My name is Mark and it has been 216 days since my last chairlift ride. That is far too long. Since we moved to Tahoe, most of my “off seasons” have lasted only 5 months. With another month of waiting likely, this one will stretch to more than 8 months. Don’t get me wrong, I really miss the skiing part too, but we cannot deny that chairlift rides are not a part of the experience.
I know I don’t miss the wait in the lift line, nor shuffling through a maze of diamonds. Nor do I miss those moments when you realize that your pass is in your other ski pants. But I do miss the act of riding on the chair itself. While my backyard ski chair does have some swing and bounce to it, it does not have the scenic beauty, tranquility and the shared experience of a real lift ride.
Each ride is different. Some are so short that you’re at the top before you know it. Others may be longer, sometimes for the good, sometimes not. We’ve probably all endured that ride up Scott chair early in the morning, where there’s absolutely no sun and a strong west wind blowing at your back. Then the lift stops several times, as people fall on the icy exit ramp. You begin to wonder if your toes will ever defrost, and just how long does it actually take to develop frostbite.
Some long rides are totally enjoyable. One sunny day last spring I was making hot laps at Sherwood by myself. The sun was warm and I stretched out on the chair reading my book via the Kindle app on my phone. As I got to the top, I found myself wishing that I didn’t have to get off. It might have been pleasant to just go around the bullwheel a couple of times so I could finish my current chapter, basking in the sun.
Chairlifts are also for conversations. Each chairlift conversation is completely different, depending on whom you’re sharing the chair with. Some are just perfunctory, while others delve into deep philosophical questions. I like all of them. Here’s a few snippets from last season:
Wife: We need dog food. Me: And half & half Wife: Also bread. We should go shopping after skiing. Me: Maybe tomorrow
Our ski leaser: Peruvian or Sergios for dinner?
Random gaper: Did you hear that BA says we’re getting 3 feet of snow tomorrow? Me: NOAA is only calling for a 10% chance of flurries
Members of my weekday ski posse: I’m telling you, those snow covered trees look like the seven dwarves. Me: They still look like penises to me
Excited Ikon Passholder: How do I get to the backside? My buddy says the backside is the best. Me: (silence)
Mountain Rangers kid (5yo): Yesterday my dog pooped and it was all sparkly.
Me: Hey Big Mountain Team teenager: (silence)
Infrequent skier: Whoa, you’re using big powder skis today? Me: No, these are my every day skis. Infrequent skier: I’ve been using these Salomon X-Screams for 15 years. They’re still amazing.
Things are not looking great for any chairlift rides soon. After being teased with the possibility of a storm last week, the models are offering up very little hope at this time. Everything continues to look dry and relatively warm. So for now, it’s bicycle rides instead of chairlift rides.
Take heart Mark. Your backyard lift runs at exactly the same speed as Hot Wheels did! You can climb up there and pretend you’re on the might HW sitting in a puddle going nowhere.
And, have you ever fallen asleep on the chair?
Yes, on Hot Wheels.
Thank you Mark, for a story that warms our hearts and puts a smile on our face :))
Hello Mark. My name is Bobble and I too am a 216er. But, I can only get to step one of the twelve step program. I’m afraid I am weak and will remain a chairoholic for life.
Great series of ski lift photos in all kinds of weather. Fun to see the extremes: no snow, sunny skies, wintery, snowy days…..
Supposed to be 95°in the valley again today on Oct. 15th; snow filled days seem very far away. Bring them on!
Thank you for posting. Loved the pictures, especially the wintry ones. Also loved the historical references to the X-screams which I once owned.