Gary, Johnny -- well said, both of you.
I would like to add something of an observation, and yet another call for mutual respect, humility and courtesy. In recent months I have perceived a tone of condescension and a haughty superiority from some members here, which is usually accompanied with a comment like "If he were an expert skier...."; or "Only true experts ski like this...."; or something similar. First of all, I find that kind of talk exceedingly narrow minded and arrogant, as if the writer were somehow qualified to judge what is or what is not expert skiing. In the almost complete absence of context and a firm basis upon which to make such judgments, these statements are absurd and should be dismissed out of hand as ridiculous and insignificant. Best to be ignored, in other words.
Secondly, these same writers seem to assume that others here either perceive themselves to be, or at least aspire to be, expert skiers. Again, how absurd. Most of us here seem to be pretty self aware and know that we are not at that level, and will likely never reach it. Nor can we, or want to, devote the time and energy to needed to achieve that. Speaking personally, I certainly don't feel that way. I have children to raise, a business to run, and a myriad of other interests and hobbies that make my life rich and full. Skiing is a great passion of mine, but it is NOT the central focus of my life. How shallow, if it were true. I have greater priorities in my life. That said, it really gets my hackles up when someone posts here and insinuates an attitude that suggests otherwise. Its especially riling when they make statements such like their way is somehow superior, and anyone who does not fit into that narrow definition is somehow not worthy of an opinion, or even worthy to contribute advice and counsel to others.
A little bit of perspective, please. It's just a sport. And for most of us it's a recreational pastime, not a career or a profession (with no disrespect intended to the actual professionals here, you lucky buggers
). Let's all keep that in mind.
Cheers, and have fun out there folks.
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