Look friendly. Smile at every car, even if they speed by without pause. Hold your skis next to you like they are your passport. Be courteous to drivers, giving them room to slow down before the turn off. Channel Sissy Hankshaw — believe your thumbs are enormous. Stash your mittens so your intention is clear. Remember that it’s first come, first serve. If there is someone else waiting for a ride, ask if there is room for two. If not, move farther up the road, so the person there first gets first shot at generous drivers.

When a vehicle stops, jog towards the car in your boots, but only if the road isn’t icy. Assess your potential ride through the window before asking them where to put your skis. Smile some more and say “thanks for stopping.” Check the drink holder for beer bottles or Red Bull before committing, and make sure the dog looks harmless.

Payment for a ride is conversation — listen to their story or tell them yours (or a more interesting version) if they ask. Introduce yourself and remember their name. If they are from around here, play the name game, you probably have mutual friends — a topic that can last all the way up the switchbacks.

If they are from Seattle or southern BC, let them know you are a local but don’t divulge anything. If they are from out-of-state, say with awe, “Wow, you came all the way from there for this?” If you’re asked where to find the powder stash after lunch, feign ignorance, tell them you’re new here, or say sweetly and with a laugh, “That’s confidential.”

In the spirit of Edward Abbey, emphasize the dangers of riding this mountain, the cascade concrete, the scary two-seater that swings wildly at the first tower and how wet you got the other day just sitting on the chairlift.

Tell them about the day the wind gusted hard and in the whiteout you had to blindly make your way to the trees so you didn’t throw up from vertigo. If they ski, tell them this is a snowboarders’ mountain. When it doubt, tell them you heard the freezing level is going way up today and that it’ll probably start raining. When you get to the parking lot, help them maneuver around the crowd. Grab your stuff and say “Thanks again!”

At the end of the day on the slopes, it is easier. Stand at the edge of the parking lot. Tell them nonchalantly that you’re only going to Glacier — this is a short-term relationship. Ask them where they rode and what their favorite line was — there is no strain in the conversation on a powder day. Warn them of the approaching turn and give them tips on where to eat or get a beer in town. Before slamming the trunk, thank them by name and give a sharp wave before turning away. Be grateful for living close to the end of the road. Always pick someone up when you finally dig your car out of the driveway. Understand the principles of karma.

Abigail Sussman’s work has been published in Backcountry, Telemark Skier, AdventuresNW, Backpacker and MG’s poetry section. She lives in Gunnison, CO.