Tragedy at Whiteface

[steamboat1]

My scariest falls this season have been on icy groomers. Had I been closer to the edge of the trail I could easily imagine going head first into a tree at high speed. I'm actually starting to feel safer while tree skiing.

Accidents like this are really scary. I'm not sure having your edges sharpened every ski day could even help. It's awful.

Watched a guy slide halfway down Double Dipper at K last week. It didn't look like he was going to be able to stop before going off the side of the trail but luckily he did. The trail was in good condition that day with very little ice but it did ski fast.

I try to have my ski's tuned after about every 5 days on the snow but sometimes it goes longer. Right now my ski's are in the shop & I think I had about 8 days on them but the last 3 of those days were powder days. A season tune at your local shop is a good investment. I've been going the season tune route for years

 

[dlague]

Watched a guy slide halfway down Double Dipper at K last week. It didn't look like he was going to be able to stop before going off the side of the trail but luckily he did. The trail was in good condition that day with very little ice but it did ski fast.

I try to have my ski's tuned after about every 5 days on the snow but sometimes it goes longer. Right now my ski's are in the shop & I think I had about 8 days on them but the last 3 of those days were powder days. A season tune at your local shop is a good investment. I've been going the season tune route for years

I touch my skis up with a edge tool every now and then! One of my scariest moments was on a blue trail called No Grit at Waterville where is a sharp turn at the head of the trail a day after it rained! Something as simple as a hard turn on any type of trail when icy requires good edges!


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[LasersInTheTaiga]

For the record I get my skis tuned once a month. I'm just saying sometimes it doesn't seem to help.


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[steamboat1]

Most injuries/fatalities from hitting tree's are not from head injuries but from other internal injuries. Although it was mentioned in this case that he had head injuries it doesn't say that was the cause of death. He also had other internal injuries. If I recall correctly the other deaths that happened this year from people hitting tree's/signs were caused by internal injuries, not head injuries.

http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/plattsburgh/man-dies-in-snowboarding-incident/25005740

The Essex County Coroner said White died from "multiple traumatic injuries."

​

 

[steamboat1]

For the record I get my skis tuned once a month. I'm just saying sometimes it doesn't seem to help.

I wasn't singling you out & my post wasn't directed at you, even though I did quote you. I will say though that good edges most certainly help.

 

[LasersInTheTaiga]

It's true! I didn't want my statement to be construed as implying that maintenance doesn't matter. One of my friends had not gotten his skis tuned in three years and would not take my advice. Until I took him to Cannon and he almost got seriously injured.

This season, though, even my freshly sharpened bulletproof x-screams haven't been holding an edge.


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[thetrailboss]

I would think most deaths by trees are from a person leaving the trail inadvertantly and then striking a tree. Sad story regardless

Exactly.

Thoughts and prayers for the friends and family.

 

[nanjil]

Couple of years ago at sr two skiers one in his 20,s and the other in his 50,s died in the same week in March sking two different black groomers. I recollect that they were both skiing at the edge and considered expert skiers. more the speed less the margin for error

 

[Not Sure]

Couple of years ago at sr two skiers one in his 20,s and the other in his 50,s died in the same week in March sking two different black groomers. I recollect that they were both skiing at the edge and considered expert skiers. more the speed less the margin for error

Skiing edges has it's benifits,When things a crappy the better snow is found on the edges,But if you screw up there's little margin for error.
I only ski edges on slopes and avoid on winding trails.
I've seen some steep drop offs on the down hill side of edges of trails late in the season when deeper bases are common.
One of the Camelback Rangers had a serious tree encounter last Monday, Steep drop off on a turn

 

[emmaurice2]

So sad. I feel for his family.

Years ago witnessed a terrible crash at Whiteface. Pretty sure it was on the same trail.

 

[Glenn]

Perhaps, but only up to a certain speed. Once you get past 20 mph, helmet isn't going to do much for you if you collide with a tree.
I'd think that the lesson here would be: Stay in control.

Agreed. Their have sadly been a few deaths in the last few years where people have collided with trees...and they were wearing a helmet. I think a lot of people need to realize a helmet will keep you safe in certain instances, but not all instances. I feel it's sometimes put out there. "Wear a helmet, you'll be fine." Michael Schumacher had a helmet on.

 

[BenedictGomez]

"Wear a helmet, you'll be fine." Michael Schumacher had a helmet on.

By that same token, you cant know if Schumacher would already be dead if he wasnt wearing a helmet.

Plus, they're investigative whether the GoPro he was wearing decreased the structural integrity of the helmet given the way it shattered. The results of that could be interesting given how many people are now wearing helmet-cams.

 

[Smellytele]

By that same token, you cant know if Schumacher would already be dead if he wasnt wearing a helmet.

Plus, they're investigative whether the GoPro he was wearing decreased the structural integrity of the helmet given the way it shattered. The results of that could be interesting given how many people are now wearing helmet-cams.

That sounds like the helmet company grasping at straws to blame others.

 

[Not Sure]

Might have posted this already , but a helmet would have helped this guy as he went through the jagged rocks.

 

[mriceyman]

Ouch^^^^^

 

[BenedictGomez]

That sounds like the helmet company grasping at straws to blame others.

Nope.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mo...sh-did-helmet-camera-cause-head-injuries.html