After two separate incidences of skiers and snowboarders ducking ropes and setting off avalanches in closed terrain over the weekend (Silver Mountain/Steamboat), it is worth reminding folks that disregarding preset boundaries is unwise on many levels.
Terrain that is closed is often not ready for skiing and could pose a danger to those that access it and or those who have to rescue guests who get in trouble while accessing it. Ducking ropes can lead to your pass getting pulled if you get busted but even if you get away with it, the tracks you lay down may mislead other guests to unwittingly stray into closed areas.
The following video shows a pair a snowboarders who ducked a rope in full view of the lift line and got a bit of a verbal hiding for breaking the rules. Thankfully this fall looked minor but it goes to show that choosing to disregard ropes can take you into obstacle rich environments.
Be safe, have fun, don’t duck ropes.