THE QUESTION: CAN I BRING MY SKI BIKE TO YOUR MOUNTAIN?


mountain 1: québec

First contact: Automated machine. Chose guest services.
Answering phone: Female, not very nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Excuse me?
SAM: Restated question.
Staff: They’re not permitted on our mountains.
SAM: All right. Do you know why they are not allowed?
Staff: Well, I do not make the laws and I do not know why it is like that, but I do not know.
SAM: Do you know if you ever will allow them?
Staff: I do not know, no.
SAM: Okay, thanks.

Rating: 3
Comment: Sheesh, the air is a little cold up north today.


Mountain 2: wyoming

First contact: Automated machine. Chose resort operator.
Answering phone: Young female, peppy sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Ski bike?! Hmm, I’m not sure, let me double check.
Hold time: 1:30. No music.
Staff: Okay! Are you still there?
SAM: Yup! (Just barely.)
Staff: Okay. So is this a disability situation?
SAM: Nope, just for recreation.
Staff: I think, I think they only let people do that with the adaptive skiing program. Otherwise it’s not generally encouraged.
SAM: Hmm, not generally encouraged. (So you’re saying there’s a chance!)
Staff: Yeah, ’cause you might just race down the mountain with it, ya’ know.
SAM: Right. That’s why I was calling, because some places allow them and some don’t, so I wanted to understand your policy.
Staff: Yeeah, I think if you got in touch with the adaptive ski people you could do something with them! Otherwise, yeaaah.
SAM: So, otherwise I couldn’t bring it in and show ski patrol or someone that it is legitimate and safe and that I didn’t just build it in my basement, and that I can actually ride the thing?
Staff: Yeeah, I mean if you want to do that you can definitely bring it over here and talk to them if it’s easy for you to get it here. If it’s not, though, chances are they will say no, so it might not be worth the hassle.
SAM: Okay, well, do you ever think you’re going to allow it?
Staff: I’m, not, sure. (I hear her talking in the background… “Are we ever going to allow it? It’s a hazard?! Yeeah. Okay, okay.”) So did you hear that or should I repeat it?
SAM: Ha ha, just the part where he called it a hazard.
Staff: Sure, ha ha, well he was just explaining that due to the steepness of our hill and the sharp corners that this mountain has that other mountains don’t, it would be a bit more hazardous here than other places.
SAM: Okay, no problem. Thanks, though!
Staff: Oh, you’re welcome, have a great day!

Rating: 8
Comment: Enthusiastic and patient.


Mountain 3: California

First contact: Automated machine. Chose operator.
Answering phone: Young male, laid back and nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Yes!
SAM: Oh, really?
Staff: Yup.
SAM: Okay! So you guys just allow personal ski bikes to come there and just ride around.
Staff: Yup!
SAM: Awesome. Well, is there anything else I need to know, because I’ve called some other places and a lot have restrictions on personal ski bikes.
Staff: Uhh, not that I know of. I can double-check for you, though, if you want.
SAM: Perfect. If you could double-check that would be great, thanks. (Double checking…)
Staff: Yeah, no, all you need is your ski bike and a lift ticket and you’re good to go.
SAM: Great. Do I need a leash with it?
Staff: Nope.
SAM: Awesome, thanks so much!

Rating: 9
Comment: Same score as the winner, but I got the manager then.


mountain 4: pennsylvania

First contact: Automated machine. Chose guest services.
Answering phone: Young female. Favorite word: like.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Umm, like, would you be going down the mountain you’re saying? Like?
SAM: Right, like down the mountain.
Staff: Umm, no. We only allow them, like, on certain days when we have races.
SAM: So you allow them, but only on specific days?
Staff: Right. (Silence… )
SAM: And, what are those days?
Staff: We do, like, races here. Um, but I don’t see any coming up though.
SAM: So the races are just for ski bikes I assume?
Staff: Right. Ummm, yeah but, like, I don’t see like any coming up.
SAM: Is anyone allowed to participate in those races?
Staff: Yeah.
SAM: Okay, but other than that you don’t allow them?
Staff: Riiiight.
SAM: Is there any particular reason why?
Staff: Umm, ahh, like, I have no idea.
SAM: Alrighty then, thanks.

Rating: 3
Comment: Patient enough, but the answer was, like, killing me.


mountain 5: michigan

First contact: Female. In need of some anti-cranky pills.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: No.
SAM: Okay.
Staff: Nope, we only allow skis and snowboards.
SAM: How come you don’t allow ski bikes?
Staff: Because we only allow skis and snowboards.
SAM: Do you know if you ever will allow them?
Staff: I have no clue. It might come up in the future, but right now there’s no issue.
SAM: No issue. Hmm. Could I bring it up and talk to patrol or someone and show them it is safe and legitimate?
Staff: No. I’m sorry. They don’t do that sort of thing.
SAM: Alrighty, thank you—
Staff: Mmm, good bye.

Rating: 1
Comment: Ouch. Somebody was having a bad day.


mountain 6: montana

First contact: Automated machine. Chose operator.
Answering phone: Female. A little rushed sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Sure can.
SAM: Oh, I can?!
Staff: Yup, let me double-check, but as far as I’m aware there’s no issue.
(Checking… hold time: 1:00. No music.)
Staff: Yes, you can.
SAM: Awesome, is there anything I need to know before I come? Will anyone stop me, or do I just need my lift ticket and I can get on the lift?
Staff: You’ll just need your lift ticket and you can go ahead.
SAM: And just get right on the lift?
Staff: Yup!
SAM: Okay, thanks.

Rating: 7
Comment: Friendly service, but felt quick to answer and hang up.


mountain 7: vermont

First contact: Female. Very nice sounding.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Ummm, I believe that you can do that. I’m not really sure, though. Let me think who I can contact. Hold on one second please.
(Hold time: 1:30. Music: Easy listening.)
Staff: Allll right! Those are actually not allowed here, sorry about that.
SAM: Not allowed, okay. Is that just your company policy or can I bring it in and show someone that I can ride it and that it’s safe?
Staff: Yeah, I mean it’s our company policy, but I can transfer you to the manager if you’d like and you can talk to him about it.
SAM: Sure, thanks.
Answering phone: Manager.
SAM: Stated question.
Manager: We don’t allow snow bikes.
SAM: Any particular reason why not?
Manager: Our insurance policy doesn’t allow it. Our liability insurance doesn’t extend beyond snowboarding and skiing, so if we did allow it we would have to take on the liability on our own and be self insured, and it’s just not worth the gamble.
SAM: Okay, good point. Do you think you’ll ever allow it?
Manager: Oh, actually, yeah, I mean I know there’s snow bikes… is yours a trike?
SAM: Nope, it’s your standard snow bike.
Manager: Right, so I know that there are a couple different manufactures we’ve been working with that are working very hard to get the insurance companies to allow them. And we just tried a trike here a week or so ago. Several of us went out and found them very maneuverable and easy to use. So, time will tell. There’s actually an event here in early February where insurance companies will be here looking at them. So we’ll see!
SAM: Great, thanks so much.
Staff: Sorry about that, thanks for calling, though.

Rating: 9
Comment: Nice transfer to the manager who patiently gave a great explanation.

Identity Revealed: Mount Snow