Not another run-in with ski patrol...Blue 3/8...hero snow..empty

[from_the_NEK]

60 in mush would be a real feat...

My 61 mph speed trap measurement I mentioned above was during the spring on corn snow. Corn can be very fast since the layer of water you need to slide over the snow doesn't have to be created by friction with the ski.

Note: I also closed all vents on my helmet, and tucked my hood inside the collar of my jacket to reduce drag.

 

[RootDKJ]

Maybe during the off-season Blue can install a bunch of these, to take the subjective nature of speed out of the question on Paradise. They are only about $3.700 a piece.

 

[danny p]

And to follow up-- doing 60 increases the risk to others exponentially more than skiing glades, and probably a good bit more than skiing the parks and bumps. One thing to be a danger to yourself, another to be a danger to others.

you should work for Blue mountain SP! ;-):smile:

while the above MAY be true...that's not the post i was responding to. you said one cross of the tips and he could hit a tree or snowgun. The same is true if you ski the bumps on the tree line...you could be going much slower, but one wrong move and you're in the air..possibly going into a tree/snowgun. I'm done arguing the point. I'm with GSS on this one and I would be equally upset if I had to deal with this crap.

 

[mondeo]

I'm with GSS on this one and I would be equally upset if I had to deal with this crap.

If I trusted GSS to tell everything involved in this story, that would be one thing. But it seems there was a prior incident in which he behaved inappropriately towards a patroller. I wouldn't be surprised if GSS crossed a line, and turned a minor incident into a grudge with the broader patrol community. Being a frequent, fast skier, there's a decent chance most of those guys recognize him, and might want to get a shot at him for something that was done to one of their buddies. Doesn't make it right on their part, but would at least make it understandable.

There are always two sides to a story.

 

[danny p]

If I trusted GSS to tell everything involved in this story, that would be one thing. But it seems there was a prior incident in which he behaved inappropriately towards a patroller. I wouldn't be surprised if GSS crossed a line, and turned a minor incident into a grudge with the broader patrol community. Being a frequent, fast skier, there's a decent chance most of those guys recognize him, and might want to get a shot at him for something that was done to one of their buddies. Doesn't make it right on their part, but would at least make it understandable.

There are always two sides to a story.

I agree. But not when there is video showing them stopping perfectly capable in control skiers that are going nowhere near 60 mph. Those videos speak volumes.

I guess this hits home with me because I grew up skiing (riding) the Berks and Catskills. Looking at my sig you see I don't anymore. It's because of this crap. I would constantly get harassed by SP for riding in the trees, going fast (in their opinion), amongst other unrelated things like no leash, cleaning the snow off my board before I board the lift (this year at belleayre), etc. The only time I have ever gotten any kind of reprimand in VT is when I was poaching a trail, and every patroller has been way cool about it, never any problems. In fact, I'm usually skiing fast and in the trees side by side with patrollers up north.

 

[TheBEast]

Anyone know how he made out this evening?? Dying to know!

 

[billski]

Anyone know how he made out this evening?? Dying to know!

Prolly in jail

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I met with mountain manager Dennis Krell earlier this evening. He's such a nice guy. He listened to my concerns and gave me a little background on why Ski Patrol has been stricter this season. He made notes concerning my complaints. His wife, who works in the ticket office even poked her head in and asked who I was from the website and I said GrilledSteezeSandwich. I probably talked with him for about 40 minutes..which means the issue was important enough to give up some vert. Jeff and I are meeting with Dennis and the head ski patroller this weekend. I mentioned bringing other PASRs but he said it could only be the 4 which I understand and agree with because that way every one of us will be given time to talk. Dennis told me his door is always open..wow for a guy who has hundreds of people working under him at a mountain that does 300,000 visits a year, that is so refreshing. Anyway I'll let Atomic Jeff post a report from tonight. All I will say is that we didn't get whistled at.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Is Gorgonzola ski patrol at blue??

no,he's buddies with the Patroller who put me and AtomicSkier in the database and he was there a few weeks later when I called him out..in a string of F-bombs and other expletives..not one of my finer moments. Anyway I don't ski with Gorgonzola any more..

 

[gmcunni]

. . . gave me a little background on why Ski Patrol has been stricter this season.

details on this would be interesting.

 

[RootDKJ]

details on this would be interesting.

+1

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

60 in mush would be a real feat...

Well the snow yesterday was pretty fast because it was set up to start..definitely not mush..anyway on stable ass'd 193 length fat skis..skiing through applesauce feels like packed powder..and I know I was going over 45mph based on speed trap day at Jack Frost. The fastest speed I ever hit was likely on Sundance or Gros Verte at Jackson Hole...vrooom!!!!! I feel a greater danger driving to the slopes than skiing.

 

[gmcunni]

on a related note, are Blue and Crystal (in WA state) linked in other ways besides both being part of the TRU TV series? i ask because after seeing the video posted of the BMSP i flashed back to my trip to Crystal last month.

Crystal had large SLOW banner signs stretched across trails with a SP guy (sometimes 2) just standing there watching people go by. i didn't hear any whistles but the SP guys were definitely scoping out people as they skied by.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

60+ mph is actually rather hard to achieve without an aerodynamic tuck and low drag clothing. I know what 60 feels like (radar speed trap race) and I know that I don't often hit those speeds unless conditions are perfect for it. Note: I like to ski fast.

Unless GSS is virtually straight lining these trails, I highly doubt he is actually hitting 60+ mph.

In my estimation my typical "fast carving" is likely closer to 40-45 mph.

On a low pitch Green trail getting over 30 mph is hard.

On the run in question I didn't make one turn...and got low for a bit..I have a need for speed..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

details on this would be interesting.

Apparently Blue got some e-mails from novice skiers complaining that the slopes were filled with fast out of control skiers...well I'm guessing those are mainly dudes in Eagles Jackets and frozen jeans skiing in a powerwedge-turkey tuck..plus the ski patrol show got to some of the patrollers heads..and yes me and AtomicSkier stand out..

 

[billski]

So what was the net-net of this conversation??? You got to vent. And...... ???

 

[Greg]

I just re-watched this one which I believe is more rediculous than the other video (the guys in the other video are apparently idiots and don't help their situation).
Anyway, I don't know if anyone else noticed this: Between the 11 and 14 second mark, the skier continues on down the trail past the speed trap and effortlessly carves around a snowboarder who is sitting on the ground. However, a member of the over-eager pursuit group (looks to be a guy filming on a snowboard) proceeds to run into said seated boarder! Who's being the danger to others on the slopes here? The guy who can apparently ski rather well and is not displaying ANY problems with control or a posse of 4+ patrollers and their film crew escort standing in the middle of the trail?

I thought when they said, "go get him!" and they all engage in hot pursuit, including on a snowmobile was pretty over the top. The speed traps and whistling is amazing....

Still like others have said, there are probably two sides. Now don't get me wrong, I think the way ski patrol acted in those vids was ludicrous, but I'll bet dollars to donuts GSS might be egging these guys on a little bit. Quite possibly just so he can post about it online? Just sayin'...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

on a related note, are Blue and Crystal (in WA state) linked in other ways besides both being part of the TRU TV series? i ask because after seeing the video posted of the BMSP i flashed back to my trip to Crystal last month.

Crystal had large SLOW banner signs stretched across trails with a SP guy (sometimes 2) just standing there watching people go by. i didn't hear any whistles but the SP guys were definitely scoping out people as they skied by.

No link between Crystal and Blue...I think they chose Blue because it has a really high injury rate..alot of it due to really out of shape..inexperienced skiers and riders..yes 300 pound dudes on snowblades is a common site and Crystal maybe due to Avalanches..anyway I thought the ski patrol showed the true colors of the Blue mountain ski cops..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

So what was the net-net of this conversation??? You got to vent. And...... ???

Me, AtomicSkier, Dennis(Mountain Manager), and the head ski patrol are having a meeting this weekend..since of course there are two sides to every story.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

but I'll bet dollars to donuts GSS might be egging these guys on a little bit. Quite possibly just so he can post about it online? Just sayin'...

Wrong..actually since I've been in the database since December..I have been trying to avoid the patrol but they hide around blind corners and such..yes they set up speedtraps and since they are too slow to catch me..they radio to patrollers at the bottom..Realize that Blue mountain has...gasp..190 ski patrollers..now they're never all out at once but for a little PA mountain..there are alot of them. They were so professional when AtomicSkier broke his femur last season but instead of going after beginners skiing trails over their head or camping out in the landings of the booters..they go after fast/in control skiers and riders..and trust me they have written hundreds of tickets this year..the thread over on PASR sheds to light that it's not just me and A-Jeff..