What is this thing called skiing?

I have just realised that this month marks the 30'th anniversary of my first skiing holiday :thumbup: , as far as the brain cell can recall I have not skied for 5 of the intervening seasons, for various reasons.
I joined this forum last year, after a snow forecast search, and check the forums daily (or more!!). This year I am lucky enough to be getting 2 hols to the white stuff and am happy to admit to being a skibore first class :mrgreen:
But why?
I am not sure what it is about skiing, something that probably most of us actually do for maybe 6 or 12 days a year, that is so addictive?
I adore the mountains; my spirits lift even in the aeroplane before landing and I can sit and stare at the summits for ages.
I love skiing in all its huge variety, pretty sure that physically it is the rhythm that I find particularly enjoyable .....
What about you?

Brilliant question Andy!

Snow - growing up in the UK it becomes a very rare treat when you're a child. I don't think that ever leaves us really. Seeing it everywhere is still mind blowing :lol:

Mountains - to ski you pretty much have to be in and on mountains covered in snow. Is there anyone on the face of the planet who isn't completely awed by them? Amazing.

Fun - Skiing, stopping skiing for refreshments, starting back again, learning something new, being challenged, meeting other happy people etc etc etc

Just a couple of reasons why I love skiing.

When I am skiing I think about nothing else. Problems, worries and responsibilities are simply brushed aside...I am in Narnia!

This is indeed a great topic, and it stopped me in my tracks to think of an answer. I suppose that all the things Emma mentioned are true: beautiful scenery, fitness and exercise in the middle of some of nature's finest wonders. The feeling that you have done something better today, or this season than you could last year; and I definitely go along with the "being around other happy people" bit, that it surely one of the biggest attractions. For adults, like we are I presume, it's also, I think, about a temporary absence of all responsibility: forget the car, the waiting d-i-y, garden, shopping, credit card bills. Stop counting alcohol units temporarily in an environment where the odd glass over your allotted number doesn't seem to result in a crashing headache which would incapacitate you in the office .... Yes, all those and more !

I'd have to Echo Emma's sentiments.

Sky diving aside, I described it the other day as the closets you'd get to flying. Clip in and let gravity do the work!!

I just love listening to my music and aimlessly gliding around the slopes, stopping off for a cheeky jar when I feel like it.

... plus the speed, the risk, the knowledge that you are dependent on your own skill and observational prowess. And the illusion that you are (at least) ten years younger than you really are !

Really good question. A lot is the simple answer and in fact Billip covered the majority of it. However nothing will ever top the feeling of joy i had when i saw my 5 year old whizzing down a blue run at the end of a weeks Ski school last year. I have skied for the best part of 10 years, been overtaken by many young Austrian kids as they screamed with excitement, but to see your own child having such fun was utterly FANTASTIC.

mjjw69 wrote:Really good question. A lot is the simple answer and in fact Billip covered the majority of it. However nothing will ever top the feeling of joy i had when i saw my 5 year old whizzing down a blue run at the end of a weeks Ski school last year. I have skied for the best part of 10 years, been overtaken by many young Austrian kids as they screamed with excitement, but to see your own child having such fun was utterly FANTASTIC.

Awww that's so sweet. I haven't even got any kids yet but one of my favourite pastimes is working out how I'd get them (my fictitious munchkin/s) to learn e.g. how young, cost, would my skiing be good enough to operate those reins you can get etc etc...