Our lives are dictated by dos and don’ts. Do treat people with respect, and don’t fart in class. Do call your parents, and don’t drop out of school to join a gang. The list goes on and on, all the way to the mountains. Just like any other culture, there are distinct dos and don’ts on the slopes that should be fully understood by us city folk.
Without even realizing it, we can be really offensive to a number of people: locals, tourists, employees, families, elders and anyone else who truly values a day on snow. This is particularly expected from college students, so follow these dos and don’ts to show how much respect DU really has for the mountain culture.

Do wear America-related clothing; it’s a real crowd pleaser.

Don’t ignore strangers on the lift, and make some conversation instead. It’ll only last 10 minutes whether it’s good or bad.

Do go up the lift with kids and ask about their day.

Don’t talk about partying and other vulgar topics on the lift or in line with strangers. The mountain is not a frat house.

Do help someone collect their belongings if they just had a yard sale. We’ve all been there at some point. Do laugh after though, that’s just fine.

Don’t litter on the mountain. Just don’t.

Do offer people snacks on the lift, because everyone is just as hungry as you are.

Don’t openly complain around others, especially strangers. This goes for equipment, snow conditions, weather or anything you’re tempted to whine about. You might be offending someone who spent a lot of money on a vacation in Colorado.

Do carry skis with tips forward. Doing it any other way is a sure sign of being a rookie.

Don’t ski/ride in a t-shirt unless it’s actually warm out. Being “that guy” might seem chill, but it’s really just obnoxious.

Do ask people which way they’re going off the lift. You don’t want to run into them and they don’t want to run into you.

Don’t be on your phone the whole lift ride. It’s the great outdoors, and you can upload those selfies later.

Do wear a helmet. Flying down the mountain with your favorite hat is stylish, but a bloody and concussed head is not.

Don’t go on closed trails. They’re usually closed because they’re not safe, and getting caught on them is a guaranteed way to lose a pass.

Do let people in the gondola if they’re trying to squeeze.

Don’t be that guy who squeezes into a full gondola. People might let you in but they won’t be happy about it.

Do put the bar down, especially with strangers on the lift. There’s no reason not to, and falling off will certainly ruin your day, and probably your life.

Don’t go on trails past your ability. The rankings are there to keep people safe, not push them past their limits.

Do make fun of yourself from time to time. Skiing and snowboarding are not always serious sports.

Don’t bounce the lift up and down. Not only is it obnoxious, but it can break or derail the lift. Then you’ll be stuck like the people in that awful film “Frozen.”

Do stay until the mountain closes at least once every season. It’s a rewarding feeling and locals respect it.

Don’t sit in the left lane the whole way up to the mountain unless you’re going 90 mph. It’s still the passing lane despite terrible driving trends on I-70.

Do make friends with ski patrollers. They’ll show you around, and more importantly not take your pass if they remember you during a run-in.

Don’t take another run if you’re thinking about calling it a day. This is usually when people get unnecessarily hurt.

Do use duct tape to fix any gear problem. No one wants to hear about how your jacket ripped, so cover your sorrows with tape.

Don’t borrow an Epic Pass. Getting caught doing this can actually lead to court. Vail Resorts does not mess around.

Do take lots of pictures for friends and family who don’t get to shred the Rockies.

Don’t buy any food sold on the mountain unless you’re completely starving and have money to lose.

Do always realize how lucky you are before, during and after every single run.