Skiing - why do people do it?
443512
For the..."thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."
1029431
Both are absolutely awesome!\n\nI've been snowboarding for twenty years but I love to ski every now and then (I get about 100 days a year on the mountain and I spend 10 or 12 on skis). \n\nOn hard snow, skis are much better than a snowboard. A snowboard isn't exactly bad on hard snow but I can rail my turns so much better on my skis than on my board when it's icy. \n\nIn powder there is no contest, snowboard all the way. Much more fluid and graceful and most skiers can't keep up with me if I really want to run in deep snow.\n\nAnd I have to say when it all comes down to it, if you are a speed freak then you need to ditch the snowboard because skis are much, much faster than boards. On my board I can hang with all my skier friends, especially in deep snow, but if they want to go it's all I can do to just keep up and I ride really, really fast.\n\nThe Olympics is definately not the venue for Snowboarding and it's a bad place to compare Skiing and Snowboarding. You should see how big the skiers go in the Halfpipe or how much faster they are on the Snowcross course. It's really amazing to watch.\n\nDon't get me wrong, snowboarding is in my blood and I'm a snowboarder till I die but skiing is pretty cool too.\n\nEDIT: In reply to Golfguy. Snowboarders can and do ride moguls, in fact I charge moguls hard and I love them. They are a bit more challenging on a board but still totally fun and doable.\n\nAs for snowboarders pushing off the powder and making it icy, that is just ridiculous. It's ignorant statements like that that have given snowboarders such a bad rap. I NEVER "push" off the powder. I carve the powder as well as the best skiers and better than most. Yes, occasionally you see idiots, in over their head, sliding sideways down the hill because they don't know what they are doing. It's just as likely to happen with a guy on skis as it is with a guy on a board. You need to try snowboarding and see what it's all about before making misinformed comments like that.
645815
Snowboarding is amazing! I used to love skiing but ever since I strapped on the snowboard ten years ago, I have an attachment: so much so that I competed in snowboarding competitions for two years! It rocks! \n\nSkiing is Safer\nSkiing is more Controlable\nSnowboarding is def. more fun to watch!!!
517545
1. It keeps people in shape.\n2. It keeps people out of trouble.\n3. It's a great sport for competition.
41085
Ski hill jobs arent really known for benefits.  The benefit is you get to ski a lot more than anyone else.  Good resorts- depends what you want.  Jackson Hole like other guy mentioned is known for being one of the best expert hills... Whistler is a mecca for skiing, got a lot of everything... Utah gets hammered with snow (Alta, Snowbird)... Colorado has big resorts and expensive crowds (Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge)...
503375
I LOVE SKIING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
192547
he has his different way of getting ready for races. he can be a total ass but he's awesome. hes got an amazing skiing style and he just didn't show it at the olympics. maybe if tv networks showed more ski racing you would see how amazing he is.
394448
Why the last? If others are interested in skiing and football then others will enter both. I know other football players that were skiers but none I know of with Olympic creds
390082
i would recommend checking in with a rental shop when you get to the mountain, with the new parabolic ski technology and even a "smart ski" (see link below)try out some demo's before and if you decide to buy, if you a "couple times a season" skier i wouldnt buy at all, and always rent. that way you get to ski on new tech every time.\n\n the binding is the most important aspect of skiing levels...don't lie about your height weight or ability level here!\n\nthe only question you need to ask your self is, "how fast do i want to go!"
760185
By "downhill" I assume you mean "alpine" and are not joining the World Cup circuit. Skis are sized by several factors. Size of the individual is definitely important, but skill level is as well. The type and conditions of the terrain also play a role but to a lesser extent.I recommend a good ski shop in a resort area. Resort ski shops tend to be more hands on and knowledgable and less full of BS trying to sell you something.
25809
I was a professional ski instructor while in college.  I taught hundreds of people from age 3 to 84.  Some were very athletic and some were, well, not so athletic to put it politely.  That said, there is no set time to learn.  I taught an 8 year old girl who was a gymnist.  She was skiing advanced runs by the end of the day.  I taught a college age guy who could never grasp the basic skills to turn no matter what trick I tried during several different lessons.  It took me 3 years before I could go down anything other than a beginner run.  Two years later, I was good enough to be a ski instructor.  You just never know how quick until you get on the skis.  If you have a good sense of balance and good control of your body and feet, you should pick it up rather quickly.  If not, it could take a little longer.  If you can afford ski lessons, take them - private or semi-private lessons are better because you get more one on one instruction with the instructor.\n\nUsually, it is eaier to learn the baics to ski than snowboarding, but once you learn the basics of snowboarding, people pick it up a lot faster.  \n\nNo matter which one you decide to take up, enjoy!!!
137111
the reason why they call it winter olympics is because of the figure skating, snowboarding, skiing, curling, and luge. They have to have it in the winter so the snowboarders and skiers have snow. And those are sports in the winter and for example, they take the best winter athlete's out of the X Games and put them in the winter olmpics and put them in the country they were born in,that shound explain why they call it the winter olympics.
47691
Why would someone want to do that?
792423
A lady learning to ski. She was heading straight for the only tree in the vicinity and didn't seem to know which way to go to avoid it. She hopped to point her skis one way and then changed her mind and hopped to go in the other direction. She was about to hop and change direction again, when she ran out of snow and went crashing into the tree. It was hilarious! (Well I thought so anyway!)
306249
Skier all the way....but i dont mind skiing with boarders....its fun all around...as long as its a good time...no worries
868129
i looooove skiing so i might help\nget skiis the smae height as you are or else you are going to go really really fast on the snow \nthat is one thing
339043
Um, because they're athletes? If they didn't participate in sports, they wouldn't be athletes.\n\nIf you mean why PEOPLE participate in sports, there are lots of reasons: the exercise, the fun, the need to compete,