Two Runs too Many

Okay, safety first people! Take no more than two runs before returning to the Chalet. I don't want any frost bite on my watch!

The snow, packed and hard, squeaked under our booted feet. Eager to get to the slopes we strapped on our ski's and began to herringbone toward the lift. Soon we were aloft, already feeling the bitter cold penetrate our heavy gloves.

Darkness had fallen once we reached the top, lights eerily illuminating the white slopes. Soon we raced happily down the hill, gliding and turning, vaulting off moguls as our skis pounded across its packed surface. Reaching bottom, we boarded the lift and quickly made our second run.

At the bottom, we stacked our skis and retreated to the chalet, our fingertips already numb. Ten minutes later we went back out to the slopes.

But after an hour passed with barely thirty minutes of skiing, I stayed for two additional runs before returning to the chalet. As I removed my gloves, they fell helplessly to the floor.

Completely numb, my hands felt as though increased in size ten-fold while still appearing normal. And then the pain began, the flaming, shrieking experience of the blood flowing back into my fingers as I bit my tongue to keep from crying out.

I wretchedly paced the floor for twenty minutes, tears involuntarily sliding down my cheeks until the pain finally reduced to a whimper. This is it, I thought sadly.

We're going back out. You coming?

Right behind you!