I love that that group formed and is getting attention. We've talked a lot here about accidents, reckless skiers, etc. Maybe the thing to do is for all of us to encourage our ski mountains to make safety a priority, to point out all of the people we know that don't ski anymore because of the collisions they've had. How is it good for business if people feel like they are taking their life in their hands and then just end up not going? We always hear that ski resorts aren't liable for injuries because the nature of the sport is dangerous, but we aren't talking about suing a resort for having icy patches. We're talking about pulling passes, speed control, making sure everyone knows that leaving the scene of a collision is a crime in most cases.
I don't know if it's getting worse proportionally or if most of our resorts are just more crowded, but I think we are well past the awareness stage. The idea that we can slap some responsibility code posters up and think that's enough...it's not. I wish resorts would do for all of their slopes what Boyne does for terrain park use, which is require a special pass you get after you do their interactive presentation. Make this mandatory for the under 18 skiing unaccompanied crowd, give everyone else $10 off or special lift access for doing it.
I'm sure ski resorts won't be more proactive because they think it will hurt business, but then I think about the way the Seattle Mariners handle unruly fans. You'd think there would be no way to restrain bad behavior at a sporting event, right? That people wouldn't want to come and it would be bad for business? But the Mariners have decided they are a family friendly venue and they are quick to remove anyone that crosses a line. Yelling expletives, being drunk and disorderly, saying anything homophobic or racist...if the people around you complain to the usher you will likely get tossed out. I've seen many people removed over the years. It's awesome. Families don't have to worry about some a**hole screaming expletives in their kids' ears, my gay friends that go to games don't have to worry about someone making a slur, etc. I think this is reasonably analogous to a ski resort deciding to crack down on reckless skiers. I think it could be good for business.
Could be a good Ski Diva blog post...