VTKilarney
Well-known member
I have gotten back into skiing recently. The last time I went regularly was in the 1990's, and the last time I skied at all was about 2001. I'm embarrassed to say this because I've lived in Vermont since 1997.
I got out for a couple of reasons:
1) Moving to Vermont, I didn't want to be surrounded by people Boston and New York on the weekends.
2) My spouse wasn't really into skiing.
3) I didn't feel challenged at all. I never had a desire to ski moguls, and the trails I did ski were not challenging to me, even when I was on the steep ones.
Now that we have children, and they have taken a liking to skiing, I am thrilled to be back. Skiing is now much more social. I don't need to feel challenged all of the time. I am happy to just get outside and enjoy the days with friends and family. I just bought new skis. My last pair was purchased in 1988 (Dynastar with those weights on the tips). I've even upgraded my Nordica rear-entry boots to the 4 buckle variety!
So my question is: Other than the equipment, what's changed in my absence?
When I last went to major resorts (the first half of the 1990's), skiing on the weekend was INSANELY crowded. Waiting for 15-20 minutes for a lift was to be expected. I get the impression that lift lines are now more reasonable on the weekends. Does this come at the expense of crowded trails?
I also get the impression that after the installation of a lot of high speed quads, there really hasn't been much change in the ski areas. I haven't noticed any changes in the experience itself other than a prevalence of high speed chairs. (When I last skied, an area was lucky to have one HSQ.) It also seems to me that skiers are more serious now. You don't see jeans and sweatpants on the slopes anymore. I get the impression that casual skiing (once or twice a year) has fallen by the wayside.
I got out for a couple of reasons:
1) Moving to Vermont, I didn't want to be surrounded by people Boston and New York on the weekends.
2) My spouse wasn't really into skiing.
3) I didn't feel challenged at all. I never had a desire to ski moguls, and the trails I did ski were not challenging to me, even when I was on the steep ones.
Now that we have children, and they have taken a liking to skiing, I am thrilled to be back. Skiing is now much more social. I don't need to feel challenged all of the time. I am happy to just get outside and enjoy the days with friends and family. I just bought new skis. My last pair was purchased in 1988 (Dynastar with those weights on the tips). I've even upgraded my Nordica rear-entry boots to the 4 buckle variety!
So my question is: Other than the equipment, what's changed in my absence?
When I last went to major resorts (the first half of the 1990's), skiing on the weekend was INSANELY crowded. Waiting for 15-20 minutes for a lift was to be expected. I get the impression that lift lines are now more reasonable on the weekends. Does this come at the expense of crowded trails?
I also get the impression that after the installation of a lot of high speed quads, there really hasn't been much change in the ski areas. I haven't noticed any changes in the experience itself other than a prevalence of high speed chairs. (When I last skied, an area was lucky to have one HSQ.) It also seems to me that skiers are more serious now. You don't see jeans and sweatpants on the slopes anymore. I get the impression that casual skiing (once or twice a year) has fallen by the wayside.