uphillklimber
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Lady skier dies at Sunday River
- Thread starter uphillklimber
- Start date
Joshua B
Member
Quite a few deaths this week...
skiguide
New member
absolutely tragic, it's sad anytime these accidents happen. i feel badly for her family and her students who have to come back to school after break to this.
Not to start an argument or anything, but:
FYI - her boyfriend was on the local news here last night, 'pleading' with skiers to be more careful, which is of course, important, but basically was implying that the accident should never have happened, that the MA teenage boys were in a 'tuck position' and out of control for the speeds they were traveling... which, could of course be true, but only other witnesses can confirm/reject that statement. state troopers are investigating the accident.
other details that I have heard: that it was an advanced trail, but she was supposedly standing on a 'flat spot' - but bottomline is, we don't have all the facts, but this could turn out to be another interesting case.
my general feeling is that skiing is an inherently dangerous sport, you accept the risks every time you buy that disclaimer filled ticket; of course, you also need to abide by the rules and SKI IN CONTROL at all times, which does not necessarily mean that one has to go slow on an advanced trail. the need for speed is one of the reasons why so many people love skiing/riding, and human control in a sport that has so many external factors - ice ( esp. at the river) and other natural elements, equipment failure, - is a difficult thing to measure.
Not to start an argument or anything, but:
FYI - her boyfriend was on the local news here last night, 'pleading' with skiers to be more careful, which is of course, important, but basically was implying that the accident should never have happened, that the MA teenage boys were in a 'tuck position' and out of control for the speeds they were traveling... which, could of course be true, but only other witnesses can confirm/reject that statement. state troopers are investigating the accident.
other details that I have heard: that it was an advanced trail, but she was supposedly standing on a 'flat spot' - but bottomline is, we don't have all the facts, but this could turn out to be another interesting case.
my general feeling is that skiing is an inherently dangerous sport, you accept the risks every time you buy that disclaimer filled ticket; of course, you also need to abide by the rules and SKI IN CONTROL at all times, which does not necessarily mean that one has to go slow on an advanced trail. the need for speed is one of the reasons why so many people love skiing/riding, and human control in a sport that has so many external factors - ice ( esp. at the river) and other natural elements, equipment failure, - is a difficult thing to measure.
Skier75
New member
That's really too bad about that woman...kind of scary that this is the second death in two years at one of my favorite mountains. Last year someone died at Sunday River as well as Sugarloaf, another of my favorites. Sugarloaf, I believe a kid ran into a woman that stepped into the path of a snowboarder without looking first, unfortunately for the woman, it was her fault for not looking first. Guess the kid got pretty hurt too. It's an unfortunate situation when these kind of things happen. Makes you realize that just about anything could happen when your involved with these kinds of sports.
One thing I do see on the mountain though, is some really good 'boarders, as well as skiers, don't take consideration for others....it's all about how fast they can go to impress whoever they think they are impressing. Sometimes they will get really close to others and for the less experienced people, it can be pretty scary. Some of these kids find it amusing to see the reaction in people, but I don't find it amusing at all. I'm a pretty good skier, but I don't like to be cut off by some of these ignorant people. There's been a few times I wish I was a ski patroller so I could cut their passes, then they'd see how funny it really is. Anyway, that's my two cents for what it's worth.
One thing I do see on the mountain though, is some really good 'boarders, as well as skiers, don't take consideration for others....it's all about how fast they can go to impress whoever they think they are impressing. Sometimes they will get really close to others and for the less experienced people, it can be pretty scary. Some of these kids find it amusing to see the reaction in people, but I don't find it amusing at all. I'm a pretty good skier, but I don't like to be cut off by some of these ignorant people. There's been a few times I wish I was a ski patroller so I could cut their passes, then they'd see how funny it really is. Anyway, that's my two cents for what it's worth.
skiguide
New member
uphillklimber, it was on WCSH 6 last night- nothing on their website that i can see. yea, i can understand how you'd be quick to assume/deem it to be the kids' fault, simply because they're kids. you're right, it is usually the case. I'm just far enough away from being a teenager to understand and respect that, but not far enough not to be irritated by the insinuation that all teenagers are reckless. (ok, well, i'm plenty far away from being a teen, but still, I don't believe it's always an age thing, but I'll also admit to being stupid as a teen skier - i didn't have the skills necessary to manage some of the things I did on skis at that age) (sorry if i'm a little oversensitive to that type of prejudice too- you should see me when people start saying things like "all Rottweilers are dangerous" -it's not fair to lump my scaredy-cat fatty Rott into that category either
I think, as Skier75 pointed out, just about anyone can be ignorant enough to make a bad decision on the slopes, regardless of age, it's more about immaturity (and let me tell you, there are plenty of guys in their 20's that qualify for this label just as much as teens) and lack of consideration and responsibility.
Skier75, the official statement from S.R. states that no skiers have died in the last three seasons there,I do remember someone dying at the Loaf though. :
http://www.wmtw.com/Global/story.asp?S=1656212&nav=7k6sBt1n
also that she died of head injuries, but wasn't wearing a helmet - how sad is that? it may not have prevented death, but it MAY have helped, seems like it wasn't worth the risk of not wearing one.
I think, as Skier75 pointed out, just about anyone can be ignorant enough to make a bad decision on the slopes, regardless of age, it's more about immaturity (and let me tell you, there are plenty of guys in their 20's that qualify for this label just as much as teens) and lack of consideration and responsibility.
Skier75, the official statement from S.R. states that no skiers have died in the last three seasons there,I do remember someone dying at the Loaf though. :
http://www.wmtw.com/Global/story.asp?S=1656212&nav=7k6sBt1n
also that she died of head injuries, but wasn't wearing a helmet - how sad is that? it may not have prevented death, but it MAY have helped, seems like it wasn't worth the risk of not wearing one.
bigbog
Active member
re:.......
A big problem that I've unfortunately encountered first-hand is that the *young* boarders (and speed-demon skiers) with adrenelin to burn do not take into account the space that a skier "extends" into AT ALL.
I've had my outside arm brushed and downhill boot literally clipped out from under me just at the "extending" stage....after having crossed under..to that side....etc. Literally Inches away from a high-speed collision.......
I'll tell ya', I'm 100% off the crusin' groomers on a weekend.....
will take schussing by sasquatch vs skiing with wkend teens & 20somethings Anyday :roll:
A big problem that I've unfortunately encountered first-hand is that the *young* boarders (and speed-demon skiers) with adrenelin to burn do not take into account the space that a skier "extends" into AT ALL.
I've had my outside arm brushed and downhill boot literally clipped out from under me just at the "extending" stage....after having crossed under..to that side....etc. Literally Inches away from a high-speed collision.......
I'll tell ya', I'm 100% off the crusin' groomers on a weekend.....
will take schussing by sasquatch vs skiing with wkend teens & 20somethings Anyday :roll:
jimme
New member
A death on the slopes is always hard to deal with. When we're having so much fun doing something we love and then something like this happens. . .
I think I'm still a bit shaken from seeing the kid slide into the trees at Plattekill. See my trip report from around MLK weekend. After the Okemo death and now this one I realize how lucky that kid is to be alive. On a guess he broke some ribs, and maybe his arm. Very badly bruised back, but could move his legs and arms so I have to guess it was not broken, but I'm not a medical person.
As a kid growing up on skis, it never occurred to me a person could die from the sport. Didn't hear about any casualties until the S. Bono inceident several years back. (Was out of touch totaly btwn '78 - 200 anyway.)
Now when I stop, I always keep an eye uphill. Stay to the side and after some schmuck went between the two feet behind me and the woods on the trail, I just about stand in the woods. Stay clear of what could be used as a jump. Make sure you can see all skiers above you, if not, they can't see you either. Stop on the inside corner if you have to stop at a turn in the trail. Largely, watch out for the other guy. Ski safe.
Jimme
I think I'm still a bit shaken from seeing the kid slide into the trees at Plattekill. See my trip report from around MLK weekend. After the Okemo death and now this one I realize how lucky that kid is to be alive. On a guess he broke some ribs, and maybe his arm. Very badly bruised back, but could move his legs and arms so I have to guess it was not broken, but I'm not a medical person.
As a kid growing up on skis, it never occurred to me a person could die from the sport. Didn't hear about any casualties until the S. Bono inceident several years back. (Was out of touch totaly btwn '78 - 200 anyway.)
Now when I stop, I always keep an eye uphill. Stay to the side and after some schmuck went between the two feet behind me and the woods on the trail, I just about stand in the woods. Stay clear of what could be used as a jump. Make sure you can see all skiers above you, if not, they can't see you either. Stop on the inside corner if you have to stop at a turn in the trail. Largely, watch out for the other guy. Ski safe.
Jimme
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