“One more run Ruth” #102
#stillgotit
One more run Ruth - the title of the award I ‘won’ this week on my Noon ski trip to Grindelwald. Let me explain…
St Anton
I learned to ski in my mid-20s in St Anton. St Anton before the Crazy Kangaroo (if you know, you know). My budget was low. Reflected in the hotel and its culinary staple – sauerkraut. The days when sauerkraut was just, sauerkraut.
My desire to ski with my friends, who were already good skiers, massively outweighed my ability. But the energy of relative youth, drive, fitness levels and my desire to belong meant by day five I was careering down icy red runs. No style, no skill, pure adrenaline.
Since those heady slopes and après ski years, I’ve skied upwards of twenty times. Ski buddies evolving as I’ve moved through the seasons of my life.
Friendship
Having not skied since 2023, I felt the need to go this year conscious if I didn’t, I might lose my ski habit. Or worse, my nerve. But who to go with?
As I pondered, Noon – Eleanor Mills platform for women in mid-life1 – announced a ski trip. Coincidentally just as one of my friends and former ski pals announced she was up to go too. We both signed up.
We gathered at Zürich airport for our three-train transit up to Grindelwald. Nine women. Each looking out for the other as we dashed to make our 5 minute connections. By the time we arrived, friends.
Grindelwald. So beautiful. So Swiss. Chocolate box pretty. Nestled under the watching eye of the Eiger.
Our lovely hotel, and its naked sauna and steam room, a place of much post skiing delight, the fun only slightly diminished by the stern-faced bare Swiss men hushing our chatter.
The main event
But the reason we went was to ski. We weren’t disappointed. Great snow topped up by a biggish dump overnight meant we skied in powder on Thursday morning. Perfect.
The group naturally split into two. An instructor/guide each. Ryan, our Durham bred ex political adviser guide, subtly teaching us as we went. Transforming my skiing with a few gently offered tips: Weight forward. Knees soft. Always be turning. Jacket zip downhill. Just feel the slope.
We had a blast. Four midlife women scorching down the slopes, dancing in and out of the powder. Such a thrill.
Skiing down to the village mid afternoon on day one, as we passed the mid station cable car, I couldn’t resist saying:
“Back to the top again?
Challenge made, of course we were going back up to the top…
Joy
When we weren’t skiing, or being told off in the sauna, great conversations ensued. Everyone a story to tell. Something to give. Something to share. Curiosity rife. All beautifully wrapped up on Thursday night when Jennifer, Eleanor’s right-hand woman and friend, presented the awards: Amazon. Multi Tasker. Guardian Angel, to name but a few. And me, ‘One more run Ruth’. I was strangely delighted to receive it; still got it, and long may it continue.
My personal highlight? Discovering I could still do it. Ski, (relatively) fearlessly, surrounded by the majesty of the mountains and glacier. The icing on the cake being surrounded by awesome, like-minded women, all leaving their cares behind and just having fun. So lucky.
I take none of this for granted. My physical ability. My skiing mindset. My ability to afford such treats. The weather. The finding of a gang to play with. The sheer exhilaration of speed, community and being out in nature. I’m very lucky.
You
As ever, I’m interested in you. You can probably tell, skiing is one of my things. What’s the thing that challenges, inspires and lights you up?
Pour yourself a warming glühwein and drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.
And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today, what’s the thing you loved doing when you were younger that it’s time to do again?
Until next week my friends,
Ruth x
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I can feel the sheer thrill and excitement of racing down the slopes as I read your words. I have not been for many years now and ponder whether I am ready or not to hang up my boots. Being a free spirit on the slopes again does sound appealing I must say Ruth.
I love hearing about the advice Ryan gave – I can practically feel the snow beneath skis by the way you write it. So delighted to meet you on the trip and hope to see you again soon. I was in the *other* group – going over the basics – and that gave me confidence and joy in the same way. Perhaps just at much slower speeds....