My apologies Mike. I didn't want to get long winded (which you low landers don't want to do if you are ever at altitude)
So the skiing talk might get a little confusing so I will briefly try to clarify.
When I ski at home, it is always cross country skiing either in the classic style (keeping the skis straight) or skating or a combination. A few gentile hills, but not steep enough to ski downhill on.
My choices of activities at the ski resort are:
cross country skiing - a few trails, but they are usually trashed by snowmobilers so I usually just hike uphill on my skis and then ski downhill on the resort runs which is very challenging. I really enjoy this because my gear is the most "minimal". Then I have my choice of riding the chairlifts or hiking again. In the previous post I did 1 hike/ski combination then 4 ride chairlift/ski combination.
telemark skiing - hiking with climbing skins and then skiing down. Heavier gear for hiking, but more control downhill. I have about 4 different boot/ski combinations varying from leather boots to plastic and a simple 3 pin binding to a beefy cable binding. This style of skiing the heel is not locked down so it allows for a free feeling. This is my preferred style of skiing if I am mostly riding the chairlifts.
downhill skiing - heavy stiff boots and big skis. The "Hokas" of skiing and the trend is bigger is better, but at my small ski resort it doesn't make much sense to go as fast as you can downhill. No workout at all.
shod running - when the snow is firm enough I can run on the ski slopes or snowmobile trails. Or on the road.
barefoot running - when the road is clear barefoot running is possible. The road is actually pretty warm at the high elevation. That is where the staring happens. It must look very strange for someone to be barefoot in such a winter environment.
Now if you will excuse me, it's back to the mountain to deliver kids to their Oma. I am looking forward to some shod running on the trails today.