RoverPundit

The Skiers Code

If you're a skier or boarder, or you know someone who is, have them read this. If you have children, read this to them. Make sure this is understood.

The Skiers Code

Respect
Do not endanger others.

Control
Adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and to the general conditions on the mountain.

Choice of route
The skier/snowboarder in front has priority - leave enough space.

Overtaking
Leave plenty of space when overtaking a slower skier/snowboarder.

Entering and starting
Look up and down the mountain each time before starting or entering a marked run.

Stopping
Only stop at the edge of the piste or where you can easily be seen.

Climbing
When climbing up or down, always keep to the side of the piste.

Signs
Obey all signs and markings - they are there for your safety.

Assistance
In case of accidents provide help and alert the rescue service.

Identification
All those involved in an accident, including witnesses, should exchange names and addresses

All the above rules are binding by law and apply to both skiers and snowboarders.

Finished? Excellent. Rant starts now.

While waiting for Ski Patrol to come, we set out skis and the board to block the trail and jump directly uphill from Dawn. According to the rules, when you see crossed skis and planted boards, you come to a halt and render assistance. Even if your assistance is not needed, you come to a stop, observe the accident scene, and detour around it slowly. Anything else puts the injured and uninjured in danger.

Of the 30 or so people who passed us while we were waiting for Ski Patrol, only 3 stopped. The rest either ignored the skis, or didn't understand what they meant. One particular fucktard went over the jump anyway and came within 5 feet of hitting Dawn and Ali.

Sad to say, the majority of these assholes were children on snowboards. Sometimes, their parents were right behind them. So this message is primarily to the parents.

Control your spawn. Take some time and learn how to behave on a slope, especially when there is someone hurt on it. Then teach your precious child that these rules must be obeyed. If you're too fucking ignorant/stupid to handle that, turn in your seasons pass and your fancy gear and GET THE FUCK OFF THE HILL! I swear, if you or your child hurts someone because you're too damned lazy to teach them to be courteous skiers or learn yourself (and some of you obviously are, judging by your sprogs atrocious behaviour in restaraunts and movie theaters), and I'm nearby to see it, I will personally follow you down the hill, personally take your pass, and personally beat your ass. I'm tired of you self-absorbed schmucks putting me and mine in danger.

If you think I'm being too hard, tough. Sitting uphill from a dear friend who appeared to be seriously hurt AND the woman I love more than life, and watching yard ape after yard ape blast past them completely out of control and with no regard to their safety made me want to kill people. You do NOT put my loved ones in danger. If you do, and I catch you, I will hurt you. Badly. End of story.

Ok. Rant over. I'm still fuckin' pissed.

Update: Ali sez...

For anyone who has half a brain, it is clear that skiing is a dangerous sport. This will be supported by the ski patrol, who keep very busy, the numerous poor souls that find out the hard way, and the orthopedic surgeons they keep in business.

I have been fortunate and have only had one major injury in my 15 or so years of skiing. In those 15 years, I have become capable, confident, and a fairly decent skiier. I enjoy spending my day on the long bump runs or back bowls... places not meant for beginners. And most of the time, this is the case; only the ones who are good enough to ski (or board) the terrain tend to go there.
However, in order for the "expert" skiiers to get to the places they like to play, they usually have to go on one or two beginner or intermediate runs. This is where I see the most idiocy.

When on a run, not only should you ski in control and be aware of other skiiers, but you need to ski at the level of the run you're on. By this I mean that the "expert" skiiers should ski at a beginner speed and level of caution on a beginner run... same as on a intermediate runs. These runs also tend to be the most crowded. It's just a disaster wating to happen when some punk-ass "expert" is bombing down the green slope at 45 miles per hour. So, all I'm saying is to please ski at the ability level of the run... and the same should go for the beginners who want to venture down a double black, although that doesn't seem to happen much, probably due to common sense. Maybe some common sense should be given to the hundreds of people a day who cause accidents on the slopes. Be careful, people, and use your head for something other than hitting a tree.

Oh yeah... and get well soon, Dawn!

Posted by Dork at April 1, 2003 05:06 PM | TrackBack