The pillowy softness of snow, the satisfying sound of skates on ice, the chill of crisp winter air, and the feeling of being free. I love winter sports. I still remember the first time I felt the adrenaline rush of skiing. I was six years old and had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but what I did know was that I had discovered my new favorite hobby. Nothing beats a solid downhill run, treacherous tree skiing, and terrain parks.
A few years later, I switched to snowboarding after mastering Northstar as a skier. Again, I had no idea what I was doing. I think I fell on my tailbone at least a hundred times because I could barely walk the next day. But it was the heart-racing exhilaration that made me continue snowboarding.
My appreciation for skiing and snowboarding transferred to my love for the Winter Olympics. Every four years, I get to spend an entire month watching figure skating drama unfold, inspiring Olympian (sob) stories, incredible big air, aerial, and half-pipe runs, and major surprises and upsets.
If I had to, I’d crown figure skating as my favorite sport to watch. The combination of ice dancing, amazing tricks, costumes, and drama is so entertaining.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to relive the Russian figure skating drama from 2022 or Alysa Liu’s remarkable comeback? Then, there’s the adorable pair’s romance stories. What’s not to love about figure skating?
And don’t get me started on Alpine skiing. Those athletes are actually insane. I mean, they ski at 70+ miles per hour (and I thought I was going fast). Just watching them whip down the mountain while navigating through the gates makes me want to get up and do something.
Now I know I said figure skating is my favorite, but big air and half-pipe are very close seconds. Genuinely, how is it humanly possible to turn 1800 degrees while flipping and then landing perfectly without falling? And don’t forget that some of the athletes are only 17 years old.
Not only are the sports cool to watch, but the athletes are what make the Olympics what they are. Look at Alysa Liu. She’s proving to athletes that their sport doesn’t have to consume their entire life. Elana Myers Taylor teaches people to stay strong even when faced with adversity. Ning Zhongyan shows athletes that improvement is always possible. These remarkable individuals are the heart and soul of the Olympic Games. I’m grateful to them for the entertainment and inspiration they provide.
Well, I guess it’s time to wait another four years for the next Winter Games.
