It’s no secret that the cost of skiing can be prohibitive, and to no one more so than beginners. Rentals, ski gear, lift tickets all add up before even hitting a lesson or three. Some resorts have done well to address this issue in recent years, coming up with creative and affordable lesson packages to court this vital crowd, and others have not. So, when our Spy proposed this plan to teach a friend how to ski in lieu of a lesson, these ski areas missed an opportunity to tout the merits of their discounted lesson packages—surely there are some.

This begs the question: Do ski area staffers know about their resort’s lesson programs? Do they know what those programs entail? Not everyone is a ski instructor, of course, so not everyone can offer good tips on what to teach a new skier, as one of the ski area’s chatbot did. But they can at least be helpful and patient with the caller (looking at you, Colorado dudes—do better).  

Been asked an interesting question this season? Send it to jordyn@saminfo.com for the Spy to pose to other mountains! We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use it, your resort will be immune for that issue.

 

MOUNTAIN 1, CO

First Contact: Male. 

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: I guess my tip would be getting a lesson instead (annoyed). 

SAM: OK. Those just tend to get expensive, and I’m worried that it will cost too much overall for us to go ski. 

Staff: Yeah, but sometimes it is worth it. 

SAM: If we don’t do lessons is there a certain area on the hill that you would recommend for us?

Staff: I guess just stick with the green and blue runs.

SAM: OK… is there any specific trail you would recommend?

Staff: No, we only have a handful of green runs so just stick with those.

SAM: Alright.

Staff: Anything else?

SAM: No, I guess that’s it. Thanks.

Staff: Yep, goodbye.

 

Score: 2

Comment: Here’s my tip: be more helpful. Lessons are expensive at this place, so if you’re not going to try and justify why it would be worth it to get one, at least recommend a particular trail instead of just opining. 

 

MOUNTAIN 2, MN

First Contact: Female. 

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Uh, I guess I don’t have any tips…

SAM: Is there a certain spot on the mountain that you would recommend? 

Staff: I would definitely recommend starting over on our bunny hill. That’s going to be when you are looking at the hill, the far right. There is a magic carpet to take up. 

SAM: Oh, OK. 

Staff: Yeah, I would start over there (excited) and then looking at our hill the rightest side of our hill is going to be easier and then as you go to the left it will get harder that way. 

SAM: Great. So, we won’t really get stuck in some hard runs if we keep to the easier side. 

Staff: Exactly!

SAM: And is there a certain day you recommend us going? 

Staff: I would stay away from weekends and weekday evenings, if possible. If you can make a weekday work, I would recommend coming in the middle of the day (sincere). 

SAM: And if we can’t make a weekday work, would it be a little crazy for them to learn on a weekend?

Staff: It is quite busy on some weekends, but you should be fine. 

SAM: OK. Thank you.

Staff: Yep, have a good one!

 

Score: 7

Comment: Hey, she was easy to talk to and friendly. I did have to nudge for a bit more detail, but she was helpful and knew a thing or two about the hill. That said, after this call I asked the website’s chatbot the same question and it prompted me with a lot of good tips, such as: Start with the basics, such as stance and balance, to ensure they feel comfortable on the skis; and emphasize safety awareness, including slope etiquette and avoiding common skiing injuries. So, AI can teach skiing now. 

  

MOUNTAIN 3, CO

First Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: I would reach out to ski school; I can transfer you.

SAM: I’m not sure if we want to take lessons. They may cost too much for us, and I’m a decent skier so I figured I could teach. 

Staff: I understand (sincere). 

SAM: Is there a certain area on the hill that would be best for us?

Staff: Yes, the bunny hill (frustrated).

SAM: Does that have a magic carpet?

Staff: Yes, a covered one.

SAM: If they evolve quickly off the magic carpet, are there good places to go on the mountain?

Staff: We do have some green runs.

SAM: OK.

Staff: Is there anything else?

SAM: Do you recommend a certain day for us to come?

Staff: I would say to avoid weekends and holidays. 

SAM: If that isn’t possible, would we have a hard time with the crowds on a weekend?

Staff: No, you shouldn’t (totally over it).

SAM: OK. Thank you.

Staff: Yep, goodbye.

 

Score: 3

Comment: Playing 20 questions to try and get information from a guy with a crumby attitude is, just, ugh. 

 

MOUNTAIN 4, MI

First Contact: Female. 

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: I’d say [lists names of trails] would be the best for teaching (apathetic).

SAM: Great. Do we ride a lift or magic carpet for those?

Staff: [Run name] has a magic carpet and [run name] has a normal lift (getting bored now). 

SAM: OK.

Staff: Yeah… 

SAM: Is there a certain day you recommend we go?

Staff: Honestly, it is up to you (excited). We do have a good amount of snow, but I am sure we will get more later in the season as well. 

SAM: Yeah, that makes sense. Is it typically quite crowded on the weekends? Should we try to go on a weekday if possible?

Staff: It is usually more crowded on the weekends, but not uncomfortably crowded unless it is like around Christmas or Presidents’ Day weekend (sincere).

SAM: Great, thank you for your help.

Staff: No problem, goodbye.

 

Score: 6

Comment: Her inconsistent attitude was a little confusing. However, I did appreciate the helpful information she provided about the current conditions and the best days to plan our visit.

  

MOUNTAIN 5, NC

First Contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Um, one moment (flustered). 

(transferred)

Second Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Um, hold on. 

(hung up on)

Score: 0

Comment: Such a terrifying question that not just one, but two staffers ran from it. Sorry for scaring you guys. 

  

MOUNTAIN 6, ME

First Contact: Male.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Yeah, so could you repeat that one more time? You are trying to teach someone how to ski? (sincere)

SAM: Yeah, I’m a pretty good skier but I’ve never taught anyone, and I didn’t know if you have any certain tips that would be helpful to know. 

Staff: Well, tips themselves I wouldn’t know how to give, but I can tell you certain places on the mountain that may be easier. 

SAM: That would be great!

Staff: Do you ski here often?

SAM: No, this would be our first time.

Staff: OK. So, we just did an expansion here and every trail in that area is very user-friendly (excited). Has he skied before?

SAM: He has a while ago, but it was just a few turns on the bunny hill. I think he could get off the chairlift fine, though.

Staff: The way that they have it set up over there, you can essentially ski from the very top of the mountain to the very bottom, all on blue or green runs. They are also very wide open and very easygoing trails.

SAM: Oh, nice!

Staff: Yep, it’s a great place to start. 

SAM: Do you recommend trying to go during the week? I imagine the weekends are quite busy. 

Staff: Always. I am a weekday skier here myself and it makes a world of difference. 

SAM: Yeah, I would imagine.

Staff: No waiting in lines and the crowds are way less. It’s almost like you aren’t skiing with anyone. 

SAM: Cool. We’ll shoot for a weekday then. Thanks for your help!

Staff: Absolutely! Let us know if you need anything else. 

SAM: OK. Thank you.

Staff: Yep, goodbye.

 

Score: 9

Comment: That was excellent! Why? Because he asked ME questions to get a better understanding of my situation. Nobody else did that on this Spy mission. Plus, he didn’t make me feel awkward for asking the question. However, I am a bit surprised he didn’t try to encourage me to consider ski school. 

Identity Revealed: Sugarloaf