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The ride up

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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Why is it people are so damn sheepish about who they sit on the chair with?
I ride solo much of the time, and it is a singles duty to hop on the lift with doubles, and triples in order to maximize efficiency in the line.
Countless times I'll be under the impression that I will be riding with a group of people, we slide up and prep for the next chair to come. As I go for the next chair, no one follows.
They just choose to make me look like the asshole taking up the entire chair.
Why do people do this? Do they think I am going to eavesdrop on their day plan or some shit?
Also:
Being a "newschooler" I often find that I am the one who ALWAYS has to initiate conversation.
If it wasn't for me trying to break the tension by saying things like "Hey havin fun?" or "Enjoying the snow out there?" we would undoubtedly ride up in complete awkward silence.
Some fucking small talk with a stranger isn't going to kill you... I don't care if it is a short lived conversation, just a few pleasantries and we're good to go.

Thoughts? This happen to you guys?
Feb 13 2012 11:53AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
I have no idea but this is one of my biggest pet peeves in skiing.
Feb 13 2012 11:55AM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Right!? It's like walking past someone on a narrow sidewalk, and not saying anything.
Feb 13 2012 11:58AM
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TheBlueMtSkier
Posts: 909 - Karma: 42
Oh God, I fucking hate that. Especially if you both see each other from a distance. Most awkward shit ever.
Feb 13 2012 11:59AM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
^^This! We are the minority though. Some people are curious and ask gaper questions most of the people are nice that do. However if they do get on the lift with you they act like you have a disease. No conversation and they keep theirs quiet enough that you cant be part of it. I often ride singles line even with friends bc its faster to lap when u just hit the singles line we end up riding separately bc when your shits baggy and your face it covered with a yowie people dont want to talk. Probobly bc its intimidating and uninviting.
Feb 13 2012 12:00PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Maybe we're some scary ass mother fuckers.
Feb 13 2012 12:00PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Haha, what's wrong in riding up with strangers without saying a single word? Nothing.

Small talk is okay, it shouldn't be awkward silence if you just don't feel like talking.
Feb 13 2012 12:01PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Don't get me wrong, I find it relieving when second or third party members choose silence.
Its a chore for me to keep up chit chat. I was just under the impression that social protocol calls for a hello or something.
I guess another question is, why do I feel like I have to say something?
Feb 13 2012 12:05PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
Word
Feb 13 2012 12:07PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
ihear you but for some reason the ones that dont talk or give a one word answer it def feels awkward like they may say something that will make us go crazy and throw em off the lift. Like a gang. you know people see you coming they walk across the street so they dont have to walk past you. Not overtly running away from us just consistently notice three people letting you ride on your own lift or two people riding with you and sitting clear to one side of the chair talking quietly to themselves. Its not a problem i just think its strange how often it happens. Its not the mens bathroom..the rules arent the same. 
Feb 13 2012 12:10PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
hahaha nice
Feb 13 2012 12:12PM
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Daoust
Posts: 487 - Karma: 103
pull your yowie down then and say something
Feb 13 2012 12:12PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
I always get a kick out of being the single person and just listening to whatever the people on the lift with me talk about. Whistler (or any other 'destination resort') is great for this. They talk about the weirdest shit sometimes. Sometimes, I'd rate it above people watching.
Feb 13 2012 12:14PM
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DanThrax
Posts: 128 - Karma: 139
I like sitting in silence though, recouping and enjoying the sights, no biggie.
Feb 13 2012 12:16PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
If I'm stoned off my gourd I love to stare at the snow, or watch my previous line.
But I'm still going to say something to you.
Feb 13 2012 12:19PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,151
I'm glad when they let me go alone. I can't stand it if I forget my headphones and have to listen them talk about how deep 4 inches of pow is
Feb 13 2012 12:32PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
I think these belong here:






Feb 13 2012 12:32PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
i hear ya dude ive actually met some new people on the lift and ended up skiing with them the rest of the season.
Feb 13 2012 12:34PM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451

some people i meet on the lift are some interesting ass motherfuckers. (cursing was in fact called for) i always get a huge kick out of talking to the guys that seem like theyre just old ski bums. when its 7:45 am and you're on the lift with 4 fifty year old that are cussin' up a storm and drinking beer, you know it'll be a good day.

Feb 13 2012 12:45PM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451

i cant stand when im on a two person chair and the other person refuses to acklnowledge me. the two person chairs at our hill move at the pace of a snail, and it's a long damn time to ignore someone.

but on the other hand, i've met some pretty badass dudes on the chair. i do enjoy "shootin' the shit" with the older shaman like guys on the lift. there's an instructor at our hill that gives tele lessons. guy's like 60 years old, crackin brewskis at 7:45 am. ps- he rocks icelantics. what a cool guy! (/claim?)

Feb 13 2012 12:48PM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451
and sweet, this has just become a triple post, the tab button fucked mer on my first reply so i gave up and started another. my bad guys!
Feb 13 2012 12:49PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,151
having icelantics isn't a cool thing, he's old which is who their skis are made for.
Feb 13 2012 12:50PM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451
i dunno man, i demo'ed a pair and kind of fell in love...
Feb 13 2012 12:52PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
90% of the time i'll say "What's happenin guys?" right after we get situated on the chair. Usually you can tell right away if they feel like shooting the shit(just like with any conversation).

Sometimes though, i just don't feel like puting the effort into it, and i'll just chill... especially if they're talking with their friends and could care less that i'm sitting 2 inches away from them.
Feb 13 2012 12:56PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,151
you'll learn someday... they're made in a snowboard factory for god sakes.
Feb 13 2012 1:01PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
i went to get on with three other people and when it was time to go to the chair, i was the only one who went. same thing happened when my brother and i were going with two other people, they didn't go and we did.
Feb 13 2012 1:03PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
Check out the gap! hes saggin pretty srsly tho. Does the guy seem creepy?
Feb 13 2012 1:07PM
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most_mint
Posts: 506 - Karma: 175
Felt like this thread may be a good spot to plant this story. no intention of a thread jack, just thought it would fit..

This weekend at sugarloaf, got on the chair at about 9:30 and since it was pretty packed, i was getting on the quad in the singles line. Get on the chair with 2 guys and a gal, all about 30 i would guess. The dude next to me has a backpack with him, and pulls out a can of pbr for the other dude, and offers me the girls. Turns out he had 18 cans in his pack and was happy to share one with me. such a good guy.

Back the the original topic, i love skiing the singles line because its always fun to meet cool people on the lift. I always start up a conversation and it usually goes well. The best is when you meet some people from your hometown and find out you have mutual friends, or when you find the old fellas who rip the mountain and hear their story. oh, and the guys sharing beers at 9:30 in the morning are chill to.
Feb 13 2012 1:11PM
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Errl
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 451
well.. i suppose maybe you're right. but i don't see how where theyre made reduces the quality (well, that probably won't be recieved the way i intended it but it is NS)
Feb 13 2012 1:17PM
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coldcuts69
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 1,888
This is epic, turns out there are friendly people at the loaf!
Feb 13 2012 1:19PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
I enjoy meeting cool people too, but it won't happen if other people are unwilling to speak to you.
I feel like about 1 in 10 people have the ability and desire to maintain a conversation. This baffles me.
Even if it is the typical lift talk i.e. Where you from, weather, snow amounts, etc etc. Something is better than nothing. Lets talk about the weather for 40 seconds, THEN we can be silent.
It is just rude to not say anything at all. Though I do understand people who are clearly listening to music.
Feb 13 2012 1:20PM
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most_mint
Posts: 506 - Karma: 175
Such a good guy. get this, he even took my can for me when i was done. i love meeting nice people!
Feb 13 2012 1:24PM
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FLBP
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 310
I feel like people get most talkative when there's people skiing under the lift and you make fun of them, skiers by nature are shit talkers.
Feb 13 2012 1:26PM
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skifoo
Posts: 1396 - Karma: 45
I pretty much hate when I'm listening to music alone, and someone comes with me.
Otherwise it's okay, but I'm always the first one to break the silence..
Feb 13 2012 1:31PM
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saxon
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 551
this. at my hill, if there's no lifty directing traffic, the singles line is at a standstill. i often find myself ducking the ropes and skipping the line to get to the chair, because everyone will stand there while 2s and 3s go up a quad. it's ridiculous.

and i don't mind talking to people, but i also am ok with just chillin and listening to my music or surveying the park on the way up.
Feb 13 2012 1:38PM
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N.L.
Posts: 2420 - Karma: 2,744
sunday morning chair ride = church for me. silence ensures the recognition of gods greatest creations...
Feb 13 2012 1:43PM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
I love to ride singles. Sometimes when my and my friend are with people we dont know, we just talk back and forith on our walkie talkies, even though we are next to each other lol
Feb 13 2012 1:44PM
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ldc_
Posts: 48 - Karma: 47
will happen to me tonight on almost every ride up. as usualll.

Feb 13 2012 2:04PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
pretty much how my day went on saturday.
Feb 13 2012 2:12PM
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DaveOx
Posts: 303 - Karma: -11
I like to pack a lip when skiing, so it makes it really awkward when someone on the lift wants to talk to me right as we are passing over an area where people are skiing underneath and I cannot spit. I usually just go like "mm hmm" or something until I can spit. Even then, they don't seem to form the connection that I have to spit in order to talk lol
Feb 13 2012 2:58PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
priceless
Feb 14 2012 12:22AM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
I just hate when you are listening to music with earbuds and a stranger tries to talk to you, but they don't know you have music going. So you have to turn your music down during the whole lift ride. Anybody have a solution?
Feb 14 2012 1:33AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I'm sure most people can't stand it when they get stuck on the lift with some punk kid with his Skullcandy Icons blasting shitty rap and/or dubstep so loud the chair behind them can surely hear it too...so I'm sure the other people don't mind going alone either.
Feb 14 2012 1:43AM
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myllucas
Posts: 205 - Karma: 621
just turn up the beats, think of some good segs...





Feb 14 2012 1:54AM
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Age
Posts: 591 - Karma: 179
When I moved to Whistler about 10 years back I had no buddies to ride with so I ended up riding solo for the first few weeks I was there. One day I met this dude in his late 30s on the chairlift and shredded with him all day. He showed me a whole bunch of spots I hadnt been to and then busted out a fat doobie and we got high. Also told me that I should never get married and just mack women. Dude was legit.
Feb 14 2012 2:02AM
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.skiwi.
Posts: 898 - Karma: 40
I like saying hi, how you going, enjoying the snow? With the person on the chairlift next to me. Seems the right/polite thing to do
Feb 14 2012 5:26AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Like OP said, I'm always the one to start a conversation too.

Yesterday when I went skiing, I decided I was going to let other people start the conversations this time because I always do every other time. No one else said a word to me. Not that that's a bad thing, it wasn't awkward or anything. I just expected someone else to say "how's it goin" or something at least. Oh well, it's not a big deal at all.

I always go by myself too, and everyone always pulls the "let him go out by himself" thing too. Then sometimes snowboarders will walk up to the lift but with their board sideways to block the entrance so that no one can get into a spot beside them. That kind of makes me mad.
Oh well, we'll all make it to the top eventually.
Feb 14 2012 7:50AM
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hoodratz47
Posts: 12020 - Karma: 9,475
maybe its a mt hood thing. but every one is stoaked and down to talk swap beer pipe. bum a smoke. take a pull of a flask buy or sell drugs..

i am the master of makind the single get on with my chair and talking to them
and there have been some fuckers that ignore me.. and once some kid laughed at me and put his head phones up so at the top i pushed him into the chair and his head slammed into the seat. but i made it look good though


and two seaters i love two seaters.. best place ever to talk to a girl IMO
Feb 14 2012 7:53AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
If you did this to me I guarantee you would not make it more than 10 feet down the hill before you realized you made a serious mistake. You seem like a fucking douchebag.
Feb 14 2012 10:41AM
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Mules
Posts: 595 - Karma: 97
Nothing is worse than making awkward eye contact with people in the hall ways
Feb 14 2012 10:55AM
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teleRADo
Posts: 357 - Karma: 36
Sometimes I just try to see how many lies I can get away with. They get more and more outrageous with each lift tower that goes by. I call it "working on my lady skills."
Feb 14 2012 12:05PM
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