I’m 35 years old and I’m going skiing for the very first time at the Wisp!
What should I wear to ski? What should I expect my first time skiing? How is Skiing similar to camping?!
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For most of my life; I’ve had an excuse to not go skiing. Looking back, I had an excuse for pretty much everything.
Either I was too young; or “too big”.
Today is Monday, February 19th, 2024; and I’m going skiing for the very first time! My sister and a few of our good friends heading to the Wisp Resort in Deep Creek, MD.
It’s a beautiful bright blue sunshine day! 28° this morning, calm wind. Not a cloud in the sky. Our area just got a fresh snow storm over the weekend.
It’s a mix of all kinds of emotions. Excitement is most of it! I’ve been here before; so I “kinda” know the grounds. My last time at the Wisp was ten years ago. We went tubing, I left in an ambulance!
A friendly pole got me stopped!
But the skiing part; I’m looking forward to riding the lifts! I definitely want to learn how to get stopped before heading down any hills. Once I learn the braking maneuvers; this will be a lot of fun! It may be like hiking.. Kind of? My sister says the scenery is the best part!
I feel ready! I’ve got on layers, upon layers. (UPDATE: I got a little too warm. I did not need the North Face base coat or the balaclava with 40° temperatures)
All said and done!
My good friend, Jeff, who’s been skiing for 40 years– was an excellent instructor! I began on the “ski school slopes”.
I fell more than a few times! After the fifth time, I made it all the way to the bottom of “ski school” without falling. We headed for the “real lifts”. I was ready to take on the Possum trail!
OK.. Not ready. The possum trail was MUCH steeper than the preschool ski-school area.
I ended up walking down most of the way! But all said and done; I’d do it again! I need to spend a little more time in “preschool”. Learning and becoming more confident with braking. I’m not quite ready for fast speed yet!
It was a great day being exposed to the ski culture! It’s a whole entire lifestyle. And if you ask me: Going skiing is a lot like going camping. Here’s a short list why!
An ENTIRE day outside
From the time you arrive, and start putting on all the warm clothes. You’re outside! Submerged into a world of snow; feeling the warm sunshine. It’s such a great way to escape and refresh. A way to spend an ENTIRE day outside. Being Winter, I’ve missed real quality time spent outdoors (like greater than six hours). I saw lots of kids there; it’s great to see kids playing outside!
Day Drinking
Alcohol is a part of ski culture. Just the opinion of someone who seldom drinks. I could see the prevalence of booze. Like at a football game. I partook in two beverages today. You know that saying, “When in Rome..” Camping has a drinking stigma behind it too. Just like campgrounds, I’m sure every ski resort can be different.
Messy hair, don’t care!
At a ski resort, you’re just hanging around for the whole entire day. Walking everywhere to and from. Sweaty hair, looking like a bum. Everyone else is rocking the messy hair too. No cares! It’s a relaxed environment!
Layers for the Elements
Both Camping and skiing involve the outdoor elements. And layers! Too much=burning up. Too little=freezing. You gotta find a good medium; just like camping!
Beat Feet
First day of camping; after loading up the car, driving to camp, pitching a tent and getting everything all set up. I’m a special kind of worn out! Especially in the feet and back. Except my crocs are MUCH more comfy than those ski boots. Just like camping; a day spent skiing is tiring fun!
All said and done, it’s a way to spend the day! An ENTIRE day outside. A lot of busy-work, a lot of walking.
It’s nice to finish up, relax, have a drink, and enjoy a meal.
Apres-ski! Like, getting everything set up at your campsite; it’s a special kind of relaxation after it’s all said and done.
Occasional recreational skiing can be extremely expensive. This trip was $109 for lift pass. $85 for rental. Plus about $150 in warm clothes/gloves/goggles. $30 in food and beer.
However, if you were serious. If you truly loved skiing. Had your own equipment and a season pass; it’s $700 for the season (PER PERSON). That does not include any waxing or binding, or upkeep. It’s really not a horrible “value” if it was something you truly enjoyed. That’s $175 a month; for weekend fun. About the same you’d spend on camping each weekend during Summer months. Well, if you were a solo camper.
I would not put skiing on a budget-friendly family activity list. A family of four would have $2800 in season passes. Or $776 for a one-day adventure, with rental. Disney seems economical from that standpoint. Camping is definitely much cheaper.
There are some family friendly programs out there to curb costs. These programs are mostly aimed for children under 6. It’s a great sport to learn while they’re young; then enjoy while they’re old. Hence the lifestyle.
What I wore to keep warm:
These are great gloves! Super warm and super comfortable. It has a special little zipper pouch for RFID cards/lift passes.
These bib overalls were warm! They have roomy zipper pockets. However, they run small. I got the medium for Christmas; had to return and exchange for an XL.
These are important! Especially on a bright beautiful day. Being snow-blind is not fun!
I really liked this balaclava from Under Armor. It is extremely warm and extremely adjustable. The technology sticks! It stays in a stiff place and doesn’t slide.
Wool socks is where it’s at! Cotton is sweaty. Wool socks naturally keep away moisture and keeps your toes toasty!
The first layer on top.
The first layer on bottom.
A waterproof Winter coat. I really like this one by North Face.
You gotta have something warm and waterproof!
Your favorite hoodie.
Second layer; put it on!
Summary:
A 35 year old goes skiing for the very first time. Begins to learn the practice that goes into the skill. Exposed to the skiing culture; it seems similar to camping. An expensive jaunt for newcomers. For hobby veterans who enjoy the sport; season passes make most economical sense.
In conclusion; Skiing is a great way to spend quality time outdoors in the Winter months!
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