| Addicted To Powder Articles | | | | Why I Do Not Ski On Opening Day | Jan 5, 2006| Resort - Changed to Protect the Guilty | Thomas Hunterson | A few seasons ago some powder junkie friends and I raced up to our local hill to take advantage of opening day. We bought our tickets early so we could be some of the first in line. Our favorite chair to the peak was not running so we inquired as to when we could expect the lift to take riders. We were told, later that day. We noticed a line up forming around another lift. The staff was clearing the snow from the chairs and we were minutes from the official opening time of nine o’clock, we lined up.
We checked the clock at ten minutes to nine and waited patiently. Nine o’clock came and went. When nine thirty arrived the lift still did not take riders. We continued to wait. Around nine forty five we watched as a TV camera crew arrived and set up next to the bull wheel. At five to ten three attractive young women wearing the latest in our local mountain’s ski wear carried their equipment to the lift. At the top of the hour the cameras started rolling. Our local ski bunnies with their perfect hair and make up boarded the first chair of that season. As they were whisked away they turned to the cameras and waived. “Let’s here it for opening day!” they cheered.
Moments later the line began to move. As we uploaded I was stunned. I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing. Did this “world class resort” just keep their paying guests waiting in a lift line for over an hour to facilitate a photo opportunity? I understand that there are challenges on opening day. I understand that ski patrols need to deem the terrain safe to ride. But this was just plain asinine.
Later that day our favorite chair began to turn. Like Pavlov’s dogs we licked our chops and rushed over to the line up. The aluminum delineators were firmly in place. A length of yellow poly rope had been strung up to keep guest out of the line up area. We were in the prime location right up against the rope. As soon as it came down we would be some of the first to ride, sweeet. As we waited more and more guests joined in the fun. After about an hour a lifty approached the crowd. Awesome, he’s going to take down the rope, but, he didn’t, “Come on down,” he yelled.
The next thing I knew I was being swept up in a flood of people into the rope. I struggled to duck under as my gear became entangled with the delineators as well as other guests. I thought this is a real safe situation. Someone could get seriously hurt and it could be me.
It seems to me that at some mountains the guest comes last. Chairs are operated at slower speeds to reduce wear and tear on the equipment even though guests wait up to an hour in lift lines. Mountain staff actively seeks opportunities to hassle guests over unimportant issues such as not removing the receipt portion of the lift ticket. I would not mind so much but some of them are down right nasty about the whole thing. If I loose my receipt and can no longer ski, isn’t that my own tough luck? I suggest to the board of directors of our local mountain that you reread your own vision statement. You talk the talk but you sure don’t walk the walk. I for one will be looking for other ski hills to spend my hard earned money.
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| Random Picture | | Top of Harmony Chair |  | | click on image for larger view |
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