry Newton

Gil Denis · #15 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 12:39 AM

Hi All
You are all welcome to come and visit, I will be happy to show you around the mountain,We have a new Tram It holds 100 people the old one only held 62
6,420 vertical feet of wide open terrain Jackson Hole look at the web cams.
We should have a spiney ski trip here

We also have easy terrain,trips into Yellowstone in the winter is fantastic.
Hope to see you all soon

Gil

Liz · #16 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 12:04 AM

hi terry,

i'm happy for you that you were able to go skiing!!! and for less than $10! it's such an adrenaline rush. sounds like you had a blast. i skied more than i went to classes in college, and i'm hoping to get back on a mtn one day... i absolutely love it.

if you keep skiing, or even for those that are pre-op, Dainese makes some impact shorts that protect your tailbone/hips, and they make a spine protector that attempts to protect your entire spine... it even has an avalanche GPS beacon built into it... i think they are under "body armour." I know w/skiing you typically don't fall on your back or butt (you fall face first if skiing properly) but you never know when someone could hit you or you have a good crash. Like all skiing gear, they are not cheap, but our spines are worth it. I think they make impact gear for the US ski team, and they primarily make impact clothes for bikers. Anyway, check them out (and i don't work for them).

best,
Liz

phylly · #17 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Gil,
Jackson is one of my favorite places! You are so lucky. I am excited just thinking about it. If I am skiing next year I may turn up.
Phylly

Cindylou · #18 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm with you Phylly. Count me in next year, Gil!

Cindylou

ans · #19 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 09:14 AM

Wow, what incredible countryside. Also, > 400" snow this year (and powder!). Makes Mammoth Mountain in CA look dry.

Terry Allen Blackburn · #20 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 11:15 PM

Gil:

What a piece of paradise. Now that is real skiing, and a real ski slope; the mountains. I would love to be out there, skiing for a week or so, being a ski bum.

Maybe next Winter we'll look in to this.

Terry Newton