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

[p.blz]

I like just about every aspect of skiing and boarding , in particular:

speed, floating, escapism, camaradarie, cold fresh air, nature, ski bunnies, buzz, anticipation, triumph, confronting fear, fries&gravy, apres-ski

I could go on and on.

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I think Bodhi said it best, "It's that moment where you lose yourself and you find yourself at the same time"

[Redskea]

Never skiied till I was 19. About 1000 days since then. Skiing and being in the mountains is an addiction and my life.

I like the weightlessness, feeling like you're flying when skiing powder.
The moment of fear before I ski something steep (and the happy feeling afterwards.)
Going fast.
The mind blowing beauty of untouched backcountry.
Being on the hill early in the morning, as the sun rises, and late, when it's setting.
Skiing with the dog in powder. Seeing her whining and shaking with excitement because its a snow day.

[kchri]

My two daughters keep me pushing the envelope. They fly down the steepest runs (and non runs). They started at 3 and I started at 27. The way I look at it is I've got alot of catching up to do!!! Skiing keeps us together more than any other activity.

They are 8 and 10 in this pic...



http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic27403.jpg

[freshie247]

I love the sensual nature of Wirgin snow.I think skiing has overtly sexual over/undertones to it. Repeatedly plunging in & out of the velvety smoothness,feeling it envelope you in it's gossamer grasp.It becons to you,surrounds you in an intoxicating cloud like the siren song to Ullyssees ears.You sink your energy into the powder,it wantonly receives it & lovingly returns it.

As the snow rises & falls around you ,the toxins of everyday life are drawn out & magically flushed away,like writing on the beach with the next set of waves.All memories of a distant life are but a shimmering haze that sparkles in the distance ,noticable,but without form.The zen that encapsulates you buffers the outside intrusion of another realm.This slipstream of rapture never to be forgotten,will always be cherished.Your spirit,washed clean,gleams in the eye of the soul.

[Karl Stall]

Originally posted by kchri
My two daughters keep me pushing the envelope. They fly down the steepest runs (and non runs). They started at 3 and I started at 27. The way I look at it is I've got alot of catching up to do!!! Skiing keeps us together more than any other activity.

They are 8 and 10 in this pic...

I love your post, man - that's so cool. I hope that my girls keep it up to be able to ski big runns like that.

Welcome, jong-man - well done!!!

[SIIHP]

Skiing is so many things. Freedom. A dance with gravity and snow. Its like painting a picture on a mountain. Every turn a view into a prespective of how someone sees the mountain. The whisper of skis in fresh snow, the light filtering through the trees, and way the snow crystal glisten in the sun as they fall off a tree leaving an almost smokey contrail in the air. The crisp air, the views that leave you looking in awe, a place hardly touched by humans. So perfect.

For me its something that has always been there. No matter how bad life gets, how bizzare, a day on the mountain makes me realize everything is fixable, everything will fade away. It reminds me how insignifigant I am, and that even the most insignifigant thing can still leave its mark, even if only until the next storm.

[shera]

Originally posted by kchri
They are 8 and 10 in this pic...

So cute!!!

[Aldo]

This still catches me. Written by my Pops a while back.

2/8/59

The skier lives in a world apart, a world crowded with unfamiliar beauty. He experiences feelings of speed and flight unknown to ordinary man. The sudden swoop, lift and dip of a fast run plucks out the mind, leaving him with an awareness only of wide silence and sensational movement. There is a sense of exploration and discovery when his only link with the everyday world is the track he leaves behind.



45 years later he's out in Summit Cty. getting out there every day he can. My Man.

[A-wreck]

I had a "this is why I love skiing" moment this past winter at Jackson Hole...............

my buddies and I were taking a breather in the woods and I thought to myself how lucky I was to be in such an unbelievable place, with a couple of my best freinds, smoking a really really big joint.........................and I thought to myself.....I could've been born into some poor family in a third world country with a dirt floor and chickens running around........but I'm here on some new boards instead!

[snowsprite]

You need to become published, mang!

Sprite

Originally posted by SIIHP
Skiing is so many things. Freedom. A dance with gravity and snow. Its like painting a picture on a mountain. Every turn a view into a prespective of how someone sees the mountain. The whisper of skis in fresh snow, the light filtering through the trees, and way the snow crystal glisten in the sun as they fall off a tree leaving an almost smokey contrail in the air. The crisp air, the views that leave you looking in awe, a place hardly touched by humans. So perfect.

For me its something that has always been there. No matter how bad life gets, how bizzare, a day on the mountain makes me realize everything is fixable, everything will fade away. It reminds me how insignifigant I am, and that even the most insignifigant thing can still leave its mark, even if only until the next storm.

[yogachik]

Originally posted by Ireallyliketoski
I think Bodhi said it best, "It's that moment where you lose yourself and you find yourself at the same time"

That's it, and it may become my new sig. I lose myself and find myself at the same time.

Mostly though, I love the sound. It's the most beautiful sound in the world - that snow under my board - an ever changing sound and always beautiful.

[Mrs Roo]

Being another late starter (age 21) I initially viewed skiing as an athletic challenge and I was driven by my own pig headedness to learn the sport. More recently it has become more spiritual than that. I have always been blown over by the majesty of mountains in winter but I know feel I'm moving with the scenery rather than battling gravity, snow etc. I have had some of my happiest times with friends (old and new) who "understand".

It is also the time I see my beloved husband at his happiest and most elegant.

[Tippster]

Originally posted by yogachik
...Mostly though, I love the sound. It's the most beautiful sound in the world - that snow under my board - an ever changing sound and always beautiful.

I love the sound as well. It's always changing - from the whisper of powder on your shins to the whirr of fresh corduroy while maching to a higher lift in the morning.

Other senses tickled:

Smell: if you've ever waited for the lift to open at MRG on a powder morning, you know... Diesel, Coffee, & Snow.

Sight: See Seldon's post. If you've never skied the Alps, go this year. Book now.

Touch: Face shots. I think we're the only community that can talk about these without offending a complete stranger.

Mind: The mountains are my church. They are where I celebrate my God, every turn a genuflection.

[kchri]

Originally posted by Karl Stall
I love your post, man - that's so cool. I hope that my girls keep it up to be able to ski big runns like that.

Welcome, jong-man - well done!!!

They will usually surprise you! I sometimes wish I was 4 ft and 65 lbs on 133 twins. I remember thinking how they would never catch up to me because I had at least 8 years on them, but it only took them 4 years to learn the same things. This year I believe my oldest will be throwing tricks that I can't do and that really humbles me because I like to believe that I am very good.

They can maneuver effortlessly - at least from my point of view.

What is with JJJJJOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG!

No Snowmen!

[seldon]

Tipp-
"Mind: The mountains are my church. They are where I celebrate my God, every turn a genuflection." is part of my new sig. Thanks!

[Tippster]

[SIIHP]

Originally posted by snowsprite
You need to become published, mang!

Sprite

Thanks.

[Below Zero]

Originally posted by SIIHP
For me its something that has always been there. No matter how bad life gets, how bizzare, a day on the mountain makes me realize everything is fixable, everything will fade away. It reminds me how insignifigant I am, and that even the most insignifigant thing can still leave its mark, even if only until the next storm.

I like you post too! I feel this way all the time.

And as A-wreck said, a big fat joint with friends is always good - especially in the trees as snow is falling and there is complete silence in the air!

I LOVE SKIING!

[Jiehkevarri]

I can't believe nobody mentioned apres ski...!!!

My father also always reminded me (when he was a bit younger): "what's all this hype about carving turns and going so fast - I always thought the coolest feeling in skiing is to slide a (almost sideways) turn and spray some snow!" (he learned to ski in the 60's with some stiff and very long (210-220!) planks with no sidecut that required this huge upweighting of the skis, you know the classic feet together, hips swinging old school "Alrberg" turn...

That saying still makes me smile on every powder day. Also, I always think that my father was right when people (also me) these days rave about things like spatulas and "buttering" turns in pow!