Safety must come first on ski slopes

Watching snow flakes float to snow-covered branches outside my window and in the knowledge of 40 fresh inches at Hoodoo, I find myself reflecting on glorious floating powder turns through powder-laden trees as I contemplate writing on a serious aspect of the sport of skiing.

Skiing is a sport heavily steeped in tradition and camaraderie. While it can be very exhilarating and may not be totally risk-free, done properly - and within one's limits - it is a very fun and not at all dangerous sport.

It is one that it is shared and enjoyed by folks from three years old to 103 on a mind-boggling variety of sliding devices. Yet, while it is a sport of true freedom and individuality, some of its greatest joys come in the brotherhood and mutual respect of those sharing the mountains together.

Recent headlines told the stories of Hoodoo Snow Sports School Director John Judy and snowboarder Dustin Gallpeau, both seriously injured recently at area ski mountains.

While the incidents were different, they shared the sad common thread of each one's injuries being the result of being hit from behind by someone skiing out of control, who then fled the scene of the collision.

Hit and run accidents typically involve a young, inexperienced skier who may not yet have a grasp of their responsibilities toward others that they have an obligation for when they venture out on the hill.

Often they are the result of the skier attempting things above their skill level, losing all control and then not being able to avoid a serious collision with what is in front of them.

They may then flee the scene, scared to death at what they have done. Skiers long ago developed a Responsibility Code, a code of conduct of sorts, that is designed to lay out the rules of the road.

"It lays out a very logical way to operate" says John Judy. "Ski in control, yield right of ways to others and be able to stop when needed. "

The teen who hit John had lost total control.

"He didn't have the experience to know to fall over in time to avoid hitting me."

Tom Egan, Ski Patrol Director at Hoodoo, says if you have an accident with an other skier it is "kind of like being in a car crash. You need to exchange information and make sure that everyone is OK. Get someone to bring help if not. It is all about personal responsibility."

It is kind of like driving. Look both ways before entering a road. Watch the oncoming traffic. Don't stop on a curve or over the lip of a blind hill. Pull over to the side to park. Drive in control in a manner appropriate for traffic and conditions. Those you are overtaking have the right of way. Drive predictably.

A decade or two ago tensions sometimes ran high on the slopes between skiers and snowboarders as the face of skiing changed. Those days are long gone and the camaraderie and mutual respect is now stronger than ever before with many skiers doing it different ways on different days. The code stays the same and we are all better for it. We all need to know it.

(Gary Miller is former Hoodoo Ski School Director and PSIA Level 3 Instructor)