The 10 Commandments for Skiers (aka how not to be complete @$$&0/€$when skiing)

I read a recent post, the 10 commandments of toddlers and it definitely made me laugh out loud. After a week of skiing in Tignes, France, I have come up with my own commandments for skiers in order to increase their politeness. Perhaps there are things that snowboarders do that annoy others, but I can't think of a single one. Have anything to add? Leave a comment!

1) Thou shalt not stop directly outside of a gondola door or chair lift to put on your skis or to have a little chat. Stop being lazy and walk or ski another 10 feet to leave room for the rest of the world.

2) Thou shalt not carry your skis and poles such that they smack others in the face and stomach. It's not that difficult to carry them properly. Again, stop being so lazy.

3) Thou shalt not stop in gigantic groups spanning the entire width of the piste. It is impossible to pass you, and what the heck are you all doing, blocking off the whole run? Move to the side like everyone else!

4) Thou shalt not spray snowboarders (or skiers!) sitting on the ground as you go past. Have you no decency? Can't you see a person on the ground? Don't be that @$$#*£€.

5) Thou shalt not ski directly in front of beginner skiers or boarders. We need space and time to make our newly learned turns. Use the rest of the piste to show off, but stay the #€££ away from me.

6) Thou shalt not destroy a perfectly good run (especially a green or blue!) by making moguls. These are difficult to navigate around, especially for newbies. You want moguls? Go to the red and black runs where you belong. Stop following every other damn skier on the piste and choose your own path!

7) Thou shalt not bump into other's boards or skis while waiting in line for a lift. Stepping on my board with your skis, or scraping your poles on my board will not make me move faster. Chill out, we're all going as fast as we can, and some of us actually own our equipment.

8) Thou shalt not obstruct the piste leading to a flat bit. Boarders don't have poles, and we can't just shuffle along in our skis. So unless you're willing to pull us, leave enough room for us to gain a sufficient amount of downhill speed to get across (or up) a long uphill/flat.

9) Thou shalt not squish into a gondola or chair when there is no line and it is clear we have made a choice to go separately. In a gondola, we may need room to tighten our boots. In a chair lift, we may need to turn a certain way, or need a little more space to prop up our board. When it's busy, all is fair in lift-catching, but when there is absolutely no one around and I leave a space between me and the skier next to me, that is not an open invitation to zoom in. I'll probably scrape your skis the whole ride up and knock you over as I try to exit. Use your brain and wait 5 seconds for the next lift.

10) Thou shalt not be a self-absorbed prick. This goes for everyone on the mountain. Check uphill before you start. Leave room for skiers or snowboarders that look less stable than yourself. Help others. Really, it's not that hard to be a good person.