Walloped @ K

[halifax]

Skier's Code of Conduct (NSAA)

Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

[BoozeTan]

Sorry to hear about your incident Knoble but I have to say that Im gettin a little sick of ppl pointing out boarders boarders boarders all the time...Skiers are just as much to blame as boarders are...matter of fact, it wasnt a boarder but a skier that sent me flyin off the trail at sugarbush shattering my L1 vertebrae and ending my season in december a number of years back...oh and he/she didnt bother to stop either...
and yes the downhill skier has the right of way...IF THEY ARE MOVING....I dont know how many times Ive been heading down the trail and someone stopped just decides its time to start going again with out even a glance up hill...
The problem seems to be more prevelant this season but like Reno said it probably has more to do with limited terrain and crowding than actual ability

[SkiDork]

the downhill skier has the right of way...IF THEY ARE MOVING....

this

[GSKI]

Most of the people I observe on the hill are clueless as far as situational awareness is concerned. I have OFTEN observed people stopped on blind spots or stopped in groups practically blocking the entire trail, pushing off after stopping without looking and skiing/boarding at speeds way above their ability to stop or turn in a reasonable amount of time. I almost always ski a tight line but especially when it is crowded. Just because you technically have the right of way as the downhill skier and can technically make small radius turns then mix it up does not mean its a good idea when its crowded. I would rather assume the worst then try to argue about it in court from my wheelchair as my colostomy bag slowly fills up.

If a snowboarder is in front of me or to the side I assume the slobbering moron will cut from one side of the trail to the other to get some nothing "jump" on the edge (especially if its a crowded traverse and not even a "real" ski trial). I can usually tell by the snowboarders age and dress if they will do this and laugh at the predictability and the accident prevented. I do not take any chances though. Snowboarders tend to be the worst least skilled on the mountain but that is probably because snowboarding has a proportionally higher crop of new entrants to the sport at this time.

[HelmetCam]

K had an organized safety program running this weekend- The Ministars got a formal safety talk yesterday & the kids took home "licences"- business card sized "Know the Code" cards. Upstairs at Ramshead was a table staffed with ambassadors giving out safety related info, stickers, etc.

I also spoke to someone yesterday who bought a helmet because of the free ticket promotion.

All good stuff, but I didn't see many ambassadors on the hill at the usual chokepoints to deter the fast & furious.

[johnny the jibber]

If a snowboarder is in front of me or to the side I assume the slobbering moron will cut from one side of the trail to the other to get some nothing "jump" on the edge (especially if its a crowded traverse and not even a "real" ski trial). I can usually tell by the snowboarders age and dress if they will do this and laugh at the predictability and the accident prevented. I do not take any chances though. Snowboarders tend to be the worst least skilled on the mountain but that is probably because snowboarding has a proportionally higher crop of new entrants to the sport at this time.

this gets two big thumbs up! classic...

[Geoff]

Sorry to hear about your incident Knoble but I have to say that Im gettin a little sick of ppl pointing out boarders boarders boarders all the time...

It's not skis vs snowboards. It's testosterone level. This same problem existed before snowboards. The same 16 to 24 year-old male demographic that is such high risk behind the wheel is also responsible for more than their share of the on-slope collisions.

It would be awfully nice if Killington would spend the money on staff to deal with this. Until 100% of the mountain is open, the weekend trail congestion is dangerous.

[GSKI]

I should have worded that more carefully:

Snowboarders tend to be the worst least skilled on the mountain but that is probably because snowboarding has a proportionally higher crop of new entrants to the sport at this time who tend to be younger people new to the mountain

So I am not dissing Snowboarding generally but acknowledging that snowboarding is attracting more new people to the mountain than skiing and so you are naturally going to get more young people who are inexperienced.

[icedtea]

I should have worded that more carefully:

Snowboarders tend to be the worst least skilled on the mountain but that is probably because snowboarding has a proportionally higher crop of new entrants to the sport at this time who tend to be younger people new to the mountain

So I am not dissing Snowboarding generally but acknowledging that snowboarding is attracting more new people to the mountain than skiing and so you are naturally going to get more young people who are inexperienced.

Actually over the past few years it seems more first timers are skiing. I witness just as pathetic skiers as boarders.

[Terrapin Station]

Also maybe this area needs to be marked with slow signs and an ambassador as it is a major intersection..I have seen near misses as well.

If he hit you from behind- it is his fault!!

Killington may not have specific liability with regard to collisions, however it is Vermont state law that skiers/boarders who collide are required to exchange information, much like a car accident.

However, good luck getting that enforced on the mountain unless you have a few friends with you who can "convince" the offending boarder/skier to cooperate.

Fixed it for you.

correct - skiers, too. Thanks.

[RENO]

I should have worded that more carefully:

Snowboarders tend to be the worst least skilled on the mountain but that is probably because snowboarding has a proportionally higher crop of new entrants to the sport at this time who tend to be younger people new to the mountain

So I am not dissing Snowboarding generally but acknowledging that snowboarding is attracting more new people to the mountain than skiing and so you are naturally going to get more young people who are inexperienced.

Actually over the past few years it seems more first timers are skiing. I witness just as pathetic skiers as boarders.

Yep, plenty on both sides. I've been hit from behind by both and both were not teenagers. Both were 30+. I remember someone (no names) once when he (skier) found out a relative (skier) was gonna try snowboarding practically wanted to disown that relative. He said that he didn't want to have anything to do with that relative when that relative was snowboarding, but if that relative decided to ski he would have no problem skiing with that relative? I asked that person: did that relative all of a sudden become a scumbag/idiot/dumbass/etc... when he/she attached 1 piece of wood to his/her feet instead of 2? It's the same freakin person?

[FirstScrape]

I remember a big sign in a visible location at Heavenly saying "We have pulled XX passes this year for reckless skiing/riding." And it had a little whiteboard where the XX was, so that management could keep it up to date.

"The careful application of terror is also a form of communication" -- Josef Stalin.

[spanky]

I remember a big sign in a visible location at Heavenly saying "We have pulled XX passes this year for reckless skiing/riding." And it had a little whiteboard where the XX was, so that management could keep it up to date.

"The careful application of terror is also a form of communication" -- Josef Stalin.

See Killington. It isn't really that difficult.

[snowguy59]

i normally like to look up the hill every so often to keep my self safe and if i see some asshole riding out of control i get out of his way and watch the yard sale that is soon to happen.

[icedtea]

i normally like to look up the hill every so often to keep my self safe and if i see some asshole riding out of control i get out of his way and watch the yard sale that is soon to happen.

It's kind of like driving in NYC, shouldn't have to worry this weekend though. Who is down for the backside?