Recently, On behalf of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Matt Mosteller publicly announced the discontinuation of the construction and maintenance of Terrain Park jumps in all RCR resorts this approaching season. This came with uproarious discontent from the park riding youth who often attend these resorts solely to session the obstacles of the terrain park. I pride myself in being a member of this very vibrant and rising culture, and I felt the effects of this painful decision, as much if not more than anyone. The decision made to stop the operation of terrain parks, and thus halting the progression of these children and adults alike, is absolute ludicrous
I recently spoke with the general manager of operations over the phone, and he told us that the decision was made strictly in the name of safety. “We feel a strong moral obligation to not compromise the safety of our guests.†This, to me, was very strange. For as long as I can remember, as we received our seasons passes, we signed a waiver stating that RCR and all of its affiliates were not responsible for any injury caused by man made or natural obstacles. Last time I checked, a man-made gap jump is in fact a man made obstacle. Of course, the terrain park is directly under the chair receiving constant supervision from onlookers with a bird’s eye view. The park is also fenced off completely with the exception of a small entrance. Even I, as a very experienced skier, sometimes find it difficult to enter the park, and I highly doubt that an inexperienced skier could accidentally enter the park against their will. The terrain park is also absolutely ridded with warning signs and indicators. Not a jump is left without a sign posted, indicating the size and skill level required to safely hit the jump. At the entrance of the park, a full list of park etiquette and safety is placed in a position where it is impossible to bypass and not see. Finally, each jump is meticulously groomed, maintained and inspected many times a day, well before any public usage is permitted. It seems RCR has taken every precaution possible to “not compromise the safety of our guests,†and frankly, If a very inexperienced skier lacks the mental capacity, and physical condition to enter the park and hit any feature without the necessary skill set or equipment, I feel that the resort should not feel a responsibility to protect them further.
The ambiguity lies in that now that this culture of young and rebellious skiers are being deprived of one of their most essential assets, they will almost defiantly find other ways to get airborne. The most popular method of attaining this excitement is to construct makeshift jumps on their own in undesignated, remote areas of the ski hill. These jumps lack engineering and effective use of safety precautions, but rather simply thrown together by eager daredevils feeling the withdrawal from the terrain park they once knew. To me at least, these unmarked, poorly maintained and unexpected obstacles pose a much greater threat to oblivious “valued guests†than an extremely controlled area such as a terrain park. Black diamond runs on the back are not maintained or inspected anywhere near the amount that the park is, and I believe that an inexperienced rider is increasingly more likely to become injured on a black diamond run with unavoidable natural hazards of all kinds, than inside the safety and control of the terrain park. Personally, I would rather get injured on a jump directly under the main chairlift, than a remote, mal-nourished, black diamond run that gets patrolled perhaps once an hour. But, that’s just me. The youth of today will find a way to remain airborne no matter how many ski patrollers are on duty, or how many shovels are confiscated.
Instead of this unwarranted, unsupervised booter building fiesta that will occur, why not look for methods of reducing the danger of large terrain park jumps, as well as the legal danger they may introduce. I propose the instatement of a park pass. This relatively simple solution will counteract the danger of inexperienced skiers (who are MORE dangerous than the obstacles themselves) by restricting their access to the features within the park. When the pass is distributed, a mandatory park specific waiver must be signed, stating that RCR is not responsible for injury or damaged equipment sustained while using features of the terrain park. Finally pass holders would go through a day long training session instructing park safety, etiquette and techniques in order to maintain a safe, positive environment. This would virtually eliminate the risk of under experienced skiers and boarders entering the park without the skills fit to do so. This way, all risk is self-assumed, and your “moral obligation†will rest at ease.
Of all the things that bother me about this decision, it is the fact that the terrain park is a culture. It is a mosaic of different skills, ages, genders, and sports. The park itself is a small community thriving on the features it holds. With the withdrawal of jumps, dreams were literally crushed. Off the top of my angry little head, I can think of at least 4 occupants of Kimberley Alpine Resort who had a chance to go somewhere with terrain park skiing. Now those aspirations have been harshly rejected with a simple business move. It’s like taking the rink away from the hockey player, it’s like taking away books away from a scholar, and it’s like taking a bone from a dog. This alone is enough to reverse the decision you have made, because lets face it, if safety of your guests is you main concern, I feel that the removal of monitored and maintained jumps is not the answer. Financially, I know that jumps and insurance costs are unimaginable amounts, but if RCR could find it in them to sacrifice money for every park riders’ dreams, happiness, and safety, well it would be greatly appreciated.
Rory Greggain
