I learnt to ski.

[Happynoj]

My gf loves skiing, and asked me to go skiing with her. I hit an indoor slope, and had 9 hours of lessons, and then went to the Austrian alps for 5 days.

First day was terrifying - tried to stick to blue runs, but ended up having to go down a pretty damn steep red. Snowploughed all the way down. Never been more scared.

I could see improvment day by day, and by the final day I was parallel turning confidently. Can't wait to go again!

Anyone else ski?

[Zanpa]

Went snowboarding for the first time in Germany last week. Similar experience. Hooked.

[Darkstrike]

Cool stuff!

Dunno about skiing, but I've always wanted to try snowboarding.

[username n/a]

My girlfriend is taking me snowboarding some time in the near future.

[duff beer]

Maybe you should have "learnt" to spell...

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Used to ski pretty often, we have a fair few slopes near me and near my folks place.

Quite fancy giving boarding a shot but it would probably end badly.

[MakiSupaStar]

I got pretty good at skiing in high school. But my skiing career was over when I discovered snowboarding. That over 20 years ago. Snowboarding in light fluffy powder is one of my top five things to do behind sex.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

That over 20 years ago. Snowboarding in light fluffy powder is one of my top five things to do behind sex.

Wouldn't it be more fun to join in, rather than hanging out behind them snowboarding?

[IconBasser]

I've been snowboarding for about 10 years. It's great fun! Haven't gone yet this season though

[4Mal]

Originally Posted by Happynoj

My gf loves skiing, and asked me to go skiing with her. I hit an indoor slope, and had 9 hours of lessons, and then went to the Austrian alps for 5 days.

First day was terrifying - tried to stick to blue runs, but ended up having to go down a pretty damn steep red. Snowploughed all the way down. Never been more scared.

I could see improvment day by day, and by the final day I was parallel turning confidently. Can't wait to go again!

Anyone else ski?

good on ya. Skiing is great. Skiing powder is just the best... got some on the way this week it appears so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Snowplowing... Is actually one of the most difficult things you can do on skis. I can't imagine why they still teach it as a beginner skill... If you think about it, to snowplow straight requires executing perfect, simulaneous, left and right turns ... It's just daft to expect a beginner to get it...

Glad you enjoyed the experience, hope you get back to it soon!

I'm 8 days in this year on Mt Hood. Got a 2 week trip through central BC planned for a bit later. It's big Powder country up there and while it's off the beaten track, in a La Nina year like this one, it may be the best snow on the planet.

snowboards... are limiting... lots of the local hill & park rats here made the switch over to skis in the last couple of years. They do get tired of getting smoked on long traverses & run outs... at our hill we have to work for some of the best turns on the hill. With a few exceptions, the boarders just get left out...

[bass12]

Originally Posted by duff beer

Maybe you should have "learnt" to spell...

As a Canadian you should know that "learnt" is perfectly acceptable.
Skiing used to be a huge part of my life. I'd ski 50+ days per season, mostly in Vermont (if I was lucky I'd fit in a trip to Whistler/Blackcomb). It was actually my schedule as a musician that was largely responsible for my dropping skiing. I still miss it and keep telling myself I'll go back. Funnily enough, it was Greg Stump's films that re-ignited my passion where music was concerned.

[MrLenny1]

Two hobbies, playing bass & skiing for 20 + years now.
Too bad ski resorts don't hire more bands. That would be heaven.
Enjoy & try the Rockies some day.

[thobbinghotrod]

I love snowboarding, it keeps everyone at the bottom of the hill so I can ski the difficult stuff in peace.

Just kidding, I'd definitely like to try snowboarding but I might be too old to have a bruised butt.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

Too bad ski resorts don't hire more bands. That would be heaven.

There are gigs in ski towns but since A) accommodations are at a premium and B) there are locals living at home that can work cheaper than guys on the road the gigs often go to locals. I lived in Pemberton (just north of Whistler) and worked in bands and a duo for several years. Did a couple of tours of ski towns with one band but were rare and paid lousy.

[Kipaste]

I started skiing at three years old. I was even pretty good at some point. Some fifteen years ago I switched to snowboard. Now that I think of it, it was the same time as I picked up bass guitar.

Anyhow, I'm getting too fat, stupid and ugly to be any good with a snowboard but I still love it. No big jumps anymore though.

[Happynoj]

Originally Posted by duff beer

Maybe you should have "learnt" to spell...

Grammar Nazi fail - I'm English, and 'learnt' is perfectly acceptable, and more commonly used than 'learned'.

[CapnSev]

Never seen a 'red' hill before. That must be a Europe thing.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Never seen a 'red' hill before. That must be a Europe thing.

Red Mountain in southern British Columbia is some of the best in bounds tree skiing anywhere....

[Pilgrim]

I've been skiing since the late 60's. To me snowboarding has no appeal - not as graceful as skiing to my eye, but that's simply personal preference.

I do think one can pick up the basics of skiing a bit more quickly, but it's only a 2-3 day project to have the basics down in any case.

At age 60 and with a steel plate in in my shin from an old motorcycle wreck my leg doesn't hold up for skiing a lot, but I live in Colorado a couple of hours from the best skiing in the US. I get out a couple of times a year.

[Staccato]

Congrats, that's fantastic!

OP, You didn't mention your age? Yes, the first time was awesome at Vail...