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Colorado ski deaths set a record this year
Greetings from Vail. In case you haven't heard yet, the skiing here is pretty awesome. The season has been the best "anyone can remember", I keep hearing from people.
Sadly, it has also been one with the most recorded deaths. On Friday, a man in Aspen jumped off a cliff and died. Yesterday, a 32-year-old Denver-area man in Vail became the 17th skier or snowboarder to die on the Colorado slopes this season, Denver Post reports. The man died after a skiing incident on an intermediate run called The Wuides in Blue Sky Basin at Vail. I am not sure what happened, all I know from the news that the skier was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Helmets can only do so much, I guess.
The prior record was tied last weekend when a Kansas man became the 16th death on the slopes. The previous record for deaths was 16, set in the 2001-2002 season. And there's still great snow and skiing here until at least April 13th...let's hope that's it for fatal accidents this year.
Be safe out there. The bottom areas get icy. More on that later. I'm kinda busy conducting "apres ski" research right now.
Photo: Sweet and Bitter
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JOE BLOW Apr 8th 2008 8:34AM
IF GOD MEANT MAN TO SKI HE'D HAVE GIVEN HIM LONGER FEET. AMEN.
LuckySkier Apr 8th 2008 9:03AM
Any over-50 expert skier, and there are plenty of them, needs to be aware of the double-standard in ski binding calibration. All U.S. ski shops use the same formula for adjusting skis using height, weight, skier level and age to determine the DIN setting used on the bindings. What they often don't mention is that if you're over 50, you automatically get downgraded a full skier level. In other words, if you tell them your a type 3 skier, the formula converts you to a type 2. This means your bindings will be considerably looser than they were when you were 49, opening up the potential for unintentional binding release.
That's what happened to me on New Years Day. I was taking a nice cruiser run on a brand new set of Volkl AC3's. The hill was fairly steep, but no bumps. I hit a patch of fresh snow, shifting my weight forward, and I launched out of both skis. I broke my neck on the impact. Luckily, I've healed up.
If you're over 50, insist that your bindings are set appropriately for your height, weight and skier type. Don't let them downgrade you for being over 50! This formula is a ski industry cop-out, likely because of liability issues. Unfortunately, they've created a new problem with their solution.
susan Apr 7th 2008 9:47PM
skiing is dangerous if you don't watch your speed. Some people on the slopes think the only thing that matters is how fast you go...I'd rather go slower, enjoy the scenery and get to the bottom safely and in one piece than zip down the mountain...So what if it takes me an hour, what's the rush. I'm still skiing!!
Kerry Strickler Apr 7th 2008 10:47PM
The reason ski-slope deaths are rising is the reason I no longer ski:
Snowboarders and the dangerous ruts they leave on ski slopes. AND the
dangerous way they fly down the slopes and expect everyone to stay
out of their out-of-control path.
There has to be a division between skis and snowboards, or the death
rate will continue to rise.
Sarah Apr 7th 2008 11:42PM
Also, I do not snowboard - I telemark...but there are almost no snowboarders back in Blue Sky...skiing is just faster these days. Don't blame it on snowboarders. i've seen too many accidents with skiing on thier new wide skis too!
t Apr 8th 2008 12:01AM
bonehead comment, both skiers and boarders equally share in this stat. The dangerous boarders are the ones going too fast, the dangerous skiers are the ones sking faster than their ability...
darrinsky Apr 7th 2008 11:42PM
When skis are outlawed only outlaws will have skis
Julie Apr 7th 2008 11:36PM
I agree with Kerry Strickler. Snowboards tear up the slopes. I used to go skiing in Taos until this year they opened up to Snowboarders. Boo =(
t Apr 8th 2008 12:01AM
you too are a bonehead
Ben Apr 7th 2008 11:39PM
What a Cold article for talking about such a tragic situation! I ski every weekend at Vail, and it happens to the best-it's sad, It's a life, not just a statistic...
Patrick Apr 7th 2008 11:54PM
Ilike many people skied for years,and saw plenty of other's medic'ed down the hill.I think the increase in fatalities can be attributied like every other dangerous sport to the advances made in equipment. These changes enable individuals to operate or preform at the extreme ends of the sport. Thus gaining greater accomplishments at greater risks paying higher consquences. Even ten years ago the over the course speeds were slower and high degree's of jump's and trick's less
Julie Apr 8th 2008 5:42PM
Nuh uh...you are a bonehead!!
Carol Apr 8th 2008 12:17AM
Resorts are going to have to crack down on speed! Monitored cameras to identify out of control,need to speed participants (who in our experience tend to be young/high testosterone/males on boards) need to be identified early and escorted off the mountain.
We were wiped out several times this past year while skiing and are now looking at other vacation options.
Hootie Apr 8th 2008 9:06AM
Finally an intelligent well thought out comment Patrick. I couldn't agree more. Its like driving. The cars are lighter, handle better, stop faster and with the air bags are "safer". But deaths are up. Why? Because there are alot more drivers out there and everyone out there thinks he's a Fast and Furious driver and can do what Tony Stewart can do. False sense of security. On the slopes numbers are up and the gear is engineered better. It breeds overconfidence. They watch the pros and think they can fly down out of control and recover like Sean White or Bodie Miller. It used to be only real "experts" did huge jumps and tricks and skied/rode backward or went into tree trails. Now you see alot more people on trails that you know immediately are in way over their heads. Last year while on the lift I saw a skiier trying to negotiate a diamond trail that was iced over with her daughter who was about 10 years old. She wiped out, taking her daughter with her, and slid into a tree. She was knocked out and bleeding from her face when we got to her. She definately broke her arm and I think her leg too. Luckily her daughter didn't hit the tree. She was ok but she was screaming bloody murder until the patrol arrived.
JOE Apr 8th 2008 12:52AM
To bad we can't get the rest of the Kennedy's to go skiing. It would be so nice if they go have a family football game on ski's again and wipe the rest of them out. The world would be a better place!!!
Mike Apr 8th 2008 1:22AM
Snowboarders have overrun and ruined the sport and the slopes. I gladly give up skiing. The same goes for skateboard parks. Too many ego-tripping people want to be noticed. I gladly give up skateboarding. Later on ego dudes.
bladerunner Apr 8th 2008 1:42AM
like what i tell all my friends "dude, remember i gotta b at work monday!" keep that in mind next time you think u are Ingemar Stenmark... the greatest racer of all times.
Bobby G Apr 8th 2008 1:51AM
I think the main problem is it's getting too crowded to ski or board safely. I took a friend of mine to ski for his first time at Wachusetts. By the time we got suited up and out of the locker room I realized the resort was so flipping packed that there was no way my friend was going to a) enjoy himself b) avoid running into someone else and c) avoid getting seriously hurt. I was glad he appreciated my suggestion that we just pack it in and try another time. I could see he was looking really nervous. It was insane. You couldn't find five feet of open space. Even the locker room was a disaster of overcrowding. Ah, I remember sweet Aspen in 1991. It was perfect. Mammoth in '84 was awesome. Most other times, forget it.
wyattspoppa Apr 8th 2008 3:01AM
t-said or whatever your name is, you are the "bonehead" (actually chucklehead works better)
Twenty bucks says you are a white male between 18-28 yrs old. Guess why I know this? Cause I used to sound as ignorant as you and I was both! Snow boarders are generally the wreckless, inconsiderate, skiing above their talent level morons who are the cause of a LARGE PERCENTAGE of major accidents on powder. They ski intoxicated and too fast for their abilities. I've gone faster with and without power than you will ever dream of, owned a bored out Ninja, Racecar etc and guess what? In my 40's and preparing for the first of 2 spinal fusions, one neck and one back. I will never enjoy a cruise on my bike, leisurely slide down the slopes or pick up anything over 20 pounds including my baby boy ever again! I live on Vicodin and 4 hours of sleep a day. You have been warned, check your big,fat ego at the lodge next time you grace us at the slopes or you will either be a statistic (because you're still too young not to think with your brain instead of your balls) or you will be the cause of one.
Now say something smart guy!
sideways johnny Apr 8th 2008 5:35AM
wow! somebody is an angry elf! snowboarding is a fun fun fun thing to do and it is here to stay!!!! woohoo! I really don't know the statistics but i have a feeling that if you guys would take the time and actually do some research you would find some interesting facts about