My latest in the Oxy Weekly

For the first time ever, Occidental’s weekly newspaper is putting its articles online. Which means that this week I can actually link to the article I wrote about skiing.

Let’s Go Ski: How-to From a Know-Nothing

Whenever I think about skiing, a quote comes to mind from the 1985 John Cusack flick Better off Dead: “Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.”

I recently took a vacation to go skiing, and spent three days hurtling downhill at speeds meant for a racetrack. Only after several hours in a hot tub did the feeling returned to my bruised legs.

The general idea behind this sport, as I understand it, is to point your skis downward, and then hang on for dear life. Speed limits do not apply to ski slopes, and I suggest you acknowledge this accordingly.

Even before you get on the snow, there’s a fair amount of equipment you’ll need. The skis are a must, of course, but so are the boots, which have been designed to cut off blood to your feet. You carry poles so that when you fall down it looks funnier…