Colorado Skier Safety - Tougher Than Ever & Reasonably So!

The Colorado Skier Safety Act has increased fines to $1000 which is up from last year when the a violation could potentially cost skiers and snowboarders $300. Skiing out of bounds at Colorado ski areas is not only dangerous but it can cost you a boatload of money and it is important for all “riders” to remember that the “law” was create to keep everyone safe. Just this past weekend with the opening of Keystone more than thirty skiers and snowboarders crossed ski area lines and could face still fines.

Why the recent increase? Over the last several years the number of skier and snowboarder rescues has continue to increase. When these people get in trouble then others have to risk their lives to bring them back. “I think we have to at least ramp up the deterrent factor just a bit,” said Summit County Sheriff John Minor.

“Beyond the cost of the rescue, what irritates me is on at least two occasions, I was asking all-volunteer search-and- rescue folks to go into some pretty dangerous areas, avalanche-prone areas,” Minor continued. “And that’s what got me fired up, these volunteers risking their lives to save some fool.”

Each and every year people loose their lives to avalanches and when skiers and snowboarders alike put themself in dangerous positions often times things go sour. Hopefully this new law will detour more “riders” this year in Colorado.

Tags: skiing, snow, colorado, keystone, avalanche, snowboard, snowboarding, skiing, backcountry

Posted in Colorado Ski Resorts