Skiing is an irrational leisure pursuit that people engage in despite obvious drawbacks
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/emma-loffhagen. "The hill I will die on: People who ski have more money than sense | Emma Loffhagen | The Guardian." March 7, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The author argues that skiing is a terrible hobby that only seems popular because people pretend to like it. She says it's too expensive, too dangerous, too uncomfortable, and that people could have much better vacations doing something else for less money.
Conclusion
Skiing is a collectively sustained fantasy that people participate in despite it being expensive, uncomfortable, dangerous, and unenjoyable
Premises
- Skiing is vastly more expensive than average holidays when factoring in equipment, accommodation, and travel costs
- Skiing involves significant physical danger with real possibilities of serious injury or death
- The activity requires enduring uncomfortable conditions like cold, dampness, and bruising
- Skiing involves spending time queueing in cold conditions while being shouted at by instructors
- The après-ski culture is loud, exhausting, and populated by obnoxious people
- Alternative holidays like tropical destinations offer more comfort and enjoyment at lower cost
- People who claim skiing is wonderful are either lying or have been injured into delusion
Assumptions
- Rational people should choose leisure activities based on cost-benefit analysis
- Comfort and safety should be prioritized in vacation choices
- People's stated enjoyment of skiing is not genuine
- The author's single negative skiing experience is representative of the activity generally
- Expensive activities are inherently less worthwhile than cheaper alternatives