The first time

There's quite a bit of nerves associated with anything really new. Usually. This first time was no exception...

This week had a few firsts, most of them rather ordinary, but one of them worth mentioning...! I spent the last week at the lodge going through training with the rest of the staff. I learned a million new things including such crucial items as how to scrub toilets properly, make beds, walk around helicopters, and more... It was a great week, although the definite highlight was the heli-ski. That was the first.

We got into the helicopter and did a few runs in the alpine around the lodge. Although according to heli-ski standards, there wasn't a ton of snow, I was really impressed... To be standing on top of a mountain, on a bluebird day, with nothing around for miles and miles and miles, with only a few friends and a toboggan for each foot (read: really wide skis) is a feeling hard to explain. The actual skiing after the initial emotion was, on the other hand, a lot harder... :) I was glad to come out still walking, since I am still a little shaky due to last year's knee injury. But all in all, I made it through the day with quite a few moments of incredible exhilaration and relieved excitement for having survived (literally) going down some incredibly steep pitches unscathed.

Shane and I are back in Canmore for the week, heading back out to the lodge for two weeks this coming Saturday morning. We are skiing at Sunshine all week and enjoying the time off. Why did I not start doing this job earlier, honestly! Last year, at this time, I was killing myself over a job that was underpaid, underrewarded and overdemanding... What a change a year brings. :)

Cheers,