Keep Skiing Till You Reach The Top - One Million Meters Up
Steph Jagger is a 29-year-old on a quest. The Canadian, who visited New Zealand’s Lake Wanaka region in the waning days of their ski season, is attempting to ski over one million vertical meters around the world.
To quote her blog: “Back in 2008 I was on a day-trip to Whistler/Blackcomb with some co-workers. It was a crystal-clear bluebird after three solid days of dumping and we were in awe of the day and the lactic acid. As we rested on the chairlift my excitement got the best of me and I blurted out the most cliché thing that any rat-race-living, weekend-warrior could, “Makes me want to quit my job and ski all around the world. Wouldn’t that make for a great year?”
Dead silence. A few chuckles. Gutteral laughter, snorting noises, full-blown howling. “What’s stopping you!?” snickered Scott between gasps of air.”
“Cardrona was brilliant because it had something for everybody, which is rare in a resort,” stated Jagger. “It had park/pipe, race areas, some fluffy stuff, steep chutes - a thing for a beginner and an expert and in between. I also managed to ski over 40,000 vertical feet there, which makes me happier than a clam! “Treble Cone…this sums New Zealand up for me: the individuals,” Jagger added. “The first day up there a guy in the parking lot noticed my fat skis and explained, ‘Hey, wanna ride?’ I gave a ride down the hill to a ski instructor as well as the next day was asked if I wanted his girlfriend to show me the mountain and hey, do you need a place to stay? TC and also the people in Wanaka are true salt of the earth. Loved it!”
Jagger sees her vertical quest as part of a bigger picture. “For me this is definitely about skiing but in reality it is about communicating with individuals that they can ‘raise their restraining devices’,” she explained. “If you would like a thing. If you’ve been dreaming about something. If there is really a objective that’s been kicking around in your head…I want folks, particularly women, to begin engaging those thoughts a little a lot more. Hopefully, my trip will serve as a reminder that with any 1 person can obtain what they need to.”
Skiers are guarded by a range of clothing including:
- A coat
- Boots
- Head defense
- Safety gloves
Head protection is provided for the skier by a helmet.
Ski helmets provide a joint function: first and foremost to afford protection against knocks and shocks and the second is to insulate against the outside climate.
A ski helmet is a fashion object as well as a protective device and are available in many colors and styles.
Ski helmets are offered in three generic variations: full shell, short shell, and full face models.
Fashion is also provided through additional functions such as Salomon impact helmet
A close-fitting helmet is the best defense against injury so ensure that yours is well fitted - seek advice from the retailer about this.
There are a number of sets of safety regulations that cover ski helmets including ASTM, Snell and CEN 1077.
Studies have shown that skiers who wear a helmet have a significantly reduced likelihood of injury.
