Taking Passes from Backcountry Skiers
By Rocky Thompson on March 2nd, 2011
It’s one thing if you’re awaiting the opening of a lift while avalanche work is done, it’s another if they have to delay opening the avalanche work because skiers are in the blast zone. That’s not safe for anyone. This season Whistler-Blackcomb has had a bit of an issue this year with backcountry skiers skinning their way into zones that require avalanche work. The offending skiers get up for dawn patrol and make their way uphill before the resort opens. So what does Whistler do when they catch the skiers? They yank their season pass and bar them from buying one the next season. Seems harsh for Canadians. Especially since some of them didn’t even take the lift up in the first place. Though I guess it’s not as extreme as shooting Howitzers and doing their avalanche work even though skiers are in the area.
Write a comment…The offending skiers are actually hiking or skinning from the top of lifts lower on the mountain before avalanche control is completed in the alpine areas of the ski area.