The Benefits of Being Single
Sure it's great to ski with a posse--family, friends or otherwise. Some times, though, it's best to ski alone. You'll have no hassles trying to pick a trail to please everybody on the way down, no waiting (or being waited for), fewer tracks and an often expedited path to the front of the line, if there is one. Perhaps, though, the biggest benefit of all is the opportunity you have to meet a stranger and talk for 12-or-so minutes. A lot can be communicated in this finite chunk of time, maybe because you know you may never see the person again. Conversations are often powder-fueled and, accordingly, full of enthusiasm.
I've been carrying out a bit of an experiment over the last few weeks. Here, below, I've documented some of the people I met on the chair (single!), described them briefly and included a sampling of our conversations. At the end, I've listed some of my key learnings. Let's call it Science Lite™.
Janis is a Berliner who lives in Switzerland with a Swiss German woman. He is a doctor who's thinking of specializing in psychiatry. The is his third trip to the Kootenays and he is an avid backcountry skier.
August is a Swedish ski bum who bought a pass at Whitewater, even though he was only here for a month. He was waiting for more daylight in his native Sweden where he works at a ski area (there wasn't enough daylight at that point for the ski area to be open.
Melissa is a franco-Ontarian who's now in Nelson. She also lived in Rimouski and was familiar with the Gaspé Peninsula and the Chic Chocs. We spoke French.
Jason lives in Blewett and is an Emergency Medical Responder who likes to snowboard in his spare time. He was taking the summit chair up to get a head start on a tour he was going on (he had a splitboard).
- Sadly, more men than women ride single.
- Whitewater attracts a remarkably international crowd.
- The slackcountry is a draw for people.
- Locals are easily spottable with their whistle and extreme toque sag.
- Your love of shredding and Whitewater means that virtually every conversation will be a good one.
- Most men have some form of facial hair.
- Most people are OK with having their picture taken if asked nicely.
- Whitewater makes people happy.
- Chances are good that you'll like whoever you ride up with.
- Regardless of who you ride with, on a busy day lift lines are faster solo.
To continue with the experiment idea, I guess I should tell you my hypothesis. Here goes: I think riding single is a worthwhile endeavour and, if not done always, should be tried often. You'll meet cool people, ski more, experience an infectious appreciation for our home hill and perhaps line-up a couch to surf on in a foreign country!