So, what is it about skiing that really catches you?

[H-man]

Originally posted by tywhy
skiing powder is the sweetest thing ever .

Yah, what he said.

Seriously though, I too have been skiing since I was 2. My parents owned a ski area when I grew up, so I was always out there. Skiing literally has always been part of my life and family dynamic and I am continuing that with my own family.

[Nohillsnearby]

Originally posted by BlurredElevens
There are not too many other sports that are controlled by the seasons in which you must wait.

Skiing for me is the family of friends all centered on one common love, and at this time of the year, it's the jones.

Those who don't ski, will never get it. Those who do, can't explain it.

This part accurately describes my feelings. Also, the thrill of the wind in my face, the anticipation of skiing out west. The joy my family gets from this activity, and it's something we can share. My daughter is Miss Extreme, finding kickers to jump and wanting to tackle snowboarding next. My usually cautious son finding kickers and expressing his love for skiing. Mr. Nohills taking the chance and learning to ski at 42yo.

[Mountain Freak]

The best is climbing to the top of a Mountain in the winter, and being the only one skiing down. Back country is the best.

[Mountainman]

It's another way for me to be in the mountains and enjoy a challenge combined with solitude. Scaring the shit outta myself is also fun too.

[Grange]

For me its the solitude. I could be with my family or friends on the hill all day, but when I'm skiing down the hill I feel alone, not like alone in your apartment with a stale beer after your girlfriend breaks up with you over the phone, but alone like It's me against mother nature until I get to the bottom.

When I win the battle (great run) I feel like I'm on top of the world and when I lose (fall) I still feel great because I lost to a superb opponent.

Damn now I need to go home and put on my ski boots.

[snowsprite]

Best thread in ages...thank you Blurred!

For me, I think what grabs me is simply the feeling of cold wind in my face, speed and adrenaline, the rush of conquering a limit or a fear.

But on a deeper level I am riveted by the mountain's ringing silence, absolute solitude, and timeless beauty I have been lucky enough to witness while skiing. I feel like I am skimming the borders of heaven those times.

Sprite

[basom]

for me its mostly the enjoyment I get out of watching mildbill writhe around in the fetal position shrieking in a nauseating tone because his boots hurt.

[raddam]

that no one can catch me

[L8APX]

Growing up in Kentucky, I got a late start on skiing at 14. For the last 13 years I have immersed myself into the culture that skiing is. From media like powder mags and stump videos to moments like being the only one riding up a lift and hearing nothing but the cables rubbing the wheels, I soaked it all up. I had become completely committed to skiing, getting 40 plus days a season living in KY is hard to do. I have asked myself this same question, why do in enjoy this so much?

I can only be answered by the uncontrollable smile I get when sliding around on skis. No matter where it is, Alta or Paoli, or what the conditions, powder or ice, I always get the same feeling when I click into my bindings, it's just that sometimes my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

[PlayHarder]

I'm a late starter, my first time skiing was when I was 5. Now, I just can't imagine life without.
When I was younger, it was all about the speed - the sound of the snow as the skis moved over and through it, the burning of cold air against my face, the whoop in the stomach and feeling of weightlessness going over rollers at high speed.
Now, its the peace of being alone with the mountain - ducking into the trees on a crowded day, leaving the sounds and people behind. Standing on a ridge, with no sound but the wind. The feeling of floating in powder. Dropping into something that causes all of the real world thoughts to leave me, just feeling the ebb and flow of the mountain.

[homerjay]

When skiing, I forget about everything else in life. Bank accounts, work, girl trouble, etc. It's like putting the material world on pause and refreshing the mind, body, and soul with cold clean mountain air.

Skis are also the best way to travel on snow in the woods.

[schuss]

Because when I'm on skis I can fly. Down the mountain, through the air, into the woods. I love the short techy stuff, but what I love is when you get to that moment where it all just flows and you're just along for the sweet ride.

[Mountain Junkie]

I love the Last Run of the Day. Your crusing down to the base after an incredible blue bird powder day. You don't want to stop, but wheels stopped turning and it's going to be hard enough to find a spot at the bar. The mountain is clearing out, everything is getting dark. You can't stop thinking to yourself:
HOLE

LEE

SHIT

what a day. I always feel high on life during those moments.

[shera]

Skiing is my life. My art. My joy.

I guess I could just stop there. But...

The snow - what magic. It's always different, always interesting. Whether it's way deep pow, or breakthrough crust, I love it, respect it, cherish it.

The mountains - I get incredible excitement from skiing new terrain. Being able to hike or skin to it on my own legs makes me feel strong and powerful. No line is beyond my greedy grasp.

Schussing - When I'm pushing the envelope, worried about every turn in a no fall zone or working my way down a tight steep glade or hucking myself, the challenge feeds my mind and my body. And the adrenaline is pretty cool. But of course I love it when I am just owning a piece of terrain, grooving without thought - skiing it so well that it's transcended the physical mechanics. Loose and free. Feeling, not thinking.

Friends - I can hardly hang out with anybody that's not a skier anymore. I'm just glad there are people out there like you guys that understand, so I'm not alone in this insanity.

Thanks, Brett.

[crashnburn'd]

Originally posted by basom
for me its mostly the enjoyment I get out of watching mildbill writhe around in the fetal position shrieking in a nauseating tone because his boots hurt.

I'd never had the chance to enjoy this until last winter. At first I was unsure of what to think, but once I got the hang of laughing, pointing, and heckling, I enjoyed it quite thoroughly.

[Vinman]

I also started skiing when I was young around 5 years old. This will be my 27th season on skis. 82% of all the winters I have ever lived though. As with most of us on this board skiing is an obsession and this year it seems my affliction is worse than ever. It is all I can think about especially when I see those SA TR's and pics from last season on re-run and even worse when Powmag comes in the mail.

But the thing that does it for me about skiing more than anything is the freedom, the adventure, the challenge, hiking for pow, getting reacquainted with going bigger, relearning how to spin. Testing, finding and then pushing my limits of comfort, ability and courage. And as others have said, I don't have to think about anything else but skiing while I am out there, I don't even have to think, just read and react to the conditions and terrain.

Damn this is getting my hear pounding just thinking about this stuff......... visualizing scenes from seasons gone by..........

[supercastor]

1 - The feeling of power and being like lost for the world when on top of things with fresh air going in and pure feeling around.

2 - the closeness to elements, either when you rip fresh snow, your line following the mountain curves and hips, or when you're in the trees on a blank day, or surrounded by icy seracs.

3- freedom when in the air. shivering freedom.

4 - friends, boots drying in the basement, chalet brightly lit on a winter night, smoking a cigarette outside in the cold with people who can appreciate the beauty facing you and talk silent words.

5 - The cold. Dislike hot weather so much. makes me sweat, nothing to do to it. Makes me edgy, nervous and bad. Cold is my friend. I'd like to die on a snowy day.

Finally rereading this I think what I most appreciate in snowboarding (sorry ) is this : silent speed.

[TeleAl]

the endless face shot
turn after turn
with the feeling of weightlessness
and no sound except your breathing

[Duker]

Skiing has been a part of me since I was 2. My father has been employed in the industry my whole life So I ve never been away from it. Like its been said before I cant explain skiing, there is some sort of emotion that it stirs in all of us that cant be aroused by any other activity. Man brett, this is a friggin awesome thread. Thanks to you all for getting me through the off season!

Duke

[Baconzoo]

I've never laughed so hard in my life....
Spraying a race crew friend who was putting up a fence. I burried him so hard I heard the sound of the snow hitting his jacket over my Walkman on high.

Jacking in my pants.....
Dick deep lower faces in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Like no other.

Travel....
Gods' country centers you in his majesty. I only stop and smell the roses when my legs are tired.

Eye watering speed.....
I've never felt so in control in the face of danger. Tucking is a great waste of vertical feet.

Homey's.....
Our tribe is where we are always welcomed as long as we have the "look" in our eyes. The fevor to pleasure ourselves in Natures finest element.

Anticipation....
Can be as great as the reward. The frantic drive to the hill is one filled with massive hopes and dreams.

Skiing/boarding is my saving grace. Thank you all for sharing yours!

[Big E]

It is the both the fastest AND most expensive path to knee surgery!

[Johnny Gunn]

For me, the fun with particpating in sports was always playing on game day. But to improve your skills you always had to endure boring practices (ex. hockey, baseball, golf, soccor, etc).

However with skiing, every time you hit the slopes its game day and your practicing at the same time. There's not too many sports that allow you to improve your skills without having to attend boring practices (at least with the sports that I have participated in).

SKIING ROCKS !!!!!!

[Karl Stall]

I like the interconnectedness with nature, where you are simultaneously attempting to control and be one with the laws and physicality of the natural world.

Skiing deep, steep, sustained pitches at speed when you can feel your shins pressing into the front of your boots is one of the coolest feelings in the world.

Most of all, though, I think it is the friendships and cameraderie that form on the basis of this common bond. Now, as I get older, I am really enjoying watching my children grow into a sport that provides for so much joy and exhilaration.

[CS]

Nice thread Blurred. http://tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

For me it is a million tiny nuances.

The blast of cold air when you open your door in the parking lot.

The morning que at the lift.

The muffled silence of a storm day.

The muffled silence of a storm day pierced by bodyless whoops of joy heard floating from a thick forest.

The anticipation of the 1st lift ride up on a big day, wondering just how deep it is.

Seeing the cold smoke and trenches left behind by someone and only hearing the hiss of moving snow as they float by. And then knowing just how deep it is.

Submersion.

The stupid smiles of everyone on "one of those days."

The smell of pines.

Good times shared with good friends.

The list goes on and on............

[dropinskiout]

been lurking here for a few months, but this thread enticed me to post....

been skiing since i was 2 or 3, in no particular order:

being able to get away from "real life", I can easily forget all my problems on the mountain

that moment of silence/calm while in mid-air after a jump or cliff

the intensity of zippering down a mogul run

faceshots

looking back up at a steap, narrow tree run/chute and realizing you kicked its ass

that occasional time where i just feel like bombing down a groomed blue or black trail (damn, that's fun every once in a while)

the feeling of anxiety before dropping into a difficult trail


damn, you guys made me yearn for the season to start that much more.