| Knowing Your Limit Is Key to Safety On the Slopes |
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By Debra Melanis
Scripps Howard News Service Imagine a daredevil hurtling along a twisting lane at 60 mph, wind whipping his face, trees flashing by. Each curve requires fierce concentration; an icy patch or an obstacle ahead could mean serious injury or even death. A fearless driver, navigating a convertible on a winding mountain road? Or a skier, barreling down one of Colorado's slippery slopes? Both face the same dangers, ski-safety experts say, and should take similar precautions. But skiers often don't. Twelve people have died at Colorado ski resorts this year, matching a record set in 1998-99. Skiers and snowboarders who don't want to break the record during the peak spring season would do well to think like a good sports car driver and follow the rules of the road -- or the slopes. The majority of ski fatalities involve a fixed object, most often a tree. Nine of this year's victims hit trees. But like reckless drivers, injured skiers were often ignoring icy conditions. "Ski good or eat wood," said veteran ski instructor Craig McNeil. "That's what some friends and I were saying last week when we were skiing through the trees," explained the local author of How To Ski the Blues and Blacks (Without Getting Black and Blue)." While the chatting was lighthearted, the message was deadly serious. "You have people who have a false sense of confidence, and they are going too fast," said McNeil, a Rocky Mountain News ski columnist. "Then they try to jam on the brakes when they hit the ice -- they may be tired and not thinking of anything -- and they lose their balance." Suddenly, these carefree skiers are sliding way too fast down a steep, icy slope. Their skis have probably come off, making their upper body the heaviest part. Gravity then flings them headfirst down the slope -- too often into a tree. All this year's Colorado victims were skiers; none was wearing a helmet. Although recent weather might indicate a change, McNeil suspects that a lean snow year -- resulting in icier conditions -- could help explain the rash of early-season accidents. Alert skiers sometimes can avoid icy spots or head to the lodge if the conditions exceed their abilities. Just as an overly tired driver can be a menace on the roads, a skier who worked hard all morning and emerges from a lunch break warm and full can be a danger on the slopes, McNeil said. "Make sure you rest (or quit) when you are tired," White said. "A lot of accidents happen late in the day, on the last run, when muscles are fatigued." Drivers unfamiliar with icy conditions wouldn't take their first lessons on top of a steep mountain pass. Similarly, new skiers should stick to beginner runs in order to adhere to the first rule of the slopes: Stay in control and avoid other people or objects. All skiers, especially new ones, would be smart to warm up in the morning on a run or two below their ability level, White said. "I also recommend for the last run of the day to pick a trail that is really easy for you." Few drivers begin long winter trips without snow tires and road maps. Skiers shouldn't head to advanced runs without a quick test of their equipment and a trail map. Without a map, novice skiers could find themselves on top of the mountain with only advanced runs down. Neither driver nor skier should proceed at a Mario Andretti pace down an unfamiliar path. White suggests checking out the terrain while riding up the chairlift when possible. He encourages experimenting with different resorts, but he said there are benefits to learning to ski on one mountain." You become familiar with the runs and the movement of people," he said. Most people wouldn't purposely stop a car in the middle of Interstate 25. Likewise, skiers should veer to the side of the trail before stopping. And skiers should never jump back onto a run or merge into an intersection without looking up to see what's coming. With the high slope traffic, accidental bumps and cutoffs are likely to happen. Don't let "road rage" take over the slopes, experts say. "Be courteous," White said, the day after a skier was reportedly beaten by a group of snowboarders on Vail Mountain. Unlike driving, skiing doesn't require a license, and McNeil said it's not uncommon for first-time skiers to head foolishly to the top of the mountain. A college student skiing for the first time died at Telluride ski area this year. "The first thing to do if possible is to get a lesson," White said. "Then you get expert advice on how to avoid risky situations." Although a 5-year-old girl recently died in a ski class at Aspen Highlands ski area, ski-school deaths are rare, and skiers can have experts assess their ability and suggest the best runs for their level. Chairlifts can be dangerous if people don't know how to load and unload, White said. Skiers should tell lift operators if they're new or unsure, he said. While the number of deaths on the slopes is higher than usual for this time of year, Dr. Stewart Levy, a brain surgeon at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver who has studied skier/boarder head injuries -- doesn't suspect a trend. "Overall, it's a pretty safe sport," he said. "The answer is not to give up skiing. The answer is to ski within your limits, ski cautiously and take precautions." White agrees: "It's like driving a car. Follow the common-sense rules of the road." (Contact Debra Melani of the Rocky Mountain News at www.rockymountainnews.com.)
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