Skiing vs. Hiking: To Go Down the Hill, or Up It?

The classic question of summer sports against winter sports is probably a question that will never totally be answered, but it can be narrowed down: when it comes to getting some exercise in the great outdoors, are you an uphill kind of person, or a downhill type of person?

That simple question doesn’t address all of the differences between skiing and hiking, but this article will attempt to address them. If you’re looking for a new, active hobby that takes you out of the house or apartment, you’ll want to consult some of these questions yourself:

What bothers you more: swatting mosquitos or snow in your socks? – This is an appropriate question, because no matter how many precautions you take, there will probably a point in which getting out to hike or ski won’t be totally comfortable. That’s part of the experience, it’s part of the challenge, and it’s part of what makes the difference between the outdoors and the indoors so vital. So which would bother you more? Which challenges are you willing to put up with in the pursuit of your hobby?
What excites you more: reaching the summit and catching the view, or blazing your way back down the hill? – Hiking and skiing both have a certain “thrill” factor in common, but they get there two different ways. Skiers accomplish it with raw speed, agility, and a healthy relationship with the snow underneath them. Hikers accomplish it by surmounting the obstacle of gravity and hopefully getting to a place where they can enjoy an unforgettable view – a view that they earned. Are you a thrillseeking adventurer, or a reflective outdoorsman?
What kind of equipment can you see yourself acquiring? – Many people put on their first set of ski boots and wonder how they could ever pursue a hobby that requires such goofy attire. Others put on a backpack and wonder how they could ever pursue a hobby that requires such boring luggage. Either way you’ll probably be looking at using either poles or sticks. If you can’t see yourself in either one of these particular getups, it might be a clue that your personality doesn’t mesh with one of these hobbies.
Which logistics can you handle: the ski-lifts or the walking? – With each particular activity, different logistics are associated: ski-lifts with skiing, and hiking with, well, hiking. What do you see yourself enjoying more – the view from a ski-lift or a brisk walk through the woods?

Keep in mind that these questions are not the end-all for deciding which hobby is best for you. In reality, you’ll want to find a hobby based on your own inclinations, and you’ll probably do yourself a favor by listening to your own instincts. If something in this article clicked for you – for example, if you found a particular question hitting home – than you have your first clue on what could be a great pursuit.

Originally posted 2008-11-13 04:55:24.

This post involves: