Anonymous wrote: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?

I agree with what people have written about learning when young and why they enjoy skiing.

I have a lot of experience skiing but the first time I returned to it after a long period away (early 30s), I had really bad rental boots for two days. Plus the conditions were icy and that put extra stress on my knees and ankles. I was miserable for two days and then went back to the rental counter and got a different model of boot in the same numeric size. That saved the vacation.

I think boots are the first area to address, then shorter skis, then lessons. To have fun, you need to be comfortable with the equipment and then to maximize control and minimize falling. Then, try to go only when the weather conditions are pleasant.

If you skied a lot, you would learn what kind of runs are fun and which are not based on your style.

My favorite ski resort is Nub's Nob in Michigan. It's a small independent resort that is family friendly. I've had more fun there than I've had in Vermont (Sugarbush, Mt. Ellen, Stowe with limited trails open), Western PA, or Canaan Valley. I grew up skiing in the Sierras at all the major resorts.
I like a decently long run but not descending all the way from a giant summit. I like greens and blues and gliding gracefully and smoothly at a modest speed that feels like whizzing down the slopes but is controlled. I do not like slopes that are steep, fast, or moguled. Skiing is actually the only sport that I've continued since childhood and that I'm any good at, so I prioritize spending accordingly.

I don't ski anymore but, back in the day when I was young, down hill skiing was like dancing! I loved it!

OP, I didn't feel that way until after taking lessons and getting better at it. If you're determined to do it, take lessons and keep at it. However, I can't see myself doing it now. The knees are a mess and I've been living in the Mid-Atlantic for too long. I'm no longer in love with winter!

It isn't enjoyable for everyone. For me it is my favorite sport - I don't mind the cold as long as it isn't too extreme, I am an expert skier and feel confident on just about any run so never worry about getting in over my head (although I won't jump off cliffs), I like talking to people on the lift, I like going fast and being challenged in moguls, and I like the vibe of ski areas.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I love it when we’re at a beautiful lodge in the Alps and DH and the kids head off to ski.

There is no greater pleasure than taking off your boots at the end of a good day skiing. Second greatest pleasure is then getting in the hot tub.

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 agree. I am someone that grew up with easy access (down the street) and it was relatively cheap to it so it was just of life, started when I was 3. Ended up living in mountain towns out west for 7 years after college. 0% chance I would have learned as an adult - no more easy access, would have been expensive to learn and quite frankly I would have been scared. I am thrilled I know how, and I'm good, because it's the main thing we can do actively as a family. I can go fast with little fear, everything else in my life is pretty much the opposite. The fact I can ski fast and aggressively REALLY surprises people. We have made an effort to ensure DS started at an early age as well, even though we have to drive an hour to a literal landfill for him to get any skiing in, for all of the same reasons I listed.

I think the skier type 1 vs 2 description is pretty accurate, but disagree it’s not worth trying to learn if you’re older. If you learn as an adult, you have to manage expectations and know you’re not going to be come an expert only skiing a couple days a season. Becoming competent enough to skis greens and some easier blues can be enough to enjoy a day on the mountain.

I currently live with easy access to a ski place. My ski experience prior to living here was a couple times as a kid and early 20s in the midAtlantic. It took a couple seasons for me to get the nerve to try again, but now love it. My late elementary/middle school kids all ski way better than me. I’m so glad I finally overcame my hesitation and got them out there at early ages. We have passes and all the gear, but they’re focused on other winter sports so we don’t go nearly enough. A bluebird day after a big storm is pure bliss, especially if it’s during the week or a highway is closed so it’s a “locals day.” I can see how people become hooked. Unfortunately my husband has no interest, so ski vacations are out.

Anonymous wrote:It's expensive
It's uncomfortable
It's inconvenient
It's hard
It's dangerous

+1 to the bolded, and I feel the same about ice skating. Snow sports are not for me.

I understand the attraction of some things despite danger and expense (I ride horses) but I really appreciate the other PP acknowledging that if you didn't already grow up doing it, it's probably not for you.

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!

Such a stupid comment. I learned at 40, taking lessons for a week in Utah. My whole family likes to ski, and it's a great family vacation. The notion that we do it for bragging rights is absurd, and says more about you than anything else. Also, kayaking, hiking an swimming are summer activities.

Adrenaline, I love going fast and being outdoors in settings I don't usually get to be in. Occasionally, I have a terrible time and vow not to go again but I start to miss it all over again and the bad days are usually rare (due to steep slushy crowded runs)

I have never understood it at all, but I hate being physically uncomfortable unless it is in the gym. Going down a hill fast is not worth any of the time, effort, cold, risk, or money for me at all.

I can get the views in other ways too.

And my god the lodge. The effing lodge and the smug and pushy and loud skiiers in them. Hate.

Yes I grew up skiiing via family/peer pressure but realized when I was a teen I don't have to do this if I don't want to. So I stopped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

There's no requirement that you ski difficult runs in order to have fun. I've never moved off of greens and blues and still enjoy skiing. I go 1-2 times a year with my family and enjoy being outside and active. There's just a learning curve to become competent with the equipment, especially as an adult.

I think that's right. All you really need to learn is the basics to ski greens, and you can enjoy a day skiing. I mostly ski blues and the occasional black, and have no real desire to push myself beyond that level.

But, I'll agree it can be tougher in an area like the DMV to get enough skiing in to get past the initial learning curve. The season is short and the local ski areas are often crowded. It's more of an effort than if you live in a place like Denver, and have a number of world-class options 2 hours away.

Anonymous wrote:

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!

There's no requirement that you ski difficult runs in order to have fun. I've never moved off of greens and blues and still enjoy skiing. I go 1-2 times a year with my family and enjoy being outside and active. There's just a learning curve to become competent with the equipment, especially as an adult.

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Did you get the lesson? Lessons are key!

It’s an extreme investment to learn in your 40s, at least it has been for me. The learning phase is not fun.