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Gapers Putting Us all in Danger, What to do?

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Johngreenacre
Posts: 626 - Karma: 4,555
Today i flipped out on some little kids dad cause his son snaked me and went off the side of a kicker when i was riding in switch. normally ill just swear to myself and go to the next feature but over the past couple of weekends I've had way to many falls and close calls because of little fucks that do not have any park etiquette.

incident 1.

so i landed switch off a rail and riding away, before i could revert or even look over my shoulder, i trucked a kid and did a switch backflip practically concussing myself. he had carved right into the landing of the rail without a second thought.

i got up and skied away.

Incident 2.

sending a flat 3 over a spine, as i came around and spotted my landing, i see a little girl hiking up about 10 feet in front of me. i quickly pull it to 450 and stop within inches of the kid.

impressed with my save, i didn't freak out and just rode away.

Incident 3.

riding into a small jump for a switch 5. as I'm moving in, quite fast too, a little kid in an Okemo racing jacket rips in right in front of me from the side to hit the side of the kicker. this time was it. after stopping i see this kid ride over to his dad watching admirably. i shouted "are you fucking kidding me,"not having it anymore, and the dad replies with "control yourself."

i was ready to throw some fucking hands. i ride over to this guy and proceed to shout at this guy about how his kid is gonna get me and himself killed.

he replies with "control yourself."

i point at this little kids racing jacket. "how many times have you seen me on the race course, this is the one trail on the mountain with a park, don't come in here and put everybody in danger!"

"control yourself he's 7."

"i don't care how old he is, I'm not mad at him, I'm mad at you and how you think what he's doing is alright!"

"THE KIDS 7 CONTROL YOURSELF."

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE PARK."

I rode away.

So long story short, I've had enough of this shit, and so has every park skier i know.
how do we stop this shit, all of the snaking, side jumping, lack of respect, and gapers trying to kill us?

also, ski patrol pulls passes for jumping over rollers but doesn't do a thing about kids sitting in the landings of jumps.
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Jan 18 2016 7:44PM
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jynx81
Posts: 359 - Karma: 479
My plan on solving this really only works for smaller hills(sorry) but I think it wouldn't hurt to have a lift that gapers can't ride. A Poma or just a high jbar a hill near me has a double that has to run around 600 vert and the lifts always got a giant line so the run it at max capacity.
I rarely see gapers in it but when they go on it they get flown 5 feet and dub eject by the force of this thing a true Beauty;)
Jan 20 2016 7:59PM
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azapchris
Posts: 56 - Karma: 380
Thanks for saying it brother
Jan 20 2016 7:59PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7494 - Karma: 50,825
jynx81My plan on solving this really only works for smaller hills(sorry) but I think it wouldn't hurt to have a lift that gapers can't ride. A Poma or just a high jbar a hill near me has a double that has to run around 600 vert and the lifts always got a giant line so the run it at max capacity.
I rarely see gapers in it but when they go on it they get flown 5 feet and dub eject by the force of this thing a true Beauty;)


My mountain has a rope tow, and gapers can barely use it, but they love it. It causes more problems than it solves
Jan 20 2016 8:23PM
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Jibbz
Posts: 84 - Karma: 707
or u could put all the kids on those leashes lol
Jan 20 2016 8:47PM
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mm.ski
Posts: 37 - Karma: 167
Establish factions amongst the locals and start an all out turf war. Who ever wins gets to make the rules. Thats how Canada Olympic Park works.
Jan 20 2016 8:51PM
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cholo
Posts: 44 - Karma: 79
Park passes seem like a good idea, but you have to realize that they would have kept many of us from progressing as kids and eventually getting into park...
Jan 20 2016 9:11PM
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03gade
Posts: 856 - Karma: 3,263
Honestly I feel like half the problem with this story is okemo's shitty ass relocation their park from noreaster to windy-ass narrow-ass tomahawk.

I skied okemo 20+ days for 4 years in college and they swapped the park right after I graduated. I've only checked out okemo once since then and I can say tomahawk makes for a sketchy ass park trail. Now I'm shredding Nitro like everyone else and don't regret it at all.

But it''s still surprising to see the amount of gapers in carinthia considering they have to go out of their way to get to it and are probably well aware is a park-only area.
Jan 20 2016 9:12PM
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Shawleen
Posts: 88 - Karma: 89
choloPark passes seem like a good idea, but you have to realize that they would have kept many of us from progressing as kids and eventually getting into park...


Usually those mountains (well all the one I did) put a smaller park without parkpassed for them. Only few small features.

When people get bored of this one; than they buy the parkpass for the bigger park.
Jan 20 2016 9:55PM
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JFetz31
Posts: 41 - Karma: 38
The only solution is to make features really big and scary. Gapers only need to eat it once and then they tend to stay out of the park!
Jan 20 2016 10:28PM
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JFetz31
Posts: 41 - Karma: 38
The only solution is to make features really big and scary. Gapers only need to eat it once and then they tend to stay out of the park!
Jan 20 2016 10:29PM
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=FAIL=
Posts: 536 - Karma: 47
Can't say I see gapers as a big deal most of the time. Yes; people who don't know their snow-responsibility code are a danger, and yes; I often lose my head at these people and those who don't realise what effect they're having on the features in the park itself. However; this is ALWAYS followed up with reasoning and affirmation that they understand, because people deserve to be educated about etiquette and safety, not intimidated. I've taken aside instructors taking trains of little people through the park, parents, kids and all, and never left on bad terms. I do this almost every day I'm on the mountain; it's exactly the same as giving props or trick-tips and leaves everybody better off.
Jan 21 2016 12:27AM
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free.skier_AK
Posts: 11 - Karma: 153
I think the best thing would be free park passes (or maybe just a couple bucks) but you have to actually ask for them separately from your ticket. That way random Jerrys wouldn't just wander into the park.
Jan 21 2016 1:30AM
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Beeradfizzle
Posts: 54 - Karma: 111
Honestly, thats pretty shitty. I know you're pretty irritated but come on. Think of what that is doing to that kid. I remember I went through a snowboarding phase when I was 10-11. There was a kid checking his footage next to a box. I hit the box and was just trying to figure it out. I slid off and back and hit the guy. He cussed me out when he was obviously at fault being too close to the box. I went to the bathroom and cried to myself. I didn't know he was at fault, just that I felt unwelcomed.
Park rats can be some of the least welcoming people. It took me forever to just be like "fuck this" and start showing up.
Seriously, just explain to the kid next time. Encourage kids. Grow the sport. Just because someone has some gate bashers doesn't mean he's not trying to enter the park scene. My first so called "twins" were Atomic Tweak Jrs and I can guarantee you wouldn't think they were park skis.
Snowboarders were always so unwelcoming (whether i was on skis or board), let's not become what they used to be (or still are sometimes).
Jan 21 2016 1:58AM
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Beeradfizzle
Posts: 54 - Karma: 111
Gr0moOP did the wrong thing, but im 100% guilty of doing it too.

Once i was lapping the park and a 7 year old had taken her skis off and started climbing on the lip of a 30ft jump like it was a jungle gym; her father approvingly looking on. At first i ignored it and did my lap. When i came back for a second run the kid was still there doing a snow angle in the middle of the jump.

I lost it

I came into the jump going mach 10 and speed check right in her face spraying her with a metric ton of snow. the dad lost his shit and tried to fight me, from which i did not back down.

it wasn't the right thing to do and looking back i feel like a douche but i understand why OP flipped out, we have all been there.


Honestly, I was kinda against OP until I read this. Makes sense. Been there with the kid in the landing
Jan 21 2016 2:06AM
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pow_pow~
Posts: 1429 - Karma: 1,804
Op.I got fed up with this stuff the other day, I seriously just went around spraying kids for a couple hours.

I've talked to patrollers about this, they definitely notice when people are chilling in the landings.


I work patrol occasionally in Australia, when its quiet ill just stand at the entrance to the park and not let kids in.
Jan 21 2016 2:06AM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1726 - Karma: 7,210
This has been beaten like a dead horse by now im sure, but seriously control yourself! Sounds like the dad was being chill, I'm sure he knew even before you started screaming and swearing repeatedly in front of his kid. I'd say fuck him if he was being agro towards you, but it's all on you brotha
Jan 21 2016 2:18AM
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Boiski
Posts: 1 - Karma: 4
There should be some sort of game where you get gnar points for hitting kids. Bonuses for yard sales.
Jan 21 2016 2:55AM
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pifft.
Posts: 132 - Karma: 767
Yesterday on my first run I was inches away from a rail and this train of gapers come rolling through. I had to quickly split causing my pants to literally blow up. Had to ride 6 hours with that shit. Down with the gapers
Jan 21 2016 8:18AM
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Huck-e-Cheese
Posts: 303 - Karma: 417
-RobertYa they're a real problem at 7springs too....


I second this. 7 springs has serious issues with this. I saw your post on the ride7springs instagram as well
Jan 21 2016 10:23AM
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-Robert
Posts: 2000 - Karma: 1,492
Huck-e-CheeseI second this. 7 springs has serious issues with this. I saw your post on the ride7springs instagram as well


I'm glad they took my suggestion into consideration some what, but you can still easily go around that fence. So it kinda isn't doing anything. Hopefully they'll figure something out before someone gets seriously hurt.
Jan 21 2016 10:32AM
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Huck-e-Cheese
Posts: 303 - Karma: 417
Springs is kind of ridiculous with how many unexperienced riders, ski patrol in the part is not a terrible idea (or at least the alley) last week i hit the second alley jump and came over the lip, and in the air i spotted two kids just sliding down the landing on lunch trays, i came dangerously close to landing on one.
Jan 21 2016 10:38AM
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MarkoMark
Posts: 176 - Karma: 880
californiagrownYeah, you handled it very poorly. Youre a shithead teenager so you can get away with acting like that, but It'd behoove you to learn how to handle yourself much better in those situations... there might not be such a patient understanding Dad next time.


Californiagrown, you got a point -actually- you had a point. Now you are just being ridiculous. You have like 20 downvotes on every post lol. Newschoolers aint for you bro. Go back to SeniorsSkiing.com. You're not OP's Dad. You're not Andy Griffith (see what I did there) only old farts like you would get that one.


Boom Roast
Jan 21 2016 9:57PM
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itswillis21
Posts: 294 - Karma: 66
Whenever i try to tell someone standing on a part of a jump that no one can see you on is dangerous they just respond with something about how downhill skier has the right of way. i pretty much just gave up on being nice because nobody is willing to listen. People can't seem to comprehend why i would just almost land on them and they just assume i'm some shit head that would think hurting both of us would be fun. Basically i just yell at the people in the way on my way by now.
Jan 22 2016 12:02AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
MarkoMarkNewschoolers aint for you bro.


Whys that?
Jan 22 2016 12:03AM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,466
Park skiing mentality is so dumb. Why don't you guys save time effort and money and just go take a drive on the freeway during rush hour. Sitting in a crowd of people anxious to get where they are going, all pissed at each other for existing. Sounds like a good time!
Jan 22 2016 12:13AM
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-BenC-
Posts: 7 - Karma: 39
Trump can build a giant wall to keep gapers out of the parks
Jan 22 2016 12:16AM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
CaseyPark skiing mentality is so dumb. Why don't you guys save time effort and money and just go take a drive on the freeway during rush hour. Sitting in a crowd of people anxious to get where they are going, all pissed at each other for existing. Sounds like a good time!


your analogy is off it assumes everyone in the park is of a similar level and have similar goals for the end point. It's more like if you had commuters passing through an F1 or NASCAR race, people who are far more acomplished at what theyre doing being put in danger by people in a world of their own and far less able to control themselves with no regard for the rules/general etiquette. do you not think that would be frustrating as the race driver?
Jan 22 2016 4:32AM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
CaseyPark skiing mentality is so dumb. Why don't you guys save time effort and money and just go take a drive on the freeway during rush hour. Sitting in a crowd of people anxious to get where they are going, all pissed at each other for existing. Sounds like a good time!


your analogy is off it assumes everyone in the park is of a similar level and have similar goals for the end point. It's more like if you had commuters passing through an F1 or NASCAR race, people who are far more acomplished at what theyre doing being put in danger by people in a world of their own and far less able to control themselves with no regard for the rules/general etiquette. do you not think that would be frustrating as the race driver?
Jan 22 2016 7:27AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
razors-chazyour analogy is off it assumes everyone in the park is of a similar level and have similar goals for the end point. It's more like if you had commuters passing through an F1 or NASCAR race, people who are far more acomplished at what theyre doing being put in danger by people in a world of their own and far less able to control themselves with no regard for the rules/general etiquette. do you not think that would be frustrating as the race driver?


Actually an apt analogy would be an open track day at a race course. Everyone pays their $40 and has the right to drive whatever car they like on the track that day, regardless of skill level or car.
Jan 22 2016 9:15AM
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RicDeLorenzi
Posts: 159 - Karma: 690
Our shaper hates with all his heart gapers, so when he discovered one of them lapping, the park was already closed, he hit the gaper against a container! He was really proud when he told us ahah
Jan 22 2016 9:28AM
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jynx81
Posts: 359 - Karma: 479
THEDIRTYBUBBLEMy mountain has a rope tow, and gapers can barely use it, but they love it. It causes more problems than it solves


Gapers ride santas beard? Rip
Jan 22 2016 2:11PM
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Brettersonn
Posts: 82 - Karma: 102
Park passes won't work. My mountain Stratton requires park passes and it doesn't stop every little fucker to get in the park and fuck everything
Jan 22 2016 7:13PM
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btedeschi
Posts: 282 - Karma: 437
the park crew could try to rope off the park with a sign saying park skiers only, although gapers would still probably duck the rope :(
Jan 22 2016 7:57PM
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MOGULS...
Posts: 505 - Karma: 194
Homie. Do you think you ever made a mistake while skiing when you were seven?

Let me answer that for you... yeah, you did.

Calm it down and maybe approach said "snakes" or parents of snakes and let them know a few things about the park. Calling drops and hitting ability appropriate features is a great place to start. People truly don't know this stuff.

Also don't diss a kid because of his racing jacket, chances are that if he has a good experience in the park at a young age, he will become a freestyle skier later in life. Don't ruin the experience for him or her. Young people in the park can only be a good thing for our sport.

Think about the big picture, and just be a nice person.
Jan 22 2016 8:53PM
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Jtmunn
Posts: 30 - Karma: 73
CaseyIt doesn't even have to cost money. Snoqualmie makes you take a 20 minute or so class before you can get a park pass. I feel like the hassle is way more of an impediment than the five dollars it costs. But seriously there have been times where I went to ride to ride park at night, didnt have a park pass, there wasn't a way to get one, so I had to secretly poach by jumping the ropeline in the lower park. Off topic, just had to share


I work park crew at white pass and especially on the weekends we do our best to go over park etiquette with people that either need it or we don't recognize, for the most part we've had hardly any problems this year, I've only been snaked once so far lol.
Jan 22 2016 9:18PM
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RicciT45
Posts: 10 - Karma: 11
I usually just like, wait and look around to make sure I'm good before I drop in
Jan 23 2016 5:02AM
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Thegratefulskier
Posts: 338 - Karma: 918
Last year at my mountain some 12 year old cocky snowboarder cut me off as I was going off the kicker for a jump and I practically landed on him he tried to blame it on me but I just yelled at him and his friends
Jan 23 2016 7:58AM
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skier114
Posts: 18 - Karma: 43
https://www.instagram.com/p/3Uvp-kR4sk/
Jan 23 2016 9:07AM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,548
HogisIt is what it is. Gapers are money and parkrats ain't.


parkrats pay just as much as everyone else
Jan 23 2016 11:45PM
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MarkoMark
Posts: 176 - Karma: 880
JtmunnI work park crew at white pass and especially on the weekends we do our best to go over park etiquette with people that either need it or we don't recognize, for the most part we've had hardly any problems this year, I've only been snaked once so far lol.


Ya education could help. Lil dudes just don't know. Too busy ignoring the icy snot dripping out of their nose to pay attention and learn from us older guys.
Jan 24 2016 1:02AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
yung_shwiftyparkrats pay just as much as everyone else


Really? Park rats only buy day tix, pay for parking, rents equipment, and buy lunch at the lodge?
Jan 24 2016 11:58AM
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Hogis
Posts: 551 - Karma: 393
yung_shwiftyparkrats pay just as much as everyone else


Nah.
The average gaper family at my resort pay around 4500USD on their one week vacation.
A place to stay, rentals, skipass, they wanna go out to eat, wanna do some activities with their kids etc. etc.

I dunno about you, but I got my pass with a 85% discount and I got my own gear, for starters.. I guess you see my point.
Jan 24 2016 2:33PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Just curious, how many people have a park pass or some sort of enforced boundary/safety policy at their home mountain?

Does your park crew or ski patrol ever enforcing safety in the park, especially when its busy?
Jan 24 2016 7:43PM
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Gryllz
Posts: 483 - Karma: 1,204
skier114https://www.instagram.com/p/3Uvp-kR4sk/


beauty
Jan 24 2016 7:55PM
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spacelunch
Posts: 67 - Karma: 141
We have it pretty easy compared to the skateparks nowadays. At least for skiing the gapers are only going in one direction. At skateparks the scooterkids are comming in from every direction
Jan 24 2016 11:36PM
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Willi5
Posts: 17 - Karma: 24
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE PARK."

I rode away.


atta boy
Jan 25 2016 2:54AM
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uturn
Posts: 183 - Karma: 380
The number of gapers in the park has skyrocketed. I recommend carrying bear spray and mining the areas between the lip of the jump and the knuckle of the landing
Jan 25 2016 9:31AM
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MNSkiers
Posts: 1154 - Karma: 7,533

Imagine that same exact thing but with 2 tow rope's on a 300 ft hill. Thats Hyland hills... Boy I turn into a monster if i get cut off while I have my camera
Jan 25 2016 11:15AM
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roach1324
Posts: 215 - Karma: 331
first you nerds bitch about there being no money in park skiing then you bitch about becoming too mainstream take your pick the little kids side jumping on little twin tips are the same who are gonna pay for your shitty sponsorships and xgames
Jan 25 2016 2:25PM
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