When did you start skiing?

[Philpug]

When did you start and what kept you skiing?

[Ron]

I think like 93 or 94? Not sure. I was instantly hooked despite breaking my thumb the 2nd day skiing at Beaver creek. My boss at the time said, do you ski? I said, no but I always wanted to. So I took a lesson in NJ and then I was off to ski with clients at the beav'. He stuck me in Ski school, on the 2nd day I was coming down "Gold Dust", a blue, caught and edge and popped my thumb (skiers thumb) end of the season. I skied the next day in a cast. Didn't matter, I couldn't wait to get back out the next season.

What keeps me hooked? the commeradery of folks who share the same passion for the sport, mountains, the cold, the speed, the trill of trees, crud,big soft bumps, skiing along the edges popping off terrain catching air, the powder and the whole vibe (including the GEAR!). I used to be so obessed with perfect form I forgot to relax and have fun. I realized i spent the whole season working on technique and not having fun. I know I have much to learn but I focus on a good mix of learning and just enjoying now. Loosen up and enjoy the ride!

[Gary]

86....

Orange.....

Fresh air...

Dancing on the mountain.....

The great buds and the wealth of experiences.....

G

[Glenn]

I started skiing when CB jackets with neon were the "thing" to have. I was in 5th grade...so about 1988? We went up every weekend to the this little mountain in Western Mass called "Blanford". I just loved it...I liked the speed, I liked being outdoors in the winter. I got into racing a year or so after I started. In high school, I was skiing 4 times week...Saturday and Sunday recrational, Tuesday Thursday practices, races. I picked up snowboarding in highschool as well. I needed to change things up on the weekend a bit.    I eventually got out of boarding in 96 or so when I picked up my first pair of "parabolic" skis. Woohoo! Those were sweet! Still have em' too. I skied less and less in college...then started working, got engaged, bought a house... But last season, we got back into it. I had taught my wife to ski before we bought the house and she's now really into it.

[kwilliams]

Age 4. It was 1974 and my Dad taught me to ski until I was 10.  Then my older brothers finished the job.  In my opinion, skiing is one of the top 2 things he taught me.

What keeps me skiing is the adventure, the big grin I get plowing on my fat skis through stashes of powder at Snowbird.  And I like the gear...