The Daily Ping

FROM: Greg
DATE: Thursday November 20, 2003 -- 10:12:59 am

Skiing's a good time and provides a good leg workout in the process. If you look like a fool and spend a few days on the bunny slope working on and perfecting stopping and turning, hitting things, tumbling down the slope, and injuries can, for the most part, can be avoided. And dude, don't just learn, learn to the x-treme!!!

You should try skiing, it's much easier.

FROM: jk
DATE: Thursday November 20, 2003 -- 11:12:36 am

There is an unwritten law that says dancers should never ski. Too much of a risk to the knees. I have lived by this law, but would be willing to try snow-boarding. I was quite the little skate boarding fiend as a kid.

FROM: Dave Walls [E-Mail]
DATE: Thursday November 20, 2003 -- 1:00:35 pm

I love my skiing. I'm dying in anticipation of winter so I can hit the slopes. Skiing is, by far, one of the most exhilarating things I've ever done, and I still get as much enjoyment out of it now as I did when I started on my 10th birthday.
I've done lots of amateur ski racing (primarily in high school and early college days), but skiing just for fun is still something I love, and gives me a reason to look forward to winter.

Seriously, Colorado has so many choice for skiing, it would be ridiculous not to try it out. I totally agree with Greg, though: Learn skiing first. It's a lot easier, unless you were a skateboarder as a teen. In that case, you may pick up snowboarding a bit quicker, but for the most part, a day of lessons, hitting the bunny slopes, and you'll be fine. Skiing equipment continues to get safer too, so the risk of injury is very limited, assuming common sense is used. (Injury free here for 16 years and counting)

Plus. there's an added benefit: Apres-ski parties. ;) Yeah, I know you're married, but they can still be fun even with a partner. Nothing beats a good day of skiing, then cuddling up by a fireplace with a warm cup of cocoa and someone else. THAT"S a great day.

FROM: Ace High
DATE: Thursday November 20, 2003 -- 3:32:05 pm

Break a leg!

FROM: Rob [E-Mail]
DATE: Thursday November 20, 2003 -- 3:34:14 pm

I have never skied before, myself. I have extremely poor balance. I can see myself getting seriously injured. Or at least very bruised and cold and wet.

FROM: Ty
DATE: Friday November 21, 2003 -- 1:54:07 am

I live in a snowy state also and have the same question asked fairly frequently. Honestly, I've tried it both and am way to scared to ruin my hands. My guitar, drawing, and all that are hand intensive. Not to mention it's very expensive if you go all out at it. It looks cool, but sometimes it just isn't worth it.

FROM: Big Kev
DATE: Friday November 21, 2003 -- 7:52:41 am

Skiing is great. I learned to ski when I was 22 years old. I am 29 now and I have skiied every season inbetween. It's great exercise and it feels great when you get down the trail (without falling LOL) and think to yourself that you conqured the mountain. I have had some difficult times with the punks of the slopes aka. snowboarders. Most are disrespectful and will try and make you fall, espically if you are a beginner. Don't take no crap from a pier rider (snowboarder) and enjoy yourself.

FROM: Dave Walls [E-Mail]
DATE: Friday November 21, 2003 -- 9:20:58 am

I agree with everything Big Kev said, with the exception of snowboarders rudeness. Maybe it's depends on where you ski, but I havent had as much of a problem with snowboarders as I did when they were first breaking into the mainstream. The majority of snowboarders were a lot more arrogant in the early 90's, with cutting skiers off and trying to get them to crash, just to make their point that snowboarding was ok. Since almost all resorts allow snowboarding now and it's widely accepted, I find that most snowboarders are more...normal. I think, whether they are skiers or snowboarders, you'll have some problems with young persons on the slopes, because they show respect for no one, unless they have a Ski Patrol jacket on, and get their lift ticket revoked.

It never ceases to amaze me how a 6 year old can be so fearless to just get into a tuck and throw himself down a hill at incredible speeds...but I digress. Just relax and go for it.