Aibu to think skiing is not an essential skill!

Clickoclock · 2025-01-01T01:45:52+00:00

My brother & his wife hate skiing but bring the kids once sometimes twice a year as they think it's an essential skill for their children to learn.. aibu to think this is ridiculous & it will never, ever come in useful in adult life!

MumChp · 01/01/2025 01:46

Of course it isn't.

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 01:49

MumChp · 01/01/2025 01:46

Of course it isn't.

Thank you. I just don't see the point in it especially as my brother & sister in law don't enjoy it. They headed off to the slopes yesterday. I really don't know what type of life skills they expect the kids to pick up & they can't answer that question either.. however they think it's essential they learn!

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SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 01/01/2025 01:52

Not essential but it's great fun.

My dcs have really enjoyed it. We are not at all well off but have utilised Hemel ski centre and school trips.

I hope both ski and sailing become more available to all and not just the snooty.

KilkennyCats · 01/01/2025 01:54

You really think they’re just for the snooty? 😂

creamsnugjumper · 01/01/2025 01:55

Both my boys can ski and I can't, but it's hardly essential!!

Just something we did a s a family with some friends for a few years.. no more essential than learning how to waterski on a summer break.

ASeriesOfTubes · 01/01/2025 01:55

If they are likely to be at frequent risk of accidentally falling onto the top of a snow-capped mountain with planks already strapped to their feet, then yes. Definitely essential.

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 01:55

@SugarPlumpFairyCakes at least you enjoy it! That's different if it's a hobby & you find the fun in it. Then it becomes an essential part of your life

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PrincessofWells · 01/01/2025 01:56

Absolutely it's essential, as is sailing, tennis, horse riding, esp Polo (or at least to know the rules) and badminton. However else can you have a social life?

Happy New Year everyone.

ShesNotACowShesAFox · 01/01/2025 01:56

YANBU

I went skiing with an exBF. Couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. What a boring holiday that was

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 01:57

It's so not an essential skills! I have asked my lovely brother many times why he thinks it is essential his kids are accomplished skiers & he can't answer me.. it's not like swimming or first aid!

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Nn9011 · 01/01/2025 01:58

It's not necessarily a skill in the sense of writing or reading, but it is definitely something that will help them depending on where they want to work or if they're trying to better themselves through moving to a higher class or having wealth when they're older. In some circles it's very much about where you winter or where you ski or knowing about where the places are to ski, that's really like a cultural capital in itself and gives you sadly, respect or being seen as from a a certain class in life. If they can afford it, and they have certain aspirations I would let them have at it. Certainly wouldn't be my idea fun but two each their own I guess!

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 01:58

PrincessofWells · 01/01/2025 01:56

Absolutely it's essential, as is sailing, tennis, horse riding, esp Polo (or at least to know the rules) and badminton. However else can you have a social life?

Happy New Year everyone.

Sister in law.. is that you dahling?!

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LouisvilleSlugger · 01/01/2025 01:59

It’s a good thing to learn imo. Hardly essential in life, but nice to have the ability.

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 02:00

Nn9011 · 01/01/2025 01:58

It's not necessarily a skill in the sense of writing or reading, but it is definitely something that will help them depending on where they want to work or if they're trying to better themselves through moving to a higher class or having wealth when they're older. In some circles it's very much about where you winter or where you ski or knowing about where the places are to ski, that's really like a cultural capital in itself and gives you sadly, respect or being seen as from a a certain class in life. If they can afford it, and they have certain aspirations I would let them have at it. Certainly wouldn't be my idea fun but two each their own I guess!

I think you are spot on here but he won't put it into words! They are definitely aspirational (lovely people too though!)

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MumChp · 01/01/2025 02:00

LouisvilleSlugger · 01/01/2025 01:59

It’s a good thing to learn imo. Hardly essential in life, but nice to have the ability.

And yet how many Brits are great at skiing?

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 01/01/2025 02:01

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 01:57

It's so not an essential skills! I have asked my lovely brother many times why he thinks it is essential his kids are accomplished skiers & he can't answer me.. it's not like swimming or first aid!

Oh dear.

Original poster

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 02:01

MumChp · 01/01/2025 02:00

And yet how many Brits are great at skiing?

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Eddie the Eagle?

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SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 01/01/2025 02:02

Ek. I meant to agree. It's not essential but good fun.

friendlycat · 01/01/2025 02:02

It’s a nice to have and nice to be accomplished at. I’ve been a chalet girl for a season in my youth and met some great people who are lifelong friends. But no of course it’s not essential.

Nn9011 · 01/01/2025 02:03

Clickoclock · 01/01/2025 02:00

I think you are spot on here but he won't put it into words! They are definitely aspirational (lovely people too though!)

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Yeah it's not to say they're not lovely people. Maybe they're just ashamed to actually admit out loud because it sounds a bit odd to say that you tough it out because you hope your kids will have enough money to make you wealthy in old age 🤣🤣

pimplebum · 01/01/2025 02:06

It opens up a great seasonal job opportunity for the kids when they are older chalet guy! Great fun

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/01/2025 02:07

Nn9011 · 01/01/2025 01:58

It's not necessarily a skill in the sense of writing or reading, but it is definitely something that will help them depending on where they want to work or if they're trying to better themselves through moving to a higher class or having wealth when they're older. In some circles it's very much about where you winter or where you ski or knowing about where the places are to ski, that's really like a cultural capital in itself and gives you sadly, respect or being seen as from a a certain class in life. If they can afford it, and they have certain aspirations I would let them have at it. Certainly wouldn't be my idea fun but two each their own I guess!

This.

Code switching is important. I grew up in a shitty area of South London but learned weird things. A second and third language, skiing, my mum was obsessed with manners and language so my vocabulary is expansive, fecund and prodigious. They were also into food so I learned to both eat a varied diet and talk about food in a way that belies my common roots. These were solidly working class Scottish people. But they wanted us to have a way out if we chose it.

I can't pretend to be posh in the UK, the accent is a dead giveaway innit? But the rest of the world? I can pretend to be posh and hobnob with very proper people. I can also turn properly South London when needed. Which means I can also travel in quite rough areas because I know how to do that too.

I don't think skiing is the key, though. I think there are some class markers that are more important.

Aaron95 · 01/01/2025 02:08

It's an essential skill if you live in rural Norway or Finland. In the UK not so much.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 01/01/2025 02:11

@MrsTerryPratchett don't pretend to be posh. Posh is nonsense.

Nc546888 · 01/01/2025 02:13

I can ski and I was really glad in my 20s when I was dating posh boys as they all asked!!

now I can go on ski holidays with my husband and we are very well matched with ability. I’d like my children to ski as I really enjoy it. It’s not essential. It’s a nice hobby if you can