if you don't know...:nonono2:
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if you don't know...:nonono2:
Why do I love skiing?
Because it's fucking perfect. The challenge and the rewards are endless. And to be in nature, just you and your skis, is so pure and special.
When I was younger I loved it because it was a treat. Growing up in the south with non skiing parents meant it didnt happen that often so when it did It was something special.
That is a bit different now, dont get me wrong, skiing is still a treat and will always be something special to me, but the reasons i love it so much are changing a bit. Skiing is a good escape from "life." It lets me clear my head and help me think straight when I have too much other stuff going on. I love the massiveness of the mountains and the awe and respect that they command. It's also a good way to challenge myself. If I'm not challenged i'm not motivated, so that kind of flows over into life things. And its fun as hell to jump off of shit. :biggrin:
How many time at the end of the day do you look back on the day and say...
"If I had to do it all over again, I would do it just like that."
Skiing days are almost always like that. I can't say the rest of them are...
speed, flow, progression, friends, nature, freedom. Skiing is one of the few places where anything goes; it is what you make of it and the only limits are self-imposed. In the mountians, things become so clear. Life is broken down to the simpliest blocks., and anwers to life's questions revel themselves. There are no deadlines in the mountains, no boss, and nothing that you have to do. Skiing is also unique in that it is so easy to improve if you want to. It is all about commitment: totally a mind game. You can be a very good skier and be in nowhere near the physical shape that other athletes are (but being in shape does help). cliche count:15
I love to ski.
But I REALLY love to ski powder. It's one of the few ways to truly connect with your surroundings. Yes, I rock climb, kayak, bike, hike, etc, also - but when I say this, I mean it's the only way to be inside your surroundings and really get in touch. Unlike camping, hiking, climbing, etc - you're experiencing nature, but the terrain, challenge, and experience will be there tomorrow too. And the next day, and the next day... Powder only ocurrs in it's perfect, unadulterated, pristine state for a very short period of time, then it's gone. As soon as the sun begins to crest over the mountain or the clouds break up, it becomes "just snow" like all the rest. Due to its short life, It's just a special little corner of nature that few people ever get to truly experience.
I love the people. All of my best friends I've met through skiing. Its a fantasitic experience that we can all share together, and then talk about it over beers afterwards. I love the perspective skiing offers. When I'm on the hill I feel totally lucky, and totally blessed because I've been given the opportunity to spend so many of my days playing on a mountain. Most people don't get that chance. And obviously, I love the physical feeling. It doesn't matter if I'm floating through some epic pow, or toughing it out during a rainy day. Its always fun. It has been the most dependable thing in my life. No matter what life throughs at me, I'll always have skiing (unless I become paralyzed, knock on wood). Simply put, its something I can be passionate about, and I'm rewarded for puting my heart and soul into it.
Pure poetry man. Pure poetry:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by bdog
The act of skiing requires nothing more than skill, snow, and gravity. Like surfing, it's pure in its connection between person and the Earth. The Earth gives snow and mountains, and we receive joy in the forms of movement and accomplishment, and for the most part we leave little trace of our ever having done so, just a time-echo, our tracks imprinted on a transient medium that is sure to replenish itself before the season is over.
Skiing is pure. I love skiing. The end.
For me, skiing is the quest for unattainable perfection. It's one of the few sports where you can actually feel yourself improving every time, whether it's season to season or run to run. But in the end, you always feel like you could have done something better--aired that lip bigger, pulled that hooked ski in on that one turn, kept your hands forward through that steep section. Just like surfers always look for the perfect wave, I'm still looking for that perfect run. I know I'll never find it, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life searching for it.
to me, skiing is
exploration and discovery of my unknown self.
new discoveries of self equate to "breakthrough" mindblowing experiences.
and after each new discovery, seeing from a new perspective my relationship between self and the physical (i.e. nature), and getting even more stoked about the possible future evolution of that mysterious relationship.
that is what skiing is to me.
so many ski-related experiences are wonderful: comraderie on the hill, enjoying the views, being outdoors, riding a lift, sharing ski love on a forum, etc
but that's not skiing. skiing is skiing.
if i were the last living soul on this earth, i would still ski. actually, i would ski even more.
.
.
Skiing allows me to transend my human limitations, allows me to float and to fly. Skiing takes me beyond myself.
Four things; a good day involves one of the four aspects.
1. Thrills - going fast on skis is one of the things I can do that makes me say "hollllly shit" and yet I feel pretty comfortable doing it.
2. the fine line - not skiing line, the line between challenge and mastery. I only seem to get this skiing. I can be skiing a line that's pretty challenging and it's taking everything I have, but at the same time I'm nailing it (doesn't happen often). It's an amazing feeling.
3. Physical banter - maybe it's pushing each other to ski faster or to do something more challenging, or maybe it's joking around doing spread eagles or snowplowing down a run. I love being with a fun group where their actions affect you and your's affect them.
4. The sensations - arcing your way downhill as you dance with gravity - letting it take control for a second and then fighting it for another. The floating sensation skiing powder is otherwordly, it's such a quiet sensation - as if there are no forces acting on your body
Freedom...Freedom to do it everyday if I choose...Freedom to travel Hundred, sometime thousands of miles to get to a mountain...Freedom to ski wherever I want once I get there...Freedom to do so whichever way I choose...freedom to Carve a zillion turn down one face or maybe striaghline it. Freedom in the air..in place where there are so many limits skiing is place where you truly are limitless.
Yes!!Quote:
Originally Posted by bdog
I cant really put any words to the reason I ski. I ski because it's a part of me, right from the very first moment I watched some folks on TV making powder turns down virgin snow when I was a kid. It clicks.
On top of all the things that others have mentioned above, Tacomaluv said it well. Last chair is always special. The sky is turning purple, throwing shadows. You're the only one on the hill and it's silent except for the wind. You ski it slower to savor it and take frequent stops just to look around and marvel. And when you're on the home stretch, you just feel right, complete. I'm usually pretty quiet after that last run, because noises just aren't necessary. I love that feeling. I love feeling humbled.
It fills that hole in my soul where Jesus is supposed to be...
cha ching, i'm definately using this guy and a few others, little do you know, but that fits my thesis perfectlyQuote:
Originally Posted by HobieTony
edit-there are some really poetic things being said, nice work guys
This thread is way too long and way too stupid to read all the way through, but did anyone say "Pow"?