Re:How does ‘class-passing’ actually work?
by tetromino_ on Thursday February 01, 2018 @05:43PM
(#16286673)
> a $300/day activity that necessitates travel
A $50/day activity at a local hill + a $150 initial investment (one that will last you multiple winters) in some decade-old used equipment at a local swap event.
Skiing is not cheap. But it's extremely expensive only if you have extremely expensive demands - such was wanting to ski while living in an area without hills or snow.
Re:How does ‘class-passing’ actually work?
by hkmurakami on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:14PM
(#16286862)
I mean sure, for some of us beach vacations are free bc we live in LA or Florida, but for most of the country it'll cost in the thousands.
Ditto skiing with lift passes, travel, and lodging. Having a local hill is the exception rather than the rule tbh.
Re:How does ‘class-passing’ actually work?
by tetromino_ on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:36PM
(#16286982)
The US has skiable mountain ranges near a majority of the main coastal population centers. Hills around the Great Lakes might not be high, but make up for it with the volume of snow. A back of an envelope estimate shows half of the US population having a ski hill within driving distance.
The upper class hobbies are definitely a thing. Equestrian > sailing > skiing > golf probably. Golf only being this low because it was "democratized" by muni courses and popularized first by Arnold Palmer, then by Tiger Woods.
Skiing is probably the most approachable of the activities for the upper middle class professional, but it's a $300/day activity that necessitates travel. A fairly devastating expense for many.