Snowboarding
Five Things That Should Be Banned
Boy, I just looked back at the title and realized I’m turning into a crotchety old man.
I was just flipping through this article on why electronic devices should be banned on the hill and thought, “that’s a good idea for an article.” Then I thought, “hell, there’s lots of things I think shouldn’t be allowed on the hill.” But I’m not just talking about physical items – I’m talking about behaviour as well.
Here’s what I think should be banned or removed:
- Headphones. I’ll probably catch some flack for this one, but I really think they create accidents waiting to happen. I know, I sound hypocritical, as I’ve used them myself – and I love the Marc Frank Montoya headphones sent to us last year. But one day someone is going to get hurt because they won’t hear the person coming up behind them (if there already hasn’t been an accident like this). I know it’s the responsibility of the person ‘behind’ to ski/ride in control, but a person with headphones on is never going to hear someone approaching, or a skier/rider yelling ‘on your right!’, etc. Headphones make people blissfully unaware of their surroundings.
- Barreling into lift areas. I don’t believe there is a mandated minimum distance that ‘slow’ gates need to be posted before a lift line, but I find most resorts don’t put them out far enough, allowing irresponsible jackasses to plow right into the lift area, nearly barreling people over as they go. This is a fatal accident waiting to happen. Moreover, I’ve never seen ski patrol bust people that do; most concentrate their time on busting people skiing/riding fast in slow zones on the actual hill.
- The singles line. The singles line gets abused more than drugs or alcohol on a ski hill. If ski resorts are going to have singles lines, how about checking to make sure people actually are ‘singles’? I would venture to say half the people on a singles line at any given point are actually groups of two to four. Maybe a ‘groups of three or less’ line would work better. Or maybe I’m just an idiot. But I really don’t see the point. Do singles lines really help lift lines move faster?
- Really wide turns. I really think this should be addressed in the skier’s responsibility code. I’m not saying wide turns should be banned per se, but the issue of skiers/riders making giant ‘S’ turns across an entire run should be addressed. It’s not only popular among beginners; I see plenty of intermediates doing it as well. This makes it impossible for anyone behind them to pick a line and pass, forcing them all to travel at a ridiculously leisurely pace as well, and places everyone in a bit of a precarious situation. Even ski/snowboard school groups on the hill give others room to pass; the folks I’m complaining about don’t.
- Young skiers/riders without helmets. I firmly believe that one day ski resorts (or the governments of the regions they are located in) will mandate that helmets must be worn on the hill. But until then, anyone under the age of 18 should be forced to wear a helmet. I really think adults should be forced to wear them too, as head injuries are a huge problem; check out some stats here. But the issue can be addressed in a roundabout way if skiers/snowboarders start wearing them at a young age; I bet they’ll be more apt to wear them into a adulthood.
- Skiers. (Kidding!)
So there you have it. Some (or many) of you will probably disagree with me on some of these points. But what can I say? I’ve entered my thirties. I’m getting old and crotchety!
Discussion
Post a comment
© 2009 HighlyObsessed.com | The Snowboarding and Cycling Blog 
Custom graphics & blog design by Thrilling Heroics |
Admin Log in
I wear headphones but I keep the volume low enough that I can hear my surroundings.
I think the singles line is a good thing because it makes it less likely you get 2-3 people on a 4 person chair so capacity is used more fully, whether people in the Singles Queue are singles or not is immaterial since everybody has the choice about how to queue.
Big S turns is a tricky one, it’s a nice way to use the mountain but there is a time and a place.
I’m with you on your other points though. I’d say everybody should wear a helmet though not just kids
Hear. Hear. Take the damn headphones off and enjoy the mountains.
I see the singles line used appropriately most places I ski and does indeed move the lines quicker.
As for the S turns that is certainly a problem at crowded/smaller resorts and on the easier terrain. I don’t see it as such a problem on harder terrain or out in the western half of the continent where it is so huge. So few people on each trail. It almost brings on claustrophobia in me when I ski back here in the east now with smaller runs and more people. Freaks me out a bit having to be so hyper aware of everyone.
I think it’s okay for people to use the singles line. It helps ensure no wasted empty seats on busy days and those people deserve to get up a little faster if they sacrifice riding the lift up with their friends. The onus is on the resort to make sure someone is there to direct traffic at the lift lines. I’m with you on the other beefs.
Regarding headphones:
I find that listening to music while snowboarding adds SO much to the experience. However, I never use in-the-ear headphones (ie: earbuds) on the slopes. By using on-the-ear headphones and choosing a moderate sound level, I can hear enough of what’s going on around me to react to sound cues when necessary.
There’s nothing like finishing an exhilarating run at the same time as the tune you’re listening to hits its final note !
There’s always a gray area-
I usually shove the L earbud all the way in, but leave the R one kinda next to the ear tucked in my beanie (that way I can hear what’s to my right / behind me) and have at least one ear to conversate with buddies).
Charging into the lift line can be a little ambiguous, usually most people have enough control, but agreed, there should at least be some enforcement of ‘the code.’ This should also apply to the singles line, as long as the liftie uses it correctly to fill up the chairs, I don’t see too much of a problem with it (lines usually balance themselves out).
Riders that take up the entire trail are probably my biggest peeve on your list, but everyone usually ends up tailgating for a few moments before passing If they’re minors, hopefully they’re wearing helmets (most places require it for bikes, why not the slopes too?).
Apart from all of the above though, one of the worst things you can encounter is a group of people stopped on the trail IN THE MIDDLE. ‘The Code’ should emphasize “pulling over to the shoulder” so to speak.
But alas, anywhere one goes for any activity that draws the masses, there will always be those that have poor etiquette.
I completely agree about headphones. I would LOVE it if my friends didn’t wear headphones. Sadly they do, and it limits our social experience. That’s my only complaint on it.
As for barreling into lift lines.. as snowboarding, I definitely like to coast into the lines instead of unstrapping and walking, so I’m a little guilty. But I try to do it relatively under control and slowly