Resorts of the Canadian Rockies make a move!
Read a very interesting press release about 10 days ago. Resorts of the Canadian Rockies(aka RCR) are undertaking an initiative to eliminate all man-made snow jumps in their terrain parks ..........effective immediately. Intriguing move in view of the high demand for such features in the market place. Interesting how we have gone full circle and then some. Back in the mid 80's when I first came on the scene, the Pelletier boys blazed a trail for free-style skiing that included all kinds of big air jumping. Oh what fun it was. We then had the hammer drop from insurance providers and we soon found ourselves in an environment where skiers were not allowed to leave the snow surface. Get some air and you were considered a bad boy. Notice I said skiers as at that time boarders were few and far between at that time. We have since seen the board growth sky rocket and along with that the rails, boxes and all the crazy features they like to grind and get air from. The X-games became a driving force.
Where do I stand on elimination of snow jumps? I believe we have made tremendous efforts to improve safety on the terrain features and that such features enhance the experience for our guests. I believe kids are going to find a way to jump and that educating users is the most effective way to reduce injuries in the use of terrain features. I would rather educate our guests than take away the excitement. Equipped with the right info, users of freestyle terrain can do a great deal to improve the safety of their experience. The bottom line is that the user is in control. By empahasizing this through education campaigns, together we can make terrain features a more enjoyable and exciting experience for our guests.
Safety initiatives place particular emphasis on knowing where to land, knowing the intended use of the terrain chosen and knowing the user's actions are key no matter how a feature is designed.
NSAA highlights the latest educational message by focusing on "Make a Plan" before using any terrain feature. Know that your speed, approach and take off will directly affect your maneuver and landing.
We cannot remove the inherent risk associated with skiing and boarding, but we can significantly reduce the risk through education.........
ed
Where do I stand on elimination of snow jumps? I believe we have made tremendous efforts to improve safety on the terrain features and that such features enhance the experience for our guests. I believe kids are going to find a way to jump and that educating users is the most effective way to reduce injuries in the use of terrain features. I would rather educate our guests than take away the excitement. Equipped with the right info, users of freestyle terrain can do a great deal to improve the safety of their experience. The bottom line is that the user is in control. By empahasizing this through education campaigns, together we can make terrain features a more enjoyable and exciting experience for our guests.
Safety initiatives place particular emphasis on knowing where to land, knowing the intended use of the terrain chosen and knowing the user's actions are key no matter how a feature is designed.
NSAA highlights the latest educational message by focusing on "Make a Plan" before using any terrain feature. Know that your speed, approach and take off will directly affect your maneuver and landing.
We cannot remove the inherent risk associated with skiing and boarding, but we can significantly reduce the risk through education.........
ed
posted by Snowstar Ski Resort at
8:51 AM
5 Comments:
I remember skiing in the early 90s and people intentionally carving in the same spot to build up a 'jump'. Then a few folks would work on packing the jump and pretty soon the ski patrol would come by and the 'jump' would go away. It always seemed wrong to me that the rules limited what was fun for so many skiers.
By
Anonymous, at 6/12/07 11:00 AM
Dear Anonymous.........I apologize for missing your comment. I totally agree with you. There are too many rules in this world and not enough fun........
By
Snowstar Ski Resort, at 27/12/07 2:51 PM
No matter what anyone says the progression of skiing and snowboarding is going in the direction of boxes, rails, jumps, etc. and if you take that away you lose all of your potential growth and business!
By
Anonymous, at 20/2/08 10:51 PM
Dear Anonymous......You are right on target! Back in the mid 80's we had a freestyle team led by the Pelletiers. They were awesome and had so much fun with their accrobatic moves. Soon the insurance industry made a move that required skis and boards never leave the snow. That did not last long thankfully. If that approach would have stuck, snow fun as we know it today would be non existant. We do not need big brother protecting us from having safe fun......... we as individuals have the right to make that call for ourselves and assume inherent risks that we feel we can handle.
ed
By
Snowstar Ski Resort, at 21/2/08 8:47 AM
resorts of the Canadian Rockies are one of the worst companies around. They put no money back into their business and their "resort" if you want to call it that is so antiquated it is embarrassing. Murray Edwards should concentrate on raping the oil sands and get out of the ski industry.
Fernie resident
By
Anonymous, at 1/4/08 10:28 AM
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