More bad news from the weekend (skier death)

from_the_NEK · Mar 23, 2015

Skier death at Killington. Not too many details here:

http://www.wcax.com/story/28587149/man-dies-in-skiing-accident-at-killington-resort

BenedictGomez · Mar 23, 2015

A little more info:

ran into multiple trees on the High Road Trail — an intermediate trail

Not familiar with this trail, but these deaths usually do occur on intermediate trails, usually groomers, and at a high rate of speed. Sounds like he lost control while trying to avoid another skier.

http://www.thevermontstandard.com/2015/03/new-hampshire-man-dies-in-killington-ski-accident/

mulva · Mar 23, 2015

It's a very mellow traverse off Canyon/Glades chairs heading towards Cascade and Escapade. Sad news for sure.

Puck it · Mar 23, 2015

mulva said:
It's a very mellow traverse off Canyon/Glades chairs heading towards Cascade and Escapade. Sad news for sure.

That is High Traverse. High Road is off Superstar heading over to Northbrook

Abubob · Mar 23, 2015

Another "expert skier" on intermediate terrain skiing at a high rate of speed. Sad and so unnecessary. And may I add - avoidable?

BenedictGomez · Mar 23, 2015

Abubob said:
Another "expert skier" on intermediate terrain skiing at a high rate of speed. Sad and so unnecessary. And may I add - avoidable?

I sometimes go tuna speed on non-crowded intermediate groomers, and I consider myself "advanced" rather than "expert", though YOMV on what an expert is. I'd really like to know more before passing judgement here given he was supposedly "avoiding" someone else. Yes, it's the uphill skier's (deceased) responsibility via the code, but there are sometimes shades of grey, unless your belief is that fast skiing should never be attempted. Horribly sad accident regardless.

Edd · Mar 23, 2015

Abubob said:
And may I add - avoidable?

Was it? That's not clear to me.

steamboat1 · Mar 23, 2015

I wonder where on the trail it happened. There are 3 distinct sections of that trail. One from Supe that comes out at the top of lower Skyelark, then between Skyelark to lower Bitter & then from the top of lower Bitter to the Northbrook trail.

It's always sad to hear of a skier/riders death on the slopes. My condolences to his family & friends.

BenedictGomez · Mar 23, 2015

steamboat1 said:
I wonder where on the trail it happened. There are 3 distinct sections of that trail. One from Supe that comes out at the top of lower Skyelark, then between Skyelark to lower Bitter & then from the top of lower Bitter to the Northbrook trail.

Oh geez. So this sounds like one of those Killington runs that has a bunch of trail mergers?

deadheadskier · Mar 23, 2015

RIP young man

steamboat1 · Mar 23, 2015

BenedictGomez said:
Oh geez. So this sounds like one of those Killington runs that has a bunch of trail mergers?

Not really, rather than crossing the trail it goes with the flow of the trail. High traverse on the other hand cuts right across upper GN.

thetrailboss · Mar 23, 2015

Sucks. I know that a guy was killed on Bittersweet not too far from there after he went off trail into a tree.

JDMRoma · Mar 23, 2015

Also heard of another 23 year old from a crash at BW 2 Friday's ago died last Tuesday. Don't know any details other thank it was a snowboarder and had to be airlifted out. Not good ...

Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone

Highway Star · Mar 23, 2015

Scott was described as an expert skier. Witnesses tell police that just before the crash, Scott was speeding down the hill and had tried to turn onto a connector trail while avoiding another skier.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kill...=Killington,+Rutland+County,+Vermont&t=h&z=16

There are multiple spots on High Road where this sort of event could happen. It's one of the more dangerous intermediate routes at Kton, especially at speed, because of the mixed ablities, merges/crossings and rollovers.

Blanton · Mar 23, 2015

Need more moguls on intermediate and advanced runs to keep the speed down!

Abubob · Mar 23, 2015

BenedictGomez said:
I sometimes go tuna speed on non-crowded intermediate groomers, and I consider myself "advanced" rather than "expert", though YOMV on what an expert is. I'd really like to know more before passing judgement here given he was supposedly "avoiding" someone else. Yes, it's the uphill skier's (deceased) responsibility via the code, but there are sometimes shades of grey, unless your belief is that fast skiing should never be attempted. Horribly sad accident regardless.

I admit I do too. The tuna speed thing on an intermediate trail - I just let loose - So I don't mean to pass judgement. That why I was posing it as a question. It just seems that certain elements repeat. "Expert" or "Experienced" skier on an "intermediate trail.

Edd said:
Was it? That's not clear to me.

Well, no, it's not clear. But again it seems like a repeating theme. Someone that - maybe - should know better. It seems that it's alway the experienced ones getting themselves into avalanches and questioning "If we know so much what didn't we see?" I know that's a bit of an extreme example - can't think of a better one right now.

Abubob · Mar 23, 2015

Blanton said:
Need more moguls on intermediate and advanced runs to keep the speed down!

That would work. Grooming is killing people!

steamboat1 · Mar 23, 2015

Abubob said:
Grooming is killing people!

No skiing fast is killing people. I pretty much ski the same speed on groomers or bumps which isn't fast. I was never into speed. I kind of like making lots of short radius turns. You know enjoying every vertical foot of a trail. Skiing fast, especially with a lot of people on a trail is just stupid.

fbrissette · Mar 23, 2015

steamboat1 said:
Skiing fast with a lot of people on a trail is just stupid.

This.

Do note I removed 'especially' that was between 'fast' and 'with'.

Skiing really fast with a lot of people on a trail is similar to drinking and driving in my book, especially when kids are around.

fbrissette · Mar 23, 2015

BenedictGomez said:
and I consider myself "advanced" rather than "expert"

No need to specify. We all know Highway Star is the only expert on this forum.

More bad news from the weekend (skier death)

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