Here is what I sent to K-mart...we'll see what they say
The Killington terrain parks are part of what makes Killington such a fantastic place for freeskiers and snowboarders to enjoy the winter. The growth in popularity of freestyle skiing and snowboarding has driven the construction of new and bigger parks, with a wider variety of features. However, terrain parks have been growing more crowded, and as a result, less safe. If the crowds were simply experienced skiers and snowboarders, everyone would abide by park etiquette and safety rules, and all would be well. However, there are an increasing number of inexeperienced skiers and riders, and skiers and riders who have no intention of making proper user of the park features wandering into the parks both intentionally and unintentionally. This is a serious problem. Attempting new tricks and riding large features is difficult enough without having to worry about unaware people getting in the way. Furthermore, the increased traffic in the park destroys jump takeoffs, lips and landings and renders the features unsafe very early on in the day. We have tried as hard as possible ourselves to educate people who enter the terrain park, but more often than not, they respond defensively and with aggression, indicating they have as much of a right to be there as anybody else, and do what they like.
The riders of Killington, VT propose a system to solve this problem. We propose that, in the very least, the high level terrain parks, those with “medium” to “large” features, require a “terrain park pass”, or TPP for entrance. Surely the Killington brain trust has considered the possibility before but we would like to emphasize its importance. This TPP should be available to anyone at a nominal cost of 15-30 dollars. These funds could be used to increase the quality of the terrain parks and/or fund a warden or park supervisor whose responsibility would be to restrict entry into the park and enforce park etiquette. Other ski resorts have implemented this policy, such as Whistler-Blackcomb, BC. We understand that such a policy is not without its drawbacks. People naturally enjoy watching terrain park skiers and snowboarders performing their art. The park should be built in such a way that it is easily observable from a side-fence or other safe vantage point. (The old Beach terrain park was fantastic in this regard.) Smaller parks may of course remain open to all since aspiring park skiers and boarders must start somewhere.
Having the first terrain park in New England with a park pass system will provide a huge boost to Killington. People will come to Killington to ride the park because they know it will be safer. They will also come because the park pass system will demonstrate how committed Killington has become to freeskiing and snowboarding. Taking things even further, American Ski Company should issue a single park pass for all the terrain parks in all of its resorts. It could even be implemented as an add-on to the All-For-One pass.
In conclusion, Killington has one of the best terrain park systems in the Northeast and in North America as a whole. However, it is rapidly becoming unsafe and difficult to enjoy. It is only a matter of time before a young child or even adult wanders into the landing zone of a jump, and colides with an airborne rider moving at 30-40 mph. These possibilities threaten the lives of terrain parks and riders and render the mountain unsafe in general. Thank you for your consideration.
The Riders of Killington, VT.
