Sunday, April 06, 2008

Colorado's (dirty) little secrets.

In todays Denver Post it was mentioned of a new record being set this year, in that 17 people died at Colorado ski areas, either skiing or boarding so far this season. That nukber does not include those who died in accidents that happened outside of ski area boundries.

Its not that I am against these or other high risk sports, I just sometimes think that they are sold as a carnavial ride when in fact they aren't. There is no "test" that a skier/boarder needs to go through before they buy a lift ticket and ride the chair to the top (want to get my money's worth@$80/day) and head down the mountain out of control. And with the liability waiver that is part of the small print on the lift ticket there is little recourse for the other skiers that may/are endangered by those out of control. Yes I know many of these deaths are from impacts with tree/rocks/etc. and those hurt are limited to the person and there family (and those that responded), but sooner or later....

The other area where the "carnavial ride" aspect is sold is river rafting.

From the soapbox.

Pat

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