If you can’t stop and control your speed while skiing, you can’t ski. Doesn’t matter how good at everything else you are, until you actually know how to stop on a dime, you’re still very much a beginner.
Crashing into another skier is one of the biggest mistakes you can make on the mountain, potentially hurting both you and another person (or worse). Barreling into a crowd of people at the bottom of the mountain because you’re going way too fast and can’t stop or slow down, as this person does, is a whole new level of bad.
Hopefully this skier, and everyone they hit or nearly hit, was fine after the wipeout, though it seems probable that the skier was injured in some way. If you’re going skiing or snowboarding, you have to remember the #1 on Your Responsibility Code, stay in control! You can read the full code below.
Your Responsibility Code:
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.