 Poster: A snowHead
|
I once read a review of a book someone had written about their total obsession with cricket. Turns out that they realised that they had a problem when they were at a family funeral (a cremation) and their mind made an association with a different sort of ashes....
Not quite sure if I am at that stage in terms of skiing (help needed?) but I think that I have exhibited some worryingly obsessive signs, such as:
- Constant, year-round dabbling on Snowheads and other ski websites - anything to keep in touch with ski-related 'stuff.'
- Summer checking of webcams and snow reports for southern hemisphere resorts - even though I'm not going.
- 600 mile round trips to closed Scottish ski areas to skin up/ski down on minimal (almost non-existent) cover - or hiking up to ski a 50m snow patch in August.
- Checking daily whether this weekend will have enough snow for a ski Scotland run.
- Obsessive checking of European webcams and weather reports from Sept/Oct onwards.
- Piling the house-full of brochures to keep abreast of prices and read about resorts and hotels that I will never visit.
- Constant monitoring of airline websites - they might have an offer that I can't refuse for a bargain ski trip.
- Daily internet research of worldwide resorts, waist deep powder and ski touring destinations.
- Recording and viewing of ski/snow/travel programmes on Sky - they all get a bit samey but what the hell.
- Ditto Eurosport to catch a glimpse of early season glacier conditions in Soelden or to see whether Levi looks worth a visit.
- 400 mile round trips to the glorified shopping experience that is the NEC ski show.
- Salivating at Go-Pro skiing footage in summer in a mountain bike shop.
- August trips to ski summer glaciers that are more like quarries than ski slopes (good fun though).
- Total depression on returning to work after a ski trip.....'This time last week I was skiing knee deep powder...'
- Being stuck in a meeting at work, discussing important topics but thinking it's all completely irrelevant compared to the current snow reports.
- More depression on viewing powder day webcams when stuck at work - almost at the counselling required stage.
- Realising that no matter how many days I get on snow, it can never be enough.
- Counting down the months/weeks/days until the next trip.
I'm sure that there's more - but I'm sure that you've got the picture.....Good job that Mrs MA and I are off to Tignes (and possibly Val Thorens) a week today  .
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
mountainaddict, Sounds like perfectly normal rational behaviour to me.... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Enough to be in debt !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I don't see any problem with this behaviour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I'm 'fortunate' enough that in the summer I'm obsessing about off-road motorcycle rallying that I don't miss it too much. I'll still find myself in the fridge from time to time tho.
The downside of that is that while it takes your mind off, it's yet another expensive hobby!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
My obsession oscillates between skiing and mountain biking, although the skiing side is beginning to take over. Needless to say, I have no money.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Was obsessed with skiing for years. Not now - I'll ski my last this season. I'd like to say I'm now free of obsession and now sane unfortunately that's not true. Model aircraft (and a niche area within that, control line) has got me 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| achilles wrote: |
| Was obsessed with skiing for years. Not now - I'll ski my last this season. |
Not sure how I'll contemplate that, to be honest. As a relative late starter at 38, nearly eleven years ago, one does become aware of wanting to do more than the years may be allow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I a here!
I have an entire bedroom in the house converted to a ski room
I own 14 pairs of skis none older than 3 years!
I own 3 pairs of boots none older than 3 years!
I spend all discretionary income on Skiing
I browse alpine property websites
I think about robbing a bank / Selling Drugs to fund the above
I ski down the stairs of the house in full ski gear and think it is normal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obsessive enough that I spend every dinner break at work gazing longingly at snow/ski-related websites. It beats trying to make polite conversation with my colleagues... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I've covered this before...
| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
Just do what I do, sit in the back garden all summer dressed all in your mountain gear, and alternate between methodically sharpening and reshaprening your edges and howling balefully at the sky until it starts to snow again...
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go into the garden... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I thought I was pretty obsessive about skiing but, reading some of the stuff above, I see I'm only a beginner 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fattes13 wrote: |
| I ski down the stairs of the house in full ski gear and think it is normal |
Video of this please.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| mountainaddict wrote: |
- Being stuck in a meeting at work, discussing important topics but thinking it's all completely irrelevant compared to the current snow reports.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| mountainaddict wrote: |
- Constant, year-round dabbling on Snowheads and other ski websites - anything to keep in touch with ski-related 'stuff.'
- Summer checking of webcams and snow reports for southern hemisphere resorts - even though I'm not going.
- Obsessive checking of European webcams and weather reports from Sept/Oct onwards.
- Total depression on returning to work after a ski trip.....'This time last week I was skiing knee deep powder...'
- Being stuck in a meeting at work, discussing important topics but thinking it's all completely irrelevant compared to the current snow reports.
- More depression on viewing powder day webcams when stuck at work - almost at the counselling required stage.
- Realising that no matter how many days I get on snow, it can never be enough.
- Counting down the months/weeks/days until the next trip.
|
Definitely - the ones I've left quoted are the ones I fully admit!! Especially the obsessive webcam and snow report checking.
To add to that:
- spending all year checking ski gear websites looking for new jackets/boots/skis/base layers/socks and all sorts of stuff I don't need and can't afford.
- spending hours in the gym every week (all year) with the aim of getting fit for skiing
- spending hours watching ski videos online, from technique tips to extreme skiing
- obsessively researching and reading up on resorts I'm going to, if I've never been there before - and even if I have!
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 23-11-12 1:10; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Easy for me, my other 'obsession' is boating. We have a couple of ribs, some dinghies etc. When the boats are winterised and put away, I hit the gym and concentrate on updating ski gear for the Missus, myself and our teenage kids. After the last ski holiday of the season. Ski gear is prepped and put away, I then start preparing boats for the new season. Nice really, as the end of one season brings on the beginning of the next. As I enjoy both equally, no end of season blues. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Is it bad that I feel like I'm missing something because I've NOT bought any ski kit recently?
I'm substituting it with motorcycle parts in preparation of the next season...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Wow, mountainaddict and Piccadilly's posts resonate... especially the researching resorts for no immediate purpose!
I'm still in the early stages of ski obsession I think, so not sure how long this enthusiasm will last, but after my first week ever in March this year, I have:
- found snowheads, and generally check it every few hours for anything new.
- read old posts of previous seasons in various resorts to try and get a feel for how things go (snow reports, trip reports)
- followed snow forecasts/reports/cams in Australia and NZ over our summer
- spent over 50 hours in snowdomes and kept a log of my progress
- daydreamed and had actual dreams about skiing and improving my technique and the sensations involved.
- subscribed to fall line
- subscribed to eurosport online
- planned virtual trips to Aus/NZ/Japan ski fields from Melbourne (in case I ever leave London and head back - will southern hemisphere skiing be enough!?)
I've had a snow obsession since I was about 5 (grew up in Hobart, Australia - snowed down to sea level in 1986 and hung about a couple of days) but somehow never went skiing till now... why did I wait so long!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Over the clouds of cab diesel, the commuter train fug of bad breath, B.O. and garlic-for-breakfast and the wafts of the stinking underpass, suddenly you'll catch that sharp smell of snow on a cold wind and you're not on trudging London Bridge anymore, you're picking the line you'd take down some imaginary hill, and hearing the crump and squeak of snow with each step...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| achilles wrote: |
| I'll ski my last this season. |
Some typo or similar here Nick??
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
32 season Ski Bum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I live for skiing and do nothing else 365, (having had to give up two other sports in summer). I spend £2,500 a year on private medical treatments to enable me to ski OP, race and teach occasionally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
| Over the clouds of cab diesel, the commuter train fug of bad breath, B.O. and garlic-for-breakfast and the wafts of the stinking underpass, suddenly you'll catch that sharp smell of snow on a cold wind and you're not on trudging London Bridge anymore, you're picking the line you'd take down some imaginary hill, and hearing the crump and squeak of snow with each step... |
Absolutely fantastic! Except for one thing: Close your eyes....Smell that diesel......Aaaahhhhh! You are about to follow the piste basher down that immaculately groomed corduroy . Yes, a strong diesel smell smells like skiing every time for me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Got two trips booked so far this year, hoping to nip to Scotland for a weekend or two. So what are me and OH starting to do?
Plan for 2014.
Does that count as obsessed?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Went to school, started going on ski trips, got depressed arriving home from Austria at the age of 13
Nagged the parents to send me on every trip until the end of school
Deferred university for a year to work in a grotty hotel in Livigno and ride every day
Spent 3 years at university half convinced it was out of my system, making do with a single trip each year by eating nothing but beans to save for it
Got dumped by girlfriend due to bad flatulence and the fact I wanted just one more season to really get it out of my system
Spend 6 epic months in Whistler working as a liftie in one of the best snow years on record
Return to university to improve chances of a 'proper job'
Have the odd moment with friends from Canada actually shedding a tear about not still being there
Get a 'proper job'
Work for 3 years spending every day checking any number of snow related sites, regularly finding I risk not completing 'real work' due to planning of next shred trip and saving for that house deposit
After the minimum mandatory period before a sabbatical can be granted I find myself talked into a 6 month trip to Argentina to spend of the deposit visiting some incredible mountains
Return to the UK in the middle of the coldest, snowiest December for years (every cloud...)
Finally realise that it isn't just a passing interest, quelled by a trip to Europe once a year
Now in the midst of a year long search for the right place in Austria to finally set up the Chalet of our dreams, willing to give up 2 secure jobs, inevitably get into debt, work long, hard hours, risk pretty much everything all for the ability to probably head up the hill less in the first season than we do in an average week holiday, but we get to be there in that environment 24/7 and take the odd moment to appreciate it all for just how bloody fantastic the mountains are.
Blimey, it only took 18 years to work out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| achilles wrote: |
| Was obsessed with skiing for years. Not now - I'll ski my last this season. I'd like to say I'm now free of obsession and now sane unfortunately that's not true. Model aircraft (and a niche area within that, control line) has got me |
achilles, Hanging on the wall in my mums garage there are still a couple of control line combat aircraft, including at least one Oliver Tiger diesel engine, that were last flown by a teenage Wags about 35 years ago. Great memories, does anybody still fly combat?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This thread has made me laugh more than is probably healthy - I recognise some very familiar symptoms! Fear not, the season is nearly here
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
My obsession was at its worst around 2002/3, when I managed to sqeeze in 11 ski trips to Europe within one calendar year, only missing out on September. At the time I was doing a lot of trips to Munich with my work and added on a minimum of one day on the slopes for every trip, summer month trips were spent up at Tux.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
I'm obsessed by webcams and weather forecasts at the moment! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
achilles, do hope you change your mind
But anyway, welcome (back??) to the dark art of small
flying objects!
And Wags, yes they do! but not me - can't stand
the smell of ether, or the way it finds all the little cuts
in my fingers and stings like crazy
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
I have the nagging thought of snowboarding 24/7, even in summer, but it's when it comes to about the start of October that the fever builds - I end up looking at webcams for places I'm never going to go and thumb through Whitelines and the ski brochure endlessly without actually knowing what I'm actually looking for or reading. Plus I spend every few minutes browsing SHs and SCUK, checking and rechecking aimlessly. My missus has gone into 'i don't care' mode and has pretty much washed her hands of conversation between us because I always end up talking about snowboarding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Gnarbeque,
Welcome to SnowHeads anonymous
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Insert most of the above... although with a plank.
Plus, briefly suggesting, to my girlfriend, getting married at the end of November just so we can have a honeymoon in Canada for 3 weeks at the start of the ski season. Whale watching might have been suggested as a brief aside (sweetener).
Hello snowheads btw. Long time lurker.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Fattes13 wrote: |
I have an entire bedroom in the house converted to a ski room
|
I have a small spare room that is currently between purposes... I was intending to buy a sofa bed for use by extra guests or their offspring, but now I can see a perfect solution. One could argue that as it has ski boots, helmets and luggage stored in the cupboard, it is already a ski room. The carpet is shot anyway...what is the ideal flooring for a ski room?
The kids can sleep on the floor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I suppose I'm pretty hooked, ski twice a week, on SH in the meantime.
I'd rather be playing with my Land Rover or diving in crystal clear tropical waters though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hacel,
Junior was conceived in Canada just before we got married, so BE CAREFUL OUT THERE !!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. Finally I feel that I may be normal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
)
