Speed Dating in a Ski Lift

The goal of all men and women,,,,,to meet that "perfect" soul mate! How to do it? Where to do it?

It seems there is a "new" technique that is passed along by the popular media for this. It is called Speed Dating"!


As all skiers know this is NOT a new technique since we have been doing that for years. I call it "Lift Dating" or Lift Cruising"

Few people appreciate how important this type of dating is, Many a marriage, relationship etc,,,,,began on the lift!

Let's examine what happen.

The inexperienced skier/Lift dater (LD) thinks it all starts once you get in lift.
The smart LD knows it starts in the lines. This is where you have your pick! You can compare and select,, even guide your pick to be with you!
We will not discuss lift section techniques here, suffice to say that there are courses just on how to make sure you go up with that perfect girl or hunk! ( See University of Vermont Ski Sociology 134)

In this post we will look at what happens,,the interactions on the lifts.

The Intro phase
This is not more than 4-5 seconds. These early seconds determine the mood and interaction of the lift time. If no contact is made,,,silence lingers.

Feeling Out Phase
Once intro phase is positive,, there is a short "feeling-out" period where the weather, ski conditions, ski lines, ski runs is mentioned. Not too "extreme" subjects. The goal of the phase is to get collaboration, support, approval. Here is an example. "Ha,,,great snow conditions" The lift dating can go to negative with, "What??? This is horrible all this snow. 40 cm!!! What is the problem with this center it is 8:45 and all the runs have not been groomed yet. Back home........ Polite silence will thus occur for the rest of the lift!

Or the lift dating can go to positive with the following response, "oh my god,,,I have been dreaming of this for years, imagine I am here on holiday for two weeks all by myself. New to resort. Do you know best run for me?........BINGO!!!!!



Personal Phase
If you pass the Feeling Out phase then you enter the most crucial phase. The Personal Phase. Very much like on the internet we are just skiers with labels, "the girl in blue outfit", "the guy with great Smith glasses", "The hot skier with Heads SL skis", That girl in Bogner Pants" etc...

At this phase you decide if you want to reveal who you are ( for later meetings at bar, lobbby, pool). "The top is coming up soon,,,,,, quick make up your mind" screams the ID in you! ( Look up ID,,,,it will make you realize a great deal about this screaming)
It is amazing how skiers in a lift situation will blur out more personal information at the top of a ski lift than under torture by the CIA!!!!!

The Separation Phase.
Often this phase is far too short. Many an inexperienced lift dater wasted time "paying around" in the early part of the lift and at this terminal phase needs to get in 2 seconds the following; room number,condo complex section, availability,ski level,religious affilition, political leanings,music tastes,social taste, etc,,,,,, Many an inexperienced lift dater feels his lift skills need refining!

The wise mature lift dater knows that the lift is only an "amuse guelle" and hors d'ouevre of what is to come,,,if you do the following.

Do not panic. Do not "take off" in frustration. Linger about at top. Adjust that buckle. Lift up that zipper and above all watch.

The "other" will have some sort of problem.That is your opening. The poles are dropped ( like in earlier times with the handkerchief), the bindings come off, or as last resort there is a sudden "weakening" and skier falls down! BINGO!!!!!!


Many a couple that met on a lift, in a ski resort tell me that the first run together is like a dance of "coupling Doves" They remember that run all their lives. All sorts of "messages" can be transmitted in that one initial run. I let your imagination free!

Speed Dating is the NEW way to meet. Warren Miller wrote about it in the 70's. There is a SKI article by a famous female therapist ( who also skis) who advised that the ski lift is the very best and safest place to meet each other. Where else are you so close that you can smell that body powder put on in the morning after a shower, yet in 2-5 minutes you can decide to "continue" or just take off with no one hurt!

So enjoy your next lift date!

Not only is the chair lift a "good" location to meet someone but it can be a very interesting time if the "chair mates" are willing to share - or talk.

Pavel you revealed recently that you taught university. This may be a good place to share your story of the girl on the lift that later appeared in your class. It shows how valuable even lift chair time can be if used wisely - watching out for "mates" or simply sharing a common interest.

Mike :wink:

Mike,

I amaze me at your memory. I had forgotten that story. Yes I will share it with all neophyte lift daters. It will be a great example of what not to do!

Thanks for the reminder! I am now starting to think of all other stories I told you!

If you ever get an email offer to "share" this information ,,,,it does not come from me!

At least some site readers know I am not a cyber-creation by Dave the site Administrator!

Snow is coming your way!

pavelski wrote:Mike,

Snow is coming your way!

Yippeee :!:

And the best of the forecast is that the bulk of the snow will land near the ski hills. Halifax will see little snow and some rain over night to clear the streets.

And, no slight to Dave, but he wouldn't be able to "invent" a cyberspace Pavel :!: :wink: Nothing like the real thing... eh? Absolutely truly unique - in only the good way :!:

Mike :roll: