Death At Jay Peak

[UVSHTSTRM]

http://www.wcax.com/story/16915463/snowboarder-dies-at-jay-peak

 

[Nick]

urgh, rip

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

While it probably isn't the case, it seems a skier/rider passes each week.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Note the author's capitalization of the entire word in, "WAS wearing a helmet".

I think a lot of people, author obviously included, are under the impression that somehow wearing a helmet makes one impervious.

 

[ski stef]

yeah, I noticed that as well. I wonder if he wasn't wearing a helmet what the author would have said. That being said...I still need to invest.

 

[Cornhead]

I'm convinced the conditions this season are more dangerous than normal. How many deaths on the EC this year? I thought I was going to witness one at Plattekill today. This kid looses control on Upper Face, right where Sundown bisects it. I was on the lift, it was eerily similar to the post with the video of the skier hitting the tree a Smuggs. He was able to fall down and keep from going into the woods, but it was close. All this frozen granular is pretty fast, and the "base" is a sheet of ice. It adds up to higher speeds with less ability to control, a deadly combination.

 

[snowmonster]

RIP. This is a terrible string of ski area deaths. I agree that the snow surfaces are making it tricky out there. This afternoon at Loon, I could hear the wailing of sirens in the background. I hope it's not anything major.

 

[Zand]

Anyone know what trail? It said it was a black diamond, wouldn't surprise me if it was Jet or Haines, they've been rinks all year.

RIP... sad to see all the deaths recently but it always happens during crappy winters due to the hard fast conditions. That's why no matter how bad the coverage is I stay on the natural stuff anytime it's open. Not as easy to get going too fast and slip on ice. I'd rather break a leg hitting a tree in the woods then kill myself on a steep icy groomer.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Sadly, there were skier deaths at Keystone and Solitude recently. Abit strange but both men were repotably in their 70's from New England. The report stated that Keystone has had 3 deaths this season.

 

[RISkier]

Note the author's capitalization of the entire word in, "WAS wearing a helmet".

I think a lot of people, author obviously included, are under the impression that somehow wearing a helmet makes one impervious.

Always sad to hear of these kinds of events and they seem much more frequent this year. Condolences to the family and friends of the victim. Agree about helmets. They'll certainly help if you fall and hit your head on a icy slope, or have a glancing blow. But if someone has a direct collision with an immovable object, even at relatively moderate speeds, the helmet won't do much good. I think they give folks a false sense of security. A level 3 ski instructor friend of ours told us most of the on slope fatalities are the result of internal injuries and bleeding that can't be stopped before they can get persons to medical facilities. I certainly don't know the stats on that and don't know that he does either. But it's pretty clear that helmets don't make anyone impervious.

 

[riverc0il]

Note the author's capitalization of the entire word in, "WAS wearing a helmet".

For a professional major newspaper, the capitalization of an entire word for emphasis very lame. But whether a skier or rider is wearing a helmet during an accident should always be included because it is something news readers want to know. It is the first question asked if the information isn't included in the article.

 

[Magog Fishy]

Horrible news...RIP, and vibes to the family. Tough one too for Ski Patrol -- I am sure they did everything they could.

Did not hear anything up at the hill yesterday, so I am too wondering what trail it happened on. On a run late morning I was about to enter the Freezer lift corral, and noticed over to my right a snowmobile pulling a ski patrol sled with somebody in it. I looked again quickly, and then did not think anything of it since it looked like the torso was wrapped in a blanket but the face appeared to be showing.

Groomers were somewhat icy yesterday in the usual thoroughfare spots. Mainly skied the trees -- for the most part good a base on everything. Found it a bit ironic Ski Patrol had signs at the lifts saying stay on the groomers since they had the best condition when in fact it seemed like the trees/ungroomed had the best conditions. Not very crowded yesterday.

 

[Nick]

It sounds like in a typical year about 40 people die skiing / boarding

http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/facts-ski-snbd-safety.asp

Skiing/snowboarding
2009/10 number of fatalities* 38
2008 number of ski/snowboard participants (in millions)** 10.0
Fatalities per million participants 3.8
Days of participation (in millions)* 59.8
Fatalities per days of participation rate (per million) .64

So ... I don't know if that is just in the US or what, but that probably works out to about 7, 8 people per month during the season right.

 

[Nick]

Man this shit does freak me out, it happens so fast

 

[billski]

Man, I must be the bad penny. This stuff is happening on the same day I ski at an area. Needless to say, this is a challenging year, technique and judgement are king. Don't just be careful, but sharpen your skills, tone it down. Last year's technique ain't cutting it this year.

 

[billski]

It sounds like in a typical year about 40 people die skiing / boarding

http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/facts-ski-snbd-safety.asp



So ... I don't know if that is just in the US or what, but that probably works out to about 7, 8 people per month during the season right.

The more instructive number is how many serious injuries are suffered this year. All anecdotal info indicates to me that we are way ahead of last year, with the season being only half over.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Man this shit does freak me out, it happens so fast

It looks like he takes a line directly at the trees. My best guess is that that guy's not used to skiing in fresh snow.

 

[riverc0il]

It looks like he takes a line directly at the trees. My best guess is that that guy's not used to skiing in fresh snow.

Nice Monday Morning QB'ing, there. :roll:

There is nothing wrong with his line choice. I've certainly skied significantly tight lines. Right before the impact, you'll notice that the skier's left ski flies way out to the left. I don't know what the skier hit, but he hit something throwing him off balance. I can't imagine someone would carry that much speed into the trees without having much experience skiing trees in fresh snow. When skiers are uncomfortable, they tend to slow down and go side to side more.

 

[steamboat1]

Yes it happens that fast. Guy looked like he was lucky. When I hit a tree I wasn't going nearly as fast as he seemed to be. Couldn't even talk for a minute or so after because I got the wind knocked out of me. If I was going any faster I don't think I'd be here typing right now. Hurt myself pretty bad (ribs & both wrists) but was able to ski down under my own power. Still have a lump on my rib cage over 10 years later.

I still ski in the tree's but believe me slowly & cautiously.

 

[riverc0il]

Having hit a tree before, it is pretty damn crazy what the impact feels like. Took the wind completely out of me and broke a bone just like that, wasn't even going very fast.