Grand Targhee in Wyoming issued a strange request along with its closing weekend announcement in a caption posted to Instagram yesterday.
Officials wrote, "it’s closing weekend and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! We want everyone to have fun in the sun and be safe." Being safe, apparently, means "no throwing snowballs at any time." See below.
The saving grace is that this request came with an explanation. Officials at Grand Targhee reminded everyone that "there are families, kids and other guests that are just looking to have fun skiing."
However, this kind request has consequences that sound a little bit like a kindergarten classroom. "Anyone caught throwing a snowball will be asked to leave."
They ended things on a high note, saying, "we’re proud to have such an amazing community at Grand Targhee and we’re so excited to celebrate an awesome season."
Jokes aside, do not throw snowballs this weekend. There is probably a valid reason for posting this warning, and something must have prompted this threat.
Also, I will say, asking people not to do one specific thing often results in that very thing being done. It's psychological. But there's also another strange psychological phenomenon worth discussing here, and that is maturity.
As a grom, you think it's cool to ski extra fast by Ski Patrol, or to duck ropes because it's rebellious. As an adult, you tip your helmet to Ski Patrol (because it might be you in a sled one day, knock on a Grass Stick) and stay in the patrolled areas because you wouldn't want to be the person behind a triggered avalanche.
In other words: rules are usually there for a reason.
Even though asking people not to throw snowballs may seem odd or even annoying, it's probably put in place for a reason. If we were there this weekend, we would 100% respect it.
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