Biggest Misconceptions Non Skiers Have About Skiers

[highpeaksdrifter]

I’ll start with we like being cold. Maybe some of you do, but I don’t particularly. I put up with it, I’m use to it, I know all the benefits of it, however, when I’m freezing and come in out of the cold it feels pretty good.

 

[ckofer]

That we've got lots of money to burn.

 

[snoseek]

That skiers are upper middle class people from the burbs that drive suv's, consume queer drinks like peppermint patties, and think sushi is all the rage. Sounds about right.:beer:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

That skiing is dangerous..I feel like driving to the mountain is more dangerous than skiing. I'm close to 1,000 lifetime ski days and I've only had two minor injuries so far.

That skiing is expensive. As many AZers know..there are great deals to be had and the most expensive ski resort is a hell of alot better value than the most expensive sporting event or golf course.

I don't think anybody likes being cold..we like being comfortable and so we dress in thin layers so we're warm without being sweaty..and aren't too bulky so we can make mad steezy turns.

That skiing only takes place from December to Early March..

 

[BeanoNYC]

That we've got lots of money to burn.

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

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

That skiers are upper middle class people from the burbs that drive suv's, consume queer drinks like peppermint patties, and think sushi is all the rage. Sounds about right.:beer:

Haha well according to Skiing magazine. When my Aunt used to go skiing in Colorado..is was pretty much a shopping and spa trip with maybe 2 hours of skiing on 2-3 days of a one week trip..for alot of people that's what skiing is about..walking around a faux swiss base village is stretch pants and furry boots drinking a $4 hot chocolate...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

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

Well being a skier does take a certain amount of disposable income but almost any recreational pusuit does. If I didn't spend the money on skiing..I'd spend more on something else like travel to warm places, dining out..and maybe a steezy flat screen TV..to replace my 20 inch magnavox..

 

[Geoff]

Well being a skier does take a certain amount of disposable income but almost any recreational pusuit does. If I didn't spend the money on skiing..I'd spend more on something else like travel to warm places, dining out..and maybe a steezy flat screen TV..to replace my 20 inch magnavox..

Try yachting or private airplanes. As a relative thing, skiing is for the little people. For most skiers, their automobile is their dominant cost.

 

[wa-loaf]

That we are Rad? :lol:

 

[ckofer]

That skiing is dangerous..I feel like driving to the mountain is more dangerous than skiing. I'm close to 1,000 lifetime ski days and I've only had two minor injuries so far.

That skiing is expensive. As many AZers know..there are great deals to be had and the most expensive ski resort is a hell of alot better value than the most expensive sporting event or golf course.

I don't think anybody likes being cold..we like being comfortable and so we dress in thin layers so we're warm without being sweaty..and aren't too bulky so we can make mad steezy turns.

That skiing only takes place from December to Early March..

Early March? I think many perceive it to be over at the end of Feb vacation. They start whining the Monday that the kids return about spring not being soon enough. We start praying for tasty collisions of tropical moisture and arctic air.

 

[deadheadskier]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

:???:

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."