I learned it in grade school in New Hampshire. Fridays were half days in winter and our PE was going to the mountain for the afternoon and getting skiing instruction. I was in a small poor town with no street lights, we were not rich. Equipment was subsidized for the kids who couldn’t afford it. I do wonder if money to support it came from outside our community. There are a few winter Olympians that I graduated highschool with.

I never realized how privileged I was to have that experience until I was in college. I have probably gone to the mountains less than a dozen times since then. Too expensive, and I have better things to do with my time now.

I left Reddit after 14 years. Was really sad to see what it had changed into over time.

I’m in the US in the Pacific North West, mid 30s, and I can (and do) drive manual transmissions. My last two cars both were manuals. I hate CVTs, but could live with an automatic if it was quick enough with paddle shifters.