After almost a year unable to ski (and with record snowfalls on the Alpes), I am sure many of you are feeling like me: desperate. We can only think about skiing, dream about skiing, watch skiing videos/races, hopelessly spend money on yet some more skiing gear...
Now, when a smoker can't smoke, he'll resort to nicotine patches; when you can't get laid, you'll resort to porn (and/or "intercourse-simulating-self-pleasing-alternatives"). So my question is: is there any alternative to skiing that we can do at home (or on the street) that will at least vaguely resemble the feeling and the fun of being on skis?
I've come up with a list of options and would like to know your thoughts on them, whether you have any experience with it, and whether it is at all fun (and whether it's worth the investment). Have you ever tried any of these?
1) Roller skiing Estimated cost: starting around €100 (for a cheap used pair + poles + boots)
I know this is more like cross country than alpine skiing, but still, it could still be nice (and I suppose a good way to prepare physically for skiing). Do you find it fun?
2) Ski-simulator machines Estimated cost: at least €600 https://www.ski-simulator.com/product-category/ski-machines/
These machines do look nice, but it's pricy and takes up a lot of space. Do you maybe know any decent/cheaper alternatives?
4) Virtual Reality goggles Estimated cost: around €8?
I suppose we could get some Virtual Reality goggles, put on our boots and earphones, grab two poles and move around in the living room... or something like that? Has anyone ever tried watching skiing videos on VR goggles?
(I've never tried VR goggles in general, so I have no clue how it feels)
5) Cheap ski trainer Estimated cost: GBP 50
http://youtube.com/v/AO2koz7JOjA
This is just a boot attachment you can use to do some (balance) exercises at home. I guess it's probably a bit helpful, but the question is: will this give you any "ski sensation" (or any fun) at all?
6) "Domestic/urban" skiing Estimated cost: Free
Just like most of you English folks, I live in a frustratingly flat country (The Netherlands). In the rare occasions when we see some snow, we can grab an old pair of skis and look for some inclined surface to try to slide on...
A couple years ago I skied on/around the Erasmus Bridge, here in Rotterdam ( http://youtube.com/v/w7Ph4OryWQ0), although it was more like "crosscountry-ish" than actual skiing (not steep enough, and I should've waxed before). And a couple of weeks ago we had a bit of snow so I tried to ski off a little hill on the back of a store center, but I guess 5cm of snow on grass were just quite not enough...
https://ibb.co/mcVrH2qhttps://ibb.co/RHDbKgJ
Now, there's quite a bit of snow forecasted for next week. Have you ever tried just skiing "on the nature" (like random hills near your city, or even bridges or inclined roads). Is there any type of terrain you think is more favourable for that? I can tell from experience that grass does not work very well...
7) Saying " it" and heading to Switzerland Estimated costs: regular skiing costs + A [i]LOT of Swiss francs for the fine you'll probably get[/i]
For now let's try to stick to alternatives which are not prohibited (or strongly advised against) by the government and don't pose a threat to other people's health.
But do you know of any safe/legal option to ski in the next weeks?
8] Psychologist Estimated fee: €80 per hour
Self explanatory.
Any more ideas? How are you guys coping with the lack of skiing? Has anyone had to seek psychological assistance yet?
Cheers!
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 5-02-21 17:24; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
9] Play the odd game of Steep or SSX & stream a bunch of ski porn.
Otherwise think about next winter.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Gustavo the Gaper, could I get some of your quality VR googles for €8 please.
Option 6 - hopefully, something arriving at the weekend. Generally here in Sussex, you (OK, I) get a forecast, overly optimistic, then nothing arrives - except sleet and rain. This weekend / next week forecast does seem consistent for some snow though, so Cissbury Ring/Chanctonbury? There was a reasonable dump about 10 years ago- time for a repeat. If Brighton can beat Liverpool, maybe this could happen too?? I'll get the gear out (again), following which - Option 8 probably..but will search the nearby hills on Sunday morning nonetheless.
The lack of skiing is certainly psyching me up for future increase in annual skiing days, to make up for this, I guess many are thinking that way too...
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
And love the nicotine patch analogy, I've often thought winter-sports enthusiasts are like addicts needing the "fix" and will do whatever it takes to get it.
Hehe that's precisely what I saw too, but I have no clue if that's good.
Otherwise, what would be some decent quality VR goggles @ster?
paddyhambo wrote:
And love the nicotine patch analogy, I've often thought winter-sports enthusiasts are like addicts needing the "fix" and will do whatever it takes to get it.
Exactly, I thought the same!
And we have the same issue in Holland: the forecasted "snowfalls" often turn out a disappointment... but this week's looking quite promising indeed. Might also be a good time to go to (or break into) one of those open air dry slope areas, maybe they're quite decent with a bit of snow on top.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Roller skiing?
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
It's slightly similar to roller skiing, but maybe a pair of grass skis?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Jakey wrote:
It's slightly similar to roller skiing, but maybe a pair of grass skis?
Wow! I can't believe i had never heard of this! This is genius!
The only issue is that even grass hills are hard to find here (and it's a bit pricy if you've never tried it before). But I'll look into it.
And if I ever move back to Brazil, I'm DEFINITELY taking one of these hahah, thanks a lot!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
9] Play the odd game of Steep or SSX & stream a bunch of ski porn.
Otherwise think about next winter.
Steep happens to be on 80% off offer on Steam right now
Might have to bite!
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Gustavo the Gaper wrote:
Hi there,
After almost a year unable to ski (and with record snowfalls on the Alpes), I am sure many of you are feeling like me: desperate. We can only think about skiing, dream about skiing, watch skiing videos/races, hopelessly spend money on yet some more skiing gear...
7) Saying " it" and heading to Switzerland Estimated costs: regular skiing costs + A [i]LOT of Swiss francs for the fine you'll probably get[/i]
For now let's try to stick to alternatives which are not prohibited (or strongly advised against) by the government and don't pose a threat to other people's health.
But do you know of any safe/legal option to ski in the next weeks?
Good thread Gustavo.
I've no idea about the legalities, but I do know 100% that our village (Wengen) will be packed to the rafters with French, Dutch and Germans for the next 3 weeks. I've no idea how they do it, but they do.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
10) Hallucinogenic drugs
Might be as good as the real thing - and if you want some deep backcountry pow - then opt for the harder substances
p.s. not promoting drug use - but just saying
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
extremerob wrote:
10) Hallucinogenic drugs
Might be as good as the real thing - and if you want some deep backcountry pow - then opt for the harder substances
p.s. not promoting drug use - but just saying
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
telford_mike wrote:
Gustavo the Gaper wrote:
Hi there,
After almost a year unable to ski (and with record snowfalls on the Alpes), I am sure many of you are feeling like me: desperate. We can only think about skiing, dream about skiing, watch skiing videos/races, hopelessly spend money on yet some more skiing gear...
7) Saying " it" and heading to Switzerland Estimated costs: regular skiing costs + A [i]LOT of Swiss francs for the fine you'll probably get[/i]
For now let's try to stick to alternatives which are not prohibited (or strongly advised against) by the government and don't pose a threat to other people's health.
But do you know of any safe/legal option to ski in the next weeks?
Good thread Gustavo.
I've no idea about the legalities, but I do know 100% that our village (Wengen) will be packed to the rafters with French, Dutch and Germans for the next 3 weeks. I've no idea how they do it, but they do.
Really?
I love Wengen, but I it might be closed, considering the Lauberhorn downhill was cancelled just a couple weeks ago.
Also surprised to hear all these tourists are coming, especially the Dutch, since they supposedly need to go in quarantine upon arrival in Switzerland...
extremerob wrote:
10) Hallucinogenic drugs
Might be as good as the real thing - and if you want some deep backcountry pow - then opt for the harder substances
p.s. not promoting drug use - but just saying
hahahahah
There's actually a movie about it, Other Life. The movie is complete crap, but now I wish such a thing existed...
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4693358/
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
paddyhambo wrote:
Option 6 - hopefully, something arriving at the weekend. Generally here in Sussex, you (OK, I) get a forecast, overly optimistic, then nothing arrives - except sleet and rain. This weekend / next week forecast does seem consistent for some snow though, so Cissbury Ring/Chanctonbury? There was a reasonable dump about 10 years ago- time for a repeat. If Brighton can beat Liverpool, maybe this could happen too?? I'll get the gear out (again), following which - Option 8 probably..but will search the nearby hills on Sunday morning nonetheless.
The lack of skiing is certainly psyching me up for future increase in annual skiing days, to make up for this, I guess many are thinking that way too...
In the end it did snow quite a lot here, and the combination of snow + dry slope is quite nice (at least when you're desperate without skiing in the middle of a pandemic...).
https://ibb.co/n8tv1Ht
I already reserved a spot for tomorrow morning and told my boss I'm working a bit later haha.
How was the snow there?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Gustavo the Gaper, Is that the Rotterdam dry slope ? Have been there once but not skied on it.
From what I remember the bristles on the surface of the Curver matting used in the Netherlands are much shorter than the Dendix system mostly used in the UK, Dendix is also just a mesh pattern so you need more snow to fill it in.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
rjs wrote:
@Gustavo the Gaper, Is that the Rotterdam dry slope ? Have been there once but not skied on it.
From what I remember the bristles on the surface of the Curver matting used in the Netherlands are much shorter than the Dendix system mostly used in the UK, Dendix is also just a mesh pattern so you need more snow to fill it in.
The place is called "Outdoor Valley", on the northeastern part of Rotterdam (technically in Bergschehoek - the address is Hoeksekade 141, 2661JL).
https://outdoorvalley.nl/
Is that where you've been?
I think the bristles are not super high indeed, today's snow was sufficient to fill it in.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
it" and heading to Switzerland
