Popular Post Carvin' Marvin Posted March 7, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 I thought I should share my experience yesterday in hopes that someone may avoid the same situation in the future. I was riding at Vail on my usual lift. Sunny skies, lightning fast snow, big long Coiler. I took the same line down the same run 6 times. There was nobody on it every time and I was just crushing it. There is a particularly steep and fun part of the run. My 7th time down it there was a skier standing on the ridge where I usually drop in. He saw me and delayed his start so I rode over the ridge going pretty fast but more in the center of the run than typical. After my initial turn I saw a group of kids so I whipped back on heelside sooner than I wanted to then BAM!!! A skier hit me from behind going full speed right as I was at apex force in my turn. I was so low to the ground that his skis ejected underneath me and I watched him do four somersaults down the face. His hat, goggles, and GLOVES all ejected from his being. Luckily he jumped up and gave me a thumbs up and we talked it out. He was very apologetic but I had no harsh words and was just glad he wasn't gravely injured or worse. He said he never even saw me and was fixated on the same group of kids I was trying to avoid. It is a miracle neither of us were hurt. This situation was caused by complacency on both our parts and was easily avoidable. I should have known by the guy at the top of the ridge that there may be danger lurking. A slight pull back in speed to check would have avoided this. Be safe out there! 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 I am So glad you came out of that okay per our conversation yesterday. made me a little ill when i saw your text. Thanks for posting that Mario 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkaholic Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 Glad you're ok Marvin ink 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 Very lucky! It can happen to any of us at any time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowburn Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 Lesson learn. Glad both of you were alright. A few weeks ago a ski instructor with a group of 8 we're doing a lesson in a blind spot at the end of a cat track where most people ride fast to get to that run. After we avoided them they soon realized they were in danger and moved on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Job Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) This is why I am hyper paranoid and generally am more reserved on runs than pretty much anyone. I truly believe at any time, Lindsey Vonn in jeans and a beer belly is about to ram into me.. Glad you are ok. Edited March 8, 2023 by Odd Job 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShortcutToMoncton Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 2 hours ago, Odd Job said: Lindsey Vonn in jeans and a beer belly is about to ram into me.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredman Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Dang! Glad you are both ok! Spooky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 12 hours ago, Carvin' Marvin said: It is a miracle neither of us were hurt. Carvin, You one Lucky Dude! Glad you came out unscathed but I hope you counted your blessings after that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunSurfer Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 Beware below any slope contour that creates limited downhill visibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorita Posted March 8, 2023 Report Share Posted March 8, 2023 It's spring break week at our local mountain so lots of straight liners. On Monday I was clipped three times, once within 20 feet of the lift. One kid even scolded me for not checking uphill before I turned. I look uphill all the time and usually pull over as I need lots of room on steep runs. There are times where I can't look up often enough as people just come out of nowhwere. Makes me appricite the MCC no passing rule everytime. CarvinMarvin - Glad it turned out OK for both of you and everyone was appologetic. Just seems that there are times when you are going to get hit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carvin' Marvin Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Thanks everyone. I feel extremely fortunate that the guy didn’t use my head as a big air jump. It was close. Especially after hearing @barryjand others stories. I work at the trauma center in Vail so there isn’t a work day that goes by where I don’t see at least a few major injuries. I had definitely gotten way too comfortable and learned a valuable lesson in self control and awareness. I think the image of that guy starfishing down the mountain will be burned into my brain forever. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamifumi Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 I am glad you both are ok! Phew thanks for sharing, it reminds me to be vigilant to stay safe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 7 minutes ago, yamifumi said: it reminds me to be vigilant to stay safe. Damn Straight! After my accident or such a close call as Carvin's, I can tell ya your anxiety is on Red Alert! for any and all traffic! Everything and Every Body is a Potential Threat!! Really wears me out mentally here at Palisades at the start of a day to walk out to the step-in spot and there are 30+ people vying for an opening! Not even on the hill and already STRESSED! I gotten to where I only barely feel safe night riding up at Boreal because there are so very few people out there and all the additional lighting really helps my diminish my paranoia!! Stay Safe Out There Boys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 On 3/7/2023 at 11:13 AM, Carvin' Marvin said: I was riding at Vail on my usual lift. What lift, what run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopestar Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) Oof. Seems like there has not been a slowdown to the season anywhere. Ski Cooper last Saturday at the Donek demo was awesome. 2 more days to ride there this season will be worth using. Glad you both were unscathed Edited March 9, 2023 by slopestar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neanderthal Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) I typically ride behind my kids blocking a best as I can because of this behiavior Few yrs back was riding mid week on a run that often is closed off as a funrun with just the right angle, groom and visibility. Resort is empty and we lapped a few runs without anyone on the run I'm on 1/4 of the run on the side with metronomic turns practicing getting low as an old skier straightlines down and skis over my head. Lights out! couldnt open my jaw for days and thank god for my thick kevlar helmet or it would be over. Old man was broken up and took a trip to the local hospital with multiple fractures. I got a CT of the head out of the deal and a big US sized hospital bill. Sadly my carving has been curtailed its just too dangerous to be on runs where people think they can straightline. Im off to the trees, backside of resort and sidecountry where I manage the risk of the run not the assholes on the run Edited March 9, 2023 by neanderthal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilmour Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Glad to hear you both weren't hurt. Sometimes people get tunnel vision like the skier above. You never know if he has scratched up pair of goggles.... or is skiing with macular degeneration. I treat everyone like they can't see me. And try to make sure no one has the possibility to overtake me while I'm riding- ie BIG gaps. But this year I got closed out by a bunch of 6 mediocre skiers that had bunched up (they started out 1 by 1 ) and tweaked my ankle to avoid them. The product of Ikon Saturdays at Aspen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carvin' Marvin Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 3 hours ago, JohnE said: What lift, what run? It’s on Lionshead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Job Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Had a close call today at A-Basin. It's the turn-off after the slow-sign (near West Wall); you can go right to head towards the Lenawee chair. Some people take far skiers left on Lenawee face; I turned around to look, saw no one, went right and traversed, me and a skier almost collided; some old geezer with tunnel vision likely from that area I mentioned above. Dark blue jacket against a background of white (high elevation). I can't believe I missed that geezer on my look behind me. I *think* he came from a stop maybe directly to my right as I looked behind me, of course when I started the traverse after looking, I was in front of him. I wasn't even in carving mode. I was just "riding along" braking here and there... wow. Serious spring break wtfs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st_lupo Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 I usually treat any person that stops on a ridge like a potential straightline douche bag. Most of the good skiers that I see don’t want to break their flow, but people that have to stop and size-up the situation are likely going to give up turning on the steeps. I’ll pretty much always stop if there is another person waiting on a ridge and wait for them to go first. Sometimes it turns into the Bennie Hill show with no, you go… no, YOU go… NO, YOU GO… *yakkity sax intensifies* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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