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Skiing is an inherently dangerous sport and anyone who participates in it is aware of the hazards and risks that are involved. Those risks and dangers increase dramatically when skiers or riders choose to go out of bounds or backcountry skiing. These areas are not monitored by members of the ski patrol, not marked, and not groomed. However, many skiers and riders still decide to go out of bounds and seek that adrenaline rush and the opportunity to hit that fresh powder. Unfortunately, sometimes that can lead to serious injury and even death.
Exactly this happened on Monday, February 12, at Snowbasin Resort in Utah after a 49-year-old man skied off a 100-foot cliff while skiing in the backcountry. The man died on Tuesday, February 13, and according to a statement by Snowbasin, the man left the resort boundaries on Monday and accidentally fell off a cliff, thus re-entering the resort area. The man was found by a member of ski patrol and was immediately taken to the hospital by helicopter in extremely critical condition and was unresponsive. The man died from his injuries. His name has yet to be released.
“Snowbasin regrets to report that a guest passed away following an accident exploring extreme backcountry terrain on Monday, February 12. We offer our deepest condolences to the guest’s family, friends and all involved,” Snowbasin said in a statement.
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Tragic events like this remind us how dangerous skiing and snowboarding can be and how we should always be aware of the hazards and risks involved. Not only is skiing out of bounds dangerous to the individual, but it also puts the lives of the first responders, ski patrol, and rescue teams at risk as well. At almost every ski resort you go to there are signs, ropes, barriers, or something that warns people not to ski in certain areas on the mountain. Those areas have been designated as too dangerous by ski patrol and should never be crossed by individuals.
After the incident at Snowbasin, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office is reminding persons who choose to ski in the backcountry to be fully ready for any conditions they may face. That includes having the right equipment such as a beacon, shovel, and probe, and also to never ski alone in the backcountry. Skiers or riders who do hit the backcountry should always have a group of experienced skiers who have been trained in avalanche safety and are prepared for any situations that may occur. Some skiers may choose to go out of bounds, but keeping everyone safe and making sure everyone comes home at the end of the day is paramount. “Especially when you’re at it at a resort, and you duck rope lines, and you go outside of those boundary lines, you’re seriously taking a risk,” Jared Taylor, Prevention Division Chief with the Weber Fire District, said.
The backcountry can be very challenging and provides conditions that can change very quickly. Skiers and riders need to be aware of it. For many of us, we are guilty of ducking a rope line and going down terrain that is out of bounds. The thrill of going down a section of the mountain that is off-limits seems to have some overpowering allure that draws us to it.
However, it is important always to ask ourselves if it is worth the risks, hazards, and injuries that may result from skiing out of bounds. Everyone wants to have fun skiing and riding on the mountain and that is what all of us are doing. Most of us end our day of skiing and head to our favorite watering hole and tell tales of the great time we had skiing or riding that day. For others, skiing or riding out of bounds may not result in this, but instead an unexpected trip to the hospital. It is up to the individual, but remember that the risks are not always worth the rewards.
