Playing the Line Game in Argentina

October 10th, 2007 Posted in culture, sports

Written by Shanie 

There is a game being played out on the ski hills of the world.

It is a game of tactics, pushing, proper placement of the pole and a strong core and butt. Its the game of holding your place in line.

This juvenial game is strong in Argentina.  Thriving even in the last days of skiing on the slopes of Catedral.

In case you dont know the Line Game, let me explain my experience and understanding of the interactive, sometimes-involving-bodily-contact pastime.

The game is childish but I must admit I am one of the childish ones. I enjoy the game. As a graduate of the University of chairlift KT-22, the concept of taking preemptive strikes to make sure that I wasn’t passed up in line was ingrained into me early. I practiced the art of not wasting precious space in front of my skis or blocking a threat with a pole between the intruder’s skis. 

A strong core is imperative in handling the “push opponent to side while clicking him or her out of binding” move (which I must admit was taught to me in the early days by an old-school ski guru, my Dad).  Pilates became an important part of my daily regime.

As my boundaries where pushed and I started traveling the world I realized the Line Game was kids play in the States.

Europeans where highly trained. A gaper, with a fluorescent one-piece, traditional skis and rear-entry boots would know the needed pole flick to disengage opponents pole from between the legs. Skis were placed in exact location needed for blocking all snake routes.

I was impressed by the foreign passion and wanted to learn more.

Throughout the various trips I would sit back and observe. I gathered many tools to my belt.

My abilities in the KT-22 line skyrocketed. I was no longer being passed by such people as Shane McConkey and Scott Gaffney. No, I was standing my ground. 

Then our lives changed and the ski areas of Argentina became the game board. 

Spending full seasons at Las Leñas, I came to realize that my true academia was now beginning. Small children, maybe five years old, had the abilities that I had fought long and hard for. People that barely knew how to stand on their skis were blocking me.

Had I all of a sudden become the line gaper?

Just as with all of my arenas of education, I realized that if I couldn’t beat them then I had to learn from them.

It is now our third full season skiing in Argentina and I still find myself not as self confident as those days at Squaw Valley.

This weekend, on a mellow, end-of-the-season day, a kid that barely hit the top of my quads stopped my skis dead in their tracks, put his pole in the strategic position, looked up and smiled at me.  He had beat my chess move and called “check mate” on being the next person on the chair.  His move was genius, really.

It’s hard to be beat by a kid. 

  1. 8 Responses to “Playing the Line Game in Argentina”

  2. By Frozen Jewels on Oct 15, 2007

    I have forgotten what it is like to line up as with the white cross we are already skiing the pow while all this childish play is happening he he he he love it thought…

  3. By LittleH on Oct 15, 2007

    Too funny! Don’t forget, the jokers who think they can just “lay” their skis down, holding their place in line, while trying to wolf down one more bagel and cream cheese from Daves’, or grab that last smoke (mmmm, nothing says FRESH like a ciggie at 8:30 am!). Ryan’s classic memory is grabbing second chair with Kenny G-string, Scotty, himself, Doughboy, and one other…yup, that’s 5 people!!!Kenny G sat on Ryan’s lap, it was a tender moment!

  4. By Patagonia on Oct 15, 2007

    I remember that LittleH. We were on the chair behind. That was a classic moment. The liftie was sooooo pissed and started running after them,yelling at Ryan, as though he was the issue at hand. Great memories.

  5. By Cliffy on Oct 16, 2007

    The big difference between then and now, then I put my boards down and stepped in giving dirty looks. Now I put my kids boards down and then mine and just give dirty looks to those that try to push a little grom out of the way, not knowing that there dad is the big guy behind then.

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