Distractions for difficult times...

[Guest mikevanisland]

Maybe it's just me. I've been here under other names since 98/2000, came because of Fly!, stayed to help, but for years I just read because the hobby's far surpassed my meagre abilities.My prime use of FS9 is GA mountain flying (Thanks L.Adamson, for your consistent inspirations in this regard), but traditionally I'm pretty big on the 500page-manual stuff. So no giving me crap for how this suggestion isn't "simulating" anything!!!I just have to say I found something that is such a nice change from tweaking and flying and feeling frustrated when something "breaks" my sim immersion and suspension.I am truly LMAO using the Maule to ski. I don't mean just using the ski-equipped Maule (fsnordic.net), I mean skiing with it.Slew it to the top of a mountain (I've been hanging out around Missoula), and keep the engine off. Get it started down a slope and hang on!The inertia when it skids sideways, trying to keep the wings from scraping, trying to follow the twists of the valleys, launching 200 feet into the air off of bumps and having to land again (on a downslope!) without stalling (no engine!) ... I have never had a flight sim experience that left my stomach sore from laughing, though I've had plenty that have left me *sore*.If you need a break, if you are frustrated, sad, bored, feeling due to news lately that we all may take the wrong things too seriously and the wrong things for granted, then please try it. No engines. Pick a nice spot to start. How far down the mountain can you "ski" before crashing? Post your results or favourite starting coordinates. Watch your replay in spot view. Laugh. Be joyous.Cheers.

[Guest mikevanisland]

Almost forgot, it's also a fine, sneaky way to get the wife or kids to check out your sim. After having actual fun (my wife, I have to say this again for my own belief, had fun with FS), I felt far less geeky to hear her exclaim "I had no idea it looked that amazing."And a virtual beer on me to anyone who starts N47 18.05, W113 52.52, heading of 045, and makes it down to that lake straight ahead. I suggest judicious use of airtime off the bumps. Full flaps is the way to go I think (and hard winter+winter weather). Hope I'm not distracting anyone from serious flightsimming! Off to ski the rockies...

[Guest neslesman]

OK twist my arm and wish me luck.Edit: I just did a quickie but it's a winner. I don't think the Maule mechanic is going to be too pleased though. Now I have to go look for other locations and challenges.Have you tried Lukla?

[Luis Hernandez 565]

Why don't you try Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta? A 18500ft mountain just by the sea, close to SKSM (Santa Marta). Coordinates: N10

[Guest CaptainCernick]

You know, Bill Lyons included a skier with one of his packages. I can't exactly remember which one, maybe the Ryan STA.