Have Smartphones Ruined The Ski Experience?
We Used To Just Ski. And Ski Talk. What Happened?
There we were, making turns in the soft powder as it dumped from the sky. The fluff was mesmerizing. Then my companion-of-the-day announced: “I have to stop.”
Are Smartphones an insidious barrier to socializing on the slopes?
Credit: Harriet Wallis
Off came the gloves. Out came the phone. She began snapping photos.
My mind said: “Take your photos, then let’s ski.” But the photo session continued.
“I need to send these photos to my friends in Germany right now.”
My thoughts said: “They’re asleep in Germany right now. It’s the middle of the night.”
On the lift, the phone came out, and the thumbs tapped away. They tapped in the lodge, and they tapped as I drove us down the canyon toward home.
I had my fill of this phone-thing and spoke up hoping she’d take a hint. “Would you like me to pull over so you can finish texting?”
“No,” she said. “I can do this while you drive.”
I’d been invisible most of the day, and then I was relegated to being the chauffeur.
What ever happened to ski talk?
In the past, ski friends would exchange news of the family and get caught up on each other’s activities. And in the past, if you got on a lift or sat at a table with someone you didn’t know, the ski talk began. “Are you having a good day?” “Where are you from?” “Do you ski here often?”
By the time the lift reached the summit or when you’d finished your burger, you’d exchanged life stories and probably had a tip for a great restaurant. Socializing was an important part of skiing.
But now, Smartphones have reduced communication to Neanderthal grunts—and tapping thumbs say, “Don’t bother me. I’m busy talking to somebody other than you.”
Has part of the ski experience been lost?
To read more from Harriet click here for her stories on SkiUtah.
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Dec. 2)
A Great Book Idea, Museum Visit, Balance Tip, Why Commercial X-C Ski Resorts, And Ski Mojo.
First day of the season! Credit: Jan Brunvand
There is snow in the air: definitely lots of natural in parts of the West, more like serious making of snow in the East. Nevertheless, resorts are opening and the season is beginning. And just in time for the holidays. That means gifts. Speaking of which we have three sources…
…If you are looking for a snow sports oriented holiday gift, head over the the “Ski Influencers” group at Experticity.com. You can get major discounts from top brands of gear and clothing. If you are not a subscriber, complete our free subscription form in either the pop-up or the right column and you will get instructions on how to sign up with Experticity If you are already a subscriber, you should have registered with Experticity. If you need instructions on how to do that, email us at info@seniorsskiing.com with “Experticity” in the subject line.
This week, co-publisher Jon Weisberg shares a book idea either for yourself as a gift. The connection to snow sports is that is makes a great apres-ski read by the fire. We haven’t seen him so enthusiastic for a book in a while.
Correspondent Harriet Wallis traveled to the New England Ski Museum at the base of Cannon Mountain for a report on its exhibits as well as its unique gift shop. More interesting ideas for presents with a snow sports twist, so to speak.
Pat McCloskey, a veteran ski instructor and SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent, offers technique tip on balance. It’s simple and effective.
You might wonder why you should go to a commercial xc center or resort when you can just go across the road to your local park, forest or golf club to ski all day for free. XCResorts.com publisher Roger Lohr presents the case for visiting a commercial xc center.
Finally, we have a new advertiser, Ski~mojo, a supportive device that is said to take the pressure off knees and hips. Please check our first Sponsored Content article about the Ski~mojo product and let us know what you think.
Please note: We are working on making some of our special subscriber-only assets available on line to our readers. This is taking a bit of engineering, but soon, perhaps as soon as next week, you’ll be able to access our recommended Skis for Seniors, Free Skiing for Seniors, Sign Up Instructions for Experticity, and our eBook of historic ski posters from the International Ski History Association.
And remember there really are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
This photo of Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt Washington occupies an entire wall.
Credit: NESM
This Season Read One Good Book
The Orphan Keeper: A Fantastic Apres Ski Read.
As I approach my 73rd birthday and commence my 63rd consecutive season, I want to declare that from the time I was 10, skiing has been a source of joy.
Not too long ago I was good from when the lifts opened until last ride. In recent years, I’ve been starting a bit later (except on powder days) and leaving the hill earlier, especially when the light begins to flatten. I’ll go back to the lodge or drive home, clean up, pour a glass of something pleasant and, more often than not, open a book.
Recently, I came across a terrific read that deserves to be better known, and probably will be. The Orphan Keeper was written by Camron Wright, an award-winning novelist based in Utah. The book is based on the astonishing true story of Taj Rowland. It begins in India where the seven year old boy is kidnapped and sold to an orphanage. He’s then adopted by unsuspecting parents in the United States who have no idea their new son isn’t really an orphan. By the time the boy can speak enough English to tell them he already has a family, it’s too late. They write letters. They make phone calls, but all roads lead to dead ends.
Taj grows up in the United States, goes to school, plays sports (even learns to ski), and his story may have ended there—except his past isn’t content to let him be. I won’t spoil how the story develops, other than to warn you that after reading a few chapters après ski, you’ll want to read through dinner, and keep on reading. This is a well-crafted page-turner that had me shocked, laughing, at times dabbing my eyes, and eager to learn more. It is terrific story made even better by the fact that is based on Taj Rowland’s real experience.
Years ago one of my teachers gave this advice for summer vacation: Take one good hike. Read one good book. Make one good friend.
My advice for this winter season: Take many great runs. Enjoy your friends. Read The Orphan Keeper.
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