realskiers

Well, it seems the Sugarbush fatality facts are the person hit a tree, square on. It was captured on video, posted on the web, and then removed. No second party involvement, he appears to have made a mistake. While the video was on the 'net, I saw it, he just went into the woods for no apparent reason. From the local press story.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20120207/NEWS02/120207018/Skier-in-fatal-Sugarbush-accident-was-Bank-of-America-vice-president-in-Boston?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

For clarity, I agree that skiing on groomers during high density periods is an accident waiting to happen. My home mountain has the ability to put more people up the mountain via high speed lifts than the trails can safely accommodate coming down the mountain. If I ski on weekends, it there very early and leave by 11.

But, to return to Bushwacker's "senseless groomer death" statement, this year two major freestyle skiers have been killed, one in a freeskiing contest and one practicing half-pipe flips. The overwhelming sense of what I have read is grief at the passing, with a minimum of 'live by the sword, die by the sword" sentiment. I know Bush has expressed grief at some of his hero's passing. Why make judgements of persons dying on a groomer just because groomers bore you?

the video was harsh of that guy dieing. but it did show how a reasonable competent (but not even close to expert skier) is in alot of danger skiing on groomers. IF he was on a bump run there is noway he would have been going as fast as he was with his current skill level. If he would have skied off trail all day his chances of dieing would have been none at his skill level(about a level 5-6).

My real goal with post like this is to educate people that grooming is not safe and that eventually we can ski resort return to a MRG style of snow upkeep with VERY limited grooming. I know its a long shot but I am going to keep trying.

Dan I would say nearly every pro freeskier I have ever met and know is HIGHLY involved in the internet. I dare you to find one pro skier/racer who doesnt run their own blog or work for someone else.

http://unofficialnetworks.com/team/

there is alot of known people in this list for the company I work for.  Its a mix from good freeskiers like myself, to video stars like JT Holmes, to US ski teamer all the ways to Big Mountain Competitors out west.  almost every pro freeskier you have heard of posts on the TGR forums.

Also if maybe PMTS should stop bashing the PSIA and then I would stop trying to prove them wrong. Dan if you can make that happen I would stop.