Resort Skier vs. Backcountry Skier, ROI

This is a great topic, Koda, don't sweat it.  TAY has no goal of "positive and uplifting" content -- as usual, the main goal is to avoid rude, abusive behavior.  Any moderator or administrator action is typically going to be to cut off stuff like that, as it has been in recent past.

Fun topics like this are a fine distraction while we're all waiting for the snow to fill in the rain divots. 

...RonJ, the moderator stated...
...RonJ then replied,...

Hmmm... I don't remember being married to you, Scotsman; but I do recall having a (now ex) wife with a very similar long term memory for items recalled specifically to provoke discord and a penchant for putting unchosen and inappropriate words in my mouth

Chill out, mate. We're not in a competition... or if we are I'm not playin'

Oh sh!t, it was an investment?  I need to fire the Hummels, because it's been a continuous bloodbath for my bank account.

If memories count as ROI, the BC wins by a landslide. All my resort days blend together and I probably only needed one trip. BC days are often distinctly memorable.

Season passes, lift tickets, gear, gas, food, etc.. for lift days - maybe $30,000? Result: memory of a spring ski, a powder day, and a rain day. = $10k per memory.

Gear, gas, food, etc.. for BC days - maybe $10,000? Result: infinite memories. = .000000.....1 cents per memory.

The sport can be Sawbucks, Starbucks, or Megabucks.

There isn't any activity that I persue that doesn't have $$$$ measurement attached. The last 2 years have been very bad in my industry and I have cut out a few hobbies altogether temporarily.

As far as skiing costs go, I live 30 minutes from Alpental so I buy a season pass to snoqualmie. At the end of the year I do the math to see how much it costs me per day, and it averages about $5-$6 per day plus the gas it takes to drive there.

Backcountry trip wise, there's always a few different cost factors. On backcountry outtings, the driving distance is usually longer, but I would usually carpool most of the time too. No doubt in my mind that backcountry can be either cheaper if you can be satisfied skiing locally or more expensive if you add up the travel miles if you want to really see as many different touring areas in the PNW as you can.

I definately characterize the type of skiing I do on touring days differently than lift days.

Touring days are more about enjoying the natural environment, the climb, the rest on the turnaround with something to eat, the views, then savoring the virgin descent. Maybe getting a second lap or two if it was epic conditions.

Lift days are not about the natural environment. It's like training for a sporting event. You get to log 1000's of vert per day on your skis.  It's a great place to bring your technique and fittness up a few notches. Every sport emphasizes repetition in motor skill learning. The lift areas are perfect for developing your descending skills, playing with gravity, and learning about how your skis work in different types of snow. Every now and then in a lift served area, mother nature rewards you with an overnight dump and a virgin slope to descend. It's like a little backcountry tease....