You know what really grinds my gears?

[kbroderick]

I generally treat people who pull out in front of me on skis the same way I do while driving--I leave enough room not to hit them, but I make no effort whatsoever to leave enough room for their comfort. If they don't like me skiing by at 30 MPH and less than five yards away, then they shouldn't pull out in front of me.

Sounds like trail rage to me.

Everyone make mistakes, including me. Defensive skiing means anticipating people making them. The next person you buzz may be a cop/marine/biker/jedi.

I do anticipate people making mistakes, which is why I leave more room around a group of skiers than I do around a clump of trees--I don't recall a tree ever jumping out in front of me the way skiers (and riders) do. And if someone pulls out well before I get to them, I will adjust my course to give them space. By the time someone does pull out in front of me (on the hill, not on the road, which involves an entirely different set of dynamics that are not relevant to this forum), I generally have two choices: throw 'em sideways, at which point I'm giving up control in the hopes of slowing down sufficiently to avoid the now-moving obstacle, or keep skiing and just go around, even if not by much. The former involves more risk and a greater chance of confrontation--if there's any soft snow on the hill at all, it's likely to end up in the air if I throw them sideways. Given the choice, I'd rather be in control and buzz by someone than give up that control and cover them in snow. Especially if they're big, scary, and quick to anger.

And besides, a Jedi shouldn't be causing the problem in the first place -- his awareness of the Force should enable him to merge into traffic without looking while still being entirely aware of all the other traffic on the hill.

 

[riverc0il]

justification?

 

[ski_adk]

On top of many of the things mentioned above, one of the things I find highly annoying are packs of skiers/riders. This happens a lot at Jiminy at night because of the school groups. I don't usually don't have a problem with this because for the most part, I'm really good about following the code. But once in a while, I'll get buzzed on both sides by a group who are really flying a lot faster than they should be going. I've had a couple of near misses this season when this happens because I often find myself "boxed in." While I haven't had any collisions yet, I always find my heart racing a bit after one of these incidents.

And not to brag, but there are very few people skiing faster than me on any given night. So, I'm usually going pretty fast when these things happen. It definately scares the shiat out of me.

 

[dmc]

This thread makes me happy... Glad I'm not the only one who thinks just because you're the downhill skier doesn't give you a free pass to do whatever you want...

 

[ckofer]

....been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin’ on.

Somebody on this forum will appreciate that. :wink:

 

[hammer]

Given the choice, I'd rather be in control and buzz by someone than give up that control and cover them in snow.

As long as you don't buzz by with the intent of "teaching them a lesson", then I'm fine with that.

I've been in situations where my son and I are trying to "push limits" (meaning perhaps we're traversing a bit) and we get buzzed by more advanced skiers who could have moved out of the way (in one case my son's skis were run over).

One of these days, however, this is going to happen and I'm going to be good enough to catch the jerks who seem to have a good time doing this.

word to the wise...what goes around comes around...

 

[skibum1321]

slip sliding down a powder trail, now that is reason to irrate!
:beer:

That's the worst - It makes me cringe everytime I see someone sliding down a trail and scraping all the snow off. Even if it's packed pow, people slipping down trails really irritates me. They're scraping off all the snow and making the trail worse for everyone else. I'm also annoyed by the people using the whole width of the trail to turn. In conclusion, I have ski rage and I hate it when there isn't enough snow in the trees to get away from all the newbies and gapers.

 

[Marc]

I don't recall a tree ever jumping out in front of me

Hmm... that's funny I'm quite sure that actually has happened to me a couple times.

:dunce:



I try to ski defensively as well. And normally I'm in such a good mood just to be on my skis in the first place, the said lesser skilled skier would have to be so bad he would have to release a ski, stop, turn around, and kick me in the nuts for me to start getting angry.

Otherwise I offer words of encouragement or berate them behind their back. Either way works for me.

 

[JimG.]

I must have a natural calmness about me since none of these issues ever bothers me much. We were all beginners once, nobody was born an expert skier. We all flailed around a bit as we got our ski legs...I'm sure I got in the way of other folks at times too. I just tried to stay as unobtrusive as possible.

I floundered around for a few seasons trying to learn to ski bumps. I've scraped off some powder a few times as I learned to ski deep snow. I didn't do it on purpose or to annoy anyone or to screw up anyone else's line, and anyone who did get annoyed just plain forgot that they were in the same position once too.

Face it everyone, at one time we all did the things we complain about here; folks who live or lived in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

 

[andyzee]

I must have a natural calmness about me since none of these issues ever bothers me much. We were all beginners once, nobody was born an expert skier. We all flailed around a bit as we got our ski legs...I'm sure I got in the way of other folks at times too. I just tried to stay as unobtrusive as possible.

I floundered around for a few seasons trying to learn to ski bumps. I've scraped off some powder a few times as I learned to ski deep snow. I didn't do it on purpose or to annoy anyone or to screw up anyone else's line, and anyone who did get annoyed just plain forgot that they were in the same position once too.

Face it everyone, at one time we all did the things we complain about here; folks who live or lived in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Words of Wisdom! :beer:

 

[hammer]

I must have a natural calmness about me since none of these issues ever bothers me much. We were all beginners once, nobody was born an expert skier. We all flailed around a bit as we got our ski legs...I'm sure I got in the way of other folks at times too. I just tried to stay as unobtrusive as possible.

I floundered around for a few seasons trying to learn to ski bumps. I've scraped off some powder a few times as I learned to ski deep snow. I didn't do it on purpose or to annoy anyone or to screw up anyone else's line, and anyone who did get annoyed just plain forgot that they were in the same position once too.

Face it everyone, at one time we all did the things we complain about here; folks who live or lived in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

:beer: :beer:

 

[Marc]

Nor should people in grass houses stow thrones...


:dunce:

 

[hammer]

Nor should people in grass houses stow thrones...


:dunce:

Hey, leave comments like that over here:

http://forums.alpinezone.com/viewtopic.php?t=6853

:wink:

 

[Marc]

Arr... shot down by my own thread. Good form.




Back on topic, I share Jim's attitude. He was far better at articulating it though.


And maybe moreso for me because I have not been skiing long and I remember with great clarity what it is like to go into survival mode. And still do sometimes as well.

 

[ssusca]

There are few thing that really get me upset when I'm out skiing. I just love to be out there and I try my best to enjoy each one of the precious few minutes that I get each year to go skiing or riding.After all, Summer will be here before you know it.

That being said, I think the thing that drives me nuts the most is the fact that so many people have to congregate around the lift at the drop off point. I mean seriously, how hard is it to just move the f**k out of the way!!! Then there's those who ski right in front of the lift when people are unloading down a steep ramp. And then they get upset because you ran into them! Why don't you watch where the hell you're going, buttface! :x

And while I'm on the subject, why is it that so many people have to stand at the entrance to the lift line, effectively blocking every entrance into the line while waiting for their friend to come down off the mountain? Get the f**k out of the way!!! :angry:

Other that that however, I really don't have any pet peeves. I just love to be out there on my skis, enjoying the outdoors.

 

[ski_adk]

In regards to Karma in general...you reap what you sow. If you have a feeling of "being out to get someone" or "I'll teach that guy a lesson" then don't be surprised someday when someone decides to try to teach you a lesson or get one over on you.

 

[Marc]

There are few thing that really get me upset when I'm out skiing. I just love to be out there and I try my best to enjoy each one of the precious few minutes that I get each year to go skiing or riding.After all, Summer will be here before you know it.

That being said, I think the thing that drives me nuts the most is the fact that so many people have to congregate around the lift at the drop off point. I mean seriously, how hard is it to just move the f**k out of the way!!! Then there's those who ski right in front of the lift when people are unloading down a steep ramp. And then they get upset because you ran into them! Why don't you watch where the hell you're going, buttface! :x

And while I'm on the subject, why is it that so many people have to stand at the entrance to the lift line, effectively blocking every entrance into the line while waiting for their friend to come down off the mountain? Get the f**k out of the way!!! :angry:

Other that that however, I really don't have any pet peeves. I just love to be out there on my skis, enjoying the outdoors.

Bi-polar much?

 

[ssusca]

:lol: :x :angry: