To Ski or Not to Ski

With so many other things to do on a "ski" vacation, it’s no longer a burning question.

Ambassadair’s Journey, October 2000
Copyright 2000 Dale Leatherman

    There was a time when ski vacations were pretty simple – you skied, you ate, you slept, then you got up the next day and did it all over again. However, this regimen tended to turn off beginners. And if you tired of skiing, sprained a body part, or -- worst of all -– happened to be a non-skier, your choices at most ski resorts were limited. A book and a chair by a cozy fire, perhaps. Or shopping – in ski stores, of course. Or chatting with others caught in the same dilemma. The pervasive feeling was one of being an outsider trapped in someone else’s dream vacation.

    Today, ski vacations aren’t just about skiing. Activity planners at winter resorts have long since realized that not everyone enjoys downhill skiing, and that avid skiers also like an occasional break from the slopes. As a result, there are now countless diversions, from dog-sledding to cooking classes.

    There’s also good news if you want to learn to ski or ski more skillfully. During the past decade, the use of shorter, "side-cut" skis has revolutionized learning. Shaped skis, which have an hourglass profile instead of being straight, make turning easy, even for the rankest beginner. Improved teaching methods and well-designed learning areas have also made the sport more "beginner-friendly." If you spend a few hours with an instructor your first morning out, chances are you’ll be able to handle yourself with confidence on lifts and the easier slopes.

The learning environment for snowboarding is equally welcoming.