Biggest Misconceptions Non Skiers Have About Skiers

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by BeanoNYC

Thank you. I've gotten that reaction many times. Almost like it's an elitist's sport. Flippin pisses me off.

While I wouldn't consider skiing an elitist sport, it is expensive and getting more expensive all the time due higher costs in getting too the mountain. I actually spent the same in gas this season as I did lift tickets. Next year I anticipate paying more for gas than tickets.

I'm a bargain hunter and make a fair above average living, but still feel the squeeze at times. The median income in this country for a male full time worker is 43K. That's about $600 week after taxes. So when half the population looks at the sport and realizes that they have to give up a weeks pay just to get the cheapest possible equipment and clothing out there before they even set foot on the slopes, of course the perception will be that the sport is expensive.

I skied more this winter than I have since I was a ski bum living in Stowe. Why? I made the most money since then.

No it's not yachting, but for the average or below average income worker, it is a fairly large economic investment.

[ERJ-145CA]

Originally Posted by Geoff

Try yachting or private airplanes.

Please don't lump private airplanes in with yachting. When I started flying I was a full time seafood clerk in a supermarket with a wife and an apartment. I know many pilots solidly from the middle class. Sure flying can be expensive but like skiing it can be made affordable for many non rich people, but it clearly suffers from the same misconception that skiing does.

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by ERJ-145CA

Please don't lump private airplanes in with yachting. When I started flying I was a full time seafood clerk in a supermarket with a wife and an apartment. I know many pilots solidly from the middle class. Sure flying can be expensive but like skiing it can be made affordable for many non rich people, but it clearly suffers from the same misconception that skiing does.

what was your initial investment to get your pilots license?

[ski_resort_observer]

I don't think my non-skiing friends really care about the ski business or what type of people partake in the sport. I guess it's like I don't spend any time thinking about tennis, ice-climbing or yachting or the participants.

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by ski_resort_observer

I don't think my non-skiing friends really care about the ski business or why type of people partake in the sport. I guess it's like I don't spend any time thinking about tennis, ice-climbing or yachting or the participants.

wait a minute, didn't you just post that?

[ERJ-145CA]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

what was your initial investment to get your pilots license?

It cost me about $6,000 back in 1997 spread out over the course of a year, it's probably a bit more nowadays. Paid by the hour after each lesson or I put money on account for a 10% discount per hour.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Originally Posted by ERJ-145CA

It cost me about $6,000 back in 1997 spread out over the course of a year, it's probably a bit more nowadays. Paid by the hour after each lesson or I put money on account for a 10% discount per hour.

That's alot to get started..for me to get started with skiing 17 years ago..I spent $21 for a first time on skis package..lift..lesson..and rental..

How much in fuel does an average 2 hour long flight cost in a small plane? My uncle flys a plane and he and his buddies fly to another airport..have breakfast at a diner..and fly back..they joke that it's a several hundred dollar breakfast.

[ERJ-145CA]

It's been a few years since I've flown a small plane but I remember the most common plane, the Cessna 172, burned about 8-10 gallons per hour. I'm guessing Avgas (100 octane gasoline for prop planes) costs about 5 or 6 bucks a gallon now. If you don't own a plane you can rent one by the hour, the time is charged whenever the engine is running. It was $119 an hour to rent a late model plane and $80 an hour to rent the older one a few years ago. The rental usually includes the fuel.

[ski_resort_observer]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

wait a minute, didn't you just post that?

whoops...stupid computer froze up...didn't realize the first one went thru. All fixed.

[Ski Diva]

Back to topic:

I have a friend who actually believes that skiing takes no effort or skill, because, in her words, "it's just gravity."