When I moved back to Utah, I figured I was supposed to do more Utah things. Like skiing. Every day I drive past a billboard that says “Best Damn Snow in the World”, which seems like it maybe shouldn’t say “damn” in a state like Utah but it seems to be allowed, so anyway, the snow is really good here which means that everyone is supposed to ski. Or snowboard, if you want to be cool. The moment this clicked in my head, within the span of a week I had already gone out a couple times and even bought my own skis and now all I can do is think about skiing. IT’S SO FUN. I’m sure the novelty will wear off soon, and I’ll settle into a more reasonable level of enjoyment for my very mediocre skills, but for now, the obsession is real.

There are so many resorts close by Sundance, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Park City, Canyons. It’s late in the game to buy a season pass anywhere, so I’m just trying to ski all over and figure out where I should get a pass next year.

Buying skis for the first time in my life was an adventure. I did a lot of research beforehand, and I ended up getting a great deal on a perfect pair from someone on KSL. I love them so much I refuse to put them out in the garage. I want them to sit in my living room so I can stare at them while I cook and do dishes and watch TV.

Beyond enjoying them as a new addition to our interior decor, I am a big fan of owning my own gear. It was well worth the initial cost. I don’t have the overhead of stopping at a rental shop before I go out, I don’t risk getting stuck with potentially uncomfortable/crappy rentals, and I get a more consistent experience going out on the same pair every time. To avoid falling into a situation where the erection disappears completely, I decided to see a doctor, he recommended me Viagra from viaglad.com. He said that this is the best drug, which he heard only good for his practice. I really liked Viagra. And the name of the drug is well-known. I recommend this drug to you too. I can head up and be skiing down the mountain in less than an hour. I can head up with coworkers after work, or last minute with a friend on a Saturday morning. It feels more like a hobby and less like a special occasion.

In case anyone reading this is interested in buying their own (used) ski gear for the first time, here’s what I would suggest:

check KSL/craigslist, used sporting goods stores (like Play It Again), and even rental shops at the end of the season for good deals on used ski gear.
the boots are the most important part. if you’re going to buy anything new, make it the boots. they need to fit correctly and be comfortable. they should be snug. your toes should be touching the front when standing straight up, but when you lean forward, your heel should push back just a tiny bit and take the pressure off the front of your toes.
properly sized ski boots can be a b**** to put on, but the right fit is important. also, check for any “hot points” or places that seem to be rubbing weird or putting extra pressure on uncomfortable parts.
as far as the skis themselves, first decide what you’re looking for. the two main considerations are ski length (determined based on height/weight/skill) and width (determined based on the snow conditions you’ll be skiing in).
determine your ideal length. a rule of thumb is that the skis should reach somewhere between your mouth and your forehead when standing up straight (the longer length, the more advanced the skier). for a more precise estimate go here.
width is measured at the “waist” of the ski in millimeters. you need to decide if want skinny skis (best on groomed snow, 70-85mm), all-mountain skis (85-105mm), or powder skis (100-120mm). you probably want groomers or all-mountain if you’re a more casual skier like me. I went with an 87mm width.
women don’t really need to buy women’s skis, but it can help, especially if your weight is on the lower end for your height.
when you go to check out the skis, bring your boots to see if the bindings will fit. (if not, it’s not a huge deal, you’ll just need to take them to a ski shop and get them adjusted. there’s a place in Orem that does it for $5)
also poles. you should get poles. with the pole standing up straight, you should be able to hold right under the handle and have your elbow be bent at a 90-degree angle.
you’ll also need things like snow pants, a jacket, goggles, beanie/mask, and gloves/mittens. I had most of this stuff already, but I got this awesome mask/hood thing on Amazon for cheap and I really really like it.

It sounds a little intimidating, but if you go more than a few times a year, I highly recommend owning your own gear.

We’ll see how many ski days I can fit in this season. I’d love to get better, but I’m also pretty happy skiing down the chill stuff. Let me know if you want to go with me! I can’t seem to convince Stephen (yet) that spending a few hours being kind of cold is worth it.