>’ C t l t i 'A 0 z n


' WOMAN;


with novice skier Rebecca Smith


O I


n the slippery slope


T'S dangerous and it can leave you feeling very wet and cold.


It's expensive and it leaves you


feeling exhausted. So why do so many people take up ski­ ing every year? Because it's also fun, that's why, and there's nothing better than the exhilarat­ ing feeling you get when you've man­ aged to whiz down the slope without falling over! For me, it was second time round learn­ ing the energetic art. I first went ski-ing as a teenager at school and the theory that you become more cautious as you get older, is certainly true in my case! Back then I had a couple of "go's" on the artificial slope at Ski Rossendale in Rawtenstall. And then it was off to France for the "real thing!" I survived that and only returned with a few bumps and bruises.


Now several years later (ok nearly 16!) I decided to have another go. It's all part of my masterplan to discover the beauty of Greenland. I'm off to the Arctic this year, finances allowing, and there it's a case of ski or stay in your igloo all day. So a few more lessons at Ski Rossendale were called for. The added bonus of having a colleague, Victoria Eglington, whose boyfriend, Nat Chambers, is a whiz on skis, gave me the encourage­ ment I needed. Nat agreed to coach the two of us in the complicated sport. And so off we went, braving the wilds of November to take to the artificial slope. Now working out how to put your boots and skis on is an art to start off with! And it's a pretty weird experience walk­ ing with a pair of "space" boots attached to your legs. Once the equipment was on, we were off to the nursery slope for a spot of learning the all-important way of stop­ ping. First things first, you have to learn how to use the rope which literally drags you up to the top of the slope. Trying it for the first time shows why good gloves are all important. A warm jacket and tracksuit trousers are a must too as it can be pretty exposed on


the slope. The first lessons taught Victoria and I


how to stop in a snow plough and once we had worked that one out - we were hooked. Several visits have been made since then and we recently moved up to the inter­ mediate slope which means we can pick up a bit of speed. But what we hadn't accounted for was the slippiness of the slope once the weather got nice and wet. Boy do you whizz down those slopes! We're now onto the more advanced par­ allel turns and have even moved up to the big slope which proved to be just as scary as it looked! Now I'm not known for having great co­ ordination, so I find standing up a big prob­ lem. And with a horrible and painful matting, it's not much fun when you fall over - especially if you can't get back up! Victoria and I go on a Monday night, because that's lesson time. You have to be serious about ski-ing, because it's not cheap. It's better to join a club


and then you get a discount. But if you're hiring equipment and hav­ ing a lesson, it can cost you up to £13 a


time. Having said that, you can stay on the slope for quite a few hours. However, if you're like me, you'll soon find it tiring. But hey! - you can easily find faults with anything. Don't. Make the effort and get out there and before too long you'll be hooked and dreaming of the big white fluffy snow slopes of Switzerland! For more: information on classes and courses at Ski Rossendale, ring 01706 226457


H E A P S o f S S I© y


Monday 9th February


134B Gisburn Road, Bar row ford, Nelson Tel; ( 01282) 690364


29 A lb e r t Road, Colne Tel: ( 01282) 869700


C @ M T B M i J E S


1 / 2 Price B a rg a in s in all departments Sizes 10-26


Short Fittings Available


9 Castle Street, Clitheroe Tel: (01200) 422293


u d i t n ' s


. . .p r e s e n t th e i r S p r i n g /S u m m e r c o l le c t io n


• BALLY • VALBRENTA • EVAN-PICONE


. ES1NO • TRICKERS • SLOPPY JOE'S MAGRIT • HOLMES • VAN DAL • JOSEPH SEIBEL • SHILTON & STUDIO HANDBAGS


L a d ie s ' Q u a l i ty S h o e s a n d A c c e s s o r ie s O c c a s io n s to C a s u a l s


e '


10 TOWNELEY PARADE. BERRY LANE, LONGRIDGE. TEL: (01772) 784695


O p e n s ix d a y s a w e e k (M o n d a y to S a tu n i . iy ) _..........—/ -• f.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40