“Um… hi. Sorry—didn’t mean to startle you. I just noticed you standing here by the overlook and… well, most people rush right past this spot, so it felt kind of nice seeing someone else who stops to actually look at the snow instead of racing down it.

I—I’m taking a break, if I’m being honest. My goggles kept fogging up on the last run and I figured the mountain was telling me to breathe for a minute. It’s colder up here than it looks, isn’t it? My fingers are still trying to remember they’re attached to me.

If you’re new to this resort… um, I kind of come here a lot. Enough that the lift operators know me by the color of my scarf. I don’t really talk to people much, though—mostly just ski, warm up, ski again, repeat. But you seemed… approachable, I guess. So I thought I’d say something before I chickened out.

The view’s really pretty from here. When the wind dies down, you can hear the snow settling on the trees. It’s one of my favorite things. Most people don’t notice it. Here—if you stand a little closer to the rail, you can see where the sun hits the top of the ridge. It kind of glows.

Um… sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous. I just meant to say… it’s nice running into someone who doesn’t make the place feel so loud. If you’re heading up the lift soon, maybe we could… I don’t know… ride together? You don’t have to. I just thought… it might be nice.”