What Do Lifties Do When The Mountain Isn’t Open?

The sun had already dipped below the peak of a mountainside that bore no tracks etched into its side. Already skiers, snowboarders and seasonal workers had been drifting onto Vancouver Island for awhile from far off destinations like Australia, England and Germany to embrace the natural force of winter. Low snowfall levels had forced tourism operators on Mount Washington to delay opening day. But on this mid-week evening at the beginning of December a fresh crop of lifties – those who partake in the time-honoured tradition of operating ski lifts and performing other duties to keep the mountain ticking – had other things on their mind.

Inside the a local watering hole rookie ski hill staff wore white beer shirts and brandished markers for marking up those fresh shirts with random vulgar phrases as they threw back brews. It felt like a Frosh Week event, what with a drinking game set to the music of The Police’s “Roxanne” and constant chatter as hill workers back for a second, third – or more – tour of duty looked on in darker coloured attire. In the back of the each liftie’s mind, no doubt, was the fact that rent had just been paid and money was not yet coming in. But at this particular moment, no one seemed too concerned.

Those who look into scientific crystal balls have a positive message for skiers and snowboarders. But right now they’re calling for patience. As David Phillips, Environment Canada’s senior climatologist put it —

“There is a shift here,” he said, stressing snow is on the way. “It's going to start off cold all over Vancouver Island, all over the West and all over the Yukon.” It likely won’t end up being a long winter, but even though neutral waters in the Pacific make it harder for scientists to put their finger on just how deep the powder might get this year, they still expect it will be a solid ski season. “It's more what we think what the character's going to be like. What is the flavour of the month or the season?” he said. “We think Vancouver Island will stay colder than normal into January.”

As a brief snowfall revived hopes of a weekend opening only to fall once again as the weekend precipitation failed to show up, a variety of activities kept ski bums busy. On Thursday the Waverley Hotel was the venue of choice for ski night event and fundraiser. Attendees showed up in retro gear to take in Hot Dog… The Movie in all its 80s glory and raise money for nearby Mount Cain.

So as Friday arrived without Mount Washington’s 81-named runs in operation things kicked into high gear. These riders and skiers – many in a brand new environment – were not about to let that get them down. One local, who will soon be clocking hours at the ski shop attended an art gallery opening in Cumberland hosted by the Sew Sisters collective at Studio B, featuring 10 artists with work on sale for under $100.

Down at the bridge those with year passes to Mount Washington (aka all lifties) got in free to an electronic music show featuring DJ Skian, J-Prime and MysKondukt. Music ranged from funky breaks to ragga jungle and even included a dance-off featuring flailing limbs, handstands and of course the unavoidable move-du-jour – twerking.

The scheduled and impromptu events, which definitely stretched into the weekend thanks to house parties and a No Means No show on Saturday, gave lifties the chance connect and share stories. Veterans of the hill shared secrets of scoring the best shifts on the mountain and spread tales of raucous parties and sex in lift shacks. Others worked to ready their gear or keep-up online-based work to supplement their current lack of wages.

One group of veteran ski hill residents trudged out to a logging road with old boards and skis in tow. In honour of the Norse snow god Ullr – often depicted with skis holding a bow and arrow – they set fire to their cargo, ushering in the big season ahead. With any luck Ullr will send snow post haste.