Ribbon of Snow

**’Ribbon of Snow’ follows six days of Nordic skiing with 47 Vancouver Skiers in British Columbia’s West Kootenays.  After consecutive ski days in Nature on a ribbon of classic track, we ponder the power of gliding on snow crystals. The outing to B.C.’s snowy interior fills us with awe: to China Ridge near Princeton, to Paulson Summit, home of the Castlegar Nordics(2x), to Black Jack near Rossland’s Red Mountain (2x) and to Nelson Nordic, followed by a simmering soak in Ainsworth Hot Springs. 

Unlike walking or running, the body angles forward when cross country skiing, for more glide and forward momentum over the ski.  Between push and pulse of legs and arms, the eyes look up to revel in the lustrous ribbon that pulls us along.**

 

Ribbon of Snow

Ribbons decorate gifts-

sashay on track trimming-

become the package;

a birthday, each time

we ski prepared tracks.

 

 

 

 

Track is ribbon;

we are kids

Unreel the gift,

opening trees, creek beds—

enveloping soft silhouette.

 

Ripple flat-faced crystals—

freshly-fallen riffs:

in it, on it, through it;

legs and arms pulse:

vetting sub-zero vapors.

 

Pistons peak in EKG rhythm;

crystals belie-below:

satin smooth, not gritty, not yet.

Miraculous meringue—this ribbon-

Astonishing H2O.