After more than an hour of checking out the
different runs and choosing favorites we’d return
to later, we met back up with Charlie and Whitten,
who were just about ready to try a “real” hill out
for the first time. Education is clearly a priority at
Paoli, and, as we saw with Charlie and Whitten,
the team is sure to provide adequate expertise so
that no one feels in danger when they give it a shot.
“Our ski school offers many different lesson
offerings, whether it be a group or private setting,
child-focused or senior-focused, or racing or
adaptive specific,” McMullen said. “Our staff
of instructors is highly trained and passionate
about teaching and does a fantastic job of getting
everyone willing to learn sliding down the slopes
in no time.”
The five of us set out on Family Trails, a green
(or least difficult) level hill. While there were
definitely some spills, the falls didn’t compete
with the excitement of learning something new
and exploring it with friends for the first time.
“I mean, I fell a lot,” Whitten laughed, looking
back on the experience. “But it never really hurt,
and once I started going a little bit and gaining
more confidence, I didn’t really worry about
falling, which I guess made me fall less.”
It took us about 30 minutes to get down the
green slope with Charlie and Whitten, and once
we rode one of the chairlifts back to the top, they
and Sara were ready to take a break and head in
to the ski lodge where they could get a bite to
eat and relax.
Michael and I, however, were just getting started.
We told them we’d meet up with them later, and
as the sun set, Michael and I sought out the most
difficult runs Paoli had to offer.
We hit a couple blue (intermediate) level runs
– our favorite being Powerline – before taking a
chance on the black diamond (difficult) Graber’s
Express. After peering down the ferociously steep
incline, Michael and I flew down it in less than
30 seconds and immediately took the lift back
up to do it again.
Though it was dark at this point in our adventure,
Paoli is known for its night skiing, which features
bright lights across the slopes that provide full
illumination. In fact, McMullen pointed out that
Paoli Peaks offers several events based around
night skiing: “Definitely be sure to check out our
Midnight Madness, where we are open until 3 a.m.
on select Friday and Saturday nights throughout
22 EXTOL SPORTS / FEBRUARY 2018
the season,” he said. “Night skiing is a great thrill
for people of all ages.”
A thrill it certainly was.
And to get the greatest thrill we could, we
decided to end our day on the double black
diamond (most difficult) Bobcat.
On an ordinary ski slope, a double black
diamond can often imply moguls, steepness and
ice, but Paoli’s double black diamond was even
more intimidating: it runs through a patch of trees.
Michael and I looked ahead onto the supremely
steep slope dotted with trees, ice patches and
roots. We decided we could turn back, but what
kind of story would that be later?
In we went, dodging branches and ice the whole
way down. It was by far the most challenging part
of our day, but as we emerged from the trees a
minute later, there was also a tremendous sense
of accomplishment. We headed back inside and
returned our gear – a painlessly quick process
– before meeting up with our crew at the Bully
Barn, a cozy bar in the lodge.
Over IPAs and chicken wings, we discussed
the day and even started making plans to come
back. In addition to skiing and snowboarding,
Paoli offers snow-tubing for those seeking a less
intense thrill, and we committed to checking that
out on our next visit.
On the sleepy drive home, I reflected on how
grateful I was to have such an amazingly unique
place in our community as Paoli Peaks. From
Charlie and Whitten who had never skied to Sara
who needed to familiarize herself and to me and
Michael who were total thrill-seekers, there truly
was something for everyone.
We all got exactly what we wanted out of our
day, which is another great aspect to Paoli: Your
experience can be anything you want it to be.
The staff is friendly and kind, and the whole
complex is easily navigable to be sure you get
to focus on the activities and not the rental and
chairlift process. And on top of all the fun, it’s
also a great workout.
As the Louisville skyline came back into view,
I remember thinking, “Man, my legs are going to
be sore tomorrow.” And I smiled at the thought.
I’d earned that at Paoli Peaks.