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It's Easier Going to the Beach Than Mountains
But is it Better to Be On the Slopes?
For those keeping score, it's Beach 1, Mountain 0, based on these photos.
Article by PubClub Columnist, "The Bartender"
Bathing suit? Check.
• Sunglasses? On the head.
• Flip-flops? On the feet.
• Sunscreen? Applied.
 • Tank top or t-shirt? It's on the bod.
• Daypack with printouts of PubClub articles and magazine for reading, perhaps a snack and beverage or two? Packed.
Okay, I'm ready for the beach.
Now, change locations and see how the scenario changes. Ready!?
 • T-shirt? Check.
• Long-sleeve turtleneck over t-shirt? Yep.
• Sweatshirt to go over turtleneck shirt, which is over t-shirt? On the bod.
• Heavy jacket to go over sweatshirt, turtleneck and t-shirt. Yep.
• Gloves. Wouldn't walk out the door without 'em.
• Warm, wooly headwear? (Funky styles perfectly acceptable.) On the noggin.
• Sunglasses. Yes. And goggles, too.
 Moving to the lower body:
• Long johns? Check.
• Thick pants made out of some high-tech material like Gore-Tex over long johns? Wearing 'em.
• Big, clumsy blocks that go on the feet, making movement resemble that cat named Frankenstein? On the feet.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, neck protector, headband, extra headwear, trail map, power bar and several other things crammed into the many pockets of large jacket described above. Yes, pockets are full.
Finally:
The winner of this one is clear, as well.
• Two large planks accompanied by two skinny metal objects. Or one fairly wide board that's a bit awkward to carry for any distance more than a few yards? It's here somewhere.
Whew!
The conclusion: It sure is easier to go to the beach than it is to go skiing or snowboarding!
Photo: Simon
Leung Photography.
Day to dusk – and beyond – is a blast at the beach.
This occured to me as I was hauling a bag of skis, poles, boots and clothes for a weekend at Mammoth Mountain, CA. From the hotel to the shuttle stop. Across the Village to another shuttle stop, as I had to transfer buses. From the shuttle stop UP A HILL to the condo. Initially, I was hauling the bags but after about 10 minutes I was dragging them, finding patches of snow so the bags would not scrape against the pavement.
Just two weeks earlier, I was on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii where about all I needed was a good pair of sandals.
It took two hours to cover the two miles in Mammoth. In Hawaii, two hours had me swimming, sunning and a couple of beers downed at Lulu's in Waikiki
So which is better?
There can be mountains of fun while skiing or snowboarding, too.
Well, they are both great!
The beach has the sand and surf. Girls in bikinis and guys with no shirts. Spectacular sunsets over the water. Bars with thatched roofs, some of which are right on the sand. Palm trees and house parties. Boats and boat drinks. Dive bars and hot nightclubs. Jimmy Buffett and Jack Johnson.
Mykonos (top) and Mammoth (below); both good for partying.
A ski resort has hills and thrills, even spills and certainly chills. Once one gets going on the mountain – and this process involves climbing steps in a building, buying an over-priced lift ticket, strapping on those Frankenstein boots and taking a ride up a chair lift before any skiing or boarding is actually accomplished – it's awesome.
Gliding down the hill, hitting a cool run, espeically with friends who share the same enjoyment, is one of life's great pleasures. Plus, there's something about celebrating the day's accomplishments at the ski apres – Happy Hour on the slopes – in the jacuzzi and later the ski resort's bars. Beach people can party but skiers and snowboarders seem to take it to that "radical" level. It's go, go, go, while on the beach, it's the power nap and an occasional dip in the water.
There is certainly much more effort to go skiing than suntanning, snowboarding than swimming. But add activities to the beach and it adds to the intensity, as well as the accessories. Could be a surfboard. Or boogie board. Rollerblades. Volleyball. Put a boat into the equation and that comes with a whole set of add-ons which makes going skiing seem like a walk in the park.
The best scenario, of course, is to do both. And on a regular basis.
For those of us who live in California that's as simple as, well, going to the beach.
The Bartender can be reached at bartender@pubclub.com
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