Grab Those Skis Boy!

To avoid fulfilling my own prophecy that this blog would eventually self implode and end up in the dark dusty annals of the cyber graveyard, I feel compelled to write something.

Allow me to tell you about my trip to Taebaek City from December 11-13th. The reason: Skiing. The motive: enjoyment, clean air and exercise. The rub: It was a scout trip that included 242 children aged 6-14. The result: an exceptional weekend.

Taebaek city is located to the east of Seoul and took approximately 3.5 hours to reach from Incheon. It’s population of 56,000 renders it quite small in regards to Korean cities. However, it has experienced a boom in the last two years, a result of a brand new and very impressive resort named O2. It is a four season resort offering hiking, golfing, fishing, and of course skiing packages.

Without so much as a few flurries of snow that has fallen in Korea, a colleague and very good friend, Mr. Han Chang Hawk asked me if I was interested in going skiing with him on a Scout trip. Not unaccustomed to the sport and having always enjoyed myself immensely each and every time I have skied, I leaped at the opportunity. My only concern was this: it has not snowed and the weather had been quite warm. To my delight, the snow makers defied the laws of logic and some how made enough snow so that 3 slopes could be used.

For three days I carved snow as if I were the great Austrian skier Hermann Maier. Fear, as often is the case, never enters the fray when I am skiing. I love going fast, getting occasional air and showing off (I’m a humble person in most regards, I assure you). One of my most vivid childhood memories was watching Karen Lee Gartner, a virtually unknown Canadian downhill skier, win a gold medal during the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France. She was fearless and full of grace. Evidently she became one of my first heroes. Sadly this never blossomed into me becoming an exceptionally talented skier, the ski hill was too far away and the cost too much for it to be anything more than an occasional hobby. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoy each time I get the chance to do it.

Not only was the skiing fantastic, so too was the condo we stayed in. I have always envisioned someday being able to step out of a hotel, take a few steps then donning the skis for the first run of the day. I feel very fortunate to have gotten this chance as you can see from this photo.

A note on the 242 children who accompanied us on the trip. Well, they were a non-factor. Luckily for Chang Hawk and I, and not so much for the students, our school’s Principal announced that the Scouts of our school were not permitted to go. He felt a weekend away before final exams was not in their best interest. In sum, any Scout on the trip was none of our concern, as they would be supervised by their respective schools. We were off the hook and used this to our advantage as we skied until our bodies would not permit us to do so any more.

Finally, a quick story. The owner of the resort was understandably thankful for all of our business. In most countries that is where it would end. In Korea, however, being very gracious does not usually end with only a sincere thank-you. In typical fashion of this country,  all of the adults were treated to a massive serving of food and drink (the good kind) on our last night. The drink, as it so often does reduced the language barrier to a degree. You see, drunk Koreans become less and less shy to speak English as they consume more and more Soju. Ahh liquid courage. For this I say ‘Kom Bei’! or in English, Cheers!

Until next time.

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