Living where the skiing ain't.

[ski diva]

I'm visiting my parents in Florida for a couple of days, and got to wondering what it must be like to live in a place like this where any skiing is a loooong way away. I'd always heard that there are quite a few skiers who live in Florida (the legend is that Florida has more ski clubs than anyplace else; whether that's true or not I couldn't say), and a short search on the internet bears this out: I found listings for over 40 places that sell ski equipment (okay, some of them were Sports Authorities), as well 16 ski clubs.

Snow skiing and Florida seem like an odd combination, but I guess if that's home, that's the way it is. Any skiing has to involve a big plane trip somewhere carrying all your gear and so on. Hence a real commitment.

BTW, I've heard there are lots of Texans who ski, too. I know when I've skied out west there are tons of them on the slopes.

So who else here has what we'll call the "Florida Dilemma"? Where you love to ski but because of distance, only get to go a few times a year and it involves a major long distance haul? And is it odd being a skier in a non-skiing state?

 

[Bumblebee]

There is a snowdome in the Netherlands reputed to be the best in the world - and the dutch love their skiing despite the fact their entire country is mostly flat.

You can also pick up EXCELLENT ski wear there for peanuts AND train to become an Austrian qualified instructor despite nowhere in the entire country being over 600m! :D

 

[ISki]

My parents have the Florida Dilemma. They take an annual ski trip. I got them a license plate holder that says "I'd Rather Be Skiing".

Sports Authority is worth browsing! I bought my boots, my current skis, and all of my ski stockpile from Sports Authority. The boots were red tag clearance and the skis were practically free. The skis are exactly what I need and, thanks to Sports Authority, I ended a frustrating search for skis with an amazing haul. The boots fit well right out of the box.

 

[Greeley]

I live in Iowa...
The closest ski areas with a decent (by midwestern standards) are about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive. It takes us about 12 hours to get to either Steamboat or Vail when weather is cooperating. We usually skip over Summit County due to the crowds.
At least we are close enough for an easy 1 day drive each way. I also can't believe all the vehicles on I80 from Illinois and Michigan roadtripping to Colorado. That is a long haul.
I have to start planning & booking our 3 1 week trips about this time of year just to have something to look forward to. Put the waterski away and think snow.
I usually start bouncing off the walls a few weeks prior to our 1st trip out west. The midwest in the winter is not a nice place to live.