Universal Covid-19 solo chair riding etiquette?

[Flounder]

On the plus side you all are skiing. Still waiting here in rainy Vermont to experience what Alterra is going to do to Sugarbush. They already let Jiminy peak and Hunta beat them for opening day.

[shera]

Yeah, I am ok with riding on a quad/six with a stranger at the other end.

[shera]

On the plus side you all are skiing. Still waiting here in rainy Vermont to experience what Alterra is going to do to Sugarbush. They already let Jiminy peak and Hunta beat them for opening day.

Sorry...it aint all that! Man made groomers and bony elsewhere

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Yup. I solved this long ago. Sometimes I make a monster pizza to block off both sides...alternatively if people get up beside you on the loading line, just stand there and wait for the next chair, let them load the current one alone.

I did that a couple times and then more gapes ski up next to you where the previous gaper was standing before they got on the chair.......I literally was just shaking my head and the liftie kinda gave me the, "Can you believe these knuckleheads?!" look.

[interloper]

The little bump I work at everyone is respectful or the women running the lifts are on your ass. And we all know that outcome.

[skiJ]

This is one of the reasons I will not be riding chairs this season --

while I believe a blocking stance by SheRa would be respected,
the same 'pizza stance' by W_G would be an invitation to gapers to 'crash the chair ( You want to ride by yourself ? f* you... ) '

gapers are going to gap-

Dj has a good point - live with our choices.

If you are going to ride chairs, there are going to be times you will be riding with people you did not expect to, and times you will be riding with people you did not want to.

Be well -
( please) Be Safe...

...have fun ! skiJ

[paulster2626]

I usually share my whiskey on the chairs and gondolas - is this no longer apropos?

[Bunion 2020]

I think I have about $800 into my pass. Reading this thread makes me again consider deferring it til next season or just planning to ski the quieter days if such things exist.

What WRG experienced is at an area that is a ghost town right now with little to offer except sliding on man made or dodging rocks. Not supposed to snow until late next week, what will the 1st good day be like?

[skiracer88_00]

Covid transmission on a chairlift has got to be damn near negligible particularly if folks are wearing masks. They fill rows on planes and studies have confirmed transmission to be negligible if masks are worn due to good ventilation on planes. I can't think of a location with better ventilation than outdoors on a chairlift moving at 500-1,000 fpm.

Fill the chairs.

[Conundrum]

I save up my farts for just these circumstances.

[yeahman]

It's awkward this year for sure. I experienced the same thing as Whiteroom Guardian yesterday, i.e. gapes pulling up and loading with me for no reason. I did voluntarily ride with several people yesterday at opposite ends of the chair, agreed to in advance. Honestly I'm not too worried about transmission on a chairlift. I keep an extra mask in my pocket so I can double up if I feel there's a reason to be worried. Not sure how much that helps but it makes me feel better.

Whoever said waiting in line for a longer period of time could be more dangerous than riding the chair next to a stranger might be right.

[Bunion 2020]

Whoever said waiting in line for a longer period of time could be more dangerous than riding the chair next to a stranger might be right.

This is what concerns me. Big Sky has never been very good at managing their line ups and while I agree that the risk on a moving chair is low there is a reason to have some room on chairs between strangers. "aaaachoooo!"

If we don't know each other I don't want to sit right next to you. A single empty space between strangers is a different story.

[The AD]

Bottom line is that many people are oblivious. Then you've also got to add a few who insist on riding with others to show "they ain't afraid of no virus."

[toast2266]

This is what concerns me. Big Sky has never been very good at managing their line ups and while I agree that the risk on a moving chair is low there is a reason to have some room on chairs between strangers. "aaaachoooo!"

If we don't know each other I don't want to sit right next to you. A single empty space between strangers is a different story.

Did Big Sky deactivate all of their new bubbles? Those bubble chairs seem like a guaranteed way to cross-pollinate with the swarms of Texans.

[The AD]

Did Big Sky deactivate all of their new bubbles? Those bubble chairs seem like a guaranteed way to cross-pollinate with the swarms of Texans.

The chair bubbles, aka "Covid cocoons."

[whyturn]

I have not gone lift access yet but I think it’s going to be extra talk or hopefully have a buddy and if someone comes up state we are riding alone. But not sure what to do with people rushing in at the last second. Most of the lifties at my resort are pretty vocal when they need to be. I’m glad for that and hope it works


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[yeahman]

Did Big Sky deactivate all of their new bubbles? Those bubble chairs seem like a guaranteed way to cross-pollinate with the swarms of Texans.

Nope, bubbles can still be pulled down if you want them.

[ridinshockgun]

I ended up on a 6 pack at Crystal with 3 Zoomers. They all popped brews and were shouting to each other. Last time I rode that lift. I think my mistake was not being a bit of a Karen and saying something to an Xtal host or employee. That kind of shit is just not cool in the COVID era.

Fact: Karen gets results

[Buster Highmen]

As TGRNaristas, aren't we supposed to be able to scream "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING" at the brorushers?

[Djongo Unchained]

Sounds like the workers at Big Sky have not been empowered.
Normally, I dare not give a lowly lifty any real power to be likely abused. This year, I feel any worker should be able to tell anyone to pull up the mask or be promptly escorted off of the mountain.
To be clear, speaking up is not being Karen-ish. WTF?
Maybe own that place a little and line out the kooks. Or be last.
We all make choices.


Skiing is not a fucking Democracy. Everyone doesn't get to do whatever the fuck they want, wherever, however.
Like standing beneath a roller or using a pitching wedge for practice while on the putting green. Atsa hard NO.
Ya gotta work within the construct or GTFO.

So far in Jh no one is jacking onto another's chair. Sometimes peeps come in hot and seem to be right in my back pocket, but a long, very direct glance pretty much says it all.
A couple of people have asked to join me and I say ' thanks, but no. Any other time I'd be happy to. '
And pretty much no attitude or aggroness so far.

It's been so quiet that there is zero reason to ride with anyone you don't know. And when skiing with 2 friends, we just trade off who rides single. 2 max on a quad. Period.

The rule that a lot of places seem to be standing on is no one is required to ride with an unknown.

I think we can all agree that to some degree, skiing is probably on the safer side of things one could choose to do this winter.
It's all the variables that complicate gathering in any way, that compound the problem.
I caretake for an elderly gent. I'm gonna be extra safe on his behalf. If he gets fucked, that will complicate my life waaaay more than if I develop a mild or less case of the C-19.

If you can't spread apart and deal with the bullshit for one measly season, well, I got nothing else for ya.
I wanna ski. Last season was too short.

[yeahman]

Lifties at Big Sky have been actively enforcing the mask rule. In fact I got told to put mine up yesterday when I sailed into the line and forgot. I think that's usually the case, people forget. Mask compliance has been very high IMO. Good to see.

As for riding chairs, the lifties are leaving it up to people to communicate with each other. I think as Djongo said, if people look like they want to get on with you, you just need to tell people you want to ride alone. In some ways it's just habit for skiers to fill up a chair, and some of these people probably aren't even aware they are doing anything unusual. Just say "No thanks, love to ride with you any other season," and that should be all that's required. But if you don't say anything, you kind of have to take what you get.

[HammySlapwagons]

@OP

You could always politely request that the other rider wait to get on the next chair. Or you could just wait for the next chair. With this whole covid situation, I'm sure 99% of people would oblige.

[yeahman]

Or you could just wait for the next chair.

I saw people do that yesterday when strangers grouped up with them--just let them load and waited for the next chair. But then you run the risk of more people jumping in with you (yeah, some people are that oblivious). Better to just communicate your wishes rather than turn people into mind readers.

[The AD]

I saw people do that yesterday when strangers grouped up with them--just let them load and waited for the next chair. But then you run the risk of more people jumping in with you (yeah, some people are that oblivious). Better to just communicate your wishes rather than turn people into mind readers.

Maybe attaching one of those Yosemite Sam "Back Off!" mudflaps to the back of your jacket would send the appropriate message.

[summit]

If I have 1+ open seats between me and the other person on the lift AND we are both wearing masks, I'm not worried.

If they want to drop their mask or cuddle with me, then I'm concerned and will kindly ask them to please give me a little space and wear their mask.

I pay attention to what side of the chair is upwind if there is a crossbreeze.