Why don't more women ski?

[IntheClouds]

I think the assumption that a woman sitting in the lodge isn't happy or realizing who/what she could be is just that, an assumption & means what assumption means. If they look unhappy, then yes, something is wrong. But there are a great many who are happy being there in the lodge for whatever reasons they are there. Many may have spent their time during the week realizing their dreams, doing what they enjoy most, following their passion, etc., & are willing to dedicate that day to taking their children to the slopes and facilitating their children's passion. They fulfilled themselves another time & are free this day to allow their family to be fulfilled. I say this because last winter I walked into the lodge & ran across my neighbor, she was not skiing that day. I'd seen her in prior years on the hill, she skis well & asked why she wasn't skiing. The truth is, she doesn't enjoy it, it's not her thing but she had always helped her younger children ski when they didn't want to be in ski school. They are all (8 of them) old enough to be out on their own together, with friends, or in ski school (the 6 yr old.) So she is now able to be free in the lodge to socialize , or as in this day, brought her laptop & was working on a volunteer project that she is passionate about. Available for the children, but doing what she really wanted to do. Plus she had set herself up in front of the big windows in full view of the hill. As she said, it just doesnt get much better than that.

 

[Gloria]

After 7 years of having a child in childrens programs, I have gotten to know many of these lodge Moms. The tendency is to assume that they are missing out on something and why aren't they out finding out. What I have learned is that most have either skied in the past or have always wanted to ski, but were not able to. Ussually due to some type of orthopedic or other health issue. Past accidents, congenital ( ussually knee ) problems, etc. Some are taking the season off due to a recent surgery or injury, others awaiting a surgery, some simply were given other gifts than a perfectly intact athletic body. Pregnancy is another huge one.
So back to the original question, why are there so few women on the hills during the week? I for one used to ski almost every weekday, until I had a child. Now in addition to working, I volunteer in my community as well as other responsibilities that go along with Motherhood. My biggest reason quite frankly is, I enjoy skiing with my daughter whom loves skiing so much, it's just incredibly hard to drop her off at school and tell her I am going skiing while she is at school. I am not sure which one of us gets more bummed at that. Fortunately she does not get sick often, so we take a few, okay several days off each season during the week and ski together. It's the best, even her school agrees. We tell them upfront what we are doing, get her homework and their blessings and off we go. So mainly I think we as women just tend to get tied down more emotionally to our responsibilities than our male counterparts do. Is it a bad thing? I don't think so anymore, but you would have had a hard time convincing me of this before I became a Mother. I wouldn't hear anything of the like. Funny how life changes us isn't it. I assume that when my child grows up, I will see myself skiing more during the week again, but for now I am perfectly content and enjoying every minute of what I am doing.

 

[stompie]

It's a cold sport and I know so many girls who just flat out don't like to be in cold weather.