Homage to the chairlift

[ski diva]

Enjoy.

 

[ski skuhl]

I've long maintained that the best conversations are to be had on a chairlift and, the most peaceful moments, both are true!

 

[newboots]

Oh, that was lovely! Those conversations are usually so great. There was beautiful footage of skiing incredible mountains, too.

I'm relieved that I have no ambition (and no expectation!) of becoming a "showoff skier." Some of those jumps and crashes were really scary!

 

[TeleChica]

When I am anxious and stressed out and can't sleep, I picture myself on the single chair at Mad River Glen. Definitely my happy place. I love the solitude of the ride up, contemplating the great ski down. But you're never along at MRG--most of my trips there are with friends and it's always wonderful, even when conditions suck. I miss it terribly.

 

[bambam]

That was so cool

 

[contesstant]

Salomon puts out some of the neatest "mini documentaries". I think I appreciate the lifts more during years that I'm riding the gondola a lot (which has not been this year.) Gondolas are not as enjoyable, even if they are warmer and more comfortable.

I enjoy riding the chairs as much during a fluffy snow fall as I do on a sunny spring day. In a howling wind, not so much!

 

[liquidfeet]

....
I'm relieved that I have no ambition (and no expectation!) of becoming a "showoff skier." Some of those jumps and crashes were really scary!

That was a beautifully done video. Is it about slow, old chairlifts, the ones without safety bars? Sorta. But it's also about expert off piste skiing.

I kept waiting for video footage of normal people skiing groomers after getting off the lift. You know, vacationers, infrequent skiers, children just learning, and even weekend warriors who avoid bumps and fresh snow that's over their boot tops. Those are the people who support the industry. But nope, this video almost consistently shows experts "sending it." I like watching that kind of skiing, but does it have to be the only thing they show??? There was one still shot of a kid off piste getting ready to head down through the trees, and one shot of a crowded groomer full of normal skiers. I think that was it for skiers who might be called "normal."

I just don't get this pervasive infatuation with dangerous skiing.

 

[Peppermint]

I really enjoyed that. Once a year I ski by myself and conversations with strangers on the lift is part of the reason I look forward to a solitary day skiing. Although I would never in a million years jump of a chairlift to get fresh snow, I definitely would enjoy watching people do it!

 

[marzNC]

Very nicely done.

Recently had a chance to ski at Colorado ski areas/resorts that have more fixed grip chairlifts than high-speed detachable chairs. Leads to a calmer vibe, even at a destination resort.

When Waterville Valley could finally open up Green Mountain, they decided that moving an old triple chair made much more sense than spending millions on a detachable quad. It means that skiing over there is much more like the way New England skiing used to be everywhere.

 

[Iwannaski]

@liquidfeet... I totally get your point. The funny thing is, the crowded groomer gave me almost as much anxiety as the riskier runs.

But then again, so did that 2 seater lift, b/c that center pole almost always clocks me at least once.
Ow.

 

[ski diva]

I just don't get this pervasive infatuation with dangerous skiing.

I agree. Plus I think it encourages people to do things that maybe they shouldn't do, because it looks so easy on film.