Has skiing/boarding changed you?

[SkiFanE]

Another one who started at 5yo and doesn't know any differently. I skied very little during college, and didn't miss it at all then, but there I met my hubby who started skiing at 3yo, and even though I now realize how extremely lucky I was to have found a skier, at the time it had no bearing on the success of our relationship, ha! We didn't even ski together until we were together 5 years or so, and he figured "she says shes a good skier...but let's really see" haha. Since that first day we skied together, we never stopped and made it our life's recreation. And our kids will probably be lifelong skiers...so I can say it dramatically affected my life, can't say it changed it - that would have been if I met a non-skier, yikes!

Edit...this weekend we saw a couple that looked like the "boy is a good skier who found love with a non-skiing woman and is trying to get her into the sport by bringing her down a trail out of her abilities.."...I told him how freaking lucky we were...I am not sure that couple would survive that run lol.

 

[SkiFanE]

On a slightly skewed and corny but true observation...the other day I noticed fractal designs on the bare trees (the repeating pattern of the primary branching to secondary,tertiary etc). And an unknown tree type that has red tipped branches (if anyone knows the name please let me know).

I love being outside all winter, and the wildlife is awesome. At SR I saw my first porcupine ever this winter (one living at the top of a lift all winter long) and just yesterday a bird I'd never seen..it's sound and look made me stop skiing to take a look.

 

[jlboyell]

without going into too much detail, helped me give up certain illegal substances. i consider it transferring the addiction to something much more positive, but i still am compulsive about it. i truly do jones for a few turns. its all about endorphins and where you are getting them from.

 

[Cannonball]

I have changed skiing.

 

[marcski]

I have changed skiing.

Because he is....the Most Interesting Man in the World.

 

[NotEasyBeingGreen]

Without a doubt. I just learned 3 years ago (at age 40, btw) and this year was the first I really saw big improvement every time out. It is a challenge, it is exhilerating, exhausting and a major high. (Also shopping is fun and holy crap - is there a lot of cool stuff to buy!) I grew up vacationing in New Mexico and wanted to ski since as long as I can remember, but never did. It was always a bucket list item and interestingly, something I was absolutely certain I would be able to do and would love. Gotta ski first to last chair.

Also, the whole family can get out in the winter and not resort to trying to kill each other.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

For sure.

I was telling this story to Nick this past weekend, I have only been skiing for about 6 years. Being introduced to the sport helped get me motivated to get outside, enjoy nature, and get in shape.

To some extent, I think it has also made me grateful for the things in life that I really tend to overlook. One of the most important things I have realized is that, unlike a lot of people, I am still able to find new things to fall in love with. Without skiing, I am not sure I would have found Mountain Biking (thanks in large part to this forum) which is my other outside love.

I know it sounds lame, but skiing has helped bring out a spirituality and appreciation for life that I didn't have before. Again, maybe it is because I have been taking control of my life and pushing myself a little harder each time I get on the hill.

Am I a "better" person because of skiing? No. I am still me. Am I changed? Yup..and it is clearly a change for the good.

 

[snowmonster]

I have only been skiing for about 6 years.

Sounds like we started at right around the same time. =) But, I grew up on a beach. What's your excuse?

Because of skiing, I probably save less than I should have and wake up earlier on Saturdays than I ever have. But, because of skiing, I have stronger legs, a greater appreciation of the outdoors, visited states I normally flew over, met great people whom I first knew as handles (It's like being in Top Gun, right? Goose, Maverick, etc.) and wasted more time on the internet. And, oh yeah, I'm a happier person too!

 

[steamboat1]

Another one who started at 4 (over 50 years ago).

Van Cortlandt Park the Bronx baby.

It has made me the maniac I am today.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Sounds like we started at right around the same time. =) But, I grew up on a beach. What's your excuse?

Being fat, lazy, and not smart enough to realize what I was missing.

 

[4aprice]

Started at 6, been at it for over 45 years now. Love every second of it no matter where I do it. Greatest thing the sport has done for me is hooked me up with the greatest women in the world, who became a ski partner before we even dated. Also have gotten to travel to some really cool places.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Cornhead]

Being fat, lazy, and not smart enough to realize what I was missing.

Man, you've got to stop being so hard on yourself. You're a great guy, and a decent skier. You looked pretty good to me for only having skied six years. Don't lament the fact you don't ski like Cheese, who among us does? Aspire to skiing more like Cheese. You've only been at it six years. I bet Cheese can't remember not being able to ski.



jlboyell, I can relate. To say I have an addictive personality would be an understatement. I first skied in my early twenties. I would equate it more to sleigh riding than actual skiing. I think I skied two times in the following twenty years or so. When I was married, I worked second shift, and watched my Son during the day. I was always on the lookout for fun activities we could do together. I saw the "Mountains of Fun" vouchers at Mc Donalds, and thought it would fit the bill. I had no aspirations of being the fanatical skier I am today. I was happy just to be outdoors with my boy. We did this for two seasons, then he switched to the dark side. He now had a new learning curve. I'd say I skied five times a year for the first five years. As soon as I started buying equipment and season passes, and traveling to ski, I was hooked. Has skiing changed me? I guess, more so it has given me a healthy way to satisfy my addictive personality. It is by far my safest addiction to date, till I hit a tree or a pole, and I've had a few. I'd be in the bar and joke, "I think I'm drinking my Summer home now, I already drank my primary residence. Maybe I'm drinking the Jet ski?" Take a sip, yeah tastes like the Jet ski to me." If it wasn't true, it'd be funny.

I love to travel to ski. I love skiing hills for the first time. I love being outdoors in the Winter. I wish I had caught the bug when I first skied, I may have saved myself, and others, a lot of heartache.

 

[Smellytele]

Yes it did change my life not like the acid did (which I haven't done in over 20 years) but yes it did change it. It provides we with a way to be an individual but in a group at the same time.
I have met people and gone places that I never would have if it wasn't for skiing. I can also say this about other things in my life such as climbing and biking but skiing was first and it actually acted like the gateway drug to other adventures. Mountains will always be my thing not beaches.

 

[marcski]

I'm another one of those that is lucky enough to have skiing as a part of my entire life. I was 3 when I first went. I don't really remember much, it was at Magic, back in the day, but my older brother tells me I loved it from day 1. I can say, that I absolutely love everything about the sport.

So, it hasn't really "changed" me. But, it is truly a part of my life... and now my young girls' lives, which is one of the best things for me...given how my Dad introduced me to the sport and how important the time spent as a family is while skiing.

 

[legalskier]

I also started pretty young, so likewise it's hard to say. But being from the flatlands, skiing exposed me to the magnificent mountains, which I never knew before.

 

[Cheese]

Don't lament the fact you don't ski like Cheese, who among us does? Aspire to skiing more like Cheese. You've only been at it six years. I bet Cheese can't remember not being able to ski.

Thanks for the praise Cornhead!

Although you're correct that I can't remember not skiing, I do think it's important to point out to never stop learning. Skiing has changed a lot over the years and without re-learning every decade, I'd be skiing in a way that nobody would admire. When you spot someone that still skis with the 60s or 80s style you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Example 1: On powder days decades ago my tracks would be tight turns that descend the mountain a lot like a mogul line. We skied powder slowly making large quantities of turns. The tighter the turns, the more skill you were demonstrating. Today my tracks are monstrous arcs as it's more popular to charge powder at speed, float and actually carve near the surface of the fresh powder. Rocker skis have reinforced this style and it will probably remain for a while.

Example 2: On groomer days decades ago (this was tiny snow pellets made by "Powder Makers" not corduroy) it was all about wedeln. Skidding high speed turns in rapid succession. The more turns you could squeeze in during the run, the more skill demonstrated. Now it's all about carving and lean angles. The turn may take the entire trail from side to side but if a hip, elbow or shoulder hits the snow while maintaining edge hold, you rock! We'll see where this one goes in the future. Most skiers are on a GS ski for the current style of skiing. When FIS GS skis go to 40m radius, the step turns that will be required for racing might actually migrate to the recreational slopes.

Skiing definitely consumes my life. Although it seems repetitive, the continuous change in skiing style, equipment and even apparel create a variety that's fresh and addicting. The adrenaline rush isn't too bad either.

 

[Riverskier]

I have been skiing since I was 5 or 6, so it hasn't changed me, as I don't know what life is like without it. However, even though I live a balanced life, enjoy many activites, and all seasons, I have never found an activity that I am even as remotely passionate about as skiing. Not a day goes by that I don't think about it. I literally and figuratively dream about skiing all Summer. While I don't think my life would be much different without skiing overall, and I would still be a happy person, skiing has definitely enhanced my life in a major way.

 

[ski stef]

I can't really remember not skiing as well so to say it has "changed" me as a person is hard to say...It has made a serious impact on choices that I've made. Moving to Colorado was mainly to experience the West and what it has to offer on the hill. Fortunately, I was able to find a job in this community out here to support the habit. :grin:

 

[Skimaine]

Definitely changed my life and continues to shape it. I did not skiing until I was nearly 40 when we moved to Maine 15 years ago. It was just part of changing my life for the better. The first few years were about my family participating in a great out door activity. Kids are gone, but Mrs Skimaine share a passion for skiing and we continue to pushing our boundaries. Like Warren Miller says it is about clearing your mind and enjoying gravity fed freedom. I also find that the accomplishments and confidence gained on the slopes carries over into the rest of my life.

Finally, skiing left me with a zipper scar on the back of my left ankle when they stitched my Achilles tendon back together.

 

[jlboyell]

jlboyell, I can relate. To say I have an addictive personality would be an understatement. I first skied in my early twenties. I would equate it more to sleigh riding than actual skiing. I think I skied two times in the following twenty years or so. When I was married, I worked second shift, and watched my Son during the day. I was always on the lookout for fun activities we could do together. I saw the "Mountains of Fun" vouchers at Mc Donalds, and thought it would fit the bill. I had no aspirations of being the fanatical skier I am today. I was happy just to be outdoors with my boy. We did this for two seasons, then he switched to the dark side. He now had a new learning curve. I'd say I skied five times a year for the first five years. As soon as I started buying equipment and season passes, and traveling to ski, I was hooked. Has skiing changed me? I guess, more so it has given me a healthy way to satisfy my addictive personality. It is by far my safest addiction to date, till I hit a tree or a pole, and I've had a few. I'd be in the bar and joke, "I think I'm drinking my Summer home now, I already drank my primary residence. Maybe I'm drinking the Jet ski?" Take a sip, yeah tastes like the Jet ski to me." If it wasn't true, it'd be funny.

I love to travel to ski. I love skiing hills for the first time. I love being outdoors in the Winter. I wish I had caught the bug when I first skied, I may have saved myself, and others, a lot of heartache.

yep, alcohol, the legal hard drug