Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

Ski helmet

March 19, 2009 by Helena Halme 3 Comments

A couple of years ago I went skiing with friends to Åre in Sweden. Though not with me, my partner made me promise I’d wear a helmet. Had he not insisted, I’m sure I would have declined as the thing really didn’t flatter.

As you can see from Exhibit No 1.

Two weeks ago in Lapland I knew I wouldn’t get away without one, but again I put up a fight in the ski hire shop. My partner reminded me of the first time we went skiing.

It was twenty or more years ago, again in Lapland, but on a much smaller mountainside near Rovaniemi. I’d only skied cross country since childhood, but by the end of the day, I’d got the hang of it, and was happily making my way down the nursery slope. Then a guy coming out of nowhere ran me over. He was on a pair of cross country skis and had no means of turning or stopping and was at the bottom of the hillside before I pulled myself up.

Since then I’ve been careful not to fall, or ski very fast, arguments which I now put forward to avoid the bloody headgear.

‘It’s not what you do, it’s what others can do to you. All it takes is a tip of someone else’s ski on your head…’

I conceded and put the thing on.

‘You’ll see – I won’t fall once all week!’

This comment got just a glance. Men are so infuriating sometimes. Especially when they are right.

Suddenly on our last day after lunch (with only one beer) I started falling over. Nothing serious, just a tumble of two. I put it down to having relaxed and increased my speed at the end of the holiday.

But my helmet had been bothering me all week. It was uncomfortable and I looked like a Soviet astronaut wearing it. The strap at the bottom was strangling me and as I adjusted it the thing broke. Not bothering to tell anyone (my friends held the same opinion about helmet wearing as partner and would have marched me into the ski shop to change the damned thing), I left the straps undone.

Our friends, who had the cabin in Lapland, had gone home. It was late afternoon and our last run. My partner wanted to do the ‘fun piste’ and we parted, me deciding to take one last run down my favourite piste in Ylläs. Half way down I lost control of my right ski, tried to correct myself and fell awkwardly back against the mountain. My head hit the hard surface, and my helmet flew down the piste. I lost one ski. My head hurt but my first instinct was to check if anyone had seen me fall. Cursing, I hobbled towards the other ski and helmet, managed to put myself together and gently, my legs shaking, made my way down to the lift. All I could think was what would have happened if I’d lost the helmet before I hit my head on the ground. Or if I hadn’t been wearing one at all.

Recounting the accident to the waiting partner I had to eat humble pie, or Baked Alaska.

Falling over on a skiing holiday is almost part of the fun. I wouldn’t even have thought about it, had it not been for poor Natasha Richardson’s fate. Of course we do not know if she was wearing a helmet or not.

You may also like:

Helena Halme Books is open New Book Trials and Tribulations Books Set in Scandinavia It’s Publication Day

Comments

  1. Jaana says

    March 19, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    She was not wearing a helmet and she fell on a nursery slope!
    I am keeping my helmet on even though it messes my hair up.
    No time for vanity if you want to live.

    Obviously the stylish alternative is to go straight to after ski….

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    March 19, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    I agree re the after ski, might consider skipping the downhill altogether next time…

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    March 19, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    The really annoying thing about men, is that they are sometimes right. Why are they always portrayed as “Stupid Simon” in sitcoms?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Pre-order offer

To Melt A Frozen Heart now 0.99 on pre-order

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

NEW NOVEL

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter romance, To Melt A Frozen Heart, is now on pre-order!
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart is Book 1 in a new series, titled, The Anderssons.  In the first novel in the series, we meet  Kat Andersson, a passionate environmentalist TV producer. Heartbroken after a devastating betrayal by those whom she most trusted in her life, she travels to Lapland, where she meets – and immediately hates – Mikael Hult, a ski instructor from a wealthy Finnish mining family.
💙
Here’s the full blurb:
When trust is betrayed by those closest to you, can love still find its way?

Kat, a TV producer nursing a shattered heart from a celebrity chef's betrayal, seeks refuge in Lapland. There, she crosses paths with Mikael, a Finnish ski instructor from a wealthy mining dynasty.

Their worlds collide like ice and fire, yet an irresistible attraction blooms. Kat, an ardent vegan and environmental advocate, has sworn off holiday romances. Mikael embodies everything she detests about privilege: fast cars, inherited wealth, and disregard for the environment.

But destiny has other plans. When disaster strikes in Lapland's pristine wilderness, Kat and Mikael find themselves drawn together. In their struggle for survival, they uncover shared values and a connection they never expected.

Will Kat's heart thaw, granting her a second chance at love, or will it remain frozen forever? 

To Melt A Frozen Heart whisks you from London's bustling streets to Lapland's enchanting landscapes, where the Northern Lights and twinkling stars illuminate Kat and Mikael’s path.
💙
You can now pre-order the eBook version of To Melt A Frozen Heart from your favourite store for just $0.99. This is a time-sensitive offer, so if you want to read my next novel, Book 1 in a brand new series, as soon as it hits the virtual shelves go to my profile or here: helenahalmebooks.com to secure your copy.
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart will be out on 30 November 2023, at which point the price will go up to $4.99. 
💙❄️📘📖
Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @moss Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @mossymummy . Now wonderfully energized, I’m at my desk with coffee (naturally), running through the first edits of my Lapland book (cover and title reveal coming soon - watch this space 👀). 
I hope your week has kicked off well too!
☕️📘🤸‍♂️❤️
I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry toma I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry tomato plant, but not so many from the ‘big’ one. It’s very satisfying to eat fruit from your own #London balcony though! 🍅🪴
There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

PRE-ORDER OFFER

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in