Checked Your Gorby Gap lately?
Not to be confused with a straight up Gorby (more on that later) the Gorby Gap may also be referred to as the Gaper or Gaper Gap, the Punter Gap or the Gimp Gap. If you have no idea what we are on about here read on or take a closer look at our classic Gorbster found on the Summit chair last week...
The Gorby Gap occurs when your goggles and hat/helmet don’t line up properly leaving a large expanse of forehead exposed. A quick search on worst style errors for skiers or snowboarder will reveal that this is highly uncool and to be avoided at all costs. There is also the practical side. I mean, no one wants a forehead freeze as you're blasting down the slope, nor do you want a landing strip of sunburn or tan across your forehead.
There are a few ideas on where ‘Gorby’ came from some suggest that it refers to the large forehead of the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachov (whose nickname was apparently ‘Gorby’). Others suggest the term Gorby originated pre-WWII in Banff, Alberta. The National Post in 2000 wrote that Albertans and others who resented folks hiking or riding on trails next to their property used GORBIES as an acronym for “Great Outdoor Recreational B******* In Every Sense”. Other similar references say it was used to describe city folk who invade your scenic rural town so they can pretend to be true woodsmen. Wherever it started the term ‘Gorby’ along with ‘Gaper’ these days clearly seems to suggest cluelessness.
Concerned? Don’t be. The great thing is here at Whitewater we are more interested in having fun than taking this stylin’ stuff seriously. We embrace all Gorbys, Gapers and Punters whether they ski or snowboard or both. If these stellar Spring skiing days bring out your lighter side, why not let it all out and rock like a Gorbster or a Gaper? Make the most of these last few weeks!
Sources: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/oh-oh-another-busload-of-gorbies/article982140 https://www.snowskool.com/blog/6-of-the-worst-style-errors-snowboard-edition