It's not young skiers who don't know any better that end up in fatal accidents on the slopes. This profile probably hits home for some of us here on dcski

http://www.denverpost.com/investigations...s-after-hitting

We were at Brighton last week when a snowboarder on a groomed blue (Tantamount) died after having hit a tree during the night skiing session (report below says he was found 'wrapped around a tree'). Definitely makes you stop and think.

http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/03/28/snowboarder-dies-after-hitting-tree-brighton

The 'middle age' male on groomed has been an observed demographic for several years. From information shared publicly, Wisp's two incidents this year fit that as well. Others locally over the last five years.

As said on earlier posts re: Wisp, the technology is so good today and we can all ski like heroes (and fast), but catch that edge/hit a patch of ice/get cut off with the trees nearby - you better act fast. Helmet ain't gonna matter either when it's blunt force to the chest and the insides want to keep moving.

...on that nice note. Hope all enjoy the transition to spring. ;-)

Groomed trails are just plain dangerous. I don't even like to warm up on groomers. You're better off skiing bumps, it appears to be a lot safer!

Bumps and trees and ungroomed steeps are much safer than groomed trails. I agree. Fortunately, I don't ski groomed trails much, especially during this past winter.

(Especially with the death trap skis you are on.)

I dont see the young guys take bold lines near the trees and snowmaking equipment, yet they have better reaction times. Dont pick those areas just because it's a little less tracked out there. And sometimes, we all get lazy and just cruise out of that athletic stance. The old skis you could get away with that, the new style skis are far too rambunctious to not be on top of them at all times.

One thing I know for sure is, there needs to be a BIG effort to let people know that wearing a helmet is NOT going to save you from really bad things if you are zooming along at 50mph into something, or heck even the ground. So dont play superman just because you have a helmet off.

Stay safe, come home to ride another day. No need to try to push yourself. It's not a diet.