Anatomy of a whacked out skiing addict...

[Greg]

I'd venture to guess that most of the members here are pretty passionate about skiing; thinking about skiing all the time, even in the off-season. Any guesses about what it is in our make-up that makes us this way...?

 

[Sky]

Wow...errraahhhh...let's see.

1) Speed junky
2) Physical challenge to constantly improve...improvements are forthcoming @ a pace that feeds the ego.
3) Mental challenge, overcoming speed barriers/gradient barriers...improvements @ a pace etc.
4) Geek Freak quotient...ski specs, boot specs, NASTAR times, etc
5) So many places to ski...to see. Feeds the challenges in #2 and #3
6) So many other skiers / riders sharing the same viewpoint.

...it's a frickin "Do Loop"!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I'd venture to guess that most of the members here are pretty passionate about skiing; thinking about skiing all the time, even in the off-season. Any guesses about what it is in our make-up that makes us this way...?

1. For me I was kind of born into it. My parents where skiers and they started my sister and I at very young ages. I just can't really imagine my life without it.

2. It's a big part of how I define myself. If I stopped skiing I wouldn't feel like the same person.

3. The luck of the draw probably has alot to do with it. If I was born in Califorina or Hawaii I'd probably feel the same way about surfing.

4. I also really like being out in the mountains.

 

[kcyanks1]

I agree with being born into it. My dad loved to ski, so I started when I was about 3 1/2, and have loved it since. I'm not especially athletic in general.

 

[JimG.]

Any guesses about what it is in our make-up that makes us this way...?

Stunning good looks, high intelligence, sparkling personality.

Or is it the opposite?

 

[Greg]

Stunning good looks, high intelligence, sparkling personality.

Or is it the opposite?

Ah ha! :idea: I think you got it. Thanks. I think I can lock this thread now...

 

[Grassi21]

Wow...errraahhhh...let's see.

1) Speed junky
2) Physical challenge to constantly improve...improvements are forthcoming @ a pace that feeds the ego.
3) Mental challenge, overcoming speed barriers/gradient barriers...improvements @ a pace etc.
4) Geek Freak quotient...ski specs, boot specs, NASTAR times, etc
5) So many places to ski...to see. Feeds the challenges in #2 and #3
6) So many other skiers / riders sharing the same viewpoint.

...it's a frickin "Do Loop"!

#2 does it for me. I love seeing my progress and shooting for the next goal. After being involved w/team sports all of my life, I prefer the challenge falling squarely on my shoulders.

I love days when the guys (my wife included, its a running joke with our crew, beautiful and can rip with the boys) get out, make some turns, and have some cocktails. But one thing I discovered this season is the "solo" ski day. Its such a peaceful feeling all around, from riding the lift alone and not having to talk to anyone to ripping down a trail without slowing down for the rest of the group. Just you and mountain...

 

[AdironRider]

I love going fast, pushing the limit in terms of speed and technical ability is the best high I could ever get, and it never gets old. I love the feeling on nailing a line or run that I wouldnt have been able to do in the past. I love constantly trying to push myself to improve. I loved this about swimming (I swam competitively for over 15 years). The satisfaction of getting just a little faster or a little smoother is a feeling I cant get anywhere else. Lastly, when Im out riding, I dont have a care in the world and Im truely happy, regardless if its a pow day or boilerplate, theres nowhere Id rather be.

 

[Vortex]

Grassi21, I enjoy skiing alone alot also. My favorite time is just after 1st chair. Fresh tracks and no waiting. Brings ballance to my life. Late morning I hit the social aspect of the sport. Skiing is one addiction that is ok to feed.

 

[Grassi21]

Grassi21, I enjoy skiing alone alot also. My favorite time is just after 1st chair. Fresh tracks and no waiting. Brings ballance to my life. Late morning I hit the social aspect of the sport. Skiing is one addiction that is ok to feed.

My wife gets a bit mad when I do this. I have more flexibility to take a random weekday off than she does. She isn't mad that I might hurt myself and have no one to help, she is mad that I'm out there and she is not.

And balance it the perfect word for it!

 

[Vortex]

My wife and kids stay in bed usually. They find me around lunch.

 

[awf170]

I would say I'm a little different then everyone else here. For me it truly isn't about the skiing. I love the outdoors, winter, and alpine areas. So I do love skiing but I guess it isn't for the same reasons as everyone else. I would say that I would be happier hiking something like Katahdid(sp) or Mt. Washington in the winter then skiing on a average conditions day. If I had to give up skiing I would perfectly happy if I got to winter camp, hike, and ice climb instead. Once I get into college if I can find some good touring partners I doubt I will ever ski inbounds again. So for me I would say:

• Love of being in the outdoors/nature
• Being in alpine/remote areas.
• Fear, not too much speed, but more of hiking/skiing/climbing in really exposed areas.

I'll admit though that I still do love skiing, buts it not everything. I would say it is 65% everything I said up there and 35% skiing.

 

[dmc]

fun

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I would say I'm a little different then everyone else here. For me it truly isn't about the skiing. I love the outdoors, winter, and alpine areas. So I do love skiing but I guess it isn't for the same reasons as everyone else. I would say that I would be happier hiking something like Katahdid(sp) or Mt. Washington in the winter then skiing on a average conditions day. If I had to give up skiing I would perfectly happy if I got to winter camp, hike, and ice climb instead. Once I get into college if I can find some good touring partners I doubt I will ever ski inbounds again. So for me I would say:

• Love of being in the outdoors/nature
• Being in alpine/remote areas.
• Fear, not too much speed, but more of hiking/skiing/climbing in really exposed areas.

I'll admit though that I still do love skiing, buts it not everything. I would say it is 65% everything I said up there and 35% skiing.

Dang awf170, if we where still doing rep points I'd give you a bunch, Great post. College will afford you many opportunities depending on where you attend college. My daughter is finishing her freshman year at SUNY Plattsburgh. They have all sorts of mountaineering opportunities year round there, clubs, classes for credit, rock climbing, ice climbing, week at a time camping and kayaking in the summer and lots more. The High Peaks of the ADKs are there back yard.

 

[andyzee]

fun

Damn you, not only did you beat me to it, you shortened my answer!



It's fun.

 

[dmc]

Damn you, not only did you beat me to it, you shortened my answer!



It's fun.

It really is...

 

[loafer89]

For me the missing elements that have not been mentioned are:

1) I love snow, weather it be snowmobiling, skiing, tubing or sledding any activity that lets me get into close and personal contact with snow makes me immensely happy.

2) Love of cold weather, anything over 60F for too many months get boring, though I do love summer, even if subconsciously I hate it???:-?

3) Being in the mountains, above the hustle and noise of the world.

All of the forementioned elements apply to me too though:-D

 

[ga2ski]

I think it is because my mom crashed skiing while she was pregnant with me and I must have been knock senseless.

Seriously though, I love:
to be in the mountains,
on snow,
challenging myself,
participating in a sport that is totally an individual sport, but can easily be done with others,
and the thrill of speeding down the hill

BTW - this topic is not about the anatomy, the psyche of a whacked out skiing addict.

 

[kingslug]

I'm still working on that question. I can see why I like doing it but do not know why I got ADDICTED to it.

 

[NYDrew]

It is one of the only sports where you wouldn't call a pro/expert a meathead or uneducated.

I mean c'mon, lets look at our "bad boy" Bode, and actually compare him to other sports stars. He is well read, articulate and intellegent despite his slight alchohol problem Lets compare that to the juice-meat-coke-crack-etc-head ( not to mention murderer, rapist and bully) superstar of almost anyother sport.

Its not an important part, but we can't deny that is seems most of AZ is also made up of athletic yet intellegent people. It is definately a factor. Now the question is why?