I don't wanna be that kid but...

clark.

clark.

Member
In March I'm going out to Park City with a few friends. It's the first time I'll be skiing anything outside of the east coast, so lift accessible back country will be a must do. Anyway, I'm happy just to be going, but today I got home from skiing and got the talk about how I need to use good judgement. So I said that I wouldn't be going out of bounds and my dad completely flipped shit. Long story short, he's pissed that I even questioned that and "pushed the boundaries" by assuming I could ski the inbounds terrain. Back in the day his friend got caught up in an avalanche inbounds and died. Times have changed though, but he still thinks that I'm gonna get swept up and never seen again. I've been skiing my whole life and am a good skier on any terrain, but by no means do I disrespect the back country. I know my limits and know that bad things can happen to the best of us.
Anyway, how can I convince him to trust my judgement and realize that patrolled bowls and chutes are a lot less dangerous than they were in the 80s? I'll be skiing them anyway I just want him to have some peace of mind.
 
Tell him that ski control goes around the bowls before the lifts open and they blow up any potential avalanches. Tell him also they wouldnt make something in the ski area not safe.
 
yeah tell him that they do avy control and what not (do your homework so you can show him, not just claim that it happens) and also point out that we're in america land of the sue happy, they just wouldnt get away with opening dangerous shit nowadays..
 
Tell him the bowls at pc are comparable to your neighborhood sled hill. That would not be far from the truth either
 
I am doing that. We're building a kicker one day and hiking out to most of the spots. And yeah I know it's not really true backcountry but it is compared to what the east coast is used to.
 
First of all, don't worry about it. If he isn't going to be there, he won't know that you are skiing in bounds avy terrain, bowls, cliffs, whatever.

Second, I think you are saying you AREN'T planning on leaving patrolled, controlled terrain. If that's the case, word, keep it that way. Don't go into the BC, even just a couple hundred feet out into the BC, without avy knowledge and gear.

 
they aren't. the mountains havent been tamed, and the snow isn't any more stable. there aren't any guarantees in the mountains
 
It's no picknick out there. smokie the bear isnt gonna be there to sve your dumbass.listen to your dad. Theres plenty of good terrain inbounds.
 
When are you going, ill be there the 10-18 with a bunch of old geezer green carvers, and really am looking for people that will want to hit the park and backcountry with me while im out there.. and yea thats a call out to all PC/Canyons/and Deer Valley riders
 
We'll be at the Canyons, PC, Snowbird, and Alta from the 4th to 11th. Definitely up for some park as our mountain has one of the worst parks I've ever been to.
 
As a local, there is no danger to be had, except for trees. Trees are dangerous. Watch out.
But those bowls are bombed to hell before they are open to the public, so unless you are stupid, you'll be fine.
 
do you have the proper backcountry gear? atleast prode, beacon and shovel. do all of your friends have the gear. i would never go into the BC with someone who doesnt have the gear. just one more person to get in the way when people are trying to get me out. i always go into the BC and tell myself i will probably get caught in a avalanche. keeps you on your toes.
 
Tell them that the terrain at PC isn't even steep enough to slide. Also, tell him that if you're dumb enough to go missing/get yourself killed at PC, then you weren't that great of a kid to begin with, and that he'll be better off without you.
 
contradiction of the year...

your dad is acting like a frightened child. Have him explain his fears to you, and then explain why he neednt worry.

where did his friend die at? how big was the snowfall that lead to the avalanche?
 
as far as inbounds at park city you have nothing to worry about as far as avalanches go.

i'm glad you respect the "backcountry" and know you can die out there, but don't even think about heading out there unless you and all of your friends have all the appropriate gear (beacon shovels probes) the ability to use them in a critical situation, and knowledge of the terrain and and the snowpack.

 
In-bounds slides do happen on occasion..? At least I vaguely remember reading about one at Snowbird. And not a patrol triggered slide, but one that happened during regular resort hours. Anyway, if he is that worried tell him to buy you a receiver? I'd assume that if a slide DID happen in-bounds, patrol would perform a search.

Thinking about it, you're probably better off asking TGR about this. There are a lot of people there with a lot of knowledge about this that many newschoolers don't have. The site is down for me at the moment, but their avy forum is probably your best bet.
 
its not illegal to ski the backcountry or atleast it isnt in B.C dunno about utah. so your dad cant really do anything about it
 
Involves avalanches do occur on occasion, depending on snowpack. Rarely do they occur during operations hours (most often patrol-triggered), and even more rarely do they injure or kill individuals. Resorts have come a long way. But don't even think about backcountry/slackcountry if this is your first trip outside of the East Coast. Period.
 
Tell him what you just said, that sound like a pretty good argument, or ski with him for a few runs and prove to him your good enough and know your stuff
 
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