Each year the snow comes and enticed enthusiasts make a run for the mountains to participate in the myriad sports available, including skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, snow-mobiling and more.
- Two teenagers, both considered national-class skiiers, left the boundaries of the resort where they were skiing with a group of friends. Their intention was to ski off to a local road, and have their friends pick them up and drive them back to the resort's parking lot and their cars. They never made it to the meeting point. The next morning, would-be rescuers found the bodies of the boys under six feet of snow. By all appearances, the boys were caught and killed in an avalanche.
- A few years ago, a young man ended his work day operating a ski run at a resort in Colorado. Last month, he was convicted of negligent homicide for slamming into, and killing, another man while he was skiing down the mountain. He was sentenced to 90 days in a county jail, with 240 hours of community service. His attorney has stated they will appeal the court's decision.
- In January 1998, Sonny Bono was killed in a skiing accident when he hit a tree.
- A few weeks earlier, Michael Kennedy was killed in a skiing accident.
These are examples of just a very few incidents in which careless behavior resulted in death. Each year many, many people are hurt or killed in accidents similar to these. Most people who are active in these sports know and understand basic rules of safety and enjoy year after year of winter fun. They know that following these rules does not inhibit fun in their sport, but rather allows these sports to be enjoyed by more people without risking injury or death.
Following are some simple guidelines to help you have a great time this winter, safely:
- Don't use winter sports as a way to get fit. Make sure you do not attempt to push yourself beyond your current ability and fitness level. Take advantage of trained instructors to help you build your skills in whatever sport you choose to participate in. Also make sure you understand and know how to use the different lifts used to get you up to the top of your intended slope.
