Divas vs. Barking Bears

[ski now work later]

OK, so my obsession with all things ski has led me to register on EpicSki.com. I've only started looking around the forums, but so far it's been pretty amusing. I've read posts by men who are arguing about whether or not a new version of the same ski is or isn't different, and within that context have observed some bragging/comparing about how many years of ski experience/sales/teaching each man has and therefore how qualified that man is to speak the truth about the skis. There seems to also be some machismo about how long every one's skis are, and a general competitive (though not mean spirited) spirit abounds. Wendy, now I know why you started SkiDiva.com and I'm so glad you did. Your site is home for me and as it grows, so will the skills, quivers, and courage of women skiers everywhere!

I know that some of you are Barking Bears and are curious about your experience with EpicSki.com. There is certainly a lot of information on the site, though not much about women's equipment. Thoughts? Anyone who doesn't want to publicly share, feel free to PM me.

Go Divas!

 

[volklgirl]

I started out over there but soon got tired of the nit picking, one-upsmanship, and sometimes just general mean-spiritedness that happens pretty regularly :mad: . There really is tons of great information there if you have, or want to take the time, to sort through all the other bull---- to find it. I don't think I've even visited Epic since, ummmm, February, maybe.

 

[Pequenita]

There seems to also be some machismo about how long every one's skis are

When are they going to learn that it's not the size that matters...



...but the SIDECUT? :D



I just got a bad image in my head. Argh.

 

[ski now work later]

AND WHAT THEY DO WITH THE SKI, THAT'S WHAT REALLY COUNTS:D

 

[Calgal]

I think it's great that we have THIS forum to go to when we need un complicated information. Barking Bear tends to get quite technical. I do admire the folks there that know so much, but really how much of it can a rec skier really use? I read the tuning threads now and then, but don't have much time to try to disect all of the info from the posts that get way off topic.

 

[abc]

When I want to learn HOW something works, I know some Bears have the answer. But when I need to know WHICH one works for women, I wouldn't expect much usable answers from a bunch of men.

That's why I go to both.

 

[num]

It's a totally different environment, but I have a lot of fun over at epic. Oneupmanship definitely exists over there, but I also think there's some great banter and general good humored competition. The size of the forum and the vast range in people from all kinds of places and all walks of life makes for interesting discussion to say the least As for information, there's so much packed in there. Lots of experience coming from a bunch of different perspectives, and though it's very much a living forum, I find most anything I want to read up on and learn more about in the archives.

The diva board, however, is a totally different space. It's very intimate, and a super supportive environment. Someone in another thread a while ago phrased it very well (I think I'm not making that up), saying that this forum is like our ladies-only living room, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a great place to talk about pretty much anything, and you might even find out that the crazy ski related habit or hang up that you thought only you had is actually shared with a bunch of divas. We can even duck into our private living room to vent about something said on epic (remember that skis for wifey-poo thread?).

I think they're two great forums, and though each stands well on it's own, the ski diva may well be the yin to epic's yang.

 

[SnowHot]

It's a totally different environment, but I have a lot of fun over at epic. Oneupmanship definitely exists over there, but I also think there's some great banter and general good humored competition. The size of the forum and the vast range in people from all kinds of places and all walks of life makes for interesting discussion to say the least As for information, there's so much packed in there. Lots of experience coming from a bunch of different perspectives, and though it's very much a living forum, I find most anything I want to read up on and learn more about in the archives.

The diva board, however, is a totally different space. It's very intimate, and a super supportive environment. Someone in another thread a while ago phrased it very well (I think I'm not making that up), saying that this forum is like our ladies-only living room, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a great place to talk about pretty much anything, and you might even find out that the crazy ski related habit or hang up that you thought only you had is actually shared with a bunch of divas. We can even duck into our private living room to vent about something said on epic (remember that skis for wifey-poo thread?).

I think they're two great forums, and though each stands well on it's own, the ski diva may well be the yin to epic's yang.

Num, You said it perfectly!!!
I am totally comfortable on both forums and, in fact, I spend some time on SnowHeads also, which is another great ski forum.

One think I really like to watch is the Threads on Epic and Ski diva that are the same.........watch the different directions they go. Its a hoot!:D

Here are a few threads to help identify those of us who happen to have a different username on other sites.

Who are you really?

Other Forums and You

 

[RachelV]

I read the gear reviews forum on epic pretty constantly for a few weeks earlier this year when I was buying new skis, and it was invaluable. There's so much great gear information over there.

Outside of that, though, epic's too big for me. I feel like you have to post A TON to build up any familiarity with everyone, and I just don't have that kind of time.

I also get a little sick of the "I ski faster/drop bigger cliffs/hike more/etc than you" threads over there. The best example of this is maybe 3 weeks ago there was a thread in the general ski forum on epic about what the most air you've gotten was. Literally within 4-5 posts it was all, "20 FT!!! 40 FT!!!!! ONE HUNDRED FEET!!!!!" Here, on the other hand, everyone was going on for 3 pages posting pictures of themselves getting about 6" of air with everyone saying how awesome it was.

 

[ski diva]

Hey, all! This is a great thread. I would've responded earlier, but I've been without internet for nearly 24 HOURS!!!!!! As you can imagine, it's been tough.

You have no idea how gratifying it is to hear these comments!
Ski Now Work Later, you hit the nail right on the head. That's EXACTLY why I started this forum. However, I'm also a Barking Bear, and I find Epic a tremendous resource for all sorts of things. Still, this is where my heart is. You ladies have really made this a great place to hang out. And I think it's only going to get better and better.

Love you all!

 

[SnowHot]

I read the gear reviews forum on epic pretty constantly for a few weeks earlier this year when I was buying new skis, and it was invaluable. There's so much great gear information over there.

I am a frequent poster in the gear forum on Epic, and you may well have interacted with me from time to time. I've been there long enough and have established friendships with many on that forum that I hold near and dear to my heart. Max Capacity comes to mind as just one. He was a ton of fun when we had diva day at Okemo!

Outside of that, though, epic's too big for me. I feel like you have to post A TON to build up any familiarity with everyone, and I just don't have that kind of time.

As a part of the mod/admin team on Epic I do tend to spend a lot of time there.:o

I also get a little sick of the "I ski faster/drop bigger cliffs/hike more/etc than you" threads over there. The best example of this is maybe 3 weeks ago there was a thread in the general ski forum on epic about what the most air you've gotten was. Literally within 4-5 posts it was all, "20 FT!!! 40 FT!!!!! ONE HUNDRED FEET!!!!!" Here, on the other hand, everyone was going on for 3 pages posting pictures of themselves getting about 6" of air with everyone saying how awesome it was.

I really want to get comfy with air time. I accidentally got about 4 ft of air at ABasin over the weekend. Now I wanna do it again!
As for the big air thread.
Tyrone Shoelaces is amazing. He is the most humble decent guy you can imagine, and yet he does amazing things on skis.
AltaGirl is familiar with him and can attest to his character.
here is his post from that thread. Amazing pics

 

[RachelV]

I'm sure he's a great guy - not saying anything about his character. I'm just saying that it's hard to jump in with your "I just learned boxes!!!" post and pictures of you in the kiddie terrain park after a post like that.

 

[SnowHot]

I'm sure he's a great guy - not saying anything about his character. I'm just saying that it's hard to jump in with your "I just learned boxes!!!" post and pictures of you in the kiddie terrain park after a post like that.

I totally get what you are saying..........at the same time, I'm glad he shared because that pic is AWESOME!

 

[Ski Spirit]

I agree; it is an amazing picture! There are some very interesting members who have a lot of knowledge and it's fun to browse through posts. But, I know what Rachelv is saying too. I've been browsing epic for a long time (love some of their signatures!!) and I just recently joined but would find it hard to jump in and post. The SkiDiva is a lot more directly helpful for me. It's full of great practical tips and supportive women.

 

[SnowHot]

When it comes down to it, The SkiDiva fills a niche that only a women specific forum can.

SkiDiva and EpicSki definitely compliment each other to fill the needs of the addiction of Skiing, Ski Gear, Ski Technique, and Ski Buddies!:D

 

[persee]

I'm actually on 3 ski forums - skidiva included. I joined Alpine Zone (northeast skiing and mountain recreation board) and Epic long before I came here. I remember seeing SkiDiva post on Epic about starting this site and I wasnt' sure whether it would fit me - I generally find that as I do most of my socialization with guys since I'm a computer geek/science geek I'm often not comfortable in all-female situations. I'm just not a girly-girl and it's not gonna change. As you can see I've been pleasantly surprised by the group over here. I still watch the threads on Epic and AZ and will chime in when something comes up I can comment on as I did starting from the moment I joined. However I think there are now fewer posts on women-specific stuff on epic now that skidiva exists and has taken off. I've seen some of the typical dick-thumping that goes on at Epic (not so much on AZ as it's a smaller community much like skidiva) and I guess it doesn't bother me too much. However once again that's prolly due to my own life being primarily around males professionally and in my studies. I just don't participate in many of those threads. I think all 3 forums are good and I'll go to whichever one suits my needs if I want to post a question.