Brains
Many people visit different mountains throughout their lives, and it is always helpful to meet up with a ‘local’ when hitting a resort you may have never been to before. They can advise on what trails to hit, where to find the best bumps, which lifts to use, where to eat, and where to go for the best Après-ski. There is no doubt that locals are a great resource to use to find out everything you need to know about the mountain. Their knowledge and experience of being a local gives you all the answers you need when going somewhere new.
The big question is: How do you define a local? There are many different definitions, ideas, and beliefs of what determines who a local is. Some believe that the characteristics of being called a local means that the person is an excellent skier/rider. Others believe that a local has lived on or near the mountain for a long time. Others believe a local is your typical ski bum who hits the mountain almost daily during the season.
There are many different opinions when you ask someone what defines a local, so we went right to the source and asked some locals from mountains across the country their opinion. I asked these locals all the same questions, and here are the answers we got from the subject matter experts!
Robert Baker, AKA “Buddha,” from Jackson Hole, WY
Buddha has been skiing at Jackson Hole for 33 years and skied 125 days and accumulated more than 5 million miles of vertical feet this past season. He is on the mountain everyday throughout the season and the best place to catch up with him is on the tram, because the rest of the time he will be going full tilt down the mountain.
How do you define a local?
“The true locals are the people who are born here. The rest of us just put in our time and become a fixture in the place we want to be.”
Does a person’s skill level matter to be considered a local?
“I don’t think there’s a skill level. I like seeing people who show up daily — it shows their soul and dedication.”
Do you have to be born and raised there to be considered a local?
“If you’re born there, you’re a true local.”
If not, does time affect how long it takes to be considered a local?
“I think the more time you spend somewhere, you become a local, definitely.”
What is your favorite run?
“Rendezvous Bowl to Wally World to North Hoback top to bottom.”
Best place to eat?
“Lots of good eats here, but Teton Pines has great food.”
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Britton Thomas from Denver, CO
Thomas, who is originally from western Pennsylvania, moved out to Colorado after college in the 90’s where he became a member of the ski patrol. He has been out there ever since and his passions are hitting the backcountry, mountain climbing, and heli-skiing.
How do you define a local?
“In Colorado generally, I feel like ‘local’ is used like ‘native,’ and you would need to be born in Colorado to be called a ‘native.’ If you are talking about ‘local’ in the sense of a local ski mountain, it’s a little more difficult to define around Denver. I think this is because there are so many ski areas close to Denver; Breck, A-Basin, Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper, Winter Park, Loveland, and Eldora, you get the idea. Most people don’t ski in just one area because of the Epic and Ikon Passes. The Epic pass includes Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Ikon has Copper, A-Basin, and Winter Park.
A local out here in the Front Range would be someone who only goes to one ski area and owns a season ski pass to only that area—no Epic or Ikon pass holders. There are so many people in the Denver metro area that I think some people would consider a “local” only to be those who live near the ski area. For example, you might need to live in Georgetown or Silverthorne to be considered a local at Loveland.”
Does a person’s skill level matter to be considered a local?
“The higher the skill level, the more people would call you a local.”
Do you have to be born and raised there to be considered a local?
“No, maybe just live near the ski area for a while.”
If not, does time affect how long it takes to be considered a local?
“Live near for a while. An undefined number of years, but others living there must recognize you as local. Not sure how long that would take, 3-5 years or more?”
What is your favorite run?
“At Loveland, Marmot. Otherwise, Jackson Hole, Tower Three Chute.”
Best place to eat?
“Food isn’t great at Loveland. Cafeteria only. Breakfast at A-Basin’s cafeteria is pretty good, though.”
Anonymous, Alta, UT, originally from Buffalo, NY
Preferring to remain anonymous, this source moved to Utah in the mid-1980s and has been hooked on “The Greatest Snow on Earth” ever since, calling Alta his home resort for 30+ seasons.
How do you define a local?
“A long-term resident, someone who has lived there longer than they have lived elsewhere.”
Does a person’s skill level matter to be considered a local?
“No. I know plenty of people who have moved to Utah who aren’t skiers.”
Do you have to be born and raised there to be considered a local?
“No.”
If not, does time affect how long it takes to be considered a local?
“If you’ve lived here longer than anywhere else, you’ve passed the Rubicon.”
What is your favorite run?
“High Rustler or West Face.”
Best place to eat?
“Watson’s for lunch and Shallow Shaft for dinner.”
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Robert Forte from Mt. Snow, VT
Forte who is originally from Vermont, moved to California where he was a professor, scholar, and researcher at California Institute for Integral Studies. He has a deep appreciation for nature and just recently moved back to Vermont where he said he had one of the best seasons ever and plans on settling down in Vermont for good.
How do you define a local?
“Where you make your residence, where you live, where you get your mail, where you pay your taxes, where your heart is.”
Does a person’s skill level matter to be considered a local?
“No, it doesn’t matter a bit; some locals are not really into skiing or riding, which has nothing to do with it.”
Do you have to be born and raised there to be considered a local?
“No, I don’t believe that. I would consider that to be a native.”
If not, does time affect how long it takes to be considered a local?
“It doesn’t to me; it just depends on where you live, where your spirit resides. People have different opinions on that and don’t think that way.”
What is your favorite run?
“I don’t have a favorite run. My favorite run is the one I’m skiing.”
Best place to eat?
“For afternoon burgers, I’d have to say the Village Roost in downtown Willmington. To sit down for dinner and grab some seafood, I would say the Anchor. If you want to impress somebody, the White House is an elegant and posh place.”
Javier Spiegel from Killington, VT
Spiegel who is originally from Chile, moved to Killington where he loves hitting the park where he will also be pursuing his other passion of producing videos and films. He was sponsored by his local resort in Chile, but he admitted he never felt like a local there and stated that he now feels like a local at Killington.
How do you define a local?
“I define local as a person who is constantly at the same mountain, who knows the people, places to go, places to ride, what you can do and can’t do.”
Does a person’s skill level matter to be considered a local?
“The level doesn’t matter at all. You can be really good or not that good. It’s about feeling passionate about the sport.”
Do you have to be born and raised there to be considered a local?
“You don’t have to be born in the place to be local, I’m originally from Chile, and I feel local at Killington for the factors that I mentioned before.”
If not, does time affect how long it takes to be considered a local?
“100% “
What is your favorite run?
“Dream Maker.”
Best place to eat?
“The best place to eat is definitely Rivershed… has live music, fresh food, and 100% Vermont style.”
There seem to be many thoughts on how someone would define being a local, and there will naturally be different opinions. We also asked how you define a local to our followers on Facebook and got a lot of great responses. Check out what they had to say and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Do you consider yourself a local? How would you define a “local?” Let us know in the comment section below…
