Explain Why You Ski to Somebody Who Doesn't

[focus]

Why do you ski? I tried explaining to my wife (who doesn't ski) why I love it so much and why I'm so blue when the season is over. I thought I had it all figured out for her, but got stumped. Conversation:

Me: Well, have you ever wished that you could fly? Like, say, Peter Pan or Superman...

Her: Yes.

Me: Why? Because you think it would be fun? Or because you think it would be a good way to get from point A to B?

Her: Because it would be fast.

Me: What if it wasn't. What if just driving to point B was faster? Would you just rather drive, then?

Her: Yes.

Me: You don't think it would be fun at all? To float, to loop through the air, to be free from gravity....?

Her: Meh... Not really....

Me: uh.... hm.... well, uh...skiing is kind of like flying for me, once you know what you're doing....

Her: oh. That's nice. Is such and such a show going to be a repeat tonight?

[TeleHoar]

Skiing fills that spot in my soul where Jesus is supposed to be.

just tell her that.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

It's the chicks, man. It's all about the the chicks.

[SkiDork]

Skiing in pow is like floating on a cloud. Most people can ID with that...

[stupendous man]

Louis Armstrong said, "f you have to ask what jazz is, then you'll never know."

[kidwoo]

Zooming

All about zooming

[cj001f]

Because it's fun.

[El Chupacabra]

Well, what does she like (what does she get excited about)?

Example: if she says "I love getting it from Gosey," you could explain that skiing:you = her:Goseying.

[willywhit]

because it's safer than base jumping

[A-wreck]

It makes me happy.

[HotDiggity]

Because it's the most fun I have with my clothes on.

[skiHOG]

Because it's the most fun I have with my clothes on.

ding ding

[snowsprite]

This isn't a super-appealing picture you paint of the wife! There has to be more to her, if you married her and think she's cool.

So I too am wondering...what floats her boat? What is exciting about her or exciting to her (and I'm sure it's more than TV!)? Paint the skiing in those terms, and I think she will understand why you love it. Look at it from her perspective and what appeals to her.

I think there is something in skiing that can appeal to anyone if they have an open mind to try it.

And I love the skiing b/c I like feeling and overcoming fear. And the smell of the waffle hut. Oh the smell of the waffle hut...


Sprite

[extreeski]

To me skiing is the union of earth and sky. Gravity and Weightlessness. And I control all of the factors of physics as it applies to me.

[Odin]

It's a personal thing. If she doesn't have understanding, just make sure she has acceptance and leave it at that.

[SkiDork]

This isn't a super-appealing picture you paint of the wife! There has to be more to her, if you married her and think she's cool.

So I too am wondering...what floats her boat? What is exciting about her or exciting to her (and I'm sure it's more than TV!)? Paint the skiing in those terms, and I think she will understand why you love it. Look at it from her perspective and what appeals to her.

I think there is something in skiing that can appeal to anyone if they have an open mind to try it.

And I love the skiing b/c I like feeling and overcoming fear. And the smell of the waffle hut. Oh the smell of the waffle hut...


Sprite

Sprite, cut it out. I'm on the biggest loser contest, fer christ sakes!

[focus]

It's a completely different way to move, where the rules and what is possible change.

She used to swim. I'll try to relate it to her in those terms.

I've tried this before, and she hasn't gotten it. It's a larger question, though.

[Atlas Q. Powmonger]

This is why I love skiing.



I guess I'm not very articulate.

[alto]

Looks like a dangerous-as-fuck place to stand. But I guess I wasn't there.

Skiing is a great way to get around in the mountains. Why do you like to get around in the mountains? Uhmmmm...

[buckethead]

kind of like describing music to the deaf...

i usually describe the freedom, adventure+exploration, speed+energy harnessed by subtle (and the occasional SUDDEN) movement...the sense of flight+energy, getting away from the trappings of civilization...and that it's the closest thing to moving about the earth like a fleet and fearless animal.

but most people can't get beyond the fact that "it's kinda cold out there, isn't it???"

[The Dad]

What others have said (especially Telehoar).

I really started getting back into it big-time a couple years ago, when it became clear that all three of my kids enjoyed it. That was the December when my twins were four, and when they each decided (on successive days) that they didn't want to do daycare plus snowplay anymore, but wanted to do a full day of lessons, bell to bell (albeit with breaks for snacks, lunch, and of course, potty). By the end of that season, they were skiing basically any blue run at Squaw, and their big sister (then seven) was skiing single blacks competently.

The last two years, we've done a ski lease and had them on team at Alpine Meadows. Each kid has at least 60 days combined between the past two season. When you're only six years old, that's a significant part of your life.

Kids have advantages over adults -- primarily lack of weight and fear -- that let them excel in skiing at an early age. I figure my kids are in the top 5% or better of people on the hill on any given day. I can't think of any other activity -- physical or mental, let alone both (which skiing is) -- that a six year old can do as competently as a good adult. And living in the Bay Area, it gets them used to the idea that seasons exist, and lets me point out to them that when it's 47 degrees out and they're screaming for me to turn up the heat in the car, that if they were on the hill, they'd be begging me to let them take off their sweatshirts and ski in shirtsleeves.

It's also a great way for my wife and me to spend time together, enjoying doing stuff, and getting discrete 5-15 minute periods to talk (depending on how bad the lift lines are). FWIW, although my wife grew up skiing XC, she didn't downhill until her 20s. Even then, she had less than 10 days on skis five years ago. She got hooked too, although not as bad as me.

And I get to meet and spend time with great people doing something we enjoy, including a bunch of folks I now ski with whom I met through this board. Huge shout-out to Sinecure, StormDay (my kids now revel in telling me when they've seen him skiing), OHC (who's been a great coach for my daughter this year), Turx, and many others with whom I've had the joy of taking runs.

Which is a long-winded (my trademark) way of saying, I love skiing for the feeling. And I love it because it's the only exercise I actually enjoy. But I also love skiing for the social aspects, both within my family and with others. Skiing a steep line of deep pow is fantastic -- doing it with your kids is unbelievable.

[wi3dzmin]

Because skiing is fun.

Because it's the most fun I have with my clothes on.

Heh, ski naked.

[Atlas Q. Powmonger]

[QUOTE=alto;1193834]Looks like a dangerous-as-fuck place to stand. But I guess I wasn't there.
[\QUOTE]

Looks exposed but wasn't...

[Conundrum]

Skiing is the only way to Boner City. Even non-skiers should know that.

[Rideski]

shirtsleeves.

I've never understood the term shirtsleeves. Wouldn't it be more correct to say short sleeves?