The operators of a rope tow in a popular ski area were having trouble with non-ticket purchasers sneaking onto the ski lift.

Finally, one of the operators stayed at his post operating the tow, while the other, wearing a discarded pair of skis, elbowed his way to the head of the line. The tow operator promptly called him back, “Hey, where’s your lift ticket?”

“I don’t need a ticket to ride this tow.”

At this, the tow operator produced an axe and, with two blows, deftly chopped off the fronts of his partner’s skis, just ahead of his toes. With the crowd of skiers staring in amazement, the operator lowered his axe and turned to the crowd, “Anyone else out there who doesn’t have a lift ticket?”