Originally Posted by
johngenx
I don't have a lot of experience at resorts, but find them interesting for the people that I see there. My observation is that the majority of the skiers are not "mountain loving" people, in that they aren't really there for the aesthetic beauty of the mountains. They're there for some skiing, some eating, some whatever. They dump Red Bull cans (though most could go without the calories in Red Bull) on the snow, leave wrappers and ciggy packages all over, and are generally slobs. I guess the sheer volume of people means that you're just going to get that percentage that are fuckwads.
I have seen some of the stuff contained in the last 36 pages, including many questions about my skis (though G3 Spitfires with Freerides are FAR from radical skis, sheesh) and bindings. But, most people are just curious and certainly are not being rude or obnoxious about it. So, I am polite back and explain why they're different.
I see folks in one-piece neon suits from the 1980's, but I hate tossing gear that works, so if I had one, I might use it too. I use my belay parka on descents 'cause I can't afford it and a fancy ski jacket too, so I'm probably guilty of some ski-hill-fashion faux-pas as well.
If you bash into me in the lift line, you might get some shit from me. If you're just a new skier and having trouble, hey, we were all new at some point. But, if you're just being an asshole not paying attention and ram your tips repeatedly into the backs of my boots, I'll tell you to fuck off.
I don't like people that try to ski something way out of their league and I don't like fools that go through the slow zones at Warp 10. As to the first point, though, sometimes people get in over their heads without knowing it. I came across a kid, about 10, standing off to the side at the top of a very steep drop-off. The section below was much mellower, but he was paralyzed with fear at the initial 30M or so. I stopped and talked to him for a minute and realized he'd taken a wrong turn. I showed him where to go, and by backing up a little (off to the side!) and making some adjustments, he was able to get down to where he needed to be. Is it too hard to help someone out once in a while?
Some of my climbing and skiing friends are professional guides and considered among the best on the planet for their skills. They are the most humble people I know and though they see the dumbest shit imaginable in the mountains, they will intercede and provide corrective advice and assistance, but never act like assholes about it. These folks never lord their superior skill over anyone. I think it a good example.
Now, that said, I do work once a week (As a school teacher, I don't make enough dough to support my skiing/climbing habit, so I need the Pro-Deals) in an outdoor store and we sell climbing and BC ski gear, and some people do come in with a real chip on their shoulder about their experience/skill level and so on, and they play a game of "you're the lowly employee here and I am a ski/climbing God!" Unless they make it obvious that they're going to go out and hurt themselves or someone else, I just let them puff out their chest and get their rocks off. However, yes, like this thread, we will mock them afterwords.