Ged

I usually wear one at home in Canada, but never brought it with me to Japan (saving space) Whilst there's no doubt they save a few bumps and arguablly lives, I think most people agree that it should be up to the individual whether to wear one or not. Just like any protective padding I suppose - although I do understand why some resort's policies require them to be worn when riding the park. (Do any of them still do that?) I've also seen some resorts terrain park's that don't have any helmet policy, but have outlawed 'inverted' manoeveers (sigh!) Anyway, I wouldn't be at all surp

Sunshine Village should be able to make appropriate comments to defend their reputation, it's taking quite the hit, and are having a PR nightmare! However the ski resort management seem content with stealing support banners from privately owned/parked vehicles (and blatantly owning up to it!) and calling on Facebook/the social networking sites to remove the ski patrol support page. Oh that, and alledgedly calling all the popular bars in town, asking their management to caution patrons discussing the subject! Owner-Ralph Scurfield must idolise North Korea's propoganda techniques. A

I stand corrected joshnii, you're absolutely right - I've perhaps just read more of one type than the other. Still, back on topic, as soon as I'm back home in Banff, I'm joining the boycott at Sunshine Village until the dispute is resolved. There's another few resorts within a short drive away that are getting plenty of great snow anyway. Here's hoping everyone has a continued safe, enjoyable season!

...and in some cases, 100% cost when your medical insurance doesn't pay out if you bust yourself up in a 'closed' area. Double ouch!

I would assume each ski area makes their own policies in terms of "closed" and "out of bounds" areas. On this particular occasion (as I understand it) the area the group were caught in was not closed for avalanche reasons but rather natural hazards not obviously visible during early season conditions. Still an area of danger as far as the ski patrol was concerned, but I think an area normally accessible when conditions permit. However, regardless of location, it appears irrelevant to the Ski Patrollers/Lift Ops/Mtn Saftey personnel's reasoning - as turning a blind eye to offenders based

Great video post! I say great, meaning the guy 'made it' and it raises the awareness level. It's all too easy to get complacent when 'fun' takes over 'common sense' I think it's natural for people to get that 'high' from sking/riding on the edge, living with a bit of danger - but it's being scared from time to time that keeps us safe. Here's one from the buried person's perspective. Watch in it's entirety with volume. The time spent under snow is a painfull eternity. I think the message on all this is pretty clear - watch your buddy's back, and make sure he watc

We obviously don't know each and every ski resort's policies, but in most cases the boundary marks the spot in which you can expect help if the unexpected happens, you go any further and you're on your own. I would assume the nearby patrollers would certainly come help you but at some very high financial cost to the offender. So if you get away with a sweet run in your favorite out-of-bound areas - great, but as a rescue would inevitably cost the resort a stretch on manpower not reckoned/budgeted for, it's hardly surprising they get pissed at it going on. Bear in mind also, that the Jap

I would just like to draw people's attention to a story currently going viral within Canada's ski community & now gaining support from around the globe. In a nutshell: it involves a case of Sunshine Village, a popular ski resort in the Canadian Rockies, whose owner had (at the time of writing) up to seven (7) key, highly trained ski patrollers/mountain saftey personnel fired for doing their job - and the subsequent lawsuit. Unfortunately for those fired, doing their job involved the reprimanding of the owner's (Ralph Scurfield) son (Taylor Scurfiled) and his other rich-kid buddies for

This is an old post...but rope duckers might want to have of read of this story currently going on & resulting in a lawsuit against the ski hill by ski patrolllers for simply doing there job. It might make some of you think twice before venturing into those closed areas again. "Support the Sunshine 7" More here: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/400532/Ski_Resort_owner_s_son_v_ski_p.html