“Do You Rent Extreme Skis?”: TGR Maggots Share the Funniest Gaper Quotes
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The Teton Gravity Research Forums are famous for being a hub of hardcore mountain discussion. However, a legendary thread section offers something a little different: pure comedy. It’s titled "Best Gaper quotes of the weekend?" and, for years, it has chronicled the funniest, most absurd, and sometimes genuinely baffling comments overheard on the slopes. Consequently, this forum thread is one of the longest-running, having accumulated hundreds of pages of classic quotes.
What Exactly is a 'Gaper' Quote?
A 'gaper' is a term of endearment, of sorts, for a skier or snowboarder who is comically out-of-touch with mountain culture or conditions. A "gaper quote" is an overheard comment that perfectly captures this endearing confusion. The quotes often center on gear, weather, or terrain that is misunderstood. For instance, imagine a skier in a blizzard complaining, “I am not real impressed with the grooming here,” after 9 inches of fresh snow. Naturally, this kind of comment hits every core skier's funny bone.
Classic Categories of Gaper Comments
The thread's history reveals a few timeless categories of quotes. These moments prove that even the most frustrating day can be saved by a little overheard absurdity.
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- The Gear Guys: This category focuses on equipment confusion. For example, one classic quote involves the request for "Extreme Skis," an often-repeated line. Indeed, these comments show the difference between marketing hype and mountain reality.
- The Terrain Tacticians: These comments show a hilarious misunderstanding of the mountain itself. In particular, one person famously said, “Them there moguls were made for kids skis, not the big long ones we’re on’”. Another example is the classic complaint about 10 inches of fresh powder: "Man, this stuff is everywhere!"
- The Weather Worries: Weather-related comments are equally priceless. One user overheard a shuttle passenger exclaim, “holy sh*t look at all that white stuff,” to which a local replied, "yeah that’s called snow". Ultimately, these remind us that a pow day is not always intuitive for everyone.
Why TGR Embraces the Gaper
While the comments are often shared to poke fun, there is a certain warmth to the forum’s long-running joke. In fact, the TGR community, recognizes that the gaper comments make for great entertainment. They are a hilarious cultural touchstone, celebrating the experience of the ski season in a uniquely TGR way. So, keep your ears open in the lift line, because the next all-time gaper comment could be waiting.
