Are Ski Magazines Out of Touch?
Look, I'm not here to bash skiers. Heck, in a moment of weakness I'll even admit that I'm a skier (as well as a snowboarder). What irks me is the fact that SKI and Skiing are seen by many to represent not only the ski industry, but in a sort of guilt-by-association way, the snowboard industry as well. Skiing and snowboarding have a reputation as expensive, exclusive activities, a reputation I feel is not deserved or accurate. But if the only exposure a non-skier or snowboarder has to the sports is through the Lexus/Gulfstream/Rolex/Amex ad riddled pages of SKI and Skiing, can you blame them for thinking they need a trust fund to get started on snow?
The other thing that irks me about the article in question is that it draws attention to behavior that is outrageously selfish insofar as its environmental impact. You'd think that publications whose very existence relies upon the continuation of a season of cold temperatures and snowfall would try just a little harder to encourage its readers to behave in an environmentally-friendly manner. Oh, sure, the author does say that "Private jets are the Hummers of the skyways. Because they frequently fly half-empty, [they] emit up to 40 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial aircraft." He then goes on to mention that "private jet travelers are encouraged to buy carbon offsets." Carbon offsets?! Don't even get me started.
SKI and Skiing need to wake up, if for no other reason than the fact that they're tarnishing the reputation of snowboarders worldwide - an effort which, I assure you, snowboarders worldwide neither want nor need these magazines to assist with.
Comments
I would like to point out how selective this article is. While some points may be valid, it also does not mention other articles in SKI magazine about how the market is truly affecting skiers with the cost of ski houses. However that article also points out how some of the premier destinations are still holding their value.
Yes.. ski houses were so affordable and accessible to all who ski up ’till two weeks ago.
The more and more I read Skiing, the more and more I feel like I should be in Aspen sippin on some expensive coffee drink and wearing fur. For the most part that is.
How about sitting in Aspen sipping on some Gin wearing fur? I could do that all day long. Here is more proof that the premier destinations are not hurting: “Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hired Marmot, long-time Teton Village clothing sponsor, to create custom tram slip covers complete with plastic window covers and door zips. So, the tram cars will be dressed in Marmot suits until their official unveiling on December 19 or 20. Until then, you’ll just have to guess the hue of Cardinal red, the size of the bucking bronco and the sound your boots will make when you step into the car for the first time.”
For more visit http://www.skinet.com/travel/2008-10/battle-build-tram-almost-finished
Climb down off that pedestal. There have been private jets for a long time – long, long before the dow hit 9000 ~ Skiing and riding is a sport for the wealthy, it’s a lifestyle for the less than wealthy. If you get to ride more than 50 or 60 days a season consider yourself lucky. That guy winging across the country in his Citation is hoping to live a lifestyle closer to yours.
I am a snowboarder. Ski magazines ARE too stuffy, but snowobard magazines are written for idiots and children… Ski magazines need to recognize not everyone who participates is a millionaire, and snoboard magazines need to realize their market is growing OLDER and want some substance… Anyway, like many other activities, some people will be able to afford them, some won’t… does this need further analysis?
Hey John.
I have a few new mags for you to check out… Not all ski magazines are stuffy and not all snowboard mags are for idiots. Check out The Ski Journal and frequency The Snowboarders Journal. Both of these are intelligent reads. http://www.theskijournal.com
and http://www.frqncy.com
Thanks for the suggestions, Mark. I’m familiar with The Snowboarders Journal – it’s a quality mag, as is POWDER on the ski side. My initial blog post wasn’t meant to imply that ALL ski and snowboard publications play to their respective stereotypes…but it seems like the majority do.
Thanks for reading, bro!