Ski and Snowboard Etiquette

There is already a skiers and snowboarders responsibility code. "Now etiquette?" you may be wondering. We don’t expect the ski school to teach charm and how to use a salad fork, but many of us have run into someone on the hill who’s just plain rude, whether they’re cutting the lift line or cutting in front of you on the slopes and isn’t using common sense.

I was skiing at a resort in Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon with another member of the High Altitude 2 U family. When we got to the top of the lift we realized it was near closing time, but we may have enough time to make another run if we just tuck it and race as fast as possible down the groomers. Yes, we did make it but the trail was crowded and my ski partner cut off many the other skiers on the hill. She said on the way back up that she knew if she had been caught she'd have her ticket pulled. You don’t want to be this person.

Listed below are some tips on ski etiquette that will help everyone have a good time.

A part of your day on the slopes requires patience. Waiting on the lift ticket line, the ski lift line or even the lunch line may be boring, but in the end it’s all worth it. While waiting for a lift try taking the singles line. It often goes faster and you can meet new people.

If you’re a beginner skier, don’t try and impress your friends by taking on the black diamonds when you’ve just begun to comfortably manage the blues. If skiers and boarders can keep to this principle the ski patrol would have lot more time on their hands.

Whether a gondola is an 8-person box or over a hundred person tram, spaces can be tight, especially during busy holiday weekends when lift attendants jam as many skiers as possible into one car. As stated on other pages of High Altitude 2 U, follow the areas rules. Odds are they don’t allow smoking in the closed quarters. Put your prejudices aside and respect others as you would on the hill. Carry on a conversation but don’t use foul language. Keep the conversation to appropriate topics. Inappropriate comments in the confined space will just make things uncomfortable and awkward. Talking about the ski area and snow conditions is absolutely acceptable. Who knows maybe life will be like the movies and those who are single will meet someone special.

Ski classes often appear as a group of youngsters playing follow the leader. Try your best to go around them.