Two points w/r/t using a race course that seems to be un attended--
1) herein lies the rub w/r/t trail closures etc. Resorts and race hill managers are caught between leaving terrain available when a race venue doesn't need the full trail & trying to be safe w/r/t the interactions between the racers and the general public. There many in the coaching ski patrol ranks who would like to simply close all trails that have training on them on any given day. As someone who manages this, I can assure you that this is not popular, especially when terrain is limited. All those who get on their soap boxes about the spoiled racers etc scream bloody murder to mtn ops when a trail is closed and doesn't appear to be being used.
2) I would urge EXTREME caution at areas that are designated as US ski team training sites (Cannon, Burke, Copper, Park City etc). Often a course is set for many hours and it appears that there is no one using it. In fact, it may be up for 1/2 a day and only 4-5 athletes are using it, sometimes warming up and watching video between runs. You can jump in 3 times w/o difficulty. And then on that 4th fun run there is a 225 lb missile coming over a knoll that doesn't see you and it gets ugly real fast. With a run taking 50 to 60 seconds it often happens that we start an athlete and someone wanders into a course 20 seconds after we have cleared the athlete to start. These athletes have one or 2 coaches with them and there is NO WAY to adequately position coaches all along the track. SO, do we close the trail for 1/2 a day for 4 athletes? (sure to piss off many) or trust that the general public knows they are in a dangerous spot? (known to be false in some cases) -- we try, very hard, to satisfy everyone.
My suggestions--
1) if there is anyone around- ask. you will be surprised at who often we say "sure"
2) no one around- if you must run them, ONLY from the top- DO NOT jump in.
3) try adult team racing, find a clinic etc- it is fun.
1) herein lies the rub w/r/t trail closures etc. Resorts and race hill managers are caught between leaving terrain available when a race venue doesn't need the full trail & trying to be safe w/r/t the interactions between the racers and the general public. There many in the coaching ski patrol ranks who would like to simply close all trails that have training on them on any given day. As someone who manages this, I can assure you that this is not popular, especially when terrain is limited. All those who get on their soap boxes about the spoiled racers etc scream bloody murder to mtn ops when a trail is closed and doesn't appear to be being used.
2) I would urge EXTREME caution at areas that are designated as US ski team training sites (Cannon, Burke, Copper, Park City etc). Often a course is set for many hours and it appears that there is no one using it. In fact, it may be up for 1/2 a day and only 4-5 athletes are using it, sometimes warming up and watching video between runs. You can jump in 3 times w/o difficulty. And then on that 4th fun run there is a 225 lb missile coming over a knoll that doesn't see you and it gets ugly real fast. With a run taking 50 to 60 seconds it often happens that we start an athlete and someone wanders into a course 20 seconds after we have cleared the athlete to start. These athletes have one or 2 coaches with them and there is NO WAY to adequately position coaches all along the track. SO, do we close the trail for 1/2 a day for 4 athletes? (sure to piss off many) or trust that the general public knows they are in a dangerous spot? (known to be false in some cases) -- we try, very hard, to satisfy everyone.
My suggestions--
1) if there is anyone around- ask. you will be surprised at who often we say "sure"
2) no one around- if you must run them, ONLY from the top- DO NOT jump in.
3) try adult team racing, find a clinic etc- it is fun.
