If you scrolled through Instagram stories this spring break, you probably noticed a common theme—skiing, skiing and more skiing. Colorado and Utah, in particular, were flooded with spring breakers from the South, crowding ski towns like Beaver Creek, Park City and Breckenridge.

Skiing is not a cheap or easily accessible sport. With costly rentals, lift passes and hotel stays, it’s an activity that excludes many. And yet, social media can make it seem like everyone is hitting the slopes, leaving those who aren’t feeling left out. But here’s the truth: skiing is not nearly as glamorous as it looks.

Now, I’m not here just to hate on skiing. I’ve been skiing for over ten years and completely understand its appeal—the feeling of fresh powder, the crisp mountain air, the thrill of speeding down a slope. But despite its highlights, skiing often gets over-glamorized.

People post clips of themselves effortlessly cruising down the mountain, posing in cute ski goggles and sharing aesthetic shots of snow-dusted trees. What they don’t show? The sheer effort it takes to even get to that moment.

First, skiing requires an overwhelming amount of expensive gear—ski pants, a jacket, helmet, goggles, gloves, balaclava, ski boots, skis, poles—the list goes on. The boots alone are clunky, heavy and uncomfortable. Then, once you’re bundled in five layers, struggling to carry your skis, you still have to haul yourself to the gondola, wait in long lines and endure freezing temperatures. And because skiing is more popular than ever, resorts are more crowded, lift lines are longer and prices have skyrocketed.

To get the most out of your (very expensive) lift pass, you have to be up and in line at 8 a.m., braving freezing temperatures— which is not exactly my idea of a relaxing vacation.

Another under-emphasized aspect of skiing? The stress. If you’re on a difficult slope or haven’t skied in a while, one wrong move—hitting an icy patch, or picking up too much speed—can send you crashing down. Even as someone who’s been skiing for years, I often avoid black diamond [advanced] runs simply because they’re too nerve-wracking. There’s nothing fun about staring down a steep, endless drop and wondering if you’ll make it down in one piece.

Skiing can be fun—but only under the right conditions. A minor issue, like tight boots, sore legs or unbearably cold weather, can quickly ruin the experience. And given the price and effort involved, calling it a “must-do” vacation activity is a stretch.

At the end of the day, if you’re an adventurous, athletic person with an experienced skier to guide you, you’ll probably enjoy skiing. But don’t be fooled by the picture-perfect Instagram posts, because skiing often under-delivers.