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How strict are resorts with their boundaries?

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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
How strict are the resorts in the us and canada with their boundaries?

Cause i norway we can ski pretty much wherever we want.
Nov 8 2010 6:06AM
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Mr.DarthVader
Posts: 1322 - Karma: 556
At my mountain they just have sings saying that if you go in the woods be prepared to stay the night necause we won't come find you. This is in Vermont and there pretty chill about it.
Nov 8 2010 9:30PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
they actually promote it, to a point.
Nov 8 2010 9:54PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Exactly, Like I think all the guys i rode with last winter there never had any avalanche gear, and those who did, didnt know how to use it.

In switzerland i wouldn dream of going out of bounds with out all the correct gear.

But its like you say definatly due to legal shit. Stupid modern day sueing society that we live in >.>

Nov 9 2010 5:21PM
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LjayCinema
Posts: 368 - Karma: 1,645
Aspen snowmass and the other resorts they own. is SUPER strict if they catch you. pulled pass right then and there unless theyre being nice.

However, its kinda sketchy to do it. They mark of certain areas (not ALL the roped terrain but a good amount of it) due to the hidden mine shafts there. People die a lot because of them, and its their own fault.
Nov 9 2010 5:56PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
At Fernie there's a few permanent closures on the boundaries where if you duck the ropes they'll pull your pass, haul you down the hill and ream you out so bad that it leaves marks in the carpark. I got the impression that most of their closures in these areas are because they're extremely avvy prone and half of them have paths into inbounds areas so they don't want you setting off anything that swats 20 little kids down below. Same deal with the inbounds closures from time to time.

At Niseko in Japan there's a couple of permanent closures that result in the police being called if you get caught in them. They have a bit of a knee-jerk reaction thing going on there - a couple of people being stupid (stopped for lunch in the bottom of a terrain trap) got hosed so they closed it permanently. Poaching it is a massive rush though, since you know that if you bail you're going to jail, haha.
Nov 9 2010 6:43PM
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AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
there is stuff you could get fucked up in a tline. if you got hurt in salmon river canyon there would be no way to get out. and meadows it fucking gay, i got a pass pulled for hiking 50 feet above the lift to drop a cornace into a run. meadows ski patrol are basically power tripping fags. inb4 you mad
Nov 11 2010 2:17PM
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Morginsfreeski
Posts: 129 - Karma: 10

I ski in the portes du soleil (Avoriaz) and never get stopped its brilliant. Plus i have insurance for all the mountain so if i get injured im not left stuck in the pow!!

Nov 11 2010 6:49PM
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PartyHon
Posts: 2019 - Karma: 425
true yes ive heard about that. SPC is sick
Nov 11 2010 11:42PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
there are gates, but for flatstar there is almost no interesting terrain. idk about sierra.

Alpine Meadows, however, lets you go anywhere out of bounds unless you have to cross closed in-bounds terrain to get there. If you get fucked over out there it's your fault, but they let you out anywhere you want to go— there's not a rope that goes around the resort, just some signs that say it's not patrolled past the sign. There is one exception: White Wolf. It's private property and the signs say you can't leave boundaries here. That's because the doucher who owns the land will fine you—LOTS–if he catches you.

The terrain accessible from AM is excellent too, but I won't spill details here. Check regionals for more specific info, there's tons of threads in there about alpine.
Nov 12 2010 2:17AM
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shortdawg
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 19
how.. I've gone out of bounds in front of tons of ski patrollers and they dgaf. As long as you look like you know what you're doing
Nov 12 2010 2:36AM
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BcPowderHunter
Posts: 275 - Karma: 13
The only thing whistler is strict about is it's permanently closed area's that are in bounds. We have no boundary gates that are closed on bad days, its up to us as skiers and snowboarders to use discretion when deciding to enter the backcountry. These closed area's are usually highly exposed cliff zones (eg. the south face of west cirque, where someone died 2 years ago) and have good reason to closed.
Nov 12 2010 5:43AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 44
I Copypastaed this from Wildcat's website.
"Wildcat maintains and patrols only the trails and glades within the ski area boundary identified on the map above. Areas outside the ski area boundary, and outside Wildcat's designated trails and glades within the ski area boundary, are not supported by Wildcat Ski Area services."

I do know that Ski Patrol will sweep many of the unmakred runs at the end of the day also.
Nov 12 2010 12:44PM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Im gonna bump this cause i didnt feel like making a new thread.

Can someone explain to me just skiing in the us? How is inbounds skiing?

Where the fuck are the groomers?

Do you just ski pow inbounds on open no groomed terrain? We dont have that here in norway so i am kinda confused.



http://www.squaw.com/squaw-valley-usa-mountain-map?referral=skilaketahoe
Mar 15 2011 4:49PM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10

Skiing in the US is totally dependent on the resort, you can go to the midwest and it will be all groomers, or you can go out west/east and ski both groomed and ungroomed runs, both of which are considered "on piste" by my german friends. I mostly ski inbounds at more challenging resorts, like telluride, but there is still tons of pow "on piste", especially if you hike beyond what the lifts serve

Mar 15 2011 5:53PM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
And what do the gates mean?

If you look at the squaw trail map theirs all these gates to get into silverado? But theirs still a lift? Are you on your own then? Or is it still on pist?
Mar 16 2011 2:57AM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6302 - Karma: 6,567
baker has an open rope poilcy in-bounds which is super rad. you are required to have gear if you leave the ski area boundary. (pack with beacon/probe/shovel).
Mar 16 2011 3:05AM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Gates vary from mountain to mountain.

The Silverado lift, for instance, allows people to lap some pretty sweet terrain that only that lift can access. The gates restrict where people can enter, if at all. If the gates are closed, people cannot ski it. That area is not backcountry, just restricted-entry, inbounds off-piste skiing.

Other mountains may have designated points where you can leave the area through gates. These access points help restrict people from entering when adverse conditions, such as a high avalanche danger, may be present. Some may go as far to check that you have certain gear before leaving the boundary.

Some areas have basically a boundary for permit and rescue purposes, but you are free to go beyond as you please. The area I ski at is somewhat like this, where the boundary designates their limit of "control." A couple of hiking routes high up, however, may be closed if there is severe danger.



Groomers are also dependant on the ski area and snow conditions. Basically everything that isn't groomed is left to accumulate naturally, and that is where you can find powder.
Mar 16 2011 3:13AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Is the snowpack controled in that area then? Or is it ski at your own risk?
Mar 16 2011 3:17AM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Silverado? controlled.

Most areas that I know of will control all terrain (when possible) within the area boundary. Usually they will also control areas that could impact the inbounds areas, even if it is beyond the boundary. But it does vary.
Mar 16 2011 3:29AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Thats sweet.

I want to the us to ski now.
Mar 16 2011 3:36AM
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zagfan5
Posts: 2608 - Karma: 144
idk whats with all the hate of people going out of bounds.
at my home mountain everybody who is a local or knows the mountain well skis out of bounds every single deep pow day. the backside is where the best snow is. my mountain has a completely open backcountry policy as far as i know. there are signs and all, but ski patrol would never lecture you on not skiing out of bounds, they would ask you how the snow was back there instead haha
Mar 16 2011 3:42AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
I meant more of BC access areas, aka slack country, around resorts. For instance, alta patrollers roll through Catherine's area to make sure its save even though half of it is out of bounds. And im pretty sure patrollers at brighton go OB around milly and great western and check conditions and open gates, etc. They wont open a gate from a resort without checking the conditions is what im saying, not legit BC you hike/skin/sled to.
Mar 16 2011 3:50AM
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billtro11
Posts: 304 - Karma: 49
There are two different "boundaries" when you duck a rope.  Here in Colorado, the edges of the ski area proper are considered "open" i.e. you are more than welcome to go into the backcountry, but realize that you are on your own as soon as you go through the gate or duck the rope (no avi control, no patrol support, mountain rescue comes for you, and they cost loooooot).


 In-bounds closures are a completely different animal.  Believe me, the ski company wants to have as much terrain as possible to be open. More acerage=more skiiers that want to come=more the company can market the size of their resort. Unfortunately these closures are in place because most of these gullies and other terrain "traps" either funnel you into a place that you have to slog out of, or the avy professionals that call their mountain home consider these drainages to be dangerous.

 Areas like the Highlands bowl need bootpackers during the early season to break up the snow layers for these aspects to be skiiable for the public when it finally opens in December .Even then, on pow days there are delayed openings so patrol can run avy routes in the bowl that has already been artifically bootpacked and skiied by people on a regular basis, and it STILL slides.  BC lines dont get much traffic.  That is why they are soo tasty. That is why they are so dangerous.

and on a lighter note...

Is it me or does they guy from the InventHelp commercial look like Lebron James and Michael Jordan had a baby?

 
Mar 16 2011 4:33AM
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Corin
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 524
So I've read this whole thread now, and there's some useful stuff in here. But I still don't get it. I've never been to the states or Canada, but I wanna go really bad, since they apparently have way more snow then we do.

What are these ropes or gates? Is there like a fence around the entire ski-area? That would be ridiculous.

And if that is the case, why would ski patrol care if you cross them? They work at the resort, right? Not outside. And what if you went hiking from a road up where there isn't a ski area? Would your pass (if you had one) get pulled from the nearest one then?

If this was true, that would be retarded.

In Sweden, the inbounds-area is defined "All the terrain you can reach from the lift without hiking. And then get back without hiking." And in that area the snowpack is controlled and they blow up cornices and stuff like that. So basically you can go wherever you want. But you need to have some knowledge about snow.


Mar 16 2011 4:44AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
I think what they really care about is you using their lifts to go up and then access the backcountry terrain. Unlike in europe, the US has tons of problems with liability and if some gaper left the "boundary" and fell off a cliff and the resort didn't tell them not to or have ropes up, they would probably sue the ski resort.

Its usually just one rope that goes around the resort, like the very edge. Some resorts don't have ropes, just signs, but i mean for example at Alta or Snowbird the terrain goes on after the resort and you can easily access it through a gate thats usually pretty close to the lift and then you're free. Some places won't let you do that and it sucks but its just kinda how shit works out here.

Hiking up shit around resorts is a different story, completely on you and honestly don't do it unless you go with someone who's been there or unless you have extensive knowledge.

I guess i can see why you would think a boundary is ridiculous but in the US were all a bunch of stupid ass holes so we kind of lose the right to make our own choices because a normal american retard doesn't want to take responsibility for their own actions.

There is plenty of inbounds skiing to be had and unlimited BC stuff if you're willing to learn and hike to these places. If you come to the US, go to mammoth, colorado (not summit county), jackson hole, mount baker or montana and you'll have so much fun.
Mar 16 2011 4:58AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
I forgot to add, thats basically how the ropes work, at most big resort the ropes are kind of at the end of where you can ski to and ski back without hiking. Most gates actually let you hike out of bounds pretty far if you wish to get somewhere dope, you just might have a long trek out. Sometimes there will be a rope where you could ski terrain, that they never open, but at the most is would be between 1-5 acres, not that much. The OB areas are there because usually it will lead you far away from the resort.
Mar 16 2011 5:02AM
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billtro11
Posts: 304 - Karma: 49
This is the operative paragraph here.  The legal ideology between the US ans Europe is completely different. America lets any dumbass who spills mcdonalds coffee in their cooch to sue for millions.  In Europe, negligence is interpreted differently, and in my opinion more accurate from a darwinian sense. 


The ski area boundary I.e. the edge of of the ski area has signs saying "Ski Area Boundary" instead of "Closed" and or signs and rope clearly displaying the edge of the resort.  It also helps to know where the fuck you are on the mountain so you dont have to make uninformed decisions about where you are going.
Mar 16 2011 5:09AM
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Toasty.
Posts: 6195 - Karma: 2,281
i know, when i moved to germany, i couldnt believe how they just dont care where you ski. i went to val thores and it was, if we have to come get you, then you get a fine. other wise ski where you want.
Mar 16 2011 8:26AM
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Corin
Posts: 1665 - Karma: 524
Okey, I get it now. Thanks for the info! Too bad it has be like that for you guys.
Mar 16 2011 8:51AM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
It's actually not too terrible, it allows ignorant and lazy people (like me) to ski really gnarly stuff without having to worry about needing avy equipment or training. The only reason ski patrol (at least where I ski in CO) would pull a pass for skiing out of bounds is if you went into an area that could endanger other, skiers, for example if you went into an closed, in bounds bowl which at the time had a high avalanche danger, particularly if there were on piste runs below that area.
Mar 16 2011 2:30PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
Mostly its really sick
Mar 16 2011 4:27PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
Strict*
Mar 16 2011 4:28PM
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Lick
Posts: 1927 - Karma: 518
At my place in Wisconsin, they don't really get mad if you take little trials out of bounds and through woods, but they get pissed if you go out of boundaries..
Mar 16 2011 5:00PM
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Crehm
Posts: 951 - Karma: 842
The whole in bounds out of bounds idea is stupid, ski patrol should just let anyone go anywhere as long as they arent endangering others ie: avalanche terrain that runs directly into groomers. And they should put signs up saying that you are no longer inside the resort past this point, and if you get lost or hurt you are a dumbass and they should charge to rescue you.

That would solve all problems with in vs out of bounds, and honestly i think that half the people go out of bounds because its out of bounds, if it was ok the joeys wouldnt be so tempted to test the limits.
Mar 16 2011 6:12PM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
Isn't this how it is most places?
Mar 16 2011 6:19PM
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tall_t
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 15
theres not really anywhere to duck in 7spring liberty or whitetail. the small chutes under the polar bear lift in 7s is the farthest out ive gone.
Mar 16 2011 6:27PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
That's how it is at most places...
Mar 16 2011 6:29PM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
explain?
Mar 16 2011 7:14PM
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Bawlz.
Posts: 109 - Karma: 16
Canadian rockies resorts are hitler strict. you go out and your pass goes snip, no warning even.
Mar 16 2011 7:38PM
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lanny94
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 165

my friend got caught goin under the windmill and ski patrol asked em if they were goin to smoke and they said no they just wanted to go ski some better snow and the guy was like ya id probablydo the same and let them go

Mar 16 2011 8:28PM
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ankhou
Posts: 505 - Karma: 238
At Revelstoke, you're free to go OOB as long as you don't hike too far into the designated cat-ski terrain (on one side of the resort), at which point you're endangering cat groups and cutting into the resort's profit margins. There are signs warning of a $1000 minimum fee for OOB rescues. Honestly though, if you're going OOB at Revy, you'd better know where you're headed, because there are a lot of terrain traps and lines that just don't go.

There's one permanently closed area inbounds which is full of gnarly cliffs, and is closed essentially to cut down on people needing a rope rescue or killing themselves inbounds because it's easily accessible from the main lift.
Mar 16 2011 9:48PM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
It's just nice to be able to ski "big" lines without needing to go through and pay for all the training, not that people shouldn't do the training, but for some finding the resources is difficult (time, money, etc)
Mar 16 2011 10:31PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
mountains in colorado i have gotten into trouble at:
vail
copper
winter park
keystone
breck

why:
vail: i went twenty feet out of bounds ad they threatened to fine 2gs
copper:there was a perfect line on the other side of the rope they took my four packwhen i had no days left
winter park: i droped a huge outabounds line on the cirque it was amazing and they took my day pass
keystone: in the outback i took the cat and hiked up and dropped the other side of the ridge which is sstrait down and insanly worth a $25 fine
breck: i cut a rope to hit a jump breck go fuck yourselves
most of the time they dont do shit but alot of place out west are mean when it comes to slack country
Mar 16 2011 11:00PM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
Notice how all of these resorts have lost touch with the core skiing (pot smoking) BC and skinning crowd, and turned into dick resorts with great parks.
I've skied west CO all my life, and never been fined for skiing out of bounds. If I was ever stupid enough to endanger others, I'd give up my pass and pay a fine.
Mar 16 2011 11:11PM
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Wesley.P
Posts: 1376 - Karma: 89
In steamboat they just say that if you leave that ski patrol will not come and look for you. search and rescue has to do it

Mar 16 2011 11:18PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
the only time i hav ad the possiblity of injuring othrs is when i tried to snow bord non of thos thing wuold of hurt anyone they were just angry
Mar 16 2011 11:24PM
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sk1color@do
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
I don't doubt you
what I meant to say with that post is that summit county/eastern CO resorts have lost touch with real skiing on real mountains and as a result hate on skiers such as yourself
Mar 16 2011 11:36PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Alberta and BC I have never had any troubles going into the backcountry except for at panorama, but panorama is not really worth going to if you can get out to revy or kicking horse. I know there are a couple of areas that are out of bounds at lake louise that are permanently closed but thats because the runouts lead onto the inbound terrain so it makes complete sense. Almost all resorts have backcountry exits so you can hike out.
Mar 16 2011 11:45PM
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connory998
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 34
really? as annoying as it would be to get stuck in trees, its not nearly as bad as the consequences for being an idiot out west, and if you don't know where you are going, you could end up buried or in the middle of nowhere with no way out.
Mar 17 2011 12:26AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
But once you go back inbounds they can do what they want, such as clip a pass.
Mar 17 2011 12:45AM
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