Solo climber loses life in Yosemite N. P.

I have said for a long time that I feel that the two are essentially the same.

The key difference, as I see it, is that steep skiing has been embraced by the outdoor industry and community in a way that free soloing has not. In my view, this represents a moral breakdown.

I would love to hear more here Mr. Skoog. why is it a moral error on my behalf to be inspired by the skill, mental strength and physical endurance of the folks that do participate in the act of skiing the steeps?
After all is not all relative? One mans spicy is another's mild?
And if this is the case, as it surely is, I cant see why I am participating in the moral breakdown of the sport. Sure there is much more to ski-mountaineering than the steeps, i.e traverses, etc...But we all know that the steeps are special in their own right. the exposure, the weightlessness, the amount of mind bending it takes to get there in the first place.
In the end, mountains have served as a mirror for humanity. When we were superstitious we found in them ghosts and dragons and myths. And as we tried to conquer nature, we began to "bag peaks". To me the steep skiing phenomenon is not a statement about the loss of morality of the sport but rather an inference about the need for passion in our society. There is nothing morally wrong with a bold expression of passion in a society plagued with apathy.
If you have the time, I would love to hear more from your side..
Sincerely

I think Lowell meant that various ski industry/media have promoted steep, risky, extreme skiing to push products, visits to resorts, guide services, etc., not that a bit of risk was never worth it. 

I have said for a long time that I feel that the two are essentially the same.

The key difference, as I see it, is that steep skiing has been embraced by the outdoor industry and community in a way that free soloing has not. In my view, this represents a moral breakdown.

In ski resort hotels, there's a whole TV channel dedicated to ski porn. Skiers coming down scary tight couloirs, setting off slough avalanches and hucking off cliffs. You sit there on the sofa in awe (with the kids no less). It's really rather violent.

Lowell is right, what's the difference?

"Lowell is right, what's the difference"

I've soloed a few things in my life and it's the closest to religion that I've ever been.  Steep skiing (at least as steep as I can get - which isn't really that steep) doesn't come close to the feeling of just pure detachment from everything except of what is right in front of you.  Soloing is methodical, usually slow and extremely controlled.  As a rule of thumb, two grades less than your redpoint is a good place to solo - if you're so inclined.  Most people don't push their limits while unroped, unlike steep skiing which is usually pushing the personal envelope of the skier. 

In my mind soloing and steep skiing are apples and oranges.  Take a 5.13 sport climber and place him on a 5.6 solo, unless he's mentally ready he's either doomed or unable to get very high.  Take a double black skier and place him on a green circle and he'll be just fine.  I realize that there are outliers,  but I'd bet money that as a percentage relative to the sport there are many more folks skiing steep lines than soloing routes.

My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Christina Chan.

In my mind soloing and steep skiing are apples and oranges.  Take a 5.13 sport climber and place him on a 5.6 solo, unless he's mentally ready he's either doomed or unable to get very high.

Maybe similar to the psychological aspect of going from top rope to leading trad?

both are on the riskier end of the spectrum, no doubt, but why in the world are they, as Mr Skoog implies....immoral?
I disagree with the ski porn argument. Just because I watch a sweet bro huck an 80 footer, does not mean Im inspired.
Big air has also been heavily promoted by the industry. All the films have at least a couple. Yet i dont see TRs where folks set out to jump of a cliff.
The goal of skiing something steep (again, my definition is most likely different from that of others, which further muddles this argument) has on the other hand been the goal. there is a thrill and beauty to steep skiing out of which true joy may be had. By that i mean it is an activity which offers a challenge which can be surmounted. The more skilled skier/mountaineer can and should seek more advanced lines and objectives. In general these will be more steep.
Climberdave related his soloing to a religious experience, I cant for the life of me see how thats a bad thing. Some things in life are worth more risk than others.