Taken out of context, it’s a situation no one would readily agree to: sat hip-to-hip with a stranger, wearing heavy plastic boots and a helmet and clutching several sharp objects so they don’t fall thirty metres into the abyss below. Sounds like the beginning of a video game or a sick horror movie, but no, it’s the reality if you’ve ever taken a ski lift. When you’ve finally braved your way through the queue of shoving skiers and poking poles, you find yourself about to board a very high chair in the air with a complete stranger. What do you do?
Nothing will come of nothing. As you’re sizing up the person who will share the next three minutes of your life with you, shoot them a smile or at least a friendly nod. You can also take this opportunity to think of appropriate things to talk about.
Photo by Emilio on Flickr
Resist the urge to pull out your phone right off the bat and choose to say hello instead. It’s easiest to start a conversation in the beginning, rather than break out into random speech halfway up the mountain when your companion is already engrossed in their piste map. If all goes well, after your initial overture, the conversation will flow all by itself.
Instead of dreading the ten minutes it will take for that ancient two-seater or the dreadful T-bar, take advantage of the extra effort involved to really build a bond with your lift partner. Nobody wants to be the person who has to abandon the T-bar halfway up, so this is extra incentive to quickly make an intimate connection with a stranger.
Getting cosy
If the person is looking a little wobbly on their skis, offer your assistance in getting on and off the lift or T-bar. For would-be snowboarders, the lift can seem like an insurmountable obstacle – if you’re feeling generous, it’s nice to board on the side that their board points away from, so they don’t have to worry about crashing into you on the way off. Likewise, the T-bar is a horrid invention that was made specifically to torture people and send them veering in all directions. Consider carrying someone’s ski poles for them or helping steady them as they board.
Or rather, lower the bar. Even though some people don’t like this, it’s best to cater to the wimpiest person on the lift, because, as I can tell you from personal experience, they are probably freaking out as they imagine plunging headfirst into the icy black moguls below. Save the comfort of dangling your feet over open nothingness for the times when you know everyone you’re riding with. Conversely, though, don’t be one of those eager beavers who are so enthusiastic about safety that they crash the bar down before the lift even gets off the ground and dish out several concussions a day. Ask first, and lower the bar gently.
“Where are you from?” “What’s your favourite piste?” “What do you think of the snow today?” “How long have you been skiing/snowboarding?” You should avoid very personal conversation topics, but there are loads of ways to start a conversation without being disrespectful or rude. If you’re feeling daring, go ahead and ask what they think of the Brexit or Trump. Remember, if everything goes sideways, you never have to see this person again.
No, Spaniards are not interested in hearing your perfect pronunciation of “dos cervezas por favor!” But you might score some points if you are able to greet fellow travellers in their own language. Some examples of common languages you might need on a ski trip in the Alps:
French:
Bonjour, ça va? (Hello, how are you?)
A plus! (See you later!)
German:
Guten tag (Good day/Hello)
Tschüss (Bye!)
Dutch:
Goede morgen/Hoi (Good morning/Hi *the G in Dutch is pronounced with the throat, like in “Bach”)
Doei/Dag! (Goodbye!)
Italian:
Buongiorno (Goodday)
Ciao! (Bye!)
Spanish:
Hola/Buenos dias! (Hello/goodday)
Adios! (Bye!)
Sometimes people just don’t bite. If all your carefully-rehearsed vocabulary and flawless body language don’t tempt your lift partner, don’t let it get you down. Maybe they’re engrossed in their Instagram post, or perhaps they’re still reeling from the aftereffects of après-ski the night before. Either way, the day is long and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends!
Taken out of context, it’s a situation no one would readily agree to: sat hip-to-hip with a stranger, wearing heavy plastic boots and a helmet and clutching several sharp objects so they don’t fall thirty metres into the abyss below. Sounds like the beginning of a video game or a sick horror movie, but no, it’s the reality if you’ve ever taken a ski lift. When you’ve finally braved your way through the queue of shoving skiers and poking poles, you find yourself about to board a very high chair in the air with a complete stranger. What do you do?
Nothing will come of nothing. As you’re sizing up the person who will share the next three minutes of your life with you, shoot them a smile or at least a friendly nod. You can also take this opportunity to think of appropriate things to talk about.
Photo by Emilio on Flickr
Resist the urge to pull out your phone right off the bat and choose to say hello instead. It’s easiest to start a conversation in the beginning, rather than break out into random speech halfway up the mountain when your companion is already engrossed in their piste map. If all goes well, after your initial overture, the conversation will flow all by itself.
Instead of dreading the ten minutes it will take for that ancient two-seater or the dreadful T-bar, take advantage of the extra effort involved to really build a bond with your lift partner. Nobody wants to be the person who has to abandon the T-bar halfway up, so this is extra incentive to quickly make an intimate connection with a stranger.
Getting cosy
If the person is looking a little wobbly on their skis, offer your assistance in getting on and off the lift or T-bar. For would-be snowboarders, the lift can seem like an insurmountable obstacle – if you’re feeling generous, it’s nice to board on the side that their board points away from, so they don’t have to worry about crashing into you on the way off. Likewise, the T-bar is a horrid invention that was made specifically to torture people and send them veering in all directions. Consider carrying someone’s ski poles for them or helping steady them as they board.
Or rather, lower the bar. Even though some people don’t like this, it’s best to cater to the wimpiest person on the lift, because, as I can tell you from personal experience, they are probably freaking out as they imagine plunging headfirst into the icy black moguls below. Save the comfort of dangling your feet over open nothingness for the times when you know everyone you’re riding with. Conversely, though, don’t be one of those eager beavers who are so enthusiastic about safety that they crash the bar down before the lift even gets off the ground and dish out several concussions a day. Ask first, and lower the bar gently.
“Where are you from?” “What’s your favourite piste?” “What do you think of the snow today?” “How long have you been skiing/snowboarding?” You should avoid very personal conversation topics, but there are loads of ways to start a conversation without being disrespectful or rude. If you’re feeling daring, go ahead and ask what they think of the Brexit or Trump. Remember, if everything goes sideways, you never have to see this person again.
No, Spaniards are not interested in hearing your perfect pronunciation of “dos cervezas por favor!” But you might score some points if you are able to greet fellow travellers in their own language. Some examples of common languages you might need on a ski trip in the Alps:
French:
Bonjour, ça va? (Hello, how are you?)
A plus! (See you later!)
German:
Guten tag (Good day/Hello)
Tschüss (Bye!)
Dutch:
Goede morgen/Hoi (Good morning/Hi *the G in Dutch is pronounced with the throat, like in “Bach”)
Doei/Dag! (Goodbye!)
Italian:
Buongiorno (Goodday)
Ciao! (Bye!)
Spanish:
Hola/Buenos dias! (Hello/goodday)
Adios! (Bye!)
Sometimes people just don’t bite. If all your carefully-rehearsed vocabulary and flawless body language don’t tempt your lift partner, don’t let it get you down. Maybe they’re engrossed in their Instagram post, or perhaps they’re still reeling from the aftereffects of après-ski the night before. Either way, the day is long and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
