ASPEN — Aspen Skiing Co. officials would gratefully miss out on one type of record being set by the Colorado ski industry this year.
The state’s resorts tied a record last weekend when a 16th skier or snowboarder died from an accident on the slopes.
No one has died from trauma or for medical reasons at the four ski areas of Aspen and Snowmass so far this season. Skico officials are well aware of the fact but somewhat reluctant to talk about it since the season hasn’t ended.
“You don’t count the days and say ‘We’re almost there,’” said spokesman Jeff Hanle. Rick Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, said this is the first season in his 18 years with the Skico that there hasn’t been a death of some sort on the local slopes.
“That obviously is luck,” Burkley said. “We’ve been an anomaly (this season) and we’ve been an anomaly on the other side (of the statistics) in other seasons.”
During the 2001-02 winter, for example, five skiers or riders died on the local slopes.
The Skico, like almost every other ski area, urges its customers to ski or ride in control.
Awareness and staying alert is a big part of avoiding danger, Burkley said. The Skico also takes some steps designed to increase safety — such as requiring kids ages 12 and under to wear helmets in ski school classes, and posting patrollers at strategic points during busy times to slow skiers down.
Even with various precautions, accidents can still happen. “Most of time they are just unfortunately catching an edge in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Hanle said.
Burkley said he believes deep snow lends itself to safer skiing. Instead of cruising on hard-packed groomed slopes, skiers have been floated in powder more than usual these days. The Skico recorded 10 days each month from December through March when there was four or more inches of powder. Many obstacles that usually present potential hazards are buried in snow.
“Believe it or not, we felt our biggest safety issue this season was snow and ice falling off our roofs,” Burkley said.
Hanle said there isn’t concern within in the ski industry that tying the record for deaths will create publicity that scares people away. Many outdoor activities include an inherent risk, and people that participate realize that. When considering the number of people who hit the slopes, it is still a statistically safe sport despite the deaths this season, he said.
Half of the 16 deaths statewide have occurred at Summit County resorts. (See related chart, page A1). Keystone was the site of four fatal accidents, the most in the state.
“Our hearts go out to the rest of the guys in the state,” Burkley said.
Source of Article : www.aspentimes.com
The state’s resorts tied a record last weekend when a 16th skier or snowboarder died from an accident on the slopes.
No one has died from trauma or for medical reasons at the four ski areas of Aspen and Snowmass so far this season. Skico officials are well aware of the fact but somewhat reluctant to talk about it since the season hasn’t ended.
“You don’t count the days and say ‘We’re almost there,’” said spokesman Jeff Hanle. Rick Burkley, vice president of mountain operations, said this is the first season in his 18 years with the Skico that there hasn’t been a death of some sort on the local slopes.
“That obviously is luck,” Burkley said. “We’ve been an anomaly (this season) and we’ve been an anomaly on the other side (of the statistics) in other seasons.”
During the 2001-02 winter, for example, five skiers or riders died on the local slopes.
The Skico, like almost every other ski area, urges its customers to ski or ride in control.
Awareness and staying alert is a big part of avoiding danger, Burkley said. The Skico also takes some steps designed to increase safety — such as requiring kids ages 12 and under to wear helmets in ski school classes, and posting patrollers at strategic points during busy times to slow skiers down.
Even with various precautions, accidents can still happen. “Most of time they are just unfortunately catching an edge in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Hanle said.
Burkley said he believes deep snow lends itself to safer skiing. Instead of cruising on hard-packed groomed slopes, skiers have been floated in powder more than usual these days. The Skico recorded 10 days each month from December through March when there was four or more inches of powder. Many obstacles that usually present potential hazards are buried in snow.
“Believe it or not, we felt our biggest safety issue this season was snow and ice falling off our roofs,” Burkley said.
Hanle said there isn’t concern within in the ski industry that tying the record for deaths will create publicity that scares people away. Many outdoor activities include an inherent risk, and people that participate realize that. When considering the number of people who hit the slopes, it is still a statistically safe sport despite the deaths this season, he said.
Half of the 16 deaths statewide have occurred at Summit County resorts. (See related chart, page A1). Keystone was the site of four fatal accidents, the most in the state.
“Our hearts go out to the rest of the guys in the state,” Burkley said.
Source of Article : www.aspentimes.com
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