| You've made up your mind. You've resolved (maybe | | | | up on your own. But, on the flip side, you won't |
| again) to get more exercise. All that's left is deciding | | | | careen down mountains near as steep as the ones in |
| what to choose. What if you wanted something you | | | | downhill skiing, and it's much more affordable than |
| can do either indoors or outdoors, in any season, at | | | | downhill ski-ing. Trail passes and ski rentals are |
| nearly any time, and provides an all-over "workout" | | | | relatively inex-pensive, and you probably can teach |
| without feeling like you've done any work? | | | | yourself -- hence, no lessons! |
| Think a minute: This easily describes several of the | | | | "Skate" cross-country skiing is another form of |
| different types of the surprisingly varied world of | | | | cross-country skiing that requires slightly different |
| snow skiing. The image most people think of is | | | | skis. You can actually "skate" with regular, classical |
| standard: You get on a chairlift, drop off easily, and | | | | skates, but skis do make it easier. You can pick up |
| ski down the slopes. You're wearing heavy, | | | | speed by simu-lating the physical motions of ice |
| cold-weather gear and usually topple over once or | | | | skating. It's not too difficult to pick up skate |
| twice on the way down, skis askew in the air, the | | | | cross-country, but it is harder than classical cross |
| biting chill of the wind hitting your face. | | | | country skiing, and requires more physical endurance. |
| Thankfully, the world of snow skiing has broadened | | | | It is also helpful to have clear and wider trails for this |
| widely and has become a year-round enjoyment for | | | | to be truly enjoyable. |
| millions -- while also providing an excellent source of | | | | If you're really the adventurous type, the ski jump, in |
| cardiovascular exercise. | | | | which you leap from specially prepared jump slopes, |
| Downhill, or classical, skiing, is the picture-postcard | | | | will definitely test your stamina and maneuverability. |
| most of us think of when we hear the word "skiing." | | | | Note that this will also test your checkbook balance, |
| It usually involves places like The Alps, Aspen, | | | | as well as alpine skiing, which has fewer twisted |
| Telluride, or just about anywhere most jet-setters | | | | courses that permit much faster speeds, but again, it |
| and celebrities frequent. | | | | will have a more pronounced affect on your bank |
| This is the one that involves a chairlift, and skiing | | | | balance than the other types of snow skiing. |
| down often-steep slopes. There is either real snow | | | | Snowboarding involves a single wide ski, or |
| or manufactured snow, and you will get cold, but | | | | snowboard, no poles, and is similar to surfing. Ski |
| you'll warm up once you get going. | | | | experts have also now come up with ski boarding, |
| The sport is not too difficult once you get the hang | | | | which employs shorter and wider skis that are |
| of it, but it definitely will not be easy the first day | | | | generally used without poles. Ski boarding also offers |
| you try. Actually, you can expect to fall down many | | | | the skier some of the sensa-tions of ice skating or |
| times. Lessons are usually a good idea, and this type | | | | in-line roller skating. It is usually easier to learn than |
| is skiing is going to be expensive. Lift ticket prices, | | | | classical skiing, largely because ski boards are simply |
| travel to and from ski sites, ski rentals or purchase, | | | | more "handle-friendly." |
| and appro-priate wear, including sunglasses, are going | | | | With the comprehensive, attractive array of skiing |
| to cost you more financially, but the results can be | | | | methods out there today, there's something in it for |
| exhilarating and quite fun -- again, once you catch on. | | | | everyone. Can't stand the cold? Try cross-country. |
| Next, there's cross-country skiing. Admittedly, this is | | | | Love the idea of bounding from a slope onto hard, |
| going to be physically challenging to most people. | | | | impacted snow and hitting the ground hard and fast? |
| Here's where you do all the work yourself. There are | | | | Simple. Take up ski jumping. But please -- take |
| no chairlifts to bring you up the hills, and you must ski | | | | lessons first! |