avalanche in process

Whistler Enforces Prohibited Areas

Online edition of Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) informed recently that Whistler Blackcomb ski resort management adopted a zero-tolerance policy for those skiers who dare to ski in no-man areas. This prohibition to enter such off-limit areas is caused by several accidents happened over 24 hours - two men died in separate avalanches in such dangerous regions.

On New Year’s Eve a skier aged 37 perished and on the very New Year day a snowboarder of 26 years old died in avalanche. There’ s a strong opinion that both avalanches were caused by deceased persons, they both dared to enter off-limits-areas marked this way due to a high avalanche risk.

Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed made a remark that local inhabitants and resort’s guests are sensing anxiety caused by such a situation. "It's finally starting to register with people that this is a serious hazard and rightly there should be a nervousness and a period of reflection to think about the loss of lives and the need to respect the mountains," he said.

The resort’s management made a decision to void season passes for those skiers who do not realize the seriousness of avalanche danger and dare to enter off-limits zones. Also skiers and snowboarders are prohibited to access those lifts that lead to back country trails. According to Sgt. Steve LeClair, Whistler RCMP Staff, “any travel to the back country is not advisable because of the current conditions.”

Photo: avalanche in process (gazetteoutthere.blogspot.com)

Date: 12/01/2009