Outdoor Adventure & Exploration – B2 English Listening Exercise

9 silver mining 10 low humidity 11 community 12 boots

13 tree runs 14 elk 15 art galleries

16 wind power 17 mountain biking 18 fitness centre

Marcus: Hi everyone, I’m Marcus, and I’m a professional ski instructor. Today, I’m going to share some insights about skiing in a place that is highly synonymous with the outdoor pursuit: the resort town of Aspen, Colorado.

People often assume Aspen was always a holiday destination, or perhaps started out based around farming. But actually, it was silver mining that first brought settlers here in the late nineteenth century. You can still see the historic Victorian buildings from that era downtown.

Of course, nowadays, people come for the winter sports. The snow here is legendary. You might think it’s purely down to the high altitude, which is definitely a factor, but what truly creates that perfect, dry powder we are famous for is the surprisingly low humidity we get in this region. It makes the snow incredibly light.

Because it’s such a prestigious resort, Aspen is definitely synonymous with wealth and glamour. The media loves to focus on the celebrities who holiday here. However, for those of us who live here year-round, it’s the strong sense of community that makes it so special, rather than the famous faces. People look out for each other here.

If you’re coming to Aspen to learn to ski, getting the right equipment is crucial. When beginners ask for advice on gear, they usually expect me to say they should invest heavily in the latest skis or a thick jacket. Instead, I always insist that getting properly fitted boots is where they should spend their money. If your feet hurt, your whole day is ruined.

Aspen actually consists of four distinct mountains, each offering something different. Many advanced skiers head straight for the steep cliffs to show off, while novices tend to stick to the wide, groomed trails. For my own personal skiing, though, the tree runs are absolutely where I spend most of my time. They offer such a peaceful, quiet challenge away from the crowds.

While you’re out there, you’re completely surrounded by nature. In the summer, you have to be careful of black bears, but during the winter ski season, those are hibernating. Instead, you’re much more likely to spot elk wandering right near the edge of the snowy slopes. It’s always a majestic sight.

Obviously, you can’t ski every single day without getting exhausted. If you want a day off the mountain, there’s plenty to do. The high-end shopping boutiques get a lot of foot traffic, but I find that the art galleries offer a much more enriching afternoon. We have some incredible exhibitions in town.

Now, it’s no secret that the ski industry uses a lot of energy, so environmental sustainability is a massive priority here. They’ve put recycling bins everywhere, of course, but the biggest ecological impact comes from the fact that the ski lifts are now entirely run on wind power. It’s a great step forward for the resort.

Working in a ski town means adapting to the seasons. When the snow melts, the tourists change, and some ski instructors take up restaurant work to get by. I wanted to stay outdoors, so I decided to get certified in mountain biking, so I teach that all summer long until the snow returns.

Looking ahead, Aspen continues to evolve to meet the needs of its residents and guests. There were rumors about another luxury hotel going up near the mountain base, but the town council actually approved a state-of-the-art fitness centre for local athletes instead. It’s an exciting time to be here, and I hope you all get to visit someday!

9 adventure 10 boots 11 grey spots 12 pine forest

13 jellyfish 14 balance 15 plastic bag

16 left shoulder 17 soft sand 18 riding lessons

Liam: Hi everyone. My name’s Liam, and I want to share a rather eventful experience I had during my family holiday to the coast last month. Most of my friends just want relaxation on holiday, or maybe a bit of sightseeing, but I was looking for a real adventure. So, when I saw a sign for beach horseback riding, I signed up immediately.

When I arrived at the stables, I had to sort out my gear. I was given a safety helmet by the staff, of course. I’d brought my own gloves, but I actually had to borrow a pair of boots because my trainers weren’t suitable for riding. Once I was kitted out, I was introduced to my horse. I was hoping for a tall black horse, or maybe a brown one, but I was introduced to a smaller pony with grey spots all over his coat. His name was Barnaby, and he seemed very friendly.

To reach the shoreline, we didn’t go over the sand dunes as I’d originally expected, nor did we pass by the cliffs. Instead, our guide led us through a thick pine forest which opened right out onto the beach. It was a stunning way to start the ride.

Riding along the water’s edge was spectacular. The sound of the waves was so peaceful. I kept an eye out for crabs in the shallows, and there were plenty of seagulls overhead, but it was a massive jellyfish washed up on the sand that really caught my attention. I’d never seen one that size before!

For the first twenty minutes, we just walked at a leisurely pace. When the guide told us we could go a bit faster, I wasn’t worried about my strength. I thought my confidence was high enough too, but maintaining my balance as the horse started trotting proved to be quite tricky. You really have to move in rhythm with the animal.

Everything was going fine until something spooked Barnaby. It wasn’t a barking dog or a sudden loud noise from a boat, but rather a blue plastic bag that blew across our path in the wind. Barnaby didn’t like it one bit and suddenly stepped sideways. I tried to grip with my knees, and leaned back to stay on, but gravity won. I tumbled off, landing squarely on my left shoulder.

For a split second, I’d been worried about hitting the shallow water or, worse, some hidden rocks. Fortunately, I was thrown onto a patch of incredibly soft sand, which completely cushioned my fall. It yielded perfectly under my weight, so I wasn’t hurt at all, just a bit embarrassed!

The guide was very apologetic and rushed over to help me up, but I just laughed it off. I brushed the sand off my clothes and climbed right back into the saddle. I wouldn’t go as far as buying a horse of my own just yet, but I’ve definitely decided to invest in some riding lessons when I get back home to improve my skills. It was a brilliant day out, despite the unexpected dismount!