The skiing etiquette that matters
Act on the slopes as you would on home soil and be a gentleman during this ski season
Words: India Gladstone
Skiing is a luxury – there are no two ways about it. Spending a week out in a beautiful resort surrounded by some of the best vistas you’ll ever clap eyes on is a holiday that most can only dream of. Blissful days, however, can be very easily ruined when some idiot with devil horns coming out of his helmet cuts in front of you in the chairlift queue, or you face plant into a mound of snow after a man skiing in jeans (believe it or not, this is actually quite common attire for some people) smacks into the back of you. If you’re a gentleman at home and at work, what gives you the right to act any differently on the slopes? Make sure you remain a gentleman on the slopes by following these simple steps.
The rules are there to be obeyed, and there’s nothing more irritating than a gentleman who thinks he’s too good for the rules. Don’t ski on closed trails; don’t ski on pistes that are shut off. You don’t look cool, clever or funny – you look stupid – and above all, what you’re doing is probably pretty dangerous.
As a girl, I can honestly say that there is nothing worse than an arrogant man – especially on the slopes. There really is nothing worse than someone who speeds down the slope knocking everything in his way over or someone who skips every single queue there is, just because he’s “skied here a million times before”. Keep it in check, gentlemen. It’s also important not to big up your ability when in actual fact, you’re just not a very good skier. Don’t be shy to admit that you’re not as strong as you’d like to be – there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you’re skiing with a girl and you want to go off piste, make sure that she’s comfortable with that. If you’re a much stronger skier than her, make sure you slow down and wait for her. As a gentleman, you should be clued up on everyday etiquette; letting a woman out of the door before you, or taking her coat from her the moment she walks in the room. Practice similarly gentlemanly acts while you’re on the slopes and you’re guaranteed to keep her on side.
Weirdly, this happens a lot. A man can be the perfect gentleman when he’s on home territory, but as soon as he gets onto the slopes he starts to shout obscenities to those below him while he’s on the chair lift, or to light up a cigarette while sharing a gondola with 8 strangers. Trust us, we’ve seen it. Reel it in, gentlemen. Just because you’re on holiday and the adrenaline is flowing does not give you an excuse.
Every gentleman should understand the importance of giving a helping hand now and again, and this is especially important on the slopes. If you see someone struggling to get down a slope or to get onto a lift, and there’s an easy way to help them that won’t hurt you, do it. You’re a gentleman after all.
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