An ideal day for me would most definitely be spent in the mountains skiing in deep powder snow with my friends. Chasing more powder days is the main reason I have chosen to sacrifice the security of seeking out a “proper graduate job” in favour of spending my second season working in one of the best ski resorts in the world, Whistler Blackcomb. I have chosen the right place for it – Whistler gets an average annual snowfall of 404 inches, the sixteenth highest in North America. My job operating the lifts in the resort also means I am likely to be outside in the snow every day of the season. However, a working day following big overnight snowfall can often be met with envy and resentment by us “lifties”. The mountain is filled with exuberant punters and locals having the time of their lives. I try to suppress my jealousy and instead appreciate the euphoria that occurs on a really great powder day and hope that my next day off is a good one!
Upon waking up to an early alarm, the excitement of seeing snow outside the window soon dwindles when I realise that I am going to be spending the day shovelling it away from the chairlift and sweeping the seats to ensure riders’ backsides stay warm and dry. The early rise does mean that I get the first tracks down to the bottom of the lift to begin setting up for the day; however, our work rules mean that we have to stick to blue or green designated routes whilst in uniform, thereby making the tantalisingly close, untouched, steep runs off limits. Despite this, any powder is good powder, especially when the sun is rising and you have the slopes to yourself with avalanche bombs exploding in the distance providing some extra adrenaline!
Punters often start arriving at the lift an hour before opening time to try and gain an advantage in the race to get fresh tracks. Canadian lift line-ups involve rather more etiquette than the disorderly funnel of “active queuers” that I have previously experienced in the French Alps. Here a criss-crossed mess of upset skiers and boarders often has to be navigated before riding the lift. Canadian politeness shines through as no matter how excited everyone is to don their fat skis and get up early, the lift line still filters through nicely using a well-thought-out “maze system”. People wait patiently for the final lift checks to be made and then the lift is open to the sound of whoops and cheers! Then I spend the day being told “It’s the best day ever”, “Amazing snow”, “Bet your gutted you’re working today!” or my favourite, “Can you sweep my seat, please?”. These comments are met with a wry smile in an attempt to maintain Whistler Blackcomb’s excellent customer service. Despite my feelings of envy I much prefer working on busy powder days than when it is icy and quiet on the lifts. Seeing how thrilled people are to ride in deep snow just gets me more excited to ski on my next day off and makes me feel happy to be living in a place where people are united by a passion for skiing, snowboarding and the mountains.
Words: Jack Steele