I have a divot/scar on my chin from when a very large skier flew out of nowhere and launched me about 10 feet. He never saw me and I had on a quite noticeable jacket. It is not a huge scar, but every time I look in the mirror, I see it. I am at the age where every year, things like this look a little more noticeable. :mad: I have been taken out more than once by boarders as well.
I think the resorts need to be more proactive, especially with the snow-boarder crowd. 90% of them are wonderful people and great snow riders. Another 5% are nice enough, but they just don't know mountain etiquette and no body has bothered to teach them. It is as if they don't get it in classes (or, if taught by a buddy, no one clues them in.)
The skiers code needs to be updated to address issues such as, "Snowboarders should be aware of where they sit to fasten their bindings and sit no more than two abreast so that other riders can get by them." And...."Riders (skiers and snowboarders) should not stand blocking the lift lines while looking for their buddies." I've seen some nasty tangles at the lift lines - sort of like a large car pile up because boarders have blocked several of the lines at once. If you've ever watched helplessly as someone came in hot on you in the line, been hit, pushed into several others and fallen to a crumpled mess of skis and awkwardly bent knees, you know what I mean.
The resorts are so concerned about potential boycotts by boarders that they let them get by with just about anything. I've had boarders smoking in line in front of me, refuse to put out the cigarette (and not just cigarettes) and get up in my face nasty when I've asked nicely (and then not so nicely) for them to be considerate of others. (The girls have been the worst offenders.) Lifties sit there and watch, saying nothing.
This is lack of training/appropriate expectations on the part of the resorts. They need to train their crews to address bad actors and pull them out of line, crack down and pull a few passes. Interesting, they are right on top of training their staff to look for pass cheaters. *That* is important to them. Cutting down on dangerous and rude behaviors - not so much, I guess.
There are many things they could do that would be "gentle reminders." They could, for example, put a sign up at the top of the lifts reminding boarders not to make long, impassible barriers while they do up their bindings. Or, they could mark an area back from the lift exit, but behind the slope entry, as the area for fastening bindings.
I know that patrol is not always around but my resolution for this year is to report every incident with an out of control skier or boarder to patrol as soon as I can with as full a description as I can muster. I'm going to be a right B1tch about it.
I'm so sorry to read this! 
