Ski deaths

[fgd135]

Eldora's my home hill; I patrolled there both as paid staff and a volunteer for many many years, and still tele ski there, although not so far this season--the bad joke of course, is that the early season manmade snow on limited trails is referred to as the "white ribbon of death"...in poor taste, but as events have shown lately, certainly a true statement. First fatality was a skier vs. snowboarder collision on the easiest of the two open trails, and then an apparently unwitnessed skier vs. tree on a steeper narrower slope.
And not just Eldora, many Colorado resorts are on manmade right now, but luckily, no other deaths so far.
Imho, there are too many skiers and boarders on just a couple runs, experts and noobs and every one in between, hot shot racers, intermedaite skiers and boarders, and the beginning snowboarders and snowplow skiers just don't mix well when there's limited terrain open.
Tele skiing on this stuff? Stay in control, keep your edges sharp, carve, don't skid your turns, watch out for others all the time in a big way, and quit early before you're tired.
On a good note, southern CO ski areas around Durango received 24-30 inches of snow last nite.

[Montana St Alum]

My neighbor works at Park City and also called opening day's one limited trail the white ribbon of death.
I guess there's another storm headed to the Rockies Tuesday.
Deer Valley got a little over a foot and temps have dropped enough that I finally can stop mowing my yard (and snow making will be more effective)!

Thursday was great, and no people.

If all works out, my wife will get plenty of use for her Christmas present. An Ego plus 2 stage snowblower. I'm feeling bad about leaving early and her having to muscle around a 10 HP 15-year-old snowblower!

I have to admit, I don't miss snowboarders at DV, but at least you can hear them coming. The big thing at DV is middle aged men on carving skis. We're talking 5th generation stealth. I just stop every once in a while, and look to make sure no one is targeting me.

[zonca]

Once I was sking along making regular medium turns, came to the top of a rise where there was a family of 4 stopped so turned wide to give them space. Suddenly I was hit from behind, fell hard and a ski came off. I saw a skier glance back and keep going. Enraged I got myself together and caught up with the fool and his two buddies and confronted him. "You cut me off" he says. I was flabbergasted, took his picture and reported him to patrol. Thing is he had no clue about the responsibility code. If I was boss there would be a requirement for all users to attend a short safety lesson and show your card when you buy your pass. Simply knowing that the person downhill has right of way would save a lot of knees, heads and maybe lives.

[joeatomictoad]

A week prior to Thanksgiving 2020, I was up around Dillon, Colorado. (Keystone and A-Basin). It was my first taste of early season skiing. Also was my first taste of the skier/rider density issue... especially Keystone.

Just by sheer volume of people, it's already challenging. Then multiply that by factors including novices, park-and-riders, hot doggers, straight liners, etc... and it's very clear why Colorado state law exempts the resorts.

One of the main reasons I enjoy the mountains is less density. But at times with so many people, it feels like the city came to the mountain. Times like these... not enjoyable, not relaxing.

I think the industry is noticing this too, as Teton Gravity's latest production "In Pursuit of Soul" focuses more on the smaller ski areas.

https://tgrtv.tetongravity.com/apps/264 ... 7/32816199

[Montana St Alum]

One of the main reasons I enjoy the mountains is less density.

https://tgrtv.tetongravity.com/apps/264 ... 7/32816199

I recently watched "The Alpinist" on Netflix.



The best alpine climber of all time.....that no one has ever heard of. At one point, a film crew, that was lined up to cover his free solo of a rock/ice/snow ascent got left behind. They asked him, why didn't you let us go film you? He said, "well, if you were there to witness it, it wouldn't be solo....but I'll go back and do it again so you can film it"!

It's easy to dismiss his girlfriend in the movie, but n 2013, at the age of 23, Brette gained international climbing fame when she FREE SOLOED (!) 2,500-ft Chiaro di Luna (5.11a) in Patagonia.

[joeatomictoad]

I recently watched "The Alpinist" on Netflix.

Looks extreme. Give it 30-years, and you'll see my fellow Texans ice climbing... just another guided excursion available from a brochure.