Comments on: Caught! An Avalanche Story

By: Chase

Chase — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:57:46 +0000

I totally agree with Jerimy. People should take more responsibility
for there actions in the backcountry. I have gone for some short rides
myself at Snowmass ski area. I wear a beacon and carry a shovel pack
all the time wheather inbounds or not. You just don’t know what the day
will bring.

By: jerimy

jerimy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:16:48 +0000

I don’t think that you have to have closed boundaries to reduce the injuries and deaths from backcountry gates at resorts. I think that the European policies are more in line with responsible skiing. They put the burden entirely where it belongs, on the person(s) choosing to ski uncontrolled terrain. In Europe, it is common place to purchase rescue insurance from an alpine club to cover the high cost of a potential rescue.

In North America, I believe skiers rely on ski patrol from the resort coming to bail you out. I guarantee that less people would venture outside resort boundaries and the ones that do would be more prepared if they knew they would have to fund their own rescue.

By: Matt Kinney

Matt Kinney — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:17:44 +0000

Like I have said before, the best way to deal with the immediate rise in injuries and death by avalanches in North America is to close “Out of bounds” areas. Not going to happen, but obviously its a serious situation and gets worse every season around ski areas as they all want to open areas to “compete”. They have no choice. They have to open it up. Seems we are following the “European Model” of daily death and injuries by avalanche by giving every skier a lift ride not to the top of contolleds slopes, but to deadly avalanche terrain. Go figure…go skiing.

By: dave downing

dave downing — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:11:11 +0000

@Halsted: I agree…Just thought i’d present the idea to the class to see what they thought :)

@Patrick: Again I agree. Though it would be a financial burden for some to need a beacon in-bounds, I would not argue the idea. I believe it was only a few seasons ago someone set a slide off in Highlands Bowl. They had crossed a rope, but skiing was open right next too it. That same spring ABasin had a mogul run slide. And I recall Lou’s reference to this in-bounds incident : http://www.telemarktips.com/FSneverSame.html

Heck, if all resorts required beacons, then maybe there’d be some demand to make the thinks more pocket sized. I mean seriously, at least as small as an iPhone…

By: Halsted

Halsted — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:42:11 +0000

You two should get in contact with each other, is what I’d suggest..

By: Patrick O

Patrick O — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:51:25 +0000

Nope notice how I did not mention the location where I was chased. I think it begs the question if in Snowmass steeps or other areas if they should require you to beep in like up here at Bridger. At first I was kind of stand offish to having a beacon, shovel and partner required to ski the Ridge but it really makes sense. Especially on a really deep day. Might as well be prepared- right.