How is skiing enjoyable?

[Anonymous]

I skied once as a teen and hated it. Went again this past break and just the boots and skis alone felt like torture: my feet hurt so bad in them, the skis were so long my balance was off. I ended up crying and giving up. Why are boots so heavy and the skis that ridiculously awkward or is there an issue with me for finding this all so incredibly hard to manage?

[Anonymous]

It's not for everyone.

I tried in my early 20s and hated it. Came back to it a few years later and loved it. I'm a perpetual intermediate. I'll never push myself any further, because I'm afraid of getting injured. But I have come a long way and easy skiing on a beautiful day makes me really happy. A couple of things:

1.) I got a lot more fit between my first time and my second time. Even things like getting across the flat snow to the lift were easier the second time I tried, because I was stronger and fitter. Getting off the lift? MUCH easier when I was stronger.

2.) You might need to size up on the boots and down on the skis. Try going during a weekday, when the rental workers aren't too busy. They could help you try a couple of different sizes.

3.) Take a lesson. It will really help!

[Anonymous]

It's expensive
It's uncomfortable
It's inconvenient
It's hard
It's dangerous

But there's nothing better than a great powder run on a sunny day in beautiful mountains.

[Anonymous]

The glidey feeling on a beautiful day in a beautiful setting is very nice. I’m also an average skier but I ski well enough to get some pleasure.

[Anonymous]

It's super awkward until you're over the learning curve. Then you get a feel for how to move so you're not always tangled. Did you watch the experienced skiers? Do they look awkward or uncomfortable? You just need to get a feel for it.

[Anonymous]

Skiing is for two kinds of people:

1) People who grow up in snowy areas where skiing is really common and the barriers to entry for the sport basically don't exist. If you grow up in Vermont or Canada or certain places out West, you learn to ski as a kid on used equipment that was free or very cheap, on some little hill near town where all the kids learn. You get good quickly and by the time you're buying season passes and your own equipment, you know what you're doing and the investment is worth it because you will be able to go frequently and make the most of it. And you can do it even more cheaply if you want -- take a part time job at a resort for free passes, get your gear through friends for free or on the cheap.

2) Rich people who have the time and money to become competent at a hobby that requires them to spend thousands of dollars literally every time they go.

That's it! If you live in the DMV and don't already know how to ski, it will never make sense to learn because it will just take so much time and effort, and for what? Unless the bragging rights of your weekends at Breckenridge or whatever are worth it to you, there are lots of other really fun hobbies you could take up that make more sense for someone living in this area. Hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc. You are under no obligation to become a skier around here, so don't!

[Anonymous]

Paradoxically your boots probably need to be strapped tighter. You want pressure off your feet and to transfer all the movement to the skis. Put your boots on inside so the plastic is warm enough to wrap tight around your ankles.

Your skis should be a bit shorter as a beginner. If you rent and mark beginner they should ensure that.

Take private lessons on weekdays if possible for a continuous 4-5 day stretch.

Find a very wide beginner slope like at whitetail if local. Don’t try to start on narrow trail type runs even if they are greens. You’re actually better off on a wider, slightly steeper run even if it’s a blue as a beginner. Avoid snowshoe as the beginner slope at the top of the mountain is intimidating and uncomfortably windy and cold.

Alternatively you could try snowboarding! It’s less steep of an entry learn but harder to really excel at or so I’m told.

[Anonymous]

I love the speed of it and that feeling of flying. I also love the scenery. But I grew up in Massachusetts and it felt like everyone learned to ski. My teenage and early college years were spent going up to friends' houses in NH and skiing.

Now, I need someone to explain how the hell people enjoy running!!

[Anonymous]

Custom fit boots and proper skis and private lessons and beautiful Alps scenery and outstanding apres ski and heated dry gloves each morning, etc etc, all help.

[Anonymous]

It’s not for everyone but for me, the feeling of gliding, the quiet, the views…it’s very zen for me. Then finishing it off with an apres ski!

I learned as an adult so understand the awkward phase. But once you’re past it, there’s nothing like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skiing is for two kinds of people:

1) People who grow up in snowy areas where skiing is really common and the barriers to entry for the sport basically don't exist. If you grow up in Vermont or Canada or certain places out West, you learn to ski as a kid on used equipment that was free or very cheap, on some little hill near town where all the kids learn. You get good quickly and by the time you're buying season passes and your own equipment, you know what you're doing and the investment is worth it because you will be able to go frequently and make the most of it. And you can do it even more cheaply if you want -- take a part time job at a resort for free passes, get your gear through friends for free or on the cheap.

2) Rich people who have the time and money to become competent at a hobby that requires them to spend thousands of dollars literally every time they go.

That's it! If you live in the DMV and don't already know how to ski, it will never make sense to learn because it will just take so much time and effort, and for what? Unless the bragging rights of your weekends at Breckenridge or whatever are worth it to you, there are lots of other really fun hobbies you could take up that make more sense for someone living in this area. Hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc. You are under no obligation to become a skier around here, so don't!

I learned here in my thirties. Mainly whitetail and then snowshoe with the season pass deal for twelve people. There aren’t many sports that get you outside in winter. It’s quite magical when you ski down a quiet run through a forest with good snowpack. Obviously that’s not too common in the mid Atlantic due to crowds and weather but it happens just enough to get you addicted. Later when I skied out west it was much easier since it’s less icy (Utah is great.). Getting outdoor exercise in winter is important for mental health I think.

[Anonymous]

I love it. Im intermediate and teaching my 8 year old. Its one of the few activities thats completely encompassing for me and clears my brain. Cant thing about work, kids, chores. Anything while speeding down the mountain trying to keep good fork and not crashing into people/trees. I learned as a kid and dont find it awkward. Walking in the boots and carrying skis is annoying but manageable. I now walk and carry my own and all my kids stuff.
I hate running and swimming and do some yoga but my body is bot coordinated enough. I do pilates though the core strength really helps skiing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skiing is for two kinds of people:

1) People who grow up in snowy areas where skiing is really common and the barriers to entry for the sport basically don't exist. If you grow up in Vermont or Canada or certain places out West, you learn to ski as a kid on used equipment that was free or very cheap, on some little hill near town where all the kids learn. You get good quickly and by the time you're buying season passes and your own equipment, you know what you're doing and the investment is worth it because you will be able to go frequently and make the most of it. And you can do it even more cheaply if you want -- take a part time job at a resort for free passes, get your gear through friends for free or on the cheap.

2) Rich people who have the time and money to become competent at a hobby that requires them to spend thousands of dollars literally every time they go.

That's it! If you live in the DMV and don't already know how to ski, it will never make sense to learn because it will just take so much time and effort, and for what? Unless the bragging rights of your weekends at Breckenridge or whatever are worth it to you, there are lots of other really fun hobbies you could take up that make more sense for someone living in this area. Hiking, kayaking, swimming, etc. You are under no obligation to become a skier around here, so don't!

I’m #1 but grew up in Milwaukee and learned to ski at a ski hill that was literally a former landfill, supplemented by a couple of long weekends to the UP every year.

[Anonymous]

I don't think I'd get much enjoyment out of it if I started late in life and didn't have the skill set I have. I'm willing to spend a lot of money on it because there's nothing more thrilling than a great powder day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I'd get much enjoyment out of it if I started late in life and didn't have the skill set I have. I'm willing to spend a lot of money on it because there's nothing more thrilling than a great powder day.

I only tried it because my ds loves it. He is somehow a great skier and can do black diamond ski runs. We go every year for a few days and I normally just don't even try, but I thought I should be brave and give it a go this time. We got fitted when the rental place was totally empty and staff were great, measured my feet so I know everything fit just fine: the problem was me, I was on the bunny hill crying like an idiot!