Highway Star
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,921
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Recently a long time poster who should know better and will remain nameless* because he's an idiot felt the need to post directions here to one of Killington's more interesting (but far from the most interesting) off the map spots. I would not normally take time from my busy day to write such a detailed PSA, but seemingly this part of "bro-code" is not evident to some people.
Why is this a problem? Everything is a secret until people find out about it. It is one thing to be an accomplished skier and to observe the mountain while skiing and find something off trail to ski....it's quite another to post directions online to a spot, so anyone, and possibly those lacking skills, can find it. This is not about exclusivity, the mountain is open to everyone, but they need to be willing to work for it. Simply buying a lift ticket does not entitle you to the best the mountain has to offer.
In this case, the location in question is well known to most locals and regulars, and can be readily found off several trails by anyone looking to ski off trail. It does see less traffic than you would expect; however, it gets skied out with only a moderate level of traffic. In fact it's probably less popular than it used to be because of a reputation of it being badly skied off. It is a narrow, technical trail/glade that requires quick turning. Three snowboarders sideslipping down it would pack down all of it, and rip it down to dirt and rock in many places. While it is not a complete secret, the vast majority of people skiing Killington will pass right by it without knowing it exists......nor do they have any business being on it.
The problem is random hacks using google, reading your post (in a thread about the hardest trails no less), finding the spot, and sideslipping their way down it, wrecking it for everyone. Or even worse, getting hurt or lost, requiring evacuation by ski patrol, which could curb our freedom to ski off trail. Enough people die skiing every year without you helping by getting them in over their head. And what about those hard working people that have hiked up in the summer to trim back that little known glade, so they can make it better and enjoy it more? I'm sure they would be angry if their freely given hard work was offered up to everybody online.
People who want to know the spots will ski with a local friend, or look themselves.
Show, don't tell is the bro-code rule. If you're skiing with someone, show them. Don't tell people at the bar or the internet how to find the awesome spot you were skiing. Nobody is impressed, they just think you're a fool.
Thanks for reading,
HS
*(Puck It)
Why is this a problem? Everything is a secret until people find out about it. It is one thing to be an accomplished skier and to observe the mountain while skiing and find something off trail to ski....it's quite another to post directions online to a spot, so anyone, and possibly those lacking skills, can find it. This is not about exclusivity, the mountain is open to everyone, but they need to be willing to work for it. Simply buying a lift ticket does not entitle you to the best the mountain has to offer.
In this case, the location in question is well known to most locals and regulars, and can be readily found off several trails by anyone looking to ski off trail. It does see less traffic than you would expect; however, it gets skied out with only a moderate level of traffic. In fact it's probably less popular than it used to be because of a reputation of it being badly skied off. It is a narrow, technical trail/glade that requires quick turning. Three snowboarders sideslipping down it would pack down all of it, and rip it down to dirt and rock in many places. While it is not a complete secret, the vast majority of people skiing Killington will pass right by it without knowing it exists......nor do they have any business being on it.
The problem is random hacks using google, reading your post (in a thread about the hardest trails no less), finding the spot, and sideslipping their way down it, wrecking it for everyone. Or even worse, getting hurt or lost, requiring evacuation by ski patrol, which could curb our freedom to ski off trail. Enough people die skiing every year without you helping by getting them in over their head. And what about those hard working people that have hiked up in the summer to trim back that little known glade, so they can make it better and enjoy it more? I'm sure they would be angry if their freely given hard work was offered up to everybody online.
People who want to know the spots will ski with a local friend, or look themselves.
Show, don't tell is the bro-code rule. If you're skiing with someone, show them. Don't tell people at the bar or the internet how to find the awesome spot you were skiing. Nobody is impressed, they just think you're a fool.
Thanks for reading,
HS
*(Puck It)
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