Go it Alone

Skiing is something to do with your friends.

Says who?

When snow blankets the mountains skiers will go to great lengths to get there. Do you need to do this with a friend? Helps for the drive, but how often have you had a conversation during a run? You are not going there to ride the lift.

Skiing with people is a joy, but skiing alone can be spiritual.

Observations: Standing around dumb faced is silly, even if you can manage to fake a smile. You probably afford yourself a handful of weekends a year to go skiing. Waiting for friends to boot up in the lodge, not cool…
You’re getting impatient, idling on your skis. Watching countless others glide past you into the maze, smiling for real.
Human courtesy gets in the way. We are all used to letting people get out of the T, before we climb in. Exit the elevator first. That is your life, day in and day out.
Why bring it skiing?
Get on the chair and take a run. It’s OK. It’s good for you. Skiing alone will wake your soul. No matter what your level may be. Be humbled or reduced to laughter; frightened or self-assured.
Recommendation: If you are with others make a plan to ski one chairlift and meet there. Within a few runs you’ll spy one another in the line or on the snow.
Disclaimer: Common ¢ applies. Choose an open lift (not a gondola or tram) that has a run underneath—which both you and the people you are meeting can ski. Shorter lifts work best.

Flip Side of the Coin: Chairlift rides provide a perfect opportunity to make friends (or enemies), if you do happen to make the trip solo.
Be on your own time.
photos – S.G.