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?

rental equipment is not the best, especially the boots and if you have more difficult to fit feet that can make it even worse. If your boots fit well they shouldn't be painful. Yes, all skiers are happy to take them off at the end of the day, but they aren't in tears wearing them. They should have also given you short skis because they are easier turn and manage for a beginner.

Did you take a lesson? Way too often I see people just going with their friend who are good skiers because they think they can teach them, but this never goes well. I have seen way too many "friends" convince their new skiing friend to go down a slope they thing is "no big deal" when in fact it is terrifying for a beginner. I can't blame them for quitting after that.

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 completely disagree.

I learned to ski in this area (whitetail and liberty) at the age of 42 and over 4 year I have become pretty darn good. I was hesitant to learn after trying it a few times in my teens and not liking it, but my husband and kids started snowboarding and the kids were begging me to come with them. I quickly feel in love with skiing and love that it gives my family a way to spend time together in the winter. We spent a ton of time on the slopes my first ski season, winter 2020-2021 when there was nothing else to do because most kids activities were still cancelled. It was a great way to get out side all winter long. It has also been really cool to show my kids it's never to later to try something new and to see my kids cheering me on as I progressed. We take one trip out west every year and it is my favorite week of the year and no, it's not because I love the "bragging rights", not sure why people on here always assume that people only take certain vacations or travel for "bragging rights". I love going out west because I have always loved the mountains and there is nothing more exhilarating than the view of the peaks and green trees against the snow as you come flying down the slope.

It is an expensive sport to get into, but once you buy the equipment and gear it's just a matter of buying the ski pass. This area isn't the best for skiing, but day trips to PA or WV are easy and if you can ski here you are a pro out west. I have spent a lot on lessons, lift tickets (season pass helps) and ski vacations. But if we weren't spending money on a ski vacation we'd be spending it to go somewhere else.

I get that it's not for everyone and I'm not here to convince everyone that they have to try it or love it. I think that being generally athletic and a someone who likes the adrenaline rush helps.

I wish I liked it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 think the ski industry has it wrong - they need to make rental fleets of those old rear entry boots or a new inexpensive and comfortable boot for beginners. I ski 30-50 days a year and I refuse to spend a day in uncomfortable boots.

The ski industry is fixated on the “performance” quality of a tight fitting boot when the average skier who skis less than a week a year doesn’t need to be slaloming down the run like Lindsay vonn. They need a comfortable, easy entry and exit, lighter weight boot that is not torture to walk or stand in. And if it’s too flexible and loose for advanced skiers, who cares.

Here’s a clip of my favorite learning how to ski documentary - bbc 80’s glory. Called “on the piste” if you want to look it up yourself.

https://youtu.be/i97boGmsrPQ?si=TN4Q0tDaEepxmGMr

You are wise. It all begins with foot comfort. I love my low-end, roomy Nordicas. Exactly the opposite of what a fit consultant would advise and pretty close to rental boot grade. I try to stay in control with only moderate speed, so I don't need precision.

PP. Yup, i ski the same way. And I got my boots from a used ski shop after trying about 20 pairs of used boots there. Someone had feet exactly like mine and they were broken in perfectly for me. They are too soft and loose for hard charging, but that’s not how I ski, so they are perfect for me. I’ve spent so many ski days with people who are in pain from their high end custom fitted boots.

If you dress correctly you won’t be cold & it’s like you are flying.

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?

No activity is fun when you are new & don’t know what’s going on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It coats me about $75 each time I go for a day pass. I have my own skies which I've had for 30 plus years. It's not that expensive.

Day pass in Utah resorts are $250 per day

At Deer Valley and Park City, sure. There are plenty of affordable places to ski in Utah and Colorado.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It coats me about $75 each time I go for a day pass. I have my own skies which I've had for 30 plus years. It's not that expensive.

Day pass in Utah resorts are $250 per day

And it's $6000 to fly my private jet there. Skiing is so expensive!

Anonymous wrote:Skiing is great, although I can understand the difficulties of learning as an adult. I’ve been skiing for 30 years (started in 1st grade) so being on skis is very natural for me.

Going down runs all day, taking in the Hygge vibe during Après Ski beverages near a roaring fire. Love it all.

Hygge vibe during Après Ski beverages near a roaring fire all day is even better

Try downhill tubing. It's super fun but each run ends in about 15 seconds and then 10minutes to get back up the hill. Skiing, for all the expense and hassle and pain, gives you that super fun downhill part for more than 15 seconds at a time.

Learned to ski in upstate NY around age 9. My dad was a huge skier and took us every weekend and it was pretty affordable to learn at a ski resort only 45 minutes from our house. Spouse grew up skiing in MA and then picked up boarding in CA during grad school. He’s really good (i.e. ski patrol) and loves the outdoors. We started our kids around 4/5 and they both love it. So we go out west every year. While I’m not as in shape as I am now 50, I figure I will ski for another 5-9 years.

Skiing is great, although I can understand the difficulties of learning as an adult. I’ve been skiing for 30 years (started in 1st grade) so being on skis is very natural for me.

Going down runs all day, taking in the Hygge vibe during Après Ski beverages near a roaring fire. Love it all.

I hate it too. I’d rather swim in a pile of shit than have to go to another ski lodge

Anonymous wrote:

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 think the ski industry has it wrong - they need to make rental fleets of those old rear entry boots or a new inexpensive and comfortable boot for beginners. I ski 30-50 days a year and I refuse to spend a day in uncomfortable boots.

The ski industry is fixated on the “performance” quality of a tight fitting boot when the average skier who skis less than a week a year doesn’t need to be slaloming down the run like Lindsay vonn. They need a comfortable, easy entry and exit, lighter weight boot that is not torture to walk or stand in. And if it’s too flexible and loose for advanced skiers, who cares.

Here’s a clip of my favorite learning how to ski documentary - bbc 80’s glory. Called “on the piste” if you want to look it up yourself.

https://youtu.be/i97boGmsrPQ?si=TN4Q0tDaEepxmGMr

You are wise. It all begins with foot comfort. I love my low-end, roomy Nordicas. Exactly the opposite of what a fit consultant would advise and pretty close to rental boot grade. I try to stay in control with only moderate speed, so I don't need precision.

Anonymous wrote:It coats me about $75 each time I go for a day pass. I have my own skies which I've had for 30 plus years. It's not that expensive.

Day pass in Utah resorts are $250 per day