Featured Image: Izzy Lidsky
As kids, we’re told to avoid strangers. Don’t talk to adults you don’t recognize. Never get into the car with someone you don’t know.
Well, of course, unless said stranger has skis on the roof of their car and you want to maximize your powder turns and didn’t have time to run your own vehicle shuttle and there’s snow on the ground, and did I mention it’s a powder day? Some rules were made to be broken.
Heaving my skis into the bed of a rusty old jalopy at the base of Teton Pass, it dawned on me how much trust we’re willing to afford strangers when there’s snow on the ground and deep turns at stake. “You can ride up front if you want,” croaked the flannel-clad ski bum as he let a cloud of reefer billow out the driver’s side window. “I’m good back here,” I shouted back as I hopped in the bed and gave a quick tap on the rear window to let him know I was good to go.
For many skiers, hitchhiking is pretty commonplace. Where I live in Jackson, Wyoming, some of us thumb rides up Teton Pass on the daily. Over the last 10 years, I’ve hopped into countless cars and truck beds, folded myself under a scary rack of tools in a contractor’s van, and held a huge bouquet of flowers on my lap for a commuter surprising his wife. While no lift up a snowy hill is the same, a few sentiments always ring true.
Smiles go far
Play the human card. Remove your goggles or shades so you can stare deep into each driver’s soul. Flash a smile. Make them like you.
Send a friendly representative to the front
A group of six isn’t the most enticing from a driver’s perspective. If you’re looking to retrieve a car, try sending your most outgoing friend out front to catch a ride and come back for the crew.
Don’t expect a luxury experience
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Your lift might be convenient, but as an unexpected visitor, you definitely won’t be delegated the most comfortable seat in the house. Whether you’re smooshing yourself into a crowded backseat or hunkering down in a truck bed, a five-mile ride might feel like a cross-country trek. Attitude is crucial.
Bundle up
Turning into a human popsicle is a real risk if you’re riding in the bed of a truck. Throw on an extra layer. And then another. And then one more if you have it.
Sweeten the deal
Gifts aren’t mandatory. But they surely won’t get denied. Homemade cookies and PBR are a quick way to a fellow skier’s heart, but a smile and a friendly conversation will usually suffice if you have nothing on hand.
Steer clear of political talk
It goes without saying—there’s no quicker way to ruin a perfectly peaceful ride up a snowy hill than talking politics. You never know who’s in the driver’s seat.
Keep track of your belongings
It’s easy to forget some of your gear when hurriedly dismounting a truck bed or topping out of a crowded car. Consolidation before you catch a ride is crucial. Cinch up your pack and strap your skis and poles together for the least amount of total cargo possible (having less junk will also make you a far better candidate for a pick-up).
It’s okay to decline
Driver giving you weird vibes? Listen to your gut. I once hopped in a truck with a guy who proceeded to crack multiple beers within ten minutes, and I politely asked to be dropped off on the side of the road. Times like that make me wonder if my parents were right after all.
