Disclaimer: This piece deals with adult themes (no shit).
Also, youre on the internet, so I sure hope youre using discretion regardless.
Skinning, and well, the other kind of skinning, share a lot of principles.
So here we go.
Look for enthusiastic consent, and communicate with anyone who is less than enthusiastic.
Thats their call, and everyone else needs to respect it.
The second part of this is that sexually, consent needs to be continued.
There needs to be a framework in place for that consent to be withdrawn at any point.
Thats why safewords exist.
Either party should have the power to stop all activity at any point for any reason.
Consent is an ongoing conversation, not a single statement.
Spewing about your exploits is gauche
Weve all met the guy (is it always a guy?
I think so) who wont shut up about how many hotties hes banged.
Often, theyre the same guy.
Always, theyre obnoxious.
Dont be that guy.
Nobody thinks youre cool when you brag about your sexual exploits or your skiing ones.
Shut up, youre making the rest of us like sex, and skiing, less.
If thats what makes you feel good in bed, or on the skin track, good for you!
Expand your horizons
On that note, dont knock new things till youve tried them.
Dont be afraid to try new things.
Jump off rocks, try ice climbing, strap on new gear, and try it out.
You might just find a new passion.
Ski movies are designed to paint a picture of backcountry skiing thats unrealistically great.
I have not worked as an adult entertainer, but the process seems to be very similar.
I have no beef with ski athletes or sex workers doing this.
Thats the point of entertainment, to distill a digestible idea from its larger context.
Its not like the movies.
Real backcountry skiing is harder and more imperfect than what weve been fed by the film companies.
I think the same applies to sex.
Context makes things more difficult, and more worthwhile.
That said, theres a time in most folks sexual journey thats characterized as sowing their wild oats.
Its a time for free-spirited promiscuity, a time to hook up with anyone whos interesting and available.
This is an important period of personal development and overall seems to have a positive impact on peoples lives.
The downside is that it can be dangerous.
I remember my first season after I got my Avy 1.
I was wildly promiscuous with my ski partners.
Id tackle any objective with any partner, on any day.
So I got burnt.
I got in over my head with bad partners who made unsafe choices.
I took foolish risks because I was desperate to ski with anyone that would take me.
I learned a lot, but I got away with more.
So sleep around, tour with a bunch of different people.
Choose low-consequence tours with new partners, take your time and verify everyone feels comfortable and safe.
It doesnt really take away from the experience, and its worth it.
Practice makes perfect
A really strong inbounds skier whos never toured before is like an extremely attractive virgin.
Proficiency comes from practice.
So dont expect to be a natural.
Come into it ready to learn and listen.
Humans like to be surprised sometimes, spontaneity is the spice of life.
But good planning can create situations where spontaneity and surprises are exciting and fun, not scary and dangerous.
Think through your plan before you put your boots on (or before you take your socks off).
Game out a few different potential scenarios.
Are you physically and mentally prepared for all of them?
But, once youre in the act, be ready to adapt.
And maybe consider doing the same with your romantic trists.
Plan ahead to create an environment that encourages safe spontaneity.
A little preemptive waxing is never a bad idea.
Conclusion
Backcountry skiing is fun.
So is engaging in a little adult time.
And both activities have plenty of lessons to teach us about the other.
