Dear Rory. This was a perfect description of the joys and sadness of skiing. I have been a skier for 40 years and have loved almost every minute. The beauty of the mountains. The sun on the snow. The joy of finding a quiet empty run and just the sound of your skis swishing on the snow. Gliding through silent trees. Meeting friends and family on the mountain for food - always chips! and hot chocolate or beer or aperols. The glorious relief and triumph of the final run of the day. But recently in my 70th year I too decided it is time to hang up my skis. I don’t have Parkinson’s but like you I began to find there was more anxiety and stress than enjoyment in setting off on even a gentle slope. The fear of falling and / or serious injury became the overwhelming emotion. There was no fun left. I am sorry to leave the mountains but like you I have lovely memories. Thanks for describing it so perfectly and making me feel less sad. Jean
Each year I think it might be my last so this was a poignant post. This year though I got great joy seeing my three year old grandson on skis for the first time. Perhaps you will likewise be able to enjoy seeing your grandchildren learn and be at the bottom of the slope or even on a gondola to cheer them on
Such a poignant reflection on deciding to giving up something that once brought you such joy. I guess life has a habit of throwing some unexpected curved balls at us - it's how we deal with them I suppose. You seem to be such a determined person, taking so much in your stride, including helping young Sophie to overcome her absolute terror of the world , which in itself is challenging & exhausting. Spring is well & truly on it's wa now, the snow is melting away but maybe you will still be able to enjoy the mountains - with their summer clothes on instead?
It took a few holidays but eventually I loved my skiing. I did not begin my snowplough turns until I had 2 children and I had never wanted to attach planks to cumbersome boots and glide into the distance but as I watched my family master carving and I knew I would have to make a little more effort if I wanted to enjoy my holidays. In Courcheval I suddenly found I could not just ski, I loved it. It became my passion and my favourite of all holidays because it cleared my mind of stress and tiredness from the first run on noisy crisp morning snow to the last on the soggy snow of a warm afternoon in spring. There were special places, like Champoluc in the Aosta valley where I would ski quite speedily and confidently down any run and we had a favourite all day route which had particular hot chocolate stops and a mountain hut for lunch with the. best vegetable soup. I never was so good that I did all the blacks and off piste in big French resort, but there was the wonder of Whistler where 2nd son David became a snowboard teacher and spent 3 years. I liked the positive mood of the mountains and delighted in beating my husband down the piste and waiting for him to arrive. We loved the mountains so much that when we were fortunate enough to acquire a holiday home it was in a ski resort. That was in 2004 when the vague collection of experiences that became Parkinson’s began to be significant. In a few more years despite all sorts of strategies my skiing was the first sacrifice on the altar of Parkinson’s.
Thank you for sharing your experience Rory .Your writing brought back the huge loss and tears I shed when I had to accept I couldn’t turn or stop. I reluctantly went back to spectator but no one can take away the joy of those memories and my satisfaction that I have enjoyed the adventure and the thrill of spray as I turned covering piste after piste without falling
It’s 15 years since my eventual diagnosis and eleven years since I hung up my skis, but my mood is far from sad. Life has its challenges but mostly I keep popping the pills and trying to live my life to the full. I retired early to have some fun. I have no regrets., and though I do miss the skis I keep on walking my Pennine hills. Liz Ryan MBE
Awe Rory, I feel for you. I know my days as a skier are numbered and dread the day I can no longer hit the slopes. But, for all of us in that position, we have some fantastic memories of the skiing and the apres! All the very best to you. Jo. Ps so enjoying your updates on Sophie’s progress.
Sorry to hear this, but glad you shared. My last ski trip was January 2020, but I never made the slopes, because I ended up at the hospital with a kidney stone. Then Covid got in the way. Then in 2022, I was planning to climb Kilimanjaro, and didn't want to risk injury from skiing before hand.
My son, and I thought about a ski trip this January, but we decided to go to Hawaii instead, I don't really regret that decision. And I'm happy to report that I'm still able to drink a mai tai, maybe two or three, but don't tell my neurologist.
There is a member of my rock steady boxing class who still skis, but he says each year it's getting more difficult.
Dear Rory. I’m sorry to hear that you have decided to give up a sport that gives you so so much enjoyment. If you are looking for an alternative sporting activity I would like to commend to you the benefits of table tennis - particularly for those of us living with PD. It really is a most enjoyable form of therapy. The PingPongParkinson movement originated in the USA but there are now clubs in more than 20 countries that welcome players of all abilities. There are a (growing) number of clubs in the UK and plenty of opportunities to play in very friendly national and international tournaments.
Sad that you have to give up the activities that you enjoy. I guess you can find other things to enjoy instead. Maybe Sophie will soon go walking with you to the park. Good luck 🤗
Dear Rory - you could have described my exit from skiing last year. PD affects my left side and I found myself unable to control me skis, spinning round in circles, or thumping into the side of the piste. Huge sympathy to you. But onwards we Parkies go!
A sad moment for you. My husband had to give up skiing for the same reason which was tough for both of us. I am now in Morzine where it is raining again, though despite the warm temperatures there is new snow above Avoriaz. Love to Sophie!
Ah, what a lovely description of the joys of a skiing holiday, so sorry you've had to hang up the skiis but perhaps you can give cross country ski trekking a go, just to get back out in the mountains (or just get a lift up and wait for the crew in a bar? Maybe not so good for the health though)
Dear Rory. This was a perfect description of the joys and sadness of skiing. I have been a skier for 40 years and have loved almost every minute. The beauty of the mountains. The sun on the snow. The joy of finding a quiet empty run and just the sound of your skis swishing on the snow. Gliding through silent trees. Meeting friends and family on the mountain for food - always chips! and hot chocolate or beer or aperols. The glorious relief and triumph of the final run of the day. But recently in my 70th year I too decided it is time to hang up my skis. I don’t have Parkinson’s but like you I began to find there was more anxiety and stress than enjoyment in setting off on even a gentle slope. The fear of falling and / or serious injury became the overwhelming emotion. There was no fun left. I am sorry to leave the mountains but like you I have lovely memories. Thanks for describing it so perfectly and making me feel less sad. Jean
Each year I think it might be my last so this was a poignant post. This year though I got great joy seeing my three year old grandson on skis for the first time. Perhaps you will likewise be able to enjoy seeing your grandchildren learn and be at the bottom of the slope or even on a gondola to cheer them on
What a lovely positive piece x
Such a poignant reflection on deciding to giving up something that once brought you such joy. I guess life has a habit of throwing some unexpected curved balls at us - it's how we deal with them I suppose. You seem to be such a determined person, taking so much in your stride, including helping young Sophie to overcome her absolute terror of the world , which in itself is challenging & exhausting. Spring is well & truly on it's wa now, the snow is melting away but maybe you will still be able to enjoy the mountains - with their summer clothes on instead?
Best wishes
Jane Harding
Dear Rory,
It took a few holidays but eventually I loved my skiing. I did not begin my snowplough turns until I had 2 children and I had never wanted to attach planks to cumbersome boots and glide into the distance but as I watched my family master carving and I knew I would have to make a little more effort if I wanted to enjoy my holidays. In Courcheval I suddenly found I could not just ski, I loved it. It became my passion and my favourite of all holidays because it cleared my mind of stress and tiredness from the first run on noisy crisp morning snow to the last on the soggy snow of a warm afternoon in spring. There were special places, like Champoluc in the Aosta valley where I would ski quite speedily and confidently down any run and we had a favourite all day route which had particular hot chocolate stops and a mountain hut for lunch with the. best vegetable soup. I never was so good that I did all the blacks and off piste in big French resort, but there was the wonder of Whistler where 2nd son David became a snowboard teacher and spent 3 years. I liked the positive mood of the mountains and delighted in beating my husband down the piste and waiting for him to arrive. We loved the mountains so much that when we were fortunate enough to acquire a holiday home it was in a ski resort. That was in 2004 when the vague collection of experiences that became Parkinson’s began to be significant. In a few more years despite all sorts of strategies my skiing was the first sacrifice on the altar of Parkinson’s.
Thank you for sharing your experience Rory .Your writing brought back the huge loss and tears I shed when I had to accept I couldn’t turn or stop. I reluctantly went back to spectator but no one can take away the joy of those memories and my satisfaction that I have enjoyed the adventure and the thrill of spray as I turned covering piste after piste without falling
It’s 15 years since my eventual diagnosis and eleven years since I hung up my skis, but my mood is far from sad. Life has its challenges but mostly I keep popping the pills and trying to live my life to the full. I retired early to have some fun. I have no regrets., and though I do miss the skis I keep on walking my Pennine hills. Liz Ryan MBE
Awe Rory, I feel for you. I know my days as a skier are numbered and dread the day I can no longer hit the slopes. But, for all of us in that position, we have some fantastic memories of the skiing and the apres! All the very best to you. Jo. Ps so enjoying your updates on Sophie’s progress.
Sorry to hear this, but glad you shared. My last ski trip was January 2020, but I never made the slopes, because I ended up at the hospital with a kidney stone. Then Covid got in the way. Then in 2022, I was planning to climb Kilimanjaro, and didn't want to risk injury from skiing before hand.
My son, and I thought about a ski trip this January, but we decided to go to Hawaii instead, I don't really regret that decision. And I'm happy to report that I'm still able to drink a mai tai, maybe two or three, but don't tell my neurologist.
There is a member of my rock steady boxing class who still skis, but he says each year it's getting more difficult.
Skiing and rescue dogs - passions I share with you. I can no longer ski either but your story rekindled some happy memories.
Dear Rory. I’m sorry to hear that you have decided to give up a sport that gives you so so much enjoyment. If you are looking for an alternative sporting activity I would like to commend to you the benefits of table tennis - particularly for those of us living with PD. It really is a most enjoyable form of therapy. The PingPongParkinson movement originated in the USA but there are now clubs in more than 20 countries that welcome players of all abilities. There are a (growing) number of clubs in the UK and plenty of opportunities to play in very friendly national and international tournaments.
Sad that you have to give up the activities that you enjoy. I guess you can find other things to enjoy instead. Maybe Sophie will soon go walking with you to the park. Good luck 🤗
I’m sorry to hear you have to give up something you enjoy, but it sounds like you’re bowing out with good grace, and having a good final try
You will always be better at skiing than me! Thanks for sharing your story.
Dear Rory - you could have described my exit from skiing last year. PD affects my left side and I found myself unable to control me skis, spinning round in circles, or thumping into the side of the piste. Huge sympathy to you. But onwards we Parkies go!
A sad moment for you. My husband had to give up skiing for the same reason which was tough for both of us. I am now in Morzine where it is raining again, though despite the warm temperatures there is new snow above Avoriaz. Love to Sophie!
Ah, what a lovely description of the joys of a skiing holiday, so sorry you've had to hang up the skiis but perhaps you can give cross country ski trekking a go, just to get back out in the mountains (or just get a lift up and wait for the crew in a bar? Maybe not so good for the health though)
Heartbreaking. What next?