Deer Valley Ski Instructor Loses Student for Over an Hour

[thetrailboss]

As a parent, if this happened then I would be rip shit. Glad it all worked out, but seems like something really went wrong.

Child found after going missing for over an hour at Deer Valley

A 5-year-old went missing for over an hour while at a ski lesson at Deer Valley. His parents are still trying to make sense of what happened and are upset with how authorities handled the search.

www.fox13now.com

 

[Edd]

This sent me down a rabbit hole with using Apple Air Tags on kids and I found this.

Don't use AirTags to track your kids, says Apple

If you want to know where your kids are, get them an Apple Watch instead

www.imore.com

Odd that the parents claim they haven’t received an apology. Seems like step 1 after finding the kid safe and sound. The story linked in the OP claims GPS devices are used at other ski areas but not Deer Valley of all places?

 

[Kingslug20]

It's why I don't want to teach...taking care of kids at a bug resort...just sounds scary..

 

[KustyTheKlown]

I got separated from my group at killington when I was under 10. The instructor was furious with me when I got found

 

[ThatGuy]

So the kid was in a tree well and got himself out…
Sounds like some serious negligence or theres more to the story.
I’m an instructor and I can imagine losing a kid like that.
Thoughts @ss20 ?

 

[FBGM]

I see this from all views -

Seems like DV has some explaining. Especially when tree well comes into the story. Could have ended way worse. The no apology or “free cookie” is also odd.

I’m assuming this was a larger group lesson? 1 instructor for many kids? Sounds horrible and I could totally see one wild child just bouncing off on their own before instructor even knows.

I don’t think police should have been notified. Patrol for sure. But cops would not be able to do much here.

At the same time, I used to be under 10 just off on my own skiing all day. But that was back in the day. People are all soft now.

Large group lessons, instructors not seasoned and used to that, busy weekends. All could set up for exactly this. I think the parents are blowing this up a bit but also I bet this happens more then we think

 

[crystalmountainskier]

Obviously instructor should have notified supervisors/patrol as soon as kid went missing. Children (and adults for that matter) getting separated from lesson is not unusual.

 

[ThatGuy]

Kids getting separated isn’t the unusual part. Its the apparent apathetic response from DV that’s concerning. Could’ve been a whole different story and if the kid had time to free himself from a tree well and walk away that tells you he was there a while.

 

[thetrailboss]

I see this from all views -

Seems like DV has some explaining. Especially when tree well comes into the story. Could have ended way worse. The no apology or “free cookie” is also odd.

Agreed.

I’m assuming this was a larger group lesson? 1 instructor for many kids? Sounds horrible and I could totally see one wild child just bouncing off on their own before instructor even knows.

Yeah. Kind of wonder how many kids were in the group and the ratio of kids to instructors.

I did some research. This "lesson" appears to be a mere $310 plus $100 if the kid needs a ticket. With that kind of price, there is a presumption of a certain level of service and quality.

Kids Group Ski Lessons | Ages 5-6 | Reindeer Club | Deer Valley Resort

Explore Reindeer Club, Deer Valley's Ski School program designed for kids ages 5-6, offering personalized instruction and non-stop fun.

www.deervalley.com

I don’t think police should have been notified. Patrol for sure. But cops would not be able to do much here.

The fact that "8 people" were searching a resort the size of Deer Valley is laughable. Granted the kid was somewhere on Flagstaff, but he could easily ski over to Lady Morgan or even back towards Silver Lake. Ski Patrol DEFINITELY should have been activated on this one. Seems really weird. Police? No, not yet IMHO.

Large group lessons, instructors not seasoned and used to that, busy weekends. All could set up for exactly this. I think the parents are blowing this up a bit but also I bet this happens more then we think

It should not happen at Deer Valley. Period. I've been saying that it has slipped and this is further evidence.

 

[Kingslug20]

Ski patrol was not called....that's a mess right there...
Kind of what they're there for...

 

[thetrailboss]

The POV of things at DVR since Alterra took over:

Letters, Feb. 18-21: Yearning for old Deer Valley

I have been a season pass holder at Deer Valley Resort for 15 years. The level of service has declined continually since KSL Capital acquired it from the Sterns family and legendary indy car racer...

www.parkrecord.com

 

[ss20]

I applied there for a supervisor position just a few seasons ago. I was told all kids had trackers. DV is a big place with a lot of intersections to go to a lot of different places.

 

[2Planker]

Over 40+ years of Patrol, It's usually the parents that are lost.
Can't tell you how many times it's the parents that are in the wrong place, wrong lodge....

Many kids that get lost, say it was intentional to get away from ______.

 

[BenedictGomez]

"Persson says his son is still dealing with the trauma"

Lawsuit incoming.

 

[Kingslug20]

Tree well..pretty nasty...