I don’t seem like I’d be much of a skiier, do I? (I do not.) But here I am, doing skiing. It’s very (very) popular in Bend, Oregon because of the proximity to Mt. Bachelor (and to a lesser degree Hoodoo) and the outdoor lifestyle vibes here. People you know will be downhill skiing in the winter and, hey, why miss the fun? I guess? Plus I definitely want my daughter to learn to do it and be set up for a life of enjoying outdoor physical activities.
Yet my own feelings on skiing are more 50/50.
✅ Outdoor physical activity, yay! Fresh air! Healthy!
❌ Parking sucks. Booo. Very stressful.
✅ Scenic natural beauty. Good vibes. Great photos. Wonderful memories.
❌ Expensive. Equipment and passes are pricey, require maintenance, and errand-doing.
✅ Involves both family, friends, and community.
❌ Waiting in lines. Cold.
✅ Après-ski
❌ Going fast. Dangerous. Seriously — my body hates fast movement and it doesn’t seem to “get used to it”. I don’t like driving fast. I don’t like biking fast. Skiing is naturally fast.
I wish I would come around on it. I want to love it, just like I want to love seafood, I just don’t (yet).
You missed
❌ high risk of injury or death
Sounds like you might be more of a cross country skier, though.