Writer by guest author Rick Horwitz
Monoskiing. It’s been around for decades, and yet it remains one of the most perplexing and confounding forms of skiing out there.
The origins of monoskiing are somewhat murky, with various inventors and enthusiasts claiming credit for its creation. However, it is generally agreed that the sport first gained widespread attention in the early 1970s, when French skier Patrick “Pep” Périn introduced the monoski to the world.
On the surface, it might seem like a novel and interesting alternative to traditional skiing. But as I delved deeper into the world of monoskiing, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and even pity for those who have chosen to take up this misguided activity.
First and foremost, monoskiing is simply not practical. The single ski design makes it incredibly difficult to turn, and the lack of a second ski for balance means that falling is all but inevitable.
Additionally, monoskiing requires a set of specialized equipment that is both difficult to come by and extremely expensive.
There is a sense of clunkiness and awkwardness that pervades monoskiing, a feeling that one is constantly fighting against the equipment rather than working in harmony with it. And while some might argue that this makes monoskiing more challenging and thus more rewarding, I simply cannot agree. The challenge in monoskiing comes not from a genuine test of skill or athleticism but rather from the very limitations and shortcomings of the sport itself.
While I understand that some may find the sport to be intriguing or even fun, I simply cannot overlook its myriad flaws and shortcomings. One cannot help but wonder why anyone would choose to take up such a marginal and ultimately forgettable pastime.