Ski! Snow! I Like!

When we talked about winter, the first thing that come to mind would be snow and Christmas. Growing up in Malaysia means that I have not have the opportunity to experience four season in a year. I have only known summer in my entire life therefore you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I get to see snow for the first time.

On the drive from Taupo to Ohakune the view of the snow capped Mt Ruapehu was awesome. The faraway mountain gets closer and closer as I drove, the snow gets clearer and clearer. The weather was absolutely perfect hence the view of Mt Ruapehu was perfect. Absolutely gorgeous!

The main reason we went there is to ski. And touch snow of course. Not forgeting snowman ;p We stayed two nights at Arawa Lodge and its probably one of the wisest choice we have made. The host, Jo is a great lady. She's very nice and friendly that she made us feel right at home immediately.

Knowing that we have never skied before, she gave us a lot of pointers like appropriate clothing, which location is best for beginners, and if that is not enough, she even personally inspect each of us to see if we are good to go to ski.

Unfortunately, none of us were. In fact, we never knew that we were so ill equipped until then. We seriously realized that we are not prepared for snowing type of winter at all. It is really a reality check for us lolz.

Jo is ever the nice lady, she even loaned us her ski jackets, thermal wear, numerous wool sweaters and stuff. She taught us to pile up our clothing with only wool material in order to keep us warm. Absolutely no cotton and jeans as it will get wet. Fleece is still alright but thermal wear is a must, then layered with 2 or 3 wool shirts/sweaters.

If you are not warm, then your ski experience will be a miserable one because you can't enjoy it due to the cold. She also suggested that for beginner, we should take the Whakapapa Track whereas for the more experience ones they can go to Turoa.

At Whakapapa, we signed up for the beginner's ski lesson and we learned basic ski skill for like, an hour? or maybe two, can't really keep track. We were taught how to position our body correctly to ski, how to stop and how to walk? Yeah basically is how to ski and how to stop.

Skiing is not as easy as I thought. It's harder, but with the poles for leverage, I think it's easier than ice skating. Kinda gives me more security? Anyway, surfice to say I've fell on my side, bum numerous time that day. I have accidentally clashed with other people and also being crashed into as well. Quite a dangerous zone to me, the beginner ski field. Although it is a gentle slope, but still, plenty of people there. It really felt crampy. Everywhere you turn, there's people, young and old.

Before we head back Arawa Lodge, it started to snow. OMG! It's snowing! Damn cold lor the wind. Snow flakes are really really tiny that it's not too much difference from raining actually. The snow texture are like those snowflakes we eat at dessert stall. Really similar.

Anyway, I was really happy to be able to experience it. i can proclaimed that I knew how to ski *a lousy skier*My only regret is not having the proper ski gloves or leather gloves on therefore I can't make snowman cuz my knitted gloves will get wet if I handled the snow for period of time. I can't play snow fights either due to the high human traffic there. It'll look really silly to have snow fights in a ski field where everyone else's were skiing or trying to.

But that only spur up my determination to ski for another time. This time, I will have the appropriate clothing that's for sure. And a leather gloves too!