Long time ago I was trying to make some tele turns at a a well known ski area in the Adirondacks. I was on skinny Kharu skis and Rotefella bindings (as I recall ). My leather Asolo boots were a bit worn but comfortable as slippers. I felt encouraged about the couple of turns I had made in the beginner area and wanted a but more of a challenge.
It was near end of season and I suppose some staff were ready to be laid off. I suppose lift staff get tired of the same stupid questions over the course of the winter. This lift attendant did seem a bit annoyed at my question regarding an easy way down.
She told me to take “Idiots Delight”. She followed the suggestion with “You should do fine”. She put the emphasis on You (me). When I got off the chairlift I looked around for signs for Idiots Delight trail. I searched the big wooden map as well. Finally it dawned in me that there was no such trail. I never forgot that moment.
I think of her every now and then wonderring how annoying the repetive questions would be month after month season after season. All of this brings me to an observance I have, especially during the last days of the sason.
Despite having nearly 100 on snow days most of them have been at my home mountain Belleayre Mountain. Every year I see some new faces and some lift attendents that I have seen year after year. Everyone is enthusastic on their first day. I will say, however, the helpfulness and enthusiasm didn’t seem to deminish as the closing date approached.
”Have a nice day, ski safe, nice to see ya Rosie” etc etc. Just wanna say thanks to all the ski area folks that do a good job year after year, despite weather, crowds, or how they might be feeling in a given day. It all makes for a more memorable experience. A big thanks to you all. Ski ya next year.