Skiing is supposed to be fun, but anyone who has spent enough time at a ski resort knows there are plenty of things skiers can become extremely serious about. We recently asked our Facebook audience what skiers take way too seriously, and the responses covered everything from safety bars and trail ratings to ski equipment and resort culture.
Some of the answers were predictable while others pointed toward the endless debates that can make skiing feel far more complicated than it needs to be.
The Safety Bar Debate
Perhaps the most common answer involved the safety bar on chairlifts. Multiple commenters singled out the bar, with some frustrated by skiers who immediately pull it down and others questioning why anyone would be bothered by it at all. The debate over whether the bar should be up or down has apparently become its own part of ski culture.
One commenter simply answered “The safety bar,” while another focused on people who slam it down almost immediately after leaving the loading area. Others brought up the opposite behavior and the perceived toughness of riding with the bar up.
Equipment, Ski Levels and Numbers
Equipment was another major theme. One commenter argued that skiers can become overly convinced that their particular skis are the best ever, while others mentioned fitted boots, ski length and boot fittings.
Performance measurements also came up. Tracking vertical feet, documenting every turn with a GoPro and constantly focusing on improving to the next level were all mentioned. One commenter said skiers can become so focused on reaching the next level that they forget to enjoy the level they are currently at.
That criticism gets at one of the more interesting aspects of modern ski culture. Technology makes it easier than ever to measure and document a day on the mountain but more data does not necessarily make the experience better.
Resort Etiquette and Ski Culture
Trail ratings, first-chair status, lift lines and rules around how people behave on the mountain also generated responses. Several commenters mentioned lift-line behavior, including people stepping on skis or waiting for friends while already in the queue. Others pointed to disagreements about who has the right of way and frustrations surrounding slow signs and crowded gondolas.
There was also a broader discussion about skier identity. Some commenters mentioned skier egos, disdain for snowboarders and the tendency for people to take their preferred way of riding far too seriously.
The responses suggest that skiers may take almost everything seriously at one point or another.