pavelski wrote:In every sport there are unwritten well accepted rules of conduct that all "knowledgeable" person know. They are not written and posted on walls. They are not given in books or magazines. They are passed along word of mouth or learnt by watching other skiers behave a certain way.
In golf there are certain behaviors that no one should do.
In tennis there are certain "actions" players are never to do.
In skiing there are many "actions", behaviors which must never be done. They are called the "unwritten rules" of behavior.
The problem is that every nation and often every ski resort has a variation of these rules. I will present some of the ones I know and I am sure others will contribute.
All the rules have reasons for their application and to the neophyte often these reasons are not evident. They often are based on ;respect, safety, tradition and "symbolism".
Whenever I go to a new ski resort or new ski country I always get a local ski guide for my group not so much for the skiing ( as most tourist think) but to acquire the local rules, traditions and "histories". These local guides know all those "unwritten rules", traditions thus we avoid "les faux pas".
Let me give you an example before listing those unwritten rules. What ski tourists do not appreciate is that local village "guide" knows all the people in the village, valley and perhaps country's ski world. He/she knows where is the very best run, but also the best resto, bar, inn, etc,,,,
In one village inn, there is a bar with a corner table JUST for patrollers and ski lift workers. You do not sit there ever. No sign on table,,but you will feel the looks, stares and lack of service as you wait wait and wait for that beer.
That guide gives me and my group those "unwritten rules" of the region.
Rule 1 (based on respect)
You are with a group of 5-10 skiers at top of mountain. A moment a admiration of the view, then watch what happens.
The unwritten rule is,,,,the better skiers go first. A natural pecking order happens for safety reasons , but also out of respect to,,, You learn by watching the better skier go down. You learn to pick the better track by following the better skiers. You become a better skier by following,,,,
(you also hide well your Hesitations, fear, stress BEHIND those better skiers).
I often see this. A group with a ski instructor, guide or just former racer. The young, immature skier will rush out to be the first down in group, then he ( most of time) will feel the pressure just behind as the better skiers pick up speed, pick better lines, then ultimately pass him. Loss of face. It is not a race to the bottom but there is a flow to the ski speed of the group. The "old bull" sets this speed and flow, not the young bull.
2. Rule 2 Respect of territory
Watch and observe this. In every ski chalet there is a place for the locals, the GROUP, the "elders". You all know them those old warriors who have skied for 60 years or more, who have acquired the right to their table, their stall and in some cases their room. Do NOT sit there unless invited.
They will watch you ski. They will observe your behavior. They might invite you over after some time,,,,, You do not make first move.
3. Rule 3. Respect of tradition
Here is the scene. +40 cm. of fresh powder has fallen. You get up very very early and are first at life line,,,,waiting!
Lift opens and is cleaned and you see 3-8 skiers walking over to lift. Keep quiet!
Say nothing. Watch and learn.
They will not even get in line. They might stop and observe you for a brief moment. They will chat with lift operator, joke a little and then get on lift. I am sure you will notice that they do not even have season passes. day tickets or any form of lift passes.
They are the GODS of the this ski resort. The owners perhaps. The General Manager and the ski school director. Sometimes just a ski writer, ski guide, or a well know ski racer. In short do not complain, watch and learn and hope that some day while they are watching you they will say, "you,,,good skier,,,,come "
You will have a ski day like you have never had. Discovery of trails, cut-offs, couloirs you never knew existed.
Yes just watch.
4. Listen before speaking.
This unwritten rule is what most neophytes often transgress so often in their desire to show how great they are in skis.
Here is the context. New to a group of skiers ( so you want to show how much you know). Having coffee before lifts open and so there is small talk about weather, snow, slopes, etc,,,
The subject of the new skis comes into play and you now offer your analysis of the new technique ALL SKIERS must master. You even get up from table a demonstrate the correct hand position, those knees must,,,, the hip must,,,,,,,
There is silence from group for a moment, the all get back to the weather, snow,
last night's meal.....
What you failed to know was that those 4 men sitting at the table,,, one was a former World Cup national racer, the other was ski guide with a level IV ski instructor certification, the ski school director and the ski patrol director.
No need to tell them about technique. They all have "unique" technique.
( this really happened).
I am sure you can contribute to this list.
Oh,,,,,one more.
5. Leave your "prejudice" at home.
Context: You have been skiing with two great older skiers and you can hardly keep up. You are learning a great deal with these two not only about skiing but about ski skiing life.
As you go up a chairlift,,,,you see a skier with a knee brace and you comment,"he should not be on skis. Too dangerous for himself and others. See how he is weak on his right turn."
What you fail to see as you put your foot into your mouth is the smiles from your two partners. One has two artificial knees and hips and recent open heart surgery. The other two cancer operations, one knee replacement and one ski pole removal from chest just 4 months ago.
Learn to keep your prejudice home while skiing. I never talk about; politics, the stock market, money ,family problems and sex. Well sex,,,,,,,,just positive and nice items!
Pavelski, thanks for your amusing post. You have provided good food for thought for tourists visiting the mountains. I would argue that basic manners and common sense would see most people comply with the most important unwritten rules of the mountain. I'll look out for the village elders and bow as they pass me form now on though.
Do you have any views on how local mountain communities and local mountain economies should treat tourists who, ultimately, are the life blood of the mountain?
Without tourists most of the local folk would be forced to descend to towns and cities off of the mountain they rightly love and cherish in order to seek work and education? So the next time tourists are expected to wait and wait and wait for a drink because they have unknowingly sat down at the wrong table or suffered some other mishap at the hands of a provincial or overly bureaucratic mindset - what guidance might be provided to local mountain communities to ensure that tourists continue to leave their hard earned cash on the mountain? |
