I Like Gapers

[highpeaksdrifter]

Whenever I talk to one on the gondi or chairlift they are generally very nice people. They don’t get to ski much, so when they do they just break out the 25 year old gear. They’re just glad to be at the mountain having a good time and they do it so infrequently they’re really excited about it.

People who bother me are the ones who talk a big game, but can’t back it up. “I remember last season when I was skiing Snowbird, man I was ripping it up”, then you watch them make a few turns and their skills are a joke.

 

[MRGisevil]

Good on you, HPD. I really dislike these 'gaper this', 'gaper that' posts. As long as you're having fun and you're a nice person that's all that should matter.

 

[billski]

Whenever I talk to one on the gondi or chairlift they are generally very nice people. They don’t get to ski much, so when they do they just break out the 25 year old gear. They’re just glad to be at the mountain having a good time and they do it so infrequently they’re really excited about it.

People who bother me are the ones who talk a big game, but can’t back it up. “I remember last season when I was skiing Snowbird, man I was ripping it up”, then you watch them make a few turns and their skills are a joke.

Most people are pretty humble about their abilities. I agree, the bragger who over-exaggerates his (yes, it's usually a male) abilities is annoying. I once worked with one, who used to come into the office on Monday and would tell these incredible stories of cliffs at MRG, BC adventures at Sugarloaf, etc. He used information that was entirely unverifiable. For years he always had an excuse why he couldn't go skiing with us.

Finally, finally one day, we got him to join our beer league team and he actually showed up. What we was was absolutely shocking. He was of a huge stature, shall we say. His sheer size and strength allowed him to get down the hill like giant earth-moving equipment. No form, no style, no technique. Imagine stem-christies down through Nosedive at Stowe.

On the course, he couldn't get closer than about 6 feet from the gates. Snowplowing all the way. Horrendous times. However, as soon as he got to the bar, the stories about his run became spectacular, near-Bode performances. One day I really beat him down and he admitted his exaggerations, but the next day he was back at it again. I just let him talk and went out and skied....

 

[koreshot]

I think the definitely of gaper has changed over time and grown to include a variety of stereotypes.

I always thought a gaper was someone that was completely clueless about their own skill level. Even there are are two categories:

- Gapers regularly getting themselves into a position, trail and speed that they can not handle resulting in large yard sales, snow sidesteps and general ugliness
- Gapers who think the shredded a particular run while in reality it was some ugly as sin skiing which would include: the classic turkey tuck, the occasional snow plow, back seat charley, pointless and/or overemphazised pole plants, self woohoos.
- You could also add barby and ken doll types of skiers (regardless of their skill) to this list. The tight pants and extreme focus on style, appearance and overall cool image.

But I keep seeing stuff on the net that includes people on old gear, wearing old clothes, new skiers still learning and all sorts of people into the gaper category. I have even heard people call ski patrollers and instructors gapers.

I would rather ski with the new beginner skier on old gear and beat up clothes than a ken doll wearing a avy beacon and shovel matching his boots at Stratton.

 

[Greg]

People who bother me are the ones who talk a big game, but can’t back it up. “I remember last season when I was skiing Snowbird, man I was ripping it up”, then you watch them make a few turns and their skills are a joke.

Agreed. Again, the ones that intentionally draw attention to themselves or are big loud mouths are the most annoying.

Good on you, HPD. I really dislike these 'gaper this', 'gaper that' posts. As long as you're having fun and you're a nice person that's all that should matter.

We're all just foolin' and I don't think anyone is being malicious. Part of what's funny about it is we've all gaped. Some of us still do on occasion! (raises hand) I can't imagine that anyone here publicly humiliates those of lesser ski experience. Come on. You have to admit that guy rocking the face mask, but not wearing a hat or helmet on a 40 degree day is pretty funny! :lol:

I help out newbies all the time, retrieve their equipment, stuff like that. One time at Jiminy this 11 or 12 year old kid was struggling on his way from the lot to the base area as I was leaving. He had his skis in that baby cradle/firewood carrying position. I stopped him and showed him how to sling his skis over his shoulder. He was very appreciative and thought it was the best suggestion ever.

 

[MRGisevil]

Most people are pretty humble about their abilities. I agree, the bragger who over-exaggerates his (yes, it's usually a male) abilities is annoying. I once worked with one, who used to come into the office on Monday and would tell these incredible stories of cliffs at MRG, BC adventures at Sugarloaf, etc. He used information that was entirely unverifiable. For years he always had an excuse why he couldn't go skiing with us.

Finally, finally one day, we got him to join our beer league team and he actually showed up. What we was was absolutely shocking. He was of a huge stature, shall we say. His sheer size and strength allowed him to get down the hill like giant earth-moving equipment. No form, no style, no technique. Imagine stem-christies down through Nosedive at Stowe.

On the course, he couldn't get closer than about 6 feet from the gates. Snowplowing all the way. Horrendous times. However, as soon as he got to the bar, the stories about his run became spectacular, near-Bode performances. One day I really beat him down and he admitted his exaggerations, but the next day he was back at it again. I just let him talk and went out and skied....

That's all well and good- I know there are people like that out there... but because there are (and this is not directed at you, it's just a statement based on those who judge pre-emptively) it's no reason for people to stereotype others for what they wear or how they carry their skis or weather or not they like silly helmets or whatever the asthetic reasoning might be.

 

[koreshot]

I'm thinking I will do a gaper outfit at Plattekill this Sunday. All this talk of gapers has inspired me.

Outfit to go along with the skills... perfect!

 

[MRGisevil]

Agreed. Again, the ones that intentionally draw attention to themselves or are big loud mouths are the most annoying.



We're all just foolin' and I don't think anyone is being malicious. Part of what's funny about it is we've all gaped. Some of us still do on occasion! (raises hand) I can't imagine that anyone here publicly humiliates those of lesser ski experience. Come on. You have to admit that guy rocking the face mask, but not wearing a hat or helmet on a 40 degree day is pretty funny! :lol:

I help out newbies all the time, retrieve their equipment, stuff like that. One time at Jiminy this 11 or 12 year old kid was struggling on his way from the lot to the base area as I was leaving. He had his skis in that baby cradle/firewood carrying position. I stopped him and showed him how to sling his skis over his shoulder. He was very appreciative and thought it was the best suggestion ever.

Yeah, I know most are joking... but I beg to differ about others, and I'm sure you know who I mean. :-?

 

[2knees]

I practiced some gaper moves last night. I think i've perfected the overemphasized double pole plant move in the bumps. I got it down pat. I'm gonna bust it out for gregs next video.

in all seriousness, we all do stupid sh*t on the slopes. some, like myself, more then others but still......

 

[Greg]

I have even heard people call ski patrollers and instructors gapers.

Well, one annoyance to me is the patroller or instructor that pretty much sucks at skiing. I think if you're going to go that route, you better have a fair amount of skill to be deserving of that position. Luckily, most are indeed very accomplished skiers.

 

[koreshot]

Well, one annoyance to me is the patroller or instructor that pretty much sucks at skiing. I think if you're going to go that route, you better have a fair amount of skill to be deserving of that position. Luckily, most are indeed very accomplished skiers.

True. There is that occasional patroller or instructor that makes you think "how is that person gonna save me if im hurt?!?!". But for every patroller or instructor lacking skiing skill, there are 10 that rip.

Looking forward to 2knees new pole plants... the gaper plant is probably my favorite, especially when its a simultaneous and repeated gaper double plant.

 

[Warp Daddy]

we all started as gapers so why not help "rooks" enjoy the sport as much as possible by being supportive not critical and sharing good humor on the lifts

 

[ckofer]

I carry a stash of Mardi Gras beads in my ski bag and wear them on the mountain as the mood strikes me. Wicked gaper. Don't hate me.

 

[hammer]

Just remember to laugh with them, not at them...and hopefully they will do the same when you have your next gaper moment.

 

[Skier75]

I must've looked like quite the gaper New Years day on the way outta there. I was so sore still from the fall I had all I could do to carry my skis the correct way, but that didn't last long. Between the sore thumb(right hand), the hand that would carry the skis over the shoulder, then the other side(shoulder), that was absolutely killing me, I had no choice, but to end up slinging the skis firewood style right across the arms to carry my skis out to the car. Big time gaper, at that point, I didn't care, I just needed to get them outta my hands. So ya, you might see me out on the slopes gapering it right up.....

 

[skididdie]

we all started as gapers so why not help "rooks" enjoy the sport as much as possible by being supportive not critical and sharing good humor on the lifts

i totally agree with that....i kinda wish that i saved my old stuff so i could occasionally get my "gaper on". i would be quite the spectacule with my long and skinny K2's (210's) my green Lange boots with 4 rachet buckles, my white Reflex poles, my CB coat and Varnauts knock-offs....put that image in your head.....man i would look so cool!!!

 

[RISkier]

Well, one annoyance to me is the patroller or instructor that pretty much sucks at skiing. I think if you're going to go that route, you better have a fair amount of skill to be deserving of that position. Luckily, most are indeed very accomplished skiers.

We have a friend who's a level III. He's constantly breaking down the skiing ability of instructors. He'll even show videos of various skiers and instructors and do critiques. He's convinced me that at the lower levels a lot of instructors are not that great in terms of technique. The skiing requirement at level 1 are not very stringent. And I personally know a couple of level 2s who don't really like to ski bumps. Now, a recently certified level 3 can really ski. That said, I'm not sure you need great technical skills to effectively teach beginners. Effective communication and the ability to spread enthusiasm are probably much more important when teaching lower level skiers.

 

[billski]

I carry a stash of Mardi Gras beads in my ski bag and wear them on the mountain as the mood strikes me. Wicked gaper. Don't hate me.

At first, I thought you were going to say that you handed them out as prizes for best in fashion...:razz: Then again, I guess you're making a pretty good fashion statement yourself !:razz:

My kids once affixed a sign to the back of my jacket that said "keep back 500 feet" or something like that. There was a lot of giggling and I was rather slow on the uptake....

 

[severine]

I see newbies all the time and give them a wide berth. These folks are right where we all were years ago. Yup, it's sometimes funny, and we'll observe and give em a chance in the tough (to them) areas. But we always remember when things like that scared us.

Heck, compared to many of you, I am a gaper. :lol: It's all good. I try to give the newbies a wide berth, too. I know how much I appreciated it when others did the same for me (and how freaked out I was when they didn't).

Good on you, HPD. I really dislike these 'gaper this', 'gaper that' posts. As long as you're having fun and you're a nice person that's all that should matter.

I think for most, it's all in good fun. Whenever I've made comments, it's more of a "I can't believe people are still using that old gear!". Including the onesies. I wore quite the array of 80s fashion myself at one time... but there's no way in heck you could pay me to wear it again, and I'm not a fashionista. Glad you like gapers, though. Have you seen my video? LOL!

 

[The Sneak]

Gapers are way more fun to ride the lift with than those peculiar snobby 'flatlander go home' bearded tele types.

Gapers are at least generally really enthusiastic and happy to be out on the hill.
Sometimes though, they are fun for other reasons:

At reggae weekend in 07, the highlight of the day (really) was watching a powerfully inebriated 40-something male gaper, replete with jester hat, blue blocker sunglasses, and corey dillon pats jersey, catch about 6 inches of air on the 'chicken pitch' section of tote road, scream whooo hooo at the top of his lungs, and somehow manage to lose both skis upon 'landing'.

I don't feel superior to these folks in any way except for my skiing ability (and even that is debatable)..but I do get a kick out of seeing the outfits and gear of the 80s and 90s. I like ridiculous things and people who are so into their shtick or are otherwise oblivious...

For example:
Growing up, I lived across the street from the high-tension lines (powerlines). There was this guy who used to come bombing down the trail on a large displacement (480cc) old 2 stroke Honda motocross bike...shirtless..with a cigarette dangling from his mouth...wearing no helmet...usually just cutoff jean shorts and sneakers.

That guy was awesome for the same reason gapers are awesome.,