As we near starting another, great ski season, it’s good to review some safety so that we all get home in our own vehicles, not in an ambulance. Skiing and snowboarding is an extreme sport. Because of that, we need to know the rules.
Here’s a video I saw on Instagram. Who do you think is at fault?
- The snowboarder was downhill
- The skier was uphill and the one recording
Did the snowboarder cut the skier off?
According to the Skier’s Responsibility Code (which also applies to snowboarders and anyone out on the trails), we have these three rules, which are a part of the 7 rules:
- Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
Technically, they both were kind of at fault, but much more the snowboarder. The snowboarder was coming out of the trees, which was another trail, so they should have merged. The skier, however, should be able to maintain enough control where they should be able to stop if someone is in their way, but that applies less when someone else breaks the rules and is darting toward you.
Yes, it sucks when someone’s hogging the whole trail. Sure, they’re having fun, but they’re wrecking someone else’s fun. They’re also making the sport more dangerous.
The bottom line is, we’re in an EXTREME sport, people! Be careful out there. Be aware of what’s happening. Listen to what’s happening instead of listening to music. Many people die each year skiing and snowboarding.
