I got to go snowboarding last week. I wouldn’t call this a rare occasion, but it only happens about once a year if I am lucky. I really cherish these trips to the mountain though; I mean I seriously enjoy every minute of it. Snowboarding, in my opinion, has a lot of parallels to surfing. Humans, plus a riding craft, plus (or versus?) nature, equals joy. That’s my take on the matter at least, which is why I always try to convince myself to just go all in on snowboarding and get my own gear so I can frequent the mountain as much as I would like to. Just to be clear though, it’s not like I’m shredding up there, hitting boxes and 360’s. I actually ride like shit while strapped in to bindings. I still love it.
Every time I do find myself on the slopes, my favorite thing to do is find solitude during one of my runs. I separate myself from the pack, or more likely, I can’t keep up with them, so I veer off into the woods. The silence and peace of mind I can find alone in these secluded areas of the Earth is what keeps me coming back. I believe it may be the same for surfing, except I just take these moments for granted now, since I have the chance to surf more often than not.
While amongst the stillness of the trees, the humming sound of the wires pulling the ski lift caught my attention. Usually I will enjoy a ride up on the lifts by my lonesome and listen to the sound of snowboarders and skiers coasting by. The “swish-swoosh” sound of carves can still ring through my ears in memory. This time, however, I found the lifts to be more interesting than the lines drawn down the slope, and I was intrigued by own infatuation. What was it? The people on the lifts, watching each passerby, commenting to each other about each one? I can’t imagine what is said about me as I stumble down. Maybe it’s the seats on the ski lift not having seat belts, just a metal bar that any person strapped into a snowboard could slip through?
No, it’s the ski lift as a whole! What the fuck is this big contraption doing up here on a mountain? In the middle of this silence and snow and nature? This would be so beautiful if you weren’t here, you piece of shit machinery.. Why do humans have to ruin so much? (Thoughts in my head).
I found myself increasingly getting aggravated about a ski lift. How much gas do you take to run? How many people have had their days ruined by getting stuck on you? How many people have gotten injured from falling off of you? Then, to think about it, how many people would even BE UP HERE if it weren’t for you?
Boom. There it is. The difference between surfing and snowboarding. I’ve found it out. How many people would be up here sliding down this mountain today if it weren’t for you? You damned ski lift. I almost certainly would not. One year prior, when I had gotten more than one session in during the winter, I happened to try to climb back up a mountain, just a bit, to re-attempt a jump. Worst mistake I have EVER made. I actually thought I was going to have to be rescued. The altitude would not let me suck any air into my lungs.
Bottom line, I would be willing to bet the pink slip to my car, that the attendance would be at least cut in half at all ski resorts without lifts. Nobody would want to climb up even half the way to the top of the run. Not even for one. I can’t think of one person off the top of my mind that would be willing to risk their oxygen for that.
I would assume areas that see snow more often might have many more committed snowboarders. Maybe in Colorado could we find some life long snowboarders who hike in their backyards to scalp down some backwoods regularly? I am just not familiar with any person who would be inclined to whether the frigid, thin-aired trek up that it would take to strap in and enjoy a long run down, equivalent to what we get now with lifts.
This is where, in my eyes, surfing is set apart. I WILL see brand new, infant surfers paddling out this summer on the biggest south swell to come, guaranteed. Somewhere, I WILL witness far too inexperienced civilians with hand-me-down yellow guns trying to make it through the shore break, sometime between July and August. I cannot say I would see the same with snowboarding.
I am clearly coming from a biased point of view, but I can’t imagine a zip-line out into the lineup at Lowers. Even if there were such a thing, one would still have to scramble across the rocks and back up the sand to get back on – more work than a ski lift = (in my opinion) unreasonable. As with snowboarding, there are some spots I am unfamiliar with that this idea could possibly work (pipeline, J-Bay, etc.). An idea is one thing, bathymetry, landscape, budgets, and laws are another.
Long story short, my belief, in my time and space, is that the difference between surfing and snowboarding is a ski lift.
As always, I appreciate any questions, comments, or concerns.
-hwilsin