Going Snow Skiing for the first time in 16 years - what's changed?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

In a similar situation... It's WAY more expensive. Even the second and third-tier places which used to run $20-$30 for a weekend lift pass are now $60, $70 or more. Lots of snowboards - use caution. Lines are way longer. Agree with the "wear a helmet" sentiment - learn from Michael Schumacher.

Basically it seems to mirror most things these days - lower quality, higher cost, more high-tech whiz-bangs and a more detached experience IMHO. Sorry to sound like a downer - it's still fun but the last time I went (first time in almost 15 years) reminded me of a lot of the reasons I haven't gone for almost 15 years!

Enjoy it all the same!

[wayner]

With modern skis you just roll your ankles and the skis turn themselves (in comparison to the old planks)....and, they actually carve now!

[Nickshu]

I have a weekend place in Frisco. Make sure you stop by Prost on main street. A little hole in the wall German bar that serves German beers on tap and house made sausage. Heaven!

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by wayner

With modern skis you just roll your ankles and the skis turn themselves (in comparison to the old planks)....and, they actually carve now!

That. It's like power steering. My first few turns I was almost facing the wrong way. Skis are lighter. Specialty powder skis are amazing.

I wish they had terrain parks and those jumps when I was a kid. Of course I'd be dead today.

Another change is the increase in moron quotient with more boarders. Don't get me wrong, I like snowboarders and they saved the sport from financial ruin. But they opened it up to folks bombing down the slopes with much less control. So wear a helmet.

Enjoy!

[Mark Henry]

I live 5 minutes from the hill, it's small but you can't beat the convenience. Our hill also has night skiing. I ski about every 2nd day in season.
Like others have said skis are different and a lot easier to use, but there is a bit of a learning curve.

[sammyg2]

Going Snow Skiing for the first time in 16 years - what's changed?

LOL
people wear HELMETS now and very expensive ski outfits as if they were olympic champions, and that's not just the ones climbing off the short bus.

In my day we wore levis over long johns, a knit sweater and a down jacket if it was cold. We had goggles and gloves but never, ever even considered wearing a helmet while skiing.
We did that when we played FOOTBALL.

We figured that if you didn't fall down all the time you didn't need a $go-zillion worth of poser-wear

[gprsh924]

Sammy, you probably skiied uphill both ways as well.

Theres no reason not to wear a helmet. Falling onto a rock or a sheet of ice at 40+ mph has potential to mess you up. Ive got to much money invested in my brain to worry about "looking cool" by foregoing the helmet.

As to the high end ski gear, why not stay warm, comfortable and dry if you can? Jeans on the hill, you look like an idiot. Not to mention if you went out in any sort of weather your legs would be frozen after 20 mins.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Ask Michael Schumacher about the whole helmet thing. If he hadn't been wearing one, where do you think he'd be today?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Ask Michael Schumacher about the whole helmet thing. If he hadn't been wearing one, where do you think he'd be today?

Or Sonny Bono.

Have fun, but be careful

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by nickshu

i have a weekend place in frisco. Make sure you stop by prost on main street. A little hole in the wall german bar that serves german beers on tap and house made sausage. Heaven!

excellent!