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.”

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.