When you get older, people treat you differently, but it’s not something you ever expect. On my first day working for Whistler Blackcomb, working at the Roundhouse, a new employee informed me that I was “too old” to be working there. It is true that ski resorts are places where young people traditionally work, but one would hope that everyone would be equally welcome.
Another time when working at the base of the Creekside Gondola, a ticket-scanner asked me if I knew what Instagram was. Presumably he thought that because I was an older person, I wouldn’t have heard of an app that is used by 1.4 billion people.
On another occasion, while working at the base of Fitzsimmons Express, a guest called out to me, “You’re the oldest liftie I’ve ever seen.” There was one other guy in lift ops who was older than me, but again it’s not something I would expect to hear while working.
And finally at Whistler Blackcomb, a lift operator I was working with called me an “old man” after being scolded by a supervisor. Now it is true that I am an old man, but I don’t want to be reminded of it.
I do appreciate having jobs at these places, but it would be nice if I could be treated like everyone else.
Chris Brossard // Whistler
