Granted, there are a number of women who ski with no fear — who have the skills and nerve to tackle just about any situation on and off-piste without a second thought.
But for all of those with no fear — and I salute you — there are dozens of other women who are reluctant to push themselves to the next level, or who may even give up skiing, for fear of getting hurt.
Is it that women are more averse to risk than men? Do we know that we’ll still have to go to work, take care of the kids, do the laundry, cook the meals, clean the house, and so on and so on, even if we’ve torn our ACL or fractured our tibia? Or is it some macho thing that causes some men to turn into super competitors who are willing to try anything on the slopes, even if it’s beyond their abilities, no matter what the cost?
I know I’m generalizing. I know there are plenty of men who’ll do the housework and take care of the kids, and many women who’ll rip down the slopes, launching themselves off frozen waterfalls and zipping down untracked couloirs. Of course the whole concept of what’s risky — and what isn’t — is purely personal. It probably has a lot to do with past experiences, social conditioning, upbringing, role models, expectations, and so on.
But still, when I see how male dominated skiing seems to be, it makes me wonder. What do you think?
