I think sometimes things should all align for a good experience. A few weeks ago I went out with new skis and it was shocking. Mentally not a good place, someone had made me worry about the skis (cos mentally I was messed up ), skiing solo which sometimes I love but probably Needed a buddy that day etc etc. Conditions have not been good most of this year on the days I have been off work, so I pretty much gave up. But the lure of skiing on a Saturday and a bluebird Saturday too was too much! And I had a ski buddy to watch my back!
BLOODY. LOVED. IT!!! Feel like I have life back again! LOL
For me, part of the reason I love skiing so much is the similarities with bikes - mentally its all very similar; proper gear, similar thought processes, watching out for random loonies!! And the muscles that ache when I've not skied for a while are the same as the ones that always hurt after a trackday! Works for me - skiing in winter, motorbikes in summer!!