Downhill Skiing

[skibum]

My screen name is probably a little clue that I like to ski Unfortunately, it just describes what I aspire to be, not what I actually am. It's a little tough to hit the slopes as often as I'd like to now that I live in the southeast.

I grew up skiing at Snowshoe in WV and my mom currently lives at a small ski resort in VA called Wintergreen. But, from Atlanta, it's actually easiest to hop on a plane and head out west. I like to try different places -- some of my favorites are Park City, Steamboat, Vail and Whistler.

Interesting that you mention the connection between cycling and skiing. When I was trying to get better/faster at descending on my bike, my BF told me to pretend I'm skiing. Many similarities in how you pick a line and shift your weight through turns.

[Bron]

Yes, I ski, but mainly on the other side of the pond from you ladies. I was in Hintertux last weekend - great snow but a little chilly.
DH and I had a trip to Colorado for skiing and thought it was fantastic. The only thing that we could not believe was that there were no safety bars on half of the chairlifts in Steamboat

[yellow]

The only thing that we could not believe was that there were no safety bars on half of the chairlifts in Steamboat

Bron, safety bars are kind of a "new" thing in the west, they came in with the high speed quads, though a lot of the older chairs have been retrofitted. The resort I ski, Alta, has some chairs with bars but some without still. Then you go to Vail and they have chairs with not only bars but full on shields to protect you from the elements . But I love those back bowls at Vail...

I used to backcountry ski more than ski at the resorts, but these days I find myself mostly Nordic skiing (skating) and occasionally going to the downhill resort with friends. Alta does not groom a lot of the terrain, which is what I prefer. I tend to go way faster than I have any business going on the groomed runs. I'm better off skiing off piste.

I grew up skiing Sierra cement but now live in cold smoke paradise! Here's a shot at Alta last year (I'm on the right, the others are my friends Marsha and Sandy). Let it snow let it snow let it snow!!!

[Bron]

That looks great!
The back bowls in Vail were some of the best skiing I have ever done and I finally realised why people like powder. There were also a lot fewer people than you tend to get in Austria and everyone was really laid back.

I still can´t get over the no-safety bars thing! I have never seen chairs without them in Europe - even the oldest lift in Garmisch (basically a kitchen chair hung off a cable) has a safety bar. And what about US litigation culture??????? (no offence meant).

Anyway, if you think Vail is cushy with bubbles over the chairs you should go to Lech in Austria - I have heard that they have heated seats!

Bron

[solobiker]

I do quite a biti of skiing too. I actually Tele ski. DH and I start out the ski season at the resorts untill there is enough snow in the backcountry. Onc there is enough we stop going to the resorts and head out on our own for some yo-yo skiing. Great workout and very fun. And of course, no crowds

[yellow]

I actually Tele ski.

Is there any other kind of downhill skiing???

I once had a bumper sticker that said:
TELEMARK NAKED! Free the mind, lose the clothes!


yellow, free heeled since ~1990

[Kano]

I ski -- anxiously awaiting snow here in Boise. I can see the mountain from my living room (except at this time of night!) and there's not much up there yet, darn it!

Mt. Sunapee --- I just today read about something you want to know about. Didn't look too deeply, since it's across the country from me, but...

So, here's where I saw it -- I joined this forum, http://www.theskidiva.com It's a ladies ski forum (kind of like here, eh?) and I saw a bit of info there, along with a link for more. It's a friendly place -- maybe others will like it too? I did see a KimmyT there, which is a familiar-looking handle!

Karen in Boise

[solobiker]

Is there any other kind of downhill skiing???

I once had a bumper sticker that said:
TELEMARK NAKED! Free the mind, lose the clothes!


yellow, free heeled since ~1990

I love it I started about 5 years ago. It is so fun, a little more challenging when you have a somewhat loaded pack on, but it is worth it to do "yo-yo" skiing, get a work out and get some turns too, what more could you ask for