Do you ski?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I just came back from a trip to Colorado, during which we spent a couple of days skiing in Steamboat Springs. (Very nice place, by the way!) Despite a day of lessons, I didn’t get very good at skiing. The one time the instructor forced me off the bunny slope, I knocked someone over as I zoomed down the hill like a rocket. I then panicked, fell, skidded, lost my poles, stopped, took my skis off, and walked the rest of the way down. Never let it be said that I don’t know when to quit!

Anyway, the next day was more fun. We didn’t have a lesson, so I stayed on the beginners slope all day long and had a good time sliding down. I didn’t hit anyone and I only fell twice; however, I think it would be misleading to say that I improved.

Later we rode the gondola to the top of the mountain and I was amazed to see all the people and little kids skiing the steeper slopes. Everyone looked like Olympians.

Overall, it was…okay. The sliding down part was nice, although it was overshadowed by the part where you clamp the horrid heavy boots on your feet and go walking around like Frankenstein, clutching long slippery skis and poles, alternately pouring sweat or freezing your nose off.

Anyway, I suspect my husband will make me do it again someday, so please tell me some of your experiences while I mull that over!

2

I’ve only had one skiing lesson in my entire life. Basically, I learned how to use other skiiers to slow my descent.

What I discovered, however, is that skiing is easy. As long as the skis are pointing downhill… well, like it or not, I’m skiing! The tricky part was learning how to stop skiing.

In a manner that did not involve trees or a wall, that is.

3

First time kinda sucks. My “friends” took me to the backside of Mary Jane, pointed me down a blue (Edelweiss, I believe), and left. I fell down every 20 feet for several miles, but once I got the hang of it (as you did on the second day) it was a lot of fun. The first season is more a matter of learning how to steer, stop, and stay up. I do know people around here who never really get the hang of skiing, and if you’re not having fun you aren’t going to keep at it long enough to figure it out, I suspect.

I don’t know how well it works if you don’t keep at it, and so you probably should listen to someone who lives more that 45 minutes from a slope.

4

My very first time skiing, I managed to launch myself over the plastic orange safety fence at the bottom of the baby hill and plant myself face-first in a snowbank with my skis flailing behind me.

The next day, attempting skiing of the cross-country variety, I skidded on some ice and gave myself a concussion when I hit the back of my head on a nice sturdy maple.

I’m never going skiing again.

5

Cross-country only, and not eagerly.

6

Yep! Or at least, I used to. In the past few years I haven’t been on the mountains much at all.

I grew up here in VT, and learned fairly young. In middle school there was an after-school program that bussed us up to a local mountain once a week in the winter for night skiing.

I am/was pretty good, and while I never got the hang of jumps and such, I’d fly down most slopes with ease.

In '97 (I think) I went with my dad and friends to Utah and skiied at Alta for a week. It was the best skiing of my life, facilitated by the fact that we had 125" of snow in the five days we were there (yes, an average of 25" of accumulation each day). At least three times we had to head out late because they had locked everyone in the lodge while they blasted to prevent avalanches.

Anyway, it was phenomenal, and since then, I’ve maybe been skiing six times. Partly because we’ve had (in my opinion) many years of unpredictable and sub-optimal weather, partly because I’ve been very busy in the winters, and partly because it’s gotten more and more expensive to buy lift tickets, and since I’m now an ‘adult,’ I don’t have my dad to buy my tickets and drive me to the slopes. :slight_smile:

It’s hard to feel good about spending $50 bucks to stand in lift lines in the cold, and then ski down icy trails.

7

I started in Jr. High, so have been enjoying it for 30 years or so. It actually is very much like riding a bicycle, not just in it’s ease but also in it’s mechanics. The key is in weight transfer from one leg to another. Once you’ve got that, everything else will start to fall into place and it’ll be less work and more fun.

What’s staggering to me now are the technological advances that seem to come along every few years. Equipment is so good now; you stay warmer with less bulk, the boots are more comfortable and the skiis turn with less effort.

I can’t imagine ever not skiing. Despite dislocating my shoulder this year in a fall I can’t wait to get back up there again. No doubt when I’m 70 I’ll still be out there, hopefully giving encouragement to some grandkids!

8

All the time for the past 30 years - Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine mostly, but I’ve been out to Jackson Hole a few times - no big thing, and Whistler in BC. Loved Whistler, and hated JH.

I telemark when my knees are feeling up to it, but lately it’s been me and my Elans heading down. Was at Stowe recently and loved it, will most likely be back there soon, there or Sunday River - though my favorite in the east is Jay Peak.

9

[QUOTE=lieu]

What’s staggering to me now are the technological advances that seem to come along every few years. Equipment is so good now; you stay warmer with less bulk, the boots are more comfortable and the skiis turn with less effort.
[/QUOTE]

Actually, I hear that the latest are “relativistic” skis, where you stay perfectly still and the mountain moves around you. :slight_smile:

10

I’m usually a try everything once kind of person. But for me, skiing falls into the same category as motorcycles and skydiving: too dangerous for the amount of fun I would likely get.

With only one or two exceptions, everyone I know who skis has had a major injury (I consider broken bones serious).

I’m sure it’s fun, but I’ll be staying away from it. Too risky. Perhaps you’ll think that’s an odd thing for an aerobatic pilot to say - but I’m pretty certain that I (as in me personally - not necessarily other people) am safer in my airplane than I would be on a slope.

11

I used to telemark. Not any more. Just lost interest. Seems like more work than it’s worth.

Where I live, I’m pretty much surrounded by world class ski areas. There are 4 in this county alone.

I’ll snow shoe or x-country ski though.

12

[QUOTE=Phlosphr]
All the time for the past 30 years - Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine mostly, but I’ve been out to Jackson Hole a few times - no big thing, and Whistler in BC. Loved Whistler, and hated JH.

[/QUOTE]

We skied at Whistler on our honeymoon, and it was very nice, although big and crowded. We also had a look at Lake Louise, but I refused to do any more skiing that trip. That was my first time. At this rate, (two days once a year), I don’t think I’m going to get any better at skiing. My goal is to not hurt anyone.

13

Yes, I live close to Whiteface Mountain and used to go up every weekend or so (now I live a bit further away and can’t make it so often).

First time skiers, don’t let your experienced friends say “Come up with us, we’ll show you how to do it!”

They’ll show you a couple basics then look longingly up to the upper trails of the mountain and head off away from the bunny slope as soon as they can. Hey, they’re there to ski too and you can’t blame them for wanting to run off and hit some nice runs before it all gets scraped off in the afternoon. Go get lessons and get to know a couple other people in the demo class… ask them if you could do a few runs on the bunny slope with them. You’ll have fun learning rather than doing the class alone (BOOOOORRRRRINNNNNGG) and you’ll meet some new people.

Second… Wear a SKI helmet (you’d be shocked… I’ve seen people put on bike helmets). No matter how experienced you are you will crash. As a beginner its easy to accidently pick up some speed and panic… causing you to meet a tree or fence or whatever. This will most likely end your day and your interest in the sport. I’ve hit jumps wrong and hit my head on ice that should’ve knocked me out (or even killed or given me a MAJOR injury) right away. Instead I had a light headache for 10 minutes.

Make sure your skis are adjusted for your body weight and that you’ve chosen the right ones for your skills. Usually rental guys are good about this. Sometimes they’re not. First time skiers, straight skis, not shaped. Easier to manuver for beginners. Don’t be vain about your weight when listing it on the form. If the skis are not adjusted properly they might not pop off if you crash or get them caught on something. This results in a broken or sprained ankle. If they pop off all ya gotta do is laugh at yourself and walk back up to where you crashed and pick them up.

Dress well. Layers. Gloves and snowpants. A neckwarmer. Going at any speed will make it seem pretty damn cold with the windchill. Use those little handwarmers (they have them for your toes too… cold feet and skiing REALLY sucks). They’re awesome.

That’s about all I can think of for advice to beginners… Its fun. Don’t let one bad day scare you off… A ski instructer friend of mine use to say “Imagine giving up learning how to drive after stalling once or twice on a hill. Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

14

I snowboard… badly.

This is my second year of trying to learn it. I’ve got lots of opportunities, where I live now- there’s a great mountain just twenty minutes away. I try to go every weekend.

I just wish my feet would stop cramping, though. I can barely make a full run down without having to stop and remove my boots for a bit. Every boot I’ve tried has done this to me- the ones I’ve got now (Burton Motos) are almost perfect, but I feel like I need some more heel support, as toeside turns, especially if I need to traverse the mountain for any length of time, is agony. I tried a boot insert, but with those in, the boot was way too tight (and I’m already wearing a full size larger than my normal shoe size).

Still, though- when I’m not in pain, it’s fun. I just wish I’d had the chance to learn it when I was a kid- at 38, it feels like it’s all uphill (instead of downhill).

15

The first time I skied was on my 8th grade class trip. Six weeks later, when the cast came off and I could finally get rid of the crutches, I decided I’d probably had enough of that particular activity.

Fast-forward 15 years to when I begin dating the woman I would eventually marry. She was an avid skier, so it was back onto the slopes for me. Better results that time…my ankles were killing me by the end of the day, but I can say I had fun.

We only got to go twice before my wife blew out her knee (non-skiing-related accident). She’s rehabbed enough to where she could probably get on the slopes again…maybe when The Littlest Briston is a not quite so little.

16

The way to ski, is to pretend you are ice skating or rollerskating.
You just have to forget about your ankles entirely and you knees in general and lift your legs with your hips. Once you can do that, the boots no longer fight you and you don’t get the feeling that your legs are being strained.

17

I loooooove to ski. Love it.
My wife, however, enjoys it much less because she can’t seem to keep her ankles from swelling in the boots, and she is terrified of driving in the snow, or near snow, or thinking of snow while driving. (Advice: don’t drive in the snow in a rear-wheel drive pickup.)
I found it easy to learn, but I now use an older pair of ski boards (aka snowblades), which are great on packed poweder, but so horrible in deep powder I can’t keep up with my good snowboarder friend.

18

[QUOTE=Mach Tuck]
I’m usually a try everything once kind of person. But for me, skiing falls into the same category as motorcycles and skydiving: too dangerous for the amount of fun I would likely get.

With only one or two exceptions, everyone I know who skis has had a major injury (I consider broken bones serious).

I’m sure it’s fun, but I’ll be staying away from it. Too risky. Perhaps you’ll think that’s an odd thing for an aerobatic pilot to say - but I’m pretty certain that I (as in me personally - not necessarily other people) am safer in my airplane than I would be on a slope.
[/QUOTE]

I think your friends’ experience is unusually severe. I skied a few times in high school, and I was not injured. Thirty years later, I skied once last year and once this year, with another trip scheduled in the spring. No injuries - to me or to anyone in my party. And let me assure you I am about the least athletic and least graceful person you are likely to meet. Nobody would mistake me for Fred Astaire, and some would mistake me for Jabba the Hutt, but I can ski.

I think lessons are EXTREMELY important. Lessons from trained, professional instructors. I’ve taken lessons nearly every time I’ve skiied. A co-worker of mine had his friends teach him the first time he went, and he tore 3 of the 4 ligaments in one knee. He’ll never ski again, and I don’t blame him.

You took lessons before you flew the first time, didn’t you? Skiing is not a natural thing, you have to learn it.

It’s also fun! I get a nice feeling of accomplishment when I finish a run, particularly if I don’t fall much. (That whole not-Fred-Astaire thing!) There can be lovely views from the trails, even on the beginner trails. When I skied last week I had to make a point of stopping before I enjoyed the views - I have enough trouble skiing when I have my full attention on that task.

There are definitely risks to skiing. I know someone who got hurt. I’ve heard of other people getting hurt. Back in high school when a friend of mine and I tried teaching a third friend how to ski, I’m amazed nobody got hurt. (What the heck were we thinking? :eek: Oh, wait, we were in high school - by definition we weren’t thinking :smack: )

Skiing can also be very frustrating to learn. You fall down A LOT, and into cold wet snow. :frowning: When it’s cold outside. Then you have to get up with these big things on your feet. :mad: Lessons and practice help a lot - particularly if you’re as un-athletic as I am. It was worth it for me before too long, back when I was a pup.

On the other hand, on that day trip last week my two hour lesson wiped me out. Typo the Hutt was done for the day after that. Sucks to be old and flabby. Maybe I’ll have some pie to feel better :wink:

All of my comments are about downhill skiing. I’ve never been cross-country skiing, and since Mama Zappa has knee issues, I probably never will.

19

[QUOTE=Dung Beetle]
took my skis off, and walked the rest of the way down.
[/QUOTE]

I thought I was the only one that did that!

Back in – let’s see – 1/1/99, there was this chick I liked. She and some friends were going up to Killington for the weekend. I decided to go along. Two of our group had never seen snow before, nor had they ever spent any time in the cold. It was 17 below when we got there.

I and the two newbies took a lesson. Then we had fun on the bunny slope. We all agreed that we were ready for a real hill, albeit one of the smaller ones. It really didn’t look that challenging. From the bottom.

From the top, the angle of the slope magically changed to approximately 89 degrees. And all of the trees grew teeth and fists. After contemplating this odd change in circumstances (as well as pee freezing to my leg), I decided that it was a lovely day for a walk.

A few people laughed at me, but the patrol guy I met on the way down proclaimed me to be the smartest person on the hill. He even gave me a coupon for a free first lesson.

I never used it.

20

I should add that I’ve done extensive cross country. I don’t anymore because it’s pretty difficult in a city.