Local Knowledge
When it comes to traveling anywhere there’s always the hopes of getting in the know and basking in the glory of a true locals knowledge. I’m not talking about some minimum wage snow carnie that’s bumping chairs and gets to ride 2 days a week or that burnt out desk jockey with a real job that brags about living in the mountains. No I’m talking about the true local that is there to ride, it’s their life, and their being. It’s these people that truly possess all the local knowledge.
It’s this knowledge that can save you headaches and hassles when visiting some exotic snowboarding locale. Think about when you travel somewhere what do you usually encounter? Probably over priced food, long lines, and chances are you never get the real goods. Could all of this have helped you optimize your trip? Well if you’re asking yourself that question or even milling over it then chances are it would have.
With all the various online communities and social networking sites you see people claiming “local” status and tossing out information. Is it necessarily the best? That’s a 50-50 gamble right there as any true local is very cautious about allowing an “outsider” to bask in their wealth of knowledge. Chances are if a guys willing to blow out a spot or give a secret about a restaurant to the online world he’s not a true local and more or less just some blow hard that wants recognition of some kind.
So how do you get a local to share in their plethora of wisdom? Well you can always bribe them, but then all you’re doing is buying your way in and probably going to end up with some not so local knowledge. You could befriend them but as you’re just another person that’s there for a week then gone they’ll probably not want a disposable friend. The final option is just be yourself, be honest, and don’t expect to gain anything out of talking with a local. This is the method that I find usually works 90% of the time, as most people are willing to let you in on some secrets if you’re just stating the obvious.
The big thing to understand with locals is that we know we have to serve you to a point. We have our lives in these areas because your spending money brings in the revenue for us to survive. But that does not mean that we want to hang out with you when we unwind. Understand that when you ask “where do the locals hang out?” we don’t necessarily give that information away. It’s like sharing how to avoid long waits, do we want to blow that secret and suddenly not have our quick in and out? No, no one wants to let go of this knowledge.
Just remember when approaching a local for their knowledge you might not get the gratification you want. Take it in strides and relax you’re on vacation go have fun.
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Word, strait up is where its at. LOL this mean when me and a few homies hit up Breckenridge next season you will point the way to a few overlooked places for a few shred sessions! How bout we roll in your shop looking to buy some fuckin rainbows and unicorns!!! LOL that will prob have me unwittingly bombing blues with the police hot on my heels and unable to get away cuz I’m caught up in my strap pad! For real tho keep the hilarious truth coming!
I don’t meet my readers you guys freak me out. Nothing personal just need space. But props on unicorns, rainbows, and strap pads.
But, wait a minute, you are not a local. Right? You some pissed on shred from New York. You weren’t born there. You weren’t raised there. Odds are you’ll be leaving in a few years once the glory of snowboarding wears off.
Coming from someone from Scranton PA I wouldn’t expect you to understand. Glory of snowboarding wearing off? As of this year I’ve ridden more than half my life and lived 90% of my life right next to a ski resort. Don’t see it changing any time soon.
i’m only going to where you hang out if you are buying the drinks!
as for the locals situation… local doesn’t mean you were born there… after all, that, you have no control over. just because a douchebag is born somewhere cool, doesn’t make them less of a douchebag. whereas that douchebag can move to doucheville, and he’d feel like a local getting to bask in his douchbaggery to its fullest.
thats angry… though, substitute cool with flat and douchbag with snowboarder. still a hint of douche though… but thats just who he is!
now where can i get that drink?
probably in your local watering hole. I’m on the wagon.
doesn’t change that you can buy me drinks. hell.. means you can afford twice as many right?
either way. good luck with the wagon.
Awesome post. If you’re real and you want to ride, us shop guys will hook you up. We will make sure your board is right, show you how to set it up, and WE KNOW what you need when you don’t. My first pair of boots were size 10.5, and I wear 8.5 now that I found out that loose boots will ruin your experience. I wish someone at Sports Authority was there to ask. Most of those guys (but not all) don’t know shit. Most newbies will have a great time on a cheap board twice a year every year. But if you want to progress, or ride better just listen to the guys that live their life riding, and don’t be a douche bag. I wouldn’t ever sell a board to you that was not right, unless you don’t ask, or don’t listen because you heard from your friends that clickers are the shit and new lacing systems are bullshit, and they know cause they went to Vail 2 years ago. Locals won’t F- you if you are straight up with them. Locals WILL F-you if you are an impolite douche bag.