Originally Posted by
Buster Highmen
Hi Mr. Scopic ,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write up and send a comment. I always have an opportunity to learn when I truly listen to the thoughts and perspective of others.
I’m copying the Guest Services Director and also the Patrol Assistant Director. B and I have both had our roles include Snow Safety management at A in our past.
I’ll apologize in advance for any grammatical errors and I hope the message itself comes through.
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Likelihood to Recommend: 2
Overall Satisfaction: 2
Additional Feedback: The BC gate access policy is stupid. First, I can't get the online form to work. Second, the policy encourages rope ducking. Third, the virtual permissions card does nothing to protect users in the bc and provides a flimsy and hopefully inadequate liability protection.
If you're going to have a policy, require beacons, shovels, probes and partners like any other sane bc access policy.
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For clarification, we are discussing access to the Alpental Back Bowls, and in this instance I’m going to respectfully disagree with your stated position.
That terrain is managed in a somewhat unique fashion due to the complex nature of the terrain, and the desire to leave it uncluttered by ropes and signs; even hazard marking. It is also quite rugged and steep, with hundreds of individual avalanche prone slopes from very small to quite large.
It’s very important to try and prepare guests for what they will encounter before they find themselves at a gate. Often their companions have a fairly limited understanding of how to manage exposure to truly expert terrain. Being the best skier or rider is not always equal to being the best partner.
I have been to many, many commercial ski and snowboard operations and I think we have one of the most well considered and respectful programs.
I’ll apologize for your troubles on the technology front. If this continues to escape your successful compliance I’m fully willing to set up a link so you can just sign the waiver and we will issue you a registration.
I don’t want to skip the importance of the opportunity for some really valuable information though. The video is intended to be required to watch prior to agreeing to conditions of use. To put a fine point on it, that terrain has significant potential to get an unprepared rider in trouble. That’s the real point of doing our permissions in this way. We get the opportunity to educate our users on the importance of not just rescue tools, but the need for training, practice, and appropriate partners.
None of the gear matters if you don’t ski or ride with someone who takes it seriously.
We may at some point install a beacon checkpoint at the gates so patrollers can watch for folks who choose not to carry. But really, that’s just another opportunity for a chat. As I’ve heard patrollers at other resorts say, please carry a beacon so we can more easily find your remains. That sounds harsh, and that’s not me talking, but as a higher level user I’m sure you’re aware that your only real chance of rescue in the event of a full burial is from within your party, or another nearby group or individual. Organized rescue after a call for help is often just too late.
But we run into many customers who are willing to accept the risk of riding alone, and tell us to stay out of their choices as adults. Not quite the same as the helmet argument, but I have a friend who only skis at Summit West who is continually lobbying the resort to create a helmet required policy for every customer, and enforce it. I will not dive any deeper into freedom of choices, I’m sure you have heard similar discussions.
One last point, the Back Bowls are not the backcountry. They do contain many similar hazards and we have attempted to retain much of the attraction of open and natural terrain, but there are distinct differences. It requires special management to properly address those differences.
Much as other specialized zones, like Terrain Parks, it’s important for the area operator to communicate to the users the value added, and also other distinctions. And I feel somewhat vindicated when positive feedback far outweighs the negative, which it continually does. A couple avalanche education providers use our policy as an exercise in challenging students to think about hazards and choices in a different light. What it means to accept risk, and how extremely important decision making is. Rescue is actually a relatively small piece of group safety. Conversely, route selection, travel techniques, and preparation contribute a great deal more to a successful trip.
Thanks again for your comments. I was involved in the creation of this policy over 30 years ago.
We have picked it apart at least a dozen times over the years and considered virtually every alternative. We have had it scrutinized by top industry risk specialists and it always comes down to how we can do our best to provide access and our best to protect customers. Requiring 3 pieces of rescue gear is great. We certainly want everyone to carry. You must agree though, just a flashing light from a beacon checker at a gate wouldn’t ensure very much. Trying to engage a safety mindset is a step up. I appreciate your reminder that our customer is changing. Years ago it was a considerably smaller user group and their skills were generally much more advanced. Thanks for listening.
