Frank Kerstetter, SAO Grad is in Year 3 Driving Cats at Beaver Creek

Frank Kerstetter, is currentally in his 3rd year of snowcat operations at Beaver Creek. Frank is working on going back to school to become a master welder and a certified mechanic.

Copper Mountain has SAO grad on the Ski Patrol

Copper Mountain has SAO grad on the Ski Patrol
Pat Stockhausen is working on the ski patrol at Copper Mountain this season!

Copper Mountain has great SAO grade operating cats

Copper Mountain has great SAO grade operating cats
Brock Camper is working at Copper Mountain as a snowmaker and snowcat operator.

New CPR method: 100 compressions per minute

Mayo Clinic produces video about the technique.
A video titled Continuous Chest Compression CPR - Mayo Clinic Presentation explains the new CPR method. The idea is based on several issues. 1 is keeping blood pressure up to force blood all ready enriched with oxygen into the brain. 2 is the idea that most people did not like performing the mouth to mouth part of the compressions.
There is a companion website Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): First aid. The website explains if you are confident and trained mouth to mouth is still a good idea, but the ratios should be 30 compressions to two breaths.

Copyright 2010 Recreation Law 720 Edit Law, Recreaton.Law@Gmail.com

Keywords: CPR, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, mayo clinic, chest compressions, mouth to mouth

Josh Hewitt is working at Snow King Resort in Wyoming

Josh Hewitt a CMC SAO grad is working at Snow King Resort in Wyoming. He is teaching, patrolling as as usually doing anything and everything else needed at a resort.

Other Voice on the Helmet Debate

Jon Heshka of Thompson River University

In an article Why ski helmets alone won't reduce serious injuries Jon Heshka of Thompson River University talks about what helmets will and will not do.

Great article

Keywords: outdoor recreation, helmets, skiing, snowboarding, ski helmets, snowboarding helmets

SAO Grad working for Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Rachel Brunetti is currently working as a lift Operator for Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Helmets do not increase risk of a neck injury when skiing

How this contradicts claims made by injured skiers, let's hope the study wins.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal released a study The effect of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders: a meta-analysis. he study showed that there was no increased risk to a skier or snowboarder when wearing helmets.

The study was only a review of electronic databases,
conference proceedings and reference lists.

Several claims have been made that helmets have caused neck injuries in small or petite children with older style heavy helmets.

To see an article about the study see SportsOneSource Canadian Study Finds Ski Helmets Don't Increase Risk of Neck Injury.

Connor Pettibone is driving Cats at Vail

Connor Pettibone is driving cats at Vail for the 09-10 ski season. He says he is having a great time and is planning on sticking around for thet summer. Another CMC Grad of the SAO program.

New way to purchase lift tickets

Liftopia offers discounted lift tickets for off peak ski days

Ski resorts who would like to increase attendance on slow or off peak days now have an option for doing so. By partnering with Liftopia, resorts will be able to offer variable or reduced pricing on lift tickets, in some cases as much as a sixty (60%) discount at some resorts.

Liftopia has been around since 2006 and has started to take off this year with several new resorts jumping on board.

If you are interested in the program, go to Liftopia's website. You will pick a region of the US and a date range when you would like to visit the resort. The site will then present a list of possible tickets and prices. There will also be a flexible date option.

For more information about this program see Liftopia Raises Another $1 Million For Variable Ski Resort Ticket Pricing.

SAO Grad working as Vail Lift Mechanic Apprentice

Kelly Davis is working at Vail this season as a Vail Lift Mechanic Apprentice.

PSIA-AASI to Host Massive Snowsports Celebration at Snowmass

The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) are hosting the biggest party in the history of snowsports instruction. Titled the 50/50—in celebration of five decades of instruction past and decades yet to come—members, guests, industry partners, and media are invited to join the associations for seven days of parties, skiing, riding, learning, and reminiscing at Colorado’s iconic Snowmass resort in April 2011.


Get the official story at http://www.thesnowpros.org/images/uploads/content-uploads/5050_PR__March2010.pdf.

Skiing coming to Texas……will they stay home?

Developer planning indoor ski area in mall.

A Grapevine Texas developer is planning an indoor ski area at a mall in the Grapevine Mills Mall. The proposed will also have an ice climbing wall, luge track, and shops and restaurants. The proposed name is Texas Alps. See Indoor ski slope planned for Grapevine.

This ski area will be joined with several other themed areas with the goal of bringing the equator and the North Pole together in Texas.

Will they still come north?

Justin Dirks is completing a 4 year degree at Western State College

Justin Dirks a CMC SAO graudate has transferred to Western State College and is working on a four year degree in Business Administraton-Management. He is planning on graduating in the Spring of 2011.

Helmet death ignited by misconception and famous personalities

Neither is an effective way to deal with risk management issues

A big debate has started over helmets. The debate is fueled by two things. First is the death of Natasha Richardson. The second is a misconception of the value of helmets in skiing.
The public relations surrounding the death of a famous person from a head injury always triggers a helmet debate. However, the debate seems inane when the head injury that caused the fatality of Natasha Richards would not have been protected by a helmet. Natasha Richards died of a rotation injury that no helmet would have prevented.

Second is the misconception about helmets. Helmets don't stop fatalities. Helmets may stop head injuries in non-fatal ski/board accidents.

The debate is hot in Jackson Hole because of a fatality caused by a head injury by a ski patroller at the resort. While performing her duties as a patroller, she suffered a head injury in an out of bounds couloirs.OSHA and the state fined Jackson Hole Ski Resort for not having the patroller wear a helmet. However,by most accounts, a helmet would not have protected the fatality. See Jackson death spurs helmetdebate.

Vail Resorts and Intrawest have both published new helmet policies for guests and have in the past or have added requirements for employees when working within the past seven months. See Intrawest ski resorts increasing helmet use and Vail Resorts Makes Helmets Mandatory for Employees in 2009-2010 Winter Season.

The misconception is the biggest problems. Studies show that helmets do not reduce fatalities. Skiers and boarders who suffer a collision or an injury sufficient to cause a death while skiing or boarding die of some other issue.

See the following studies: Do helmets reduce fatalities or merely alter the Patterns of Death by Shealy, Jasper E., Johnson, Robert J., and Ettlinger, Carl F. Skiing Trauma and Safety, 17^th Volume 2009 and Head injuries in Snowboarding: Evaluating the Protective Rule, Scher, Iriving, Richards, Darrin, and Carhart, Michael, Skiing Trauma and Safety, 16^th Volume, 2008.

Helmets do prevent head injuries. Most noticeably in, terrain park injuries and backward snowboarder falls, possibly in skier v skier (or skier v. boarder or boarder v. boarder) collisions. See the above studies.

For other articles about ski resorts and helmets see: Whistler Blackcomb mandates helmet use by youth instructors, Jackson death spurs helmet debate.

What does all of this mean? If you ski and snowboard wear a helmet…..or not. Do not expect a helmet to save your life, it will only prevent head injuries.

SAO Grad working in the East

Why you would leave CO to ski the East, I don't know,... :) But Patrick Torsell is  grooming at Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush. Pat is also running a couple of ski related websites.

http://www.mogulskiing.net

http://forums.mogulskiing.net

Former home of the world’s highest ski resort gone

Following the path of the ski resort, the 18000 year old Chacaltaya Glacier is melting away
Chacaltaya Glacier is an 18000 year old Bolivian glacier that is expected to disappear by 2010. The home of the only ski area in Bolivia, which closed several years ago due to the melting of the glacier. Recognition of the loss of the glacier started in 1980.
The loss of the glacier is also threatening the water supply for 80 million people living down valley.
See Bolivian glacier melts away

Richard Greeen is Working at Vail

Richard Green a CMC SAO Graduate is working at Vail in the grooming department. From his email it sounds like he is having a great time! Congrats Richard!

Luck, hand of god, either way it is not a good way to deal with Avalanches

53 year old professor survives 45 minutes of burial.
Pistehors.com has an article titled "Hand of God" saves college prof which tells the story of a 45 minute burial in an avalanche. His skiing partner could not get a beacon signal, so he called for assistance. A helicopter flew over (probably using the Recco system). The spotted something which turned out to be a glove. When a rescuer grabbed the glove, it contained the hand of the victim.
He was dug out of the snow after 45 minutes, hypothermic but alive. He celebrated his 53 birthday in the hospital.

SAO Grad working as Lift Electrician at Vail

Tim Thurman is working as a lift electrician at Vail. He is thinking about continuing his education in the electrical field.

Ben & Jerry’s honors Snowboarder with ice cream

Cool, Ice Cream!
Ben & Jerry's the Vermont ice cream maker is honoring local Vermonter Hannah Teter with an ice cream flavor, Hannah Teter's Maple Blondie. Hannah is a gold medal snowboarder and 3 time winner at the X-games is the first athlete to have an ice cream named after her by Ben & Jerry's.
Ben & Jerry's is also offering a trip to the US Open Snowboarding championship. For more information, enter here. Winners can receive tons of prizes as well as a trip to the championship in February.

An Article I wrote was published in Recreation Management

Risk Management Magazine asked me to write an article for their February edition. The article can be found on the web at Risk Management: Preventing Injuries or Preventing Lawsuits?

 

Copyright 2010 Recreation Law 720 Edit Law, Recreaton.Law@Gmail.com

 

Keywords: risk management, risk management magazine, risk homeostasis,

CMC SAO Grad working in France, by way of Beaver Creek, CA and New Zealand!

I've been a snow cat operator since my CMC internship in 2005, I've worked at Beaver creek, Heavenly, The Remarkables (New Zealand) Turoa (New Zealand) now I'm in France living at a ski resort called Les Arcs. 

Karen (Bruce) Gilliot 

Wow, Congrats Karen what a great story and sounds like a great life!

CMC Steamboat Student takes Silver at Winter Olympics

Johnny Spillane breaks 86-year US Nordic drought

CMC Student Johnny Spillane won a Silver Medal in the Nordic Combined Sunday at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

See Speaking with Johnny Spillane
and
Spillane ends Olympic medal drought.

Congratulations!

Snowboarding

CMC needs your help in becoming a 4 year college

If you want CMC to get approval from the Colorado legislature (Senate Bill 101) to offer 4-year BA degrees, please let your local senators and representatives know.

To find your representative and sentators go here.

You can go here to find out how to contact your Senators and Representatives.

If your Senator is Gibbs, Schwartz, Romer, Bacon, Cadman, Hudak, Johnston, Kester, Sandoval, Scheffel, Steadman, Tapia, White or if your Representative is Scanlan and Massey, Balmer, Baumgardner, Curry, Frangas, Liston, Merrifield, Pace, thank them for sponsoring the bill.

To get a copy of Senate Bill 101 go here.

Thanks

Canadian Ski Council announced policy on helmets

The Canadian Ski Council no recommends that skiers and riders now use helmets.
What is interesting is the statement that the policy was announced after a study showing 50% of all skiers and 90% of children are wearing helmets. So if that is the case the policy is not one based on safety but one based on going with the flow?
The policy cannot be verified by looking at the council's website. To read the press release see Canadian Ski Council Announces Policy On Helmets.

You Are Watching: Destroyed by Filming - Wear your helmets!

Video of a collision over a jump.

"I, Kevin Schwerin, while filming McRae Williams, we collided in the air and I land on my head. I did not have a helmet on and suffered a seizure with a major concussion. I spent the night in a hospital, where I was told I didn't have any internal bleeding or brain bruising, and I was cleared to go. Had I been wearing a helmet my situation would have been much better."

You Are Watching: Destroyed by Filming - Wear your helmets!

Where are they now?

Colorado Mountai College Graduates of the Ski Area Operations program get in contact with us and let us know where you are and what you are doing? Email me a jmoss@coloradomtn.edu and let me know the year you graduated and where you are working or riding.  I'll post the information here so fellow and future graduates can see what is up?

We also post graduates and their bios at Ski Resort Operation and Management Graduates

Durango Mountain Resort revokes season pass of critic

??
An article in the Herald Staff titled Durango Mountain Resort pulls critic's pass states that a woman who made critical comments about the resort had her season pass revoked by the ski resort.
I cannot believe this is going to be the way that resorts in the future react to criticism from its guests.
For a slightly more critical approach to this news item see I'm taking my ball and going home because I don't like you!

OLYMPIC MEDALIST JIMMIE HEUGA DIES

Ski Area Management is reporting that 1964 Olympic Medalist Jimmie Heuga has died at age 64.  See SAM

Additional memorials: Former U.S. Olympic skier Heuga, who won bronze at 1964 games, dies at 66,  Star skier Jimmie Heuga dies: Heuga's Vail Valley-based organization has helped thousands with multiple sclerosis live active lives

Hilarious and True

College Humor has posted 4 new signs to indicate the relative difficulty of a run. This are a riot and very true!

Thank you College Humor

See New Ski Warnings

New Pair of Garmont Axon Size 29 boots for sale.

I ended up with an extra pair of Dynafit compatible boots for the season. I have a pair of brand new Garmont Axon boots. New, never been molded or skied. These boots have never been in bindings. I have the original box. For information on the boot go to http://www.garmontusa.com/921024211.html

These are size 29.0 which is roughly a size 11 to 12.5 boot. They are a high performance mountaineering/sky boot for Dynafit or most alpine bindings.

New they sell for $749.00. I'm selling this pair for $550.00.

From the Garmont website:

Ski aggressively in the backcountry in this new freeride boot, while keeping it light on the climb. The new Axon features the same downhill performance as the popular Endorphin with both Dynafit® and ski mountaineering binding compatibility.

View Tech Features

* Use: Off-Piste, Freeriding, Booting Up
* Compatible with AT frame and Tech bindings
* Rapid Thermoformable Liners
* Anatomically shaped shell
* Field-replaceable buckles
* Factory modifications recommended by the best boot fitters
* Weight: 2050 grams (size 27.5)
* Sizes: 25-30.5
* U.S. MSRP $749.95
* Canada MSRP $829.95

If you want to buy them, email me at recreation.law@gmail.com

Another helmet debate is underway over the death of a Jackson Hole Ski Patroller.

The Wyoming Department of Employment has cited Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for not having a helmet policy for its ski patrollers. This followed in investigation into the death of a Jackson Hole Ski Patroller last year. The patroller was not wearing a helmet and suffered a head injury when she fell into steep rocky terrain in an out of bounds area.

 To read the article see Jackson death spurs helmet debate.

A new Glacier safety film produced in France

Glaciers are not a big issue in the continental US but Canada and Alaska, they are a problem.
A partnership of mountain guides, ski instructions and the Compagnie du Mont Blanc have created a 6 minute film about the dangers of glaciers. The film highlights the basic principles of skiing around Glaciers such as spotting glaciers and group skiing.
See New glacier safety film on screen in Chamonix
More information see
http://www.andypmountainguide.com/

http://www.offpisteskiing.com/

Rare Splitboard Stolen from SIA

KarmaAlert! Jones Solution Splitboard STOLEN at SIA Show

That's right - infiltrators amongst us. Those of us in the ski & board industry got rocked at the SIA show in more ways then one :) A Jeremy Jones - (Jones Snowboards and TGR) Solution splitboard was stolen from their booth at the SIA show. As well as a Bern Jones carbon fiber helmet. This splitboard is a prototype from which production is being based on. It's literally one of a kind and should NOT be difficult to find. As a community - let's make this happen! Please send this Alert on to everyone you know in the ski / board industry. Facebook about it, Tweet it - etc. Someone will SEE this board!

Here is a KarmaAlert for Jeremy's board: http://doiop.com/jonesboard

If spotted or if anyone has any information - please contact:

Chad@jonessnowboards.com
 
Here is a picture of the board:

Lift Capacity decreased this year according to the NSGA

Fewest lifts in 10 years installed for the 09-10 season.
The National Sporting Goods Association reported in its January 25 2010 newsletter that only 21 new lifts were installed for the 2009-10 ski season. That is a 45% decrease from the high of the 08-09 season of 38 lifts. The average for the last 10 years has been 37 lifts per ski season.
The information was found in the January issue of SAM magazine.
As a side note, I get a lot of statistics from a lot of people. I have to say that the numbers from the NSGA, I can take to the bank. Thanks NSGA.

After A Week In The Dorms (Working at a ski resort)

A Ski Area Operations student Beck Aurora wrote an interesting blog about working at a ski resort. The article After A Week In The Dorms is quite entertaining.

FeeSkier Magzine Photograph Contest

Have a Camera? Want to win $5,000? Read On...

Freeskier Magzine is offering $5000 to the winner of its photography contest. Check it out.

SanDisk has teamed up with Freeskier to put on this epic photo sequence contest. Here’s how it works:

1. Get out on the hill and shoot some sequences

2. Morph your sequences

3. Upload your best sequences (from this year or from years past) to BestPhotoSequence.com.

4. Repeat steps 1 – 3 throughout the season as many times as you’d like.

5. Sit back and wait to see if you’ve won the grand prize of $5,000 cash money.

The contest launches today, so get to it, and good luck!

Board or Skis Stolen: Let everyone know: You may get it back

Phoning a local store got a stolen snowboard back.

A teenage boarder has his snowboard stolen at Woods Valley Ski Resort. He called local stores informing them that his board had been stolen. Later that day the thief walked into one of the stores and attempted to sell the stolen snowboard.

The thief was caught, the board was returned and things are good again……

See Sale of stolen snowboard thwarted

They are getting serious: Leave the scene of a skier v. skier (or boarder) collision and go to jail

Wanted Posters and Sketch Artists used in a Bear Mountain Resort Hit and Run.

Bear Mountain Resort is looking for a mail snowboarder who struck a 9-year-old female on January 2, 2010 at approximately 1:00 PM. A sketch of the alleged snowboarder is here!

The suspect is described as a white male adult, 25-30 years of age, approximately 5'10" - 6'2" tall, wearing a black and white jacket, black pants, and using a black snowboard.

Anyone having information regarding the collision or identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Big Bear Sheriff's Station at (909) 866-0100. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling WE-TIP at (800) 78-CRIME.

It is unknown if this is a new attitude about collisions on the slopes or if this is a special case. The victim received a compound fracture of her femur and several facial injuries, all of which were not life threatening.

This is a real change from how hit and run boarders and skiers were treated in the past.

Vail and USFS hunting down pirates on the slopes – illegal guiding activities

Teaching skiing or boarding on US Forest Service land without a permit or on someone else's permit without their permission is pirating and a violation of the law.

The Denver Post in an article Resorts run Resorts run stings to nab unauthorized instructors on their slopes brings the issue of "private" ski instructors to the front. Ski Instructors who are not wearing the ski resorts uniform or employed by the resort are pirates; people guiding on federal land without a permit.

Vail has had enough and in conjunction with the US Forest Service has started cracking down on the practice. Pirates that are caught are fined $545 (or more) and banned by Vail from all of their resorts for life.

These article follows an article on how Vail is catching people trying to sneak onto the lifts with other peoples season passes.

Copyright 2010 Recreation Law 720 Edit Law, Recreaton.Law@Gmail.com

Website dedicated to Tree Wells

Tree Wells in and out of bounds are responsible for several deaths each year.

Now there is a website that talks about tree wells, how to stay out of them and what to do if you are caught in one.

See http://www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.com/

Colorado bill to make sure Search and Rescues are Free

A new bill was recently introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives. This bill would prohibit charging for search and rescue in the state of Colorado.

This bill will need your support.

To stay current on the bill contact your local SAR unit or go to the Facebook Page No Charge for Rescue. The red capitalized text below is the changes to the Colorado statute that will be made.

Support House bill 10-1095.

Second Regular Session

Sixty-seventh General Assembly

STATE OF COLORADO

INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 10-0629.01 Gregg Fraser             HOUSE BILL 10-1095

A BILL FOR AN ACT

CONCERNING A LIMITATION ON THE AUTHORITY OF A FIRE

PROTECTION DISTRICT TO CHARGE FEES FOR PROVIDING

CERTAIN RESCUE SERVICES TO THOSE SERVICES PROVIDED AT

THE SCENE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does

not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill

passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that

applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at

http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)

A fire protection district currently has the statutory authority to set

fees for ambulance or emergency medical services and extrication, rescue,

32-1-1002. Fire protection districts - additional powers and duties



(1) In addition to the powers specified in section 32-1-1001, the board of any fire protection district has the following powers for and on behalf of such district:

(a)    To acquire, dispose of, or encumber fire stations, fire protection and fire fighting equipment, and any interest therein, including leases and easements;

(b)    To have and exercise the power of eminent domain and dominant eminent domain and, in the manner provided by article 1 of title 38, C.R.S., to take any property necessary to the exercise of the powers granted, both within and without the special district;

(c)    To undertake and to operate as a part of the duties of the fire protection district an ambulance service, an emergency medical service, a rescue unit, and a diving and grappling service;

(d)    To adopt and enforce fire codes, as the board deems necessary, but no such code shall apply within any municipality or the unincorporated portion of any county unless the governing body of the municipality or county, as the case may be, adopts a resolution stating that such code or specific portions thereof shall be applicable within the fire protection district's boundaries; except that nothing in this paragraph (d) shall be construed to affect any fire codes existing on June 30, 1981, which have been adopted by the governing body of a municipality or county. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no fire protection district shall prohibit the sale of permissible fireworks, as defined in section 12-28-101 (8), C.R.S., within its jurisdiction.

(e)    To fix and from time to time increase or decrease fees and charges as follows, and the board may pledge such revenue for the payment of any indebtedness of the district:

(I)    For ambulance or emergency medical services and extrication, rescue, or safety services provided in furtherance of ambulance or emergency medical services. "Extrication, rescue, or safety services" includes but is not limited to any:

(A)    Services provided prior to the arrival of an ambulance;

(B)    Rescue or extrication of trapped or injured parties AT THE SCENE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT; and

(C)    Lane safety or blocking provided by district equipment.

(II)    For requested or mandated inspections if a fire code is in existence on June 30, 1981, as specified in paragraph (d) of this subsection (1) or has been adopted thereafter pursuant to said paragraph (d);

(III)    For requested inspections if a fire code has been adopted by the board of the fire protection district, whether or not the code has been adopted by a municipality or county pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subsection (1);

…..

Feeling Artistic? Want to look down on the snow and see your artwork?

G3 Announces 2010 Ski Graphic Contest

Everyone who's ever strapped on a pair of skis has looked down at the graphics and wondered if they could design something better. Once again, thanks to Genuine Guide Gear, they have a chance to find out – and potentially win a free pair of the skis they design. Genuine Guide Gear is inviting aspiring and professional designers and artists to submit their designs for a new top sheet on a G3 ski. One winner will be chosen for each of three contest periods: January 15 - February 14; February 15 – March 14; and March 15 – April 14, 2010.

"SkiGraphiks is back by popular demand and we are excited to invite everyone to play," says Naheed Henderson, G3's Marketing Manager. "This year's contest is boosted by more opportunities to win," she continues, "and the judging of this year's entries will be influenced by votes from the online community."  Pleasantly surprised by the high number of entrants from around the world last year, Henderson anticipates the return of this popular contest will attract even more design entries this year.

To enter the G3 Ski Graphic Challenge, participants can visit www.genuineguidegear.com and click on the SkiGraphiks icon to review details on how to play, submit entries, plus review and vote on all contest submissions. G3 will take the lead from public votes to choose a winner for each contest period. All three winners will be awarded a free pair of G3 Tonic or Zest skis, printed with their unique graphic. The first (February 14) winner will also claim a free pass to the Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival in Nelson, BC from March 4 – 7, 2010, including lodging, where they will be awarded their custom skis during a Saturday night event at the festival.

"We believe that skiing is a form of creativity," says Henderson, "and the design and look of skis is part of that creativity. And because our new ski production facility enables us to deliver ski graphic customization, we want to give everyone the opportunity to win the thrill associated with having that one-of-a-kind pair they've designed."

G3 has partnered with VentureWeb, a digital marketing agency based in Squamish, British Columbia, to deliver this year's SkiGraphiks contest.  Designers and builders of the recently launched www.genuineguidegear.com website, VentureWeb has enhanced this year's SkiGraphiks site by integrating social media to make the contest more engaging for everyone. Site visitors will be able to comment and rate individual entries.  "We're really excited to be part of a contest which inspires creativity, design, and passion in the ski industry," says VentureWeb's James Morris, "and our team looks forward to seeing lots of positive energy in ski designs once the contest kicks off."

Genuine Guide Gear is a leader in the backcountry skiing industry. They design and manufacture innovative skis, bindings, and other backcountry gear for winter adventurers, including a line of products designed specifically for women skiers. The company is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

VentureWeb is digital marketing agency based in Squamish, British Columbia specializing in innovative solutions for tourism and adventure sports industries.

For more information about Genuine Guide Gear or the G3 SkiGraphiks Contest, contact Naheed Henderson at 604.924.9048.ext 231 or email naheedh@genuineguidegear.com        

Stowe has been sold

Although termed a sale Stowe moved from AIG to a subsidiary

Stowe Mountain Resort which has been owned by AIG, of wall street disaster fame, was sold to Chartis. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The sale occurred December 31, 2009.

See Vt. ski resort Stowe under new ownership

Copyright 2010 Recreation Law 720 Edit Law, Recreaton.Law@Gmail.com

Join Attitash in Saluting Our Nation’s Heroes

January 23 and 24, 2010

Our 3rd Annual Military Salute Weekend is escalating to new heights. In addition to the activities we have offered in the past, Attitash is adding to this special weekend designed to thank the men and women of our military. Attitash will honor our nation's defenders and their families through FREE LIFT TICKETS for active, veteran and retired service men and women as well as discounted tickets for active duty dependent family members on January 23 and 24 with valid ID. (The discount rate for dependent family members is the regular military rate listed on our web site). In addition, The Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash is offering a 15% discount on lodging to military personnel for the weekend. Call 800.223.SNOW (7669) to check room availabilities or to make reservations.

Over the past several years, as one distinguished member of the military phrased it, "Attitash has come to mean, in military jargon, 'welcome' and is now seen as a bastion of support for those who serve."

Saturday's activities will include a downhill Flag Parade which starts on Attitash at approximately 1:30 PM, and culminates with a color guard, guest speaker and the National Anthem in the base area. The parade is open to all and participants are welcome to bring their own US flag or use one of ours (limited quantities). Music during the outdoor parade and ceremony will be provided by the impressive US Air Force Colonial Brass Band.  In addition, the US Air Force's amazing rock band, Afterburner, will perform from 3 pm to 6 pm in Ptarmigan's Pub on Saturday and again from 1 pm to 4 pm on Sunday.

Also on Sunday at 11:00 AM, "The Battle of the Branches," a NEW fun race event to test the mettle (and competitive spirit) between branches is planned, with racers (including kids!) selecting which branch they are racing to represent. The $5 entry fee will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, we will have the popular Attitash "on snow" obstacle course returning to test your skills on Sunday, too.

Guests are encouraged to learn about soldiers' personal stories through displays in the base lodge and will be able to write notes of appreciation to those service personnel.

Come enjoy the snow, the activities, the camaraderie and say thank you to our nation's defenders who have given us so much!

Contact:


Doug Tulin, Marketing Director

dtulin@attitash.com

(603) 374 – 2605

Interesting Article about comfort bars

Whatever you call them, the article looks at whether they are purely a psychological or real safety device.

The article Lift Safety published by Planet Jackson Hole discusses the effectiveness of comfort bars after a young girl fell from the lifts sustaining severe injuries. The Denver Post did the only real study on the effectiveness of comfort bars in 2002, which found there was no difference between using and not using the bars.

New York and Vermont have state laws that require the use of comfort bars on chairlifts. Colorado requires the bars be used for lifts operating in the summer.

The article blames the lack of information on the effectiveness of the safety bars on states not having tramway safety boards.

20 Year Veteran of Ski Patrol Dies performing avalanche control work

Jackson Hole and the Resort in mourning

A 20-year veteran of the Jackson Hole ski patrolled died Saturday. He was injured performing avalanche work January 6, 2010. A break in the pack occurred above him sweeping him and another patroller. The other patroller could grab a tree and arrest his slide.

See the following articles for more information on this tragedy.

Patroller buried in avalanche

Big Wally revived after avalanche

in memoriam: Big Wally

Another Inbounds Tragedy at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Updated 1/8/2010 7:31 PM)

For a well written and thoughtful article about the risks of ski patrolling at Jackson Hole see Ski Patroller Death Highlights the Real Price of Powder Turns.

Be careful out there.

January is Learn a Snow Sport Month

Take a friend skiing or boarding this month


January has been proclaimed national Learn a Snow Sport month. See WELCOME to LEARN A SNOW SPORT Month – January 2010

Lindsey Vonn named female athlete of the decade!

Skiing ranks up there with the major sports!


Universal Sports has named Lindsey Von as their athlete of the decade. The article states that Lindsay "is on her way to becoming the greatest American skier of all time, male or female."

Congratulations, Lindsay and Good Luck in the Olympics!

This is starting to become stupid

The Personal Locator Beacon that was going off on Berthoud pass is now in Gunnison County

Here is the update I received! About the Personal Locator Beacon I mentioned in Alpine Rescue Team needs your help – PLB false alerts in Berthoud Pass (Colorado) area

The PLB is now in Gunnison County – 38° 56.8 min N x 107° 00.7 min W . . . 3.92 miles on a heading of 316 deg fm Crested Butte summit . . . as of 5:30 PM New Years Eve. Info from CSRB and AFRCC.

What an person who does not think well!

Alpine Rescue Team needs your help – PLB false alerts in Berthoud Pass (Colorado) area

These guys and gals are volunteers who get up in the middle of the night to save your posterior end of your anatomy for free. If you don't know how to use your Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), throw it away.

Over the past two weeks, the Alpine Rescue Team has been notified of three PLB activations in the Berthoud Pass (Colorado) area between Winter Park and the Jones Pass area. These PLB false alarms have occurred on three different dates, December 14, 23, and 24, and all involve the same PLB.

If anyone has recently started to use – or knows someone who has – a ACR PLB-300 Microfix (RescueFix) and visits the Berthoud Pass area, please contact the Alpine Rescue Team. You can send me a private message or call me directly. Right now there are no violations, penalties, laws broken, etc., however, we would like to talk with you so you can understand how your PLB works and does not work. If you don't want to talk, at least keep your PLB turned off until you are in an actual life-threatening emergency.

Each detection of the PLB's signal starts a cascade of rescuers beginning with the US Air Force, the Colorado State Search and Rescue Coordinator, the local sheriff, and finally the local mountain rescue team, which in these cases has been Alpine Rescue Team. Each false alarm requires significant effort and time by many people. On Christmas Eve, rescuers from three different mountain rescue teams spent the afternoon trying to directional find the intermittent signal.

You might be wondering why a PLB is so hard to pinpoint, especially if you have read any advertising or promotional materials about these devices. This unit is not registered so no simple phone call to the owner can be made to verify the alert. Also, this unit is being turned on and off and moved between activations, so the search area cannot be well defined giving a search area up to 10+ miles in radius. When used properly these new digital PLBs can usually be identified and located in minutes.

Again, if you have been in the Berthoud Pass area on these three dates and have an ACR PLB or know someone who has, please contact us via private message, or call Dale Atkins directly at 303.579.7292. There are no legal issues or laws broken; we very much would like to talk with you. As always the services of Alpine Rescue Team are free.