cricket....cricket....

Its amazing how the anti-snowmobilers have nothing to say when its a skiing accident.

RIP and condolences to some fellow back country enthusiasts.

I'm not an anti-snowmobiler, but what kind of comments were you hoping to see?

"Hoping" isnt the right word MrPG - just wondering why when its a snowmobiler there are thousands ready to call them idiots and shut down the backcountry. When its a skier, the blogs go silent...

you may misinterpret disinterest for something else. how about this - more power to them for doing their thing - hope they had a good time.

Perception, some of it for good reason
is why the blogs go silent. A bad decision
is a bad decision no matter who makes it.
This much I know of Heli-Ski operations,
that they will absolutely not ski if there
is high avalanche risk. Ski guides go through rigorous training before they are certified, having CAA Level II certification. Not too many snowmobilers
have much more than AST-I, a larger percentage don't even have that.

I am not a anti snowmobilier, or heli-skier. I am just against those that go into areas that are marked dangerous. I am assuming that these skiers were sking in areas that was not considered overly dangerous, and they just ran out of luck.

I never wish bad for anyone, but everyone should be aware of the risk that they place upon themselves when they intentionally place themselves in harms way. I am not saying that SAR should not make attempts to rescue those in danger and in trouble. But if they intentionally place themselves in harms way, than they should fund the SAR program.

I think people are disgusted with sledders ripping up the mountains and all that vibration and noise plus getting into places they would not normally have access. Of course there are very few sledders that actually dig a pit let alone check the avalanche warning level. Basically neanderthals with powerful loud engines that keep getting themselves killed and causing the activation of SAR teams.

Whereas skiers are perceived to be more aware of their surroundings and are better prepared with current snow conditions and avalanche risks, plus they have less direct or permanent impact on the environment. Add to that the fact that they have not had an avalanche fatality in 10 years, and we have a much less to rag on the skiers for compared to sledders.

Regardless if you take exception to my view of "why when its a snowmobiler there are thousands ready to call them idiots. . . ", it is just my opinion in answer to a posted question.

As I keep saying, I've seen & heard skiers
do & say some incredibly stupid things.
Some of the same thought processes
pervade the backcountry ski community as
much as the snowmobile community. The lack of awareness of their surroundings, the
lack of education/experience, the same
"I've skied/boarded here for years, besides
it won't happen to me because I have all the safety gear" attitude. On a lesser
scale but the results sadly are the same.
Take a drive to PowderKing on any given weekend & count the number of people that
take their families to the Easter Runs or
the Camel Humps. Prime avalanche country
yet very few bother to dig pits or even do simple snow tests that can be done with a
ski pole.
There have been quite a few backcountry
skier/boarder avalanche fatalities in the last 10 years & one hell of alot of close calls.
As backcountry users we all need to be aware that the dangers exsist, are very
real & indiscriminate.

Fourteen thousand two hundred and sixteen road user fatalities in Canada over a five year period between 2002 and 2006.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/tp-tp3322-2006-page3-590.htm

No outcry for these people?

its a better world we're going to.

Hey Loki, you are a hunter correct?