Nordic skiing has become my passion and I find peace on the ski trail. The thoughts of schoolwork and social dramas fade away as fast as do the sounds from the bustling parking lot and chalet. The only sound that remains is the gentle squeaking of the snow under my skis.

An archway of trees blanketed with sticky snow allow only a few rays to make their way to the earth’s surface. Those bright patches sparkle like 10,000 tiny diamonds. An icy gust of wind shakes the trees and snow blows around. It seems as if it is snowing again and I am in the middle of it.

Almost any other athlete would be chilled to the bone, but not a Nordic skier. The freezing temperatures only push me faster and farther. My skis glide below me as I glance up the trail. I feel as if I am suspended just above the ground and flying over the snow.

The wind against my face chills me almost to the point of immobility but I press onward, moving fast with longer glides on each leg. I approach a towering uphill. From afar it seemed manageable; only 25 yards back, still not too steep. But with each long glide, the hill becomes larger and larger in my eyes. I prepare myself mentally, remembering the words of a now college-bound teammate: “Attack the hill Zoë! You can beat it!”

I start up the hill like an animal, plunging my poles into the frozen ground with the force of a grizzly bear. My legs begin to burn as I pass the halfway point. I power through it by repeating in my mind “attack the hill” and “what does not kill you makes you stronger.”

I’m almost to the top, my thighs screaming in pain. Then I’m there. I have reached the top. I beat the hill. Blood rushes through my thighs creating a feeling indescribably delicious. An immense grin spreads across my face. The pain, the hard work and the intensity is all worth it for that feeling. Making it to the top is unlike anything else in the world. I am absolutely ecstatic. I inhale a deep breath of cold air and look down the other side of the hill: a steep, straight slope down. It is the perfect reward.

I position my ski tips to point straight down the hill, dig my poles into the ground and with one great push I am zooming. Down the hill I curl up into a tight ball and my speed increases. Trees whiz by in the periphery of my vision, blurred by watery eyes as I continue on at breakneck speed. At the bottom my speed slows and I straighten up. Slightly saddened that the experience is over, I push on, excited to see what is hidden beyond the next bend in the trail.

Zoë Kesselring is a junior at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She is a third year skier on the ISD 196 Nordic ski team and has been skiing recreationally since she was 4 years old. When Kesselring is not skiing she enjoys canoeing, cooking and listening to the Beatles.

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Visitor Comments »

The comments on this story are written by our readers and are not necessarily the opinion of this publication or any of its sponsors.

Eugene McKay
1/31/09 - 9:15PM

loved it!

 

Grandpa Bob
2/1/09 - 6:16AM

What a great article!! Your descriptions are marvelous. Besides skiing you should be doing more writing.

 

Mo Mo
2/1/09 - 8:27AM

You Rock, Zoe! You keep that focus and atude and you can accomplish Anything you want...you are a great model for all of us!

 

Rich Berg
2/1/09 - 11:33AM

What a great expression of what x-country skiing is all about! Keep up the good work Zoe.

 

cousin Karen
2/1/09 - 11:38AM

Thank you for bringing me out onto the trail with you Zoe, at least in my mind! I loved your article and I hope this is the first of many. Even though it is very hard to go up the hill and easier to go down, there is still lots of joy to be had during the uphill climb. You did a great job describing that joy. Continue to embrace the uphill and take pride in your strong body, which is an expression of your beautiful spirit! You are SO lucky! Love KK

 

Greta
2/1/09 - 12:11PM

awesome Zoe! It actually made me want to go skiing, which is something since I haven't been in 2 or 3 years... Great writing!

 

Wayzata reader
2/1/09 - 1:54PM

This young athlete captures the two rewards of individual sports (physical challenge and appreciation of nature)in understandable prose. I look forward to more of her observations.

 

Bob O'Hara
2/1/09 - 2:11PM

Well done Zoe! You capture the essence and beauty of Nordic skiing. Unfortunately only a select few like yourself get to enjoy what you do. We can always hope that more people will discover the magic of skiing.

 

Sharon Bellman
2/1/09 - 2:20PM

What a beautiful story and so inspirational. However, it has been eighty degrees here lately so winter snow is hard to imagine. You are definitely related to your dad!

 

Diane Temple
2/1/09 - 2:39PM

I love the voice in your writing, and I can feel the experience. As a writing teacher, I appreciate your style. Vivid word choices, perfect uses of figurative language. Brava! :)

 

Bob Temple
2/2/09 - 7:32AM

Great job, Zoë! Welcome to the rich tradition of published writers in the family. Clearly, you've got the skill!

 

Tim Eaton
2/2/09 - 8:30AM

Your articulate depiction of body and soul under physical stress was inspiring. Keep on trekking with your quill young lady.

 

Judy Berg
2/2/09 - 8:55AM

Well done Zoe! Not only do you have the skill of skiing, but also the skill of writing! It certainly must be in the genes as they say.

 

Peter Lenmark
2/2/09 - 9:59AM

Congratulations to Zoe! I love to read a good artilcle that takes me outdoors and makes my heart beat faster, all from my easy chair. Think I'll go skiing today.

 

Jacque Lenmark
2/2/09 - 10:14AM

Beautifully written.

 

Richard homan
2/2/09 - 4:14PM

Well written.

 

Zoe's Coach
2/4/09 - 10:48AM

You provided a GREAT description of what it's like to Nordic ski and proved that you're as good a writer as a Nordic skier. We'll need to talk about how we can use this as a recruiting tool for the team.

 

Coach Braun
2/4/09 - 11:14AM

Wow Zoe! What an awesome description of the sport... not only are you a dedicated and talented athlete... but a fantastic writer as well!

 

Dick Bellman
2/4/09 - 4:33PM

Very nice article, Zoe. It brings back memories of me walking the trail while your dad traversed it on skis. One question, in a head to head compeion with your Dad, how far behind would he be after 10K?

 

Jan Curtice
3/1/09 - 1:55PM

As a true lover of the winter season, your article brings back many memories of my youth spent out in the snow. Keep on writing, it would be a shame not to share your talent. An old Prairie Fest member

 

The 8th Grader
3/8/09 - 8:54PM

Wow Zoe! That was an amazing article! You should really be doing some more writing, cause you're great at it. By the way, you're a great skier too!

 

ausome
11/14/10 - 8:26AM

you hit da nail rite on da head.i love to ski

 

john elliott
12/11/10 - 4:19AM

ausome thanks for reminding me of why i ski its prefect.

 

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