"MSeries" wrote
> If you are not stupid, ski on runs that are within your capabilities,
> keep your eye open for others you will probably be safe. If you fear
> you'll hit a tree, keep away from them, they will not chase you !!! The
> slopes this weekend were very quiet, these people would **** themselves
> if they skiied in France with the crowds there. Alot of the people are
> not teenagers powered by peer pressure, they are fully grown and I
> presume experienced adult skiiers. I would wager $5 that few of these
> folk have crashed in the last few years, yet they now think they are in
> danger ?
>
> Where will it all end ?
A lot of "experienced adult skiers" think they are in danger because of
other skiers, not because they themselves are poor or reckless skiers. Here
in Colorado there have been a number of fatalities and serious injuries in
the last few years caused by skier collisions. In most cases, a
reckless/inept skier ran into a skier who was minding his or her own
business and skiing carefully, injuring or killing the skier who was skiing
sensibly. Had you picked up the local newspaper while you were at Copper
today, you would have seen a series of articles on this subject, describing
repeated instances of the scenario I just described.
I myself am becoming more and more ambivalent about the whole helmet issue.
I've become more and more inclined to cycle without a helmet under certain
circumstances, and I think I'm much more realistic about the limitations of
a helmet when I do wear one. I tried skiing in a helmet a few times and
didn't like it, but I can certainly understand why some people would choose
to ski or cycle in a helmet.
I agree that, in skiing as in cycling, a lot of people place too much blind
faith in helmets. I also accept that we Americans seem to be leading the
worldwide trend towards trying to wrap everyone in cotton wool and protect
everyone from their own stupidity. However, the adults you saw at Copper are
probably more worried about the skiers/snowboarders around them than about
their own inability to ski sensibly.
I'm glad you enjoyed Copper. Excellent terrain, well laid out, and yes, it
is a lot easier to reach than the other summit County resorts.
--
mark