RAW interview Ivan

Getting to Know Ivan: A Journey from Colombia to Canada

Background and Move to Canada

• Ivan shares his background, mentioning he moved from Colombia to Montreal 12 years ago at the age of 19 for university studies at McGill.

• He reflects on the differences between snowy mountains in Colombia and Canada, noting that Colombian mountains are protected and not accessible for skiing.

First Skiing Experience

• Ivan recounts his first skiing experience during a student gathering at Mont Tremblant, where he felt nervous as a beginner among experienced skiers.

• He expresses how skiing has become an obsession for him over the years, emphasizing its importance in making winter enjoyable.

Embracing Risks and New Experiences

• Ivan discusses the perception of skiing as dangerous but embraces it as part of taking risks in life, paralleling his move to Canada with trying new activities like learning French.

• He mentions friends who were seasoned skiers and how their experiences influenced him; also highlights learning from his ex-boyfriend who was a professional skier.

Learning Curve and Improvement

• Ivan acknowledges the challenges of being a beginner skier, including falling often and needing patience from more experienced friends.

• He emphasizes that practice is key to improvement in skiing, recalling how he accidentally ended up on a black diamond run during his first attempt.

Transitioning from Nervousness to Excitement

• Initially feeling nervous at the top of mountains, Ivan now experiences excitement instead. The overwhelming scenery no longer intimidates him.

• He describes skiing as an adrenaline rush that becomes more enjoyable with skill development; mastering something previously difficult brings immense satisfaction.

The Social Aspect of Skiing

• Ivan notes that while challenging runs can still induce some fear, controlling one's thoughts is crucial for success in skiing.

• He concludes by highlighting the social aspect of skiing trips with friends as an essential part of why he enjoys the sport so much.

Skiing Adventures and Winter Experiences

Embracing Winter Activities

• The speaker discusses the importance of breaking up winter with skiing trips, emphasizing that winter can be overwhelming and it's essential to find special moments to enjoy.

• The speaker expresses a desire to try snowboarding, noting that while it may be harder initially, it becomes easier to master compared to skiing, which is easier at first but takes longer to perfect.

• Skiing has significantly improved the speaker's experience of living in Canada, contrasting the long winters there with the lack of winter in Colombia.

• The speaker highlights the need for adventure during winter months to avoid falling into negative habits associated with staying indoors due to cold weather.

• Skiing is portrayed as a source of happiness and excitement, providing heartwarming adventures with friends amidst challenging winter conditions.

Getting Started with Skiing

• The speaker reflects on how skiing brings joy and excitement while also acknowledging some fear associated with it; they are currently enjoying skiing in Komo.

• Renting equipment is recommended for beginners since skiing can be expensive; most mountains offer rental services for gear like boots and skis.

• Newcomers are encouraged that even without prior knowledge of skiing or snowboarding, rental spaces will assist them in getting started effectively.