Mignon C.
Google
I started learning to snowboard last year at COP in Calgary. I had about 4hrs of lesson with my friend last winter. I had a foot surgery late April last year so I wasn’t even sure if I’ll be recovered enough to snowboard this year.
I decided I’m recovered enough and would like to try snowboarding again. So we got the Rockies pass and went to Nakiska on Sat Jan17.2026. The weather was perfect but it was icy. We were there from 9am-around 1pm. Spent most of the time there on the Olympics Chair and the Bronze Chair for the green/blue runs. I had a lot of fun, so we went back on Sat Jan24.2026.
Snow was amazing that day. We decided to try something different and went on the Silver Chair this time. The first 3 times were super smooth, lifties were nice and there was no lineup. When we went back for the 4th time, same gear (I had a butt pillow and a small waist pack. My bf had a 20L day pack.), same outfit, same people (my bf and I). When we got to the line, after our cards were scanned. I was asked to move my waist pack to the front and remove the butt pillow. I was confused and asked why my outfit wasn’t an issue the first 3 times I went on the same lift within the same day. The liftie was super rude (see picture), and told me that’s just the rules. I then asked him how come I just saw someone else with a butt pillow leaving a few chairs ahead of us, and I also asked him how come my bf or other people with backpacks don’t need to remove their backpacks which were all way buckier than what I got going on. And how is it safer to hold the butt pillow in my hand to ride and exit the chair as a beginner. He was rude and told me to step aside and would not let me go.
I went to talk to customer services at the entrance about this situation. I explained that I was not mad about being asked to remove my gears to ride the chair. Instead, I was frustrated to see the double/triple standards. Their manager (?) came out and spoke to me. She said that I do have to remove the butt pillow and any backpack when riding any chairs. That she didn’t realize there were double standards and she’d go out there and make sure that doesn’t happen again and the same rules are followed/enforced. We took a small break back at the car, then went back again. We went to the Olympics Chair this time. No line up, went straight up to the lift. The liftie DID NOT say anything about my butt pillow this time, and the guy in front of us had a backpack on which they didn’t say anything about that either. After that run, my bf went back to the Silver Chair by himself as he’s experienced and would like to do a run without having to stop and wait for me all the time. The same liftie was there (he seems to be a supervisor), and was again rude to him like he remembered I was with him just an hr ago.
I don’t wanna say this, but it almost feels like the liftie wanted to make us feel miserable because we had “fun outfits”. Or he could just simply be racist. Sure I look ridiculous with my butt pillow, but I stayed far away from everyone on the runs, didn’t have unpredictable moves when there’s people around. I minded my own business the whole time.
We’d definitely go back to Nakiska, because we live in Calgary and it’s very convenient for us. Also very beginner friendly and I can learn in the mountains rather than at a snow park.