Ski resorts out west, in the Rockies and in the Pacific Northwest are facing a difficult avalanche danger period. There is almost no danger within the resort boundaries, however skiers and riders who duck under the ropes are courting danger.
In the past two weeks, 21 people have died in avalanches, 11 in the U.S. and 10 in British Columbia, eight of those in one sweep when a snow slide hit a group of snowmobilers near Fernie, about 550 miles east of Vancouver.
After a week where an avalanche in British Columbia wiped away a band of snowmobilers and searchers plucked to safety a handful of skiers and snowboarders looking for an out-of-bounds experiences, one would think that lessons would be learned. It doesn’t seem that way.
Even skiers and snowboarders who were just rescued still claim that they would duck the ropes again if they had the choice. These words come as the skiers are facing some of the most stringent punishments ever doled out to those illegally skiing out of bounds.
Mr. Haywood said he has not yet received a bill so can’t talk about what he’s expected to pay, but that he and his friends have hired a lawyer he declined to name in order to look out for their interests.
British Columbia’s resorts have issued a “no tolerance” policy for those ducking the ropes of the ski area boundaries. Those caught are having their passes revoked and anyone who requires rescue can be expected to pay the entire cost of the rescue efforts.
Down in the USA, the avalanches have struck resorts from California to Colorado. The Lake Tahoe region where a skier was swept away by a slide recently has just had more than 12 feet of snow in the past two weeks.
Jackson Hole in Wyoming has had a skier killed and a slide roll through one if its mountain restaurants after a snow patroller blasted a precarious-lookign cornice. Colorado resorts are also on high avalanche watch.
The blessing of snow is normally like gold for ski resorts, however, too much snow presents other dangers, especially for those who are thirsting for an out-of-bounds experience. As the snow continues to fall, skiing and riding in-bounds is the surest route to safety.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
