Latest posts for the topic "What is this thing called skiing?"

What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:45:34 GMT

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?

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:47:00 GMT

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.

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:56:32 GMT

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

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:14:25 GMT

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 !

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:21:48 GMT

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.

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:34:09 GMT

... 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 !

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:20:09 GMT

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.

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:26:23 GMT

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...

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:49:10 GMT

I agree with everything everyone else has already said (the beauty of the mountains, the social side, the fun, the satisfaction of knowing that my ski-ing improves year on year etc.), but in my case anyway I enjoy conquering my fear.

Going up in the lift I look down and think how vertical the piste is and how scary, and when I'm at the top I wonder if I'm really brave enough to ski down it, and then I'm over the top and concentrating on my turns and watching what the other slope users are doing and then when I get to an easy bit it's just like dancing once I get into the rhythm of it. Before I know it I'm at the bottom and looking back up the slope and feeling amazed that I actually managed to ski down something so steep!

And then, of course, I ski off to the next lift and it all starts again :D

Ally

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:05:22 GMT

This is a great thread!!

Only discovered skiing about 5 years ago and omg i wished I had the means/knowledge/brains to get involved with it earlier :)

Totally agree about the fact that everything goes out of the window when you are standing at the top of the slope looking out across the mountains and focussing solely on getting the turns in, watching others swishing past and also having fun etc and not thinking about anything else...bliss bliss bliss

Think I quite enjoy the fab laid back attitude that goes hand in hand with a good ski holiday definitely suits my 'laid back' personality 8)

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:23:08 GMT

Mountains, exercise, exitement, challenges, aprehension, satisfaction, company, Apres! and many many more!,

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:49:02 GMT

Freedom both mental and physical and of course the gravitational pull :wink: :thumbup:

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:59:18 GMT

Don't buy reins. You'll only use them once, or twice, and the benefits to the child are dubious.

Skiing is an incurable affliction some people suffer from. Some relief in the off season, if you can find something equally exhilarating. But like malaria, you know you are going to suffer another bout soon.

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:41:12 GMT

Andy this is wierd. Not only do we find that we have lead similar ski work lives, now we find our minds enquiring virtually the same question:
http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/6647.page

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:22:10 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Andy this is wierd. Not only do we find that we have lead similar ski work lives, now we find our minds enquiring virtually the same question:
http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/6647.page

:) :-) :D :P :mrgreen:
Yeh but mine has a more creative title :thumbup:

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:30:58 GMT

It makes my heart happy - simples :D :D :D

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:28:17 GMT

For me it means once a year, I get to spend seven days in the company of my closest friends doing something exilharating, zipping about the pistes and then re-living the day's accomplishments over several well earned beers. And then doing it all again the next day...

Good company, great scenery and awesome fun in one neat package. Winter cannot come around quick enough for me year-on-year! :-)

Thankfully, my wait ends tomorrow at Gatwick :twisted:

What is this thing called skiing?

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:53:27 GMT

OldAndy wrote:I have just realised that this month marks the 30'th anniversary of my first skiing holiday :thumbup:

Thats longer by 7 years than i have been alive!! :shock:

What is this thing called skiing?

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:09:16 GMT

boo_yay wrote:

OldAndy wrote:I have just realised that this month marks the 30'th anniversary of my first skiing holiday :thumbup:

Thats longer by 7 years than i have been alive!! :shock:

Aaah, bless -)

I once skied with a guy who was in the Canadian ski team 35 years before I was born! A humbling experience, I was fit, in my 20's, skiing the season etc etc .......
He was in his 70's ......
and outskied me in both speed and control without any effort.
:oops:

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:10:19 GMT

Awesome. I'd love to meet someone like that and pick their brains for advice.

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:19:32 GMT

I'm sure one of the instructors in Niederau is about 75/80.....

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:24:10 GMT

Well done Boo_Yay. It wasn't the age as such that I was referring to... :roll: :lol: :lol:

Re:What is this thing called skiing?

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 07:40:46 GMT

boo_yay wrote:I'm sure one of the instructors in Niederau is about 75/80.....

Sepp Schellorn is 65, Konrad G is 66. They are the oldest two permanents. There is an occasional 70 year old, ie just helps out in February.
Geog Steiner, Toni Niederfriniger, now retired.