Ski Safety Blog

End of the 2007-2008 Season

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:10:17 -0700

The Colorado ski season has officially ended – though snow was falling in the high country this weekend, and even last night!, the traditional hold-out, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area closed after the last day of skiing on June 8, 2008. Having opened in October, A-Basin provided eight months of skiing to the devoted adherents to old school ski hospitality.

Vail Leaves Colorado Ski Country

Thu, 29 May 2008 16:12:41 -0700

For forty-five years, Colorado Ski Country USA has been the public face for Colorado ski resorts – marketing the state’s wold-class snow. It has also been one of the most effective lobbyist on behalf of a specific industry in Colorado history. CSCUSA is self-described as “a modern trade association with expertise in the departments of public policy, governmental affairs, marketing, communications and international marketing.”

EPIC in All Ways

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:43:42 -0700

Everyone thrills at an 'epic' season. Now, Vail Resorts is offering the Epic Season Pass, a new unlimited, unrestricted season pass that's valid for the entire 2008-2009 ski and snowboard season at five of the arguably top-rated resorts in the world: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly, all for an initial price of only $579.

Deadly Season on Colorado Slopes

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:42:14 -0700

The number of skiers who have died while skiing at Colorado resorts this year has tied the record in the state, with 16 ski-related deaths, but industry experts can't pinpoint a reason for the spike. Colorado Ski Country USA, an ski industry professional association, insists that the record number of skier deaths this season is not related to the dramatic increase in Colorado skiers this year over last.

Another Record Year for Colorado Slopes

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:11:50 -0700

It has been a good ski season in Colorado! Record snowfall helped boost the number of visits to Colorado ski areas to about 5.54 million visits in January and February. Ski areas have enjoyed a 6.7 percent increase from the same period a year ago and puts Colorado on track to exceed last year's record for skier visits.

The season got off to a slow start because of a dry spell in November, but since then, the mountains have been hit by storms that have dumped several feet of snow. The falling value of the dollar and favorable exchange rate has also attracted international visitors, particularly from Europe where natural snow is difficult to find on the ski slopes.

Show Your Colors!

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:32:32 -0700

If you drive much in Colorado, then you know we have specialty plates for just about any group or cause you can think of, from College Alumni to Colorado Pioneer's, Firefighters, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Military Service designs, specialty plates of all types are available to residents of our great state. Except for the ski enthusiast!

City Ski Law Bans Reckless Skiing

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:49:08 -0700

It has become all too common on the slopes, the “near miss” where a skier or snow boarder out of control narrowly avoids a collision, either with fellow skiers, lift lines or trees. If there is no accident, how to control this reckless behavior to reduce the likelihood of the eventual catastrophe? Or if a collision occurs, what duty is there for the colliding skier to stay at the scene of the accident?

Avalanche Danger Proving Fatal

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:30:50 -0700

Although the number of avalanche fatalities in the United States in the 1980's was approximately 15 annually, that number has doubled, on average, in the last five years. More people are now killed on public land by avalanches, avalanche researchers report, than by any other natural event, including lightning, fires or tornados.

Last year, the Forest Service National Avalanche Center says, 30 people were killed in avalanches in the United States and another 28 died in Canada. Half were backcountry skiers or snowboarders, most of the rest were on snowmobiles.

Snowboarders Not Only Animals On Slopes

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:18:27 -0700

A young female coyote that wildlife officials believe was being fed by people was shot and killed near a Copper Mountain ski run last weekend after it became increasingly aggressive toward skiers.

Keep a Lid On

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:01:10 -0700

Last year was the second consecutive record breaker for Colorado ski resorts for skier visits, with over 12.5 million visitors during the season. Anyone who has been on the slopes recently has noticed not only the increase in the number of skiers, but also the dramatic increase in the number of helmeted skiers.

Grim Reaper Hits Slopes

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:40:06 -0700

A ski industry group says skier visits to Colorado resorts dipped 12.5 percent to start the season, compared to the record numbers set in the early part of last season. But recent reports indicate that the number of skier fatalities is not slowing.

Overview of Ski Law

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:54:40 -0700

Many different groups of people, including the very young, participants over age 60, the handicapped and the disabled enjoy ski/snowboard activities. Approximately 10.4 million Americans either ski or snowboard. Final reports indicate that the U.S. ski industry set an all-time national skier visit record of 58.8 million for the 2005/06 season, up 3.5 percent from last season, and up 2.3 percent from the previous record set in 2002/03. As many participants now snowboard as ski. But a day on the slopes can end in the emergency room, or worse. On average, 34 people die each year in the United States while skiing or snowboarding. Another 39 suffer severe, yet nonfatal, injuries, including paralysis and brain trauma.

Ski You Later...

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:40:35 -0700

When it seems that everyone has grabbed their boards and headed for the slopes, in reality on ly 18% of thiose who venture out for the first time will return for another ski day. To keep your experience from being your last fo rthe season, follow these safety tips: