Venting about stolen equipment

#1

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 8:27am

Phatboy
offline

Joined: December 2004
Post Count: 62

Ok, I am not one to complain over nothing but I am really pissed off….I first want to start off by saying that the folks who work at Wachusett are great and extremely helpful!! So this is not a dig against them. I was at Wachusett last night hoping to have some fun skiing with my nephew and his father. I put my helmet down for 2 minutes so I could pay for something, when I went back to get my helmet someone had stole my goggles ($125.00). I know it is not like having your skis stolen but what is the deal with not being able to let anything out of your sight with out the fear of it being stolen……Anyone else have this kind of experience??

#2

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 9:35am

comprex
offline

Joined: October 2003
Post Count: 11,240

Not goggles, no.

Marmot coat.

Skis.
(But I saw the guy carrying them off to the bus, chased after him, and recovered them when he dropped them).

anticooler than you

#3

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 9:41am

NE1
offline

Joined: July 2002
Location: MA
Post Count: 700

Quote:

Originally Posted by comprex

Skis.
(But I saw the guy carrying them off to the bus, chased after him, and recovered them when he dropped them).

One can only hope you caught him!

:

#4

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 9:51am

Philpug
offline

Joined: September 2000
Location: NTS, PA
Post Count: 22,538

Back in 85, my wifes Christmas present of brand new skis were stolen from Camelback that evening. IIRC, over 50 pair were stolen that evening.

Click. Point. Chute.

#5

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 9:53am

Richie-Rich
offline

Joined: March 2006
Location: Strong Island, NY
Post Count: 5,067

Sucks man....I am always weary of leaving any of my gear out of my sight even for a second. I carry my Leki poles into the lodge even with all the signs saying I shouldnt.

#6

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 9:55am

krp8128
offline

Joined: October 2006
Location: Poland, Maine/Rochester, NY
Post Count: 2,164

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philpug

Back in 85, my wifes Christmas present of brand new skis were stolen from Camelback that evening. IIRC, over 50 pair were stolen that evening.

Phil, this wouldn't be how you started your first quiver, would it?

I used to feel plenty comfortable leaving my stuff in a lodge, either in a bag under the table or stuffed into a cubby. Lately I either spring for a locker or use the free baggage checks. Skis get locked to the rack 98% of the time too.

It's really unfortunate, but (some) people suck.

09/10 Ski Days: 00

#7

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 10:50am

Phatboy
offline

Joined: December 2004
Post Count: 62

I think I learned a good lesson fairly cheep……I will never leave any of my stuff unlocked or unattended!!
The other thing is it ruined my night skiing because that was all I could think about…..

#8

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 11:03am

Skipirate
offline

Joined: December 2007
Post Count: 34

I was walking to the lift last year at Blue Mountain, dropped my googles between the door and the snow. By the time I realized and turned around they were gone. Googles go very quickly and no one ever drops them in lost & found. *******s.

#9

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 11:21am

Dino
offline

Joined: April 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Post Count: 920

Yeah, totally sux; I assume people will steal unattended stuff now, and only leave stuff that's funky/cheap laying around. I have a skinny cable lock for my skis/poles that keeps honest folks honest. This looks OK for $8: http://www.kingkeyser.com/store/item...artment_id=128

#10

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 11:28am

krp8128
offline

Joined: October 2006
Location: Poland, Maine/Rochester, NY
Post Count: 2,164

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

Yeah, totally sux; I assume people will steal unattended stuff now, and only leave stuff that's funky/cheap laying around. I have a skinny cable lock for my skis/poles that keeps honest folks honest. This looks OK for $8: http://www.kingkeyser.com/store/item...artment_id=128

I've got the same one, made by Krypton. A bit bulky at times, but much better then the retractable versions. Those always got stuck, and I'm pretty sure that If you gave it a quick jerk you could rip the plastic housing apart.

09/10 Ski Days: 00

#11

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 11:51am

DonDenver
offline

Joined: September 2006
Location: Guess
Post Count: 1,543

Nothing more disappointing then finding that there is punk sliding on your hill. But, unfortunately, there are a number of them everywhere. Sucks.

I watch our stuff like a hawk anymore…especially indoor table or hook parked helmet and goggle...and I’ve been tempted once or twice to put some gear into a sting operation. But then I think WTF am I doing…thief will get his/her punishment soon enough…besides, I don’t feel like a prison term and missing out on powder days.

It is wise to be more vigilant. Although I’m not to the point like Richie-Rich where I carry my Leki's into the lodge just yet…but I still park as best I can my outside gear within a window view or use a small cable lock [like Dino]…kinda like having an ADT sign outside the house without an active system. This won’t deter a pro with a Leatherman…but might slow a first timer.

Regardless, I hope the thief is reading this thread. And if you are; PM the OP and beg forgiveness with the return of the goggles and throw in a new 25 VTL lens for good measure. Hey, I wouldn’t want Karma over my shoulder constantly looking for the right strike point.

#12

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 12:22pm

Trekchick
online

Joined: November 2005
Location: Michigan, oop nort in da land of trolls
Post Count: 23,651

Our local hill has corralled an area with surveylance camers(s).
Signs everywhere that say, You are being watched.
Skis in that corral are not bothered, however there have been thefts outside of that area.

When we dine close to our car, we just lock everything up in the car.
Sad that we have to do that.

Remember when goggles cost 20.00?
sheesh, now we pay big$$ for them and they disappear quickly.
Truly sad.

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

#13

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 12:35pm

mollmeister
offline

Joined: January 2006
Location: Colorado
Post Count: 719

That sucks.

I have become a bit paranoid, ever since my Dad had two sets of skis stolen in two seasons about seven years ago.

I generally lock my skis (even up on the mountain). Those locks are easy enough to cut for a pro, but it will slow them down, and they might grab an unlocked pair instead. Or I'll very thoroughly split them.

If I am going for an apres drink or some shopping, I always schlep them back to the car, even when it's a pain. The base is usually where things get stolen, so why take chances?

And actually, the helmet/goggles thing is one reason I keep skiing with a small pack, even though can be a PITA. I can just clip that stuff on with a 'biner while I am getting food. Although since I usually eat really early to avoid crowds, I am probably not dining at prime time for thieves.

It would never occur to me not to take things to lost and found. I don't get who these people are.

:

#14

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 3:35pm

c1er
offline

Joined: March 2004
Location: NE Pa
Post Count: 114

Lost wallet

My wife left her fanny pack in the restroom at a smaller PA ski resort with her wallet and phone in it last weekend. Went back in about 2 minutes for it but it was gone. Went to the courtesy desk and there it was - everything in it. Just depends on the crowd at the mountain.

#15

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 3:45pm

roundturns
offline

Joined: September 2003
Location: McMurray,Pa.
Post Count: 1,972

Its a sad statement of the times and unfortunately some of the people that ski. Years ago skiing was more of a fraternity and bond and commraderie existed that made this type of activity really really low rent and you didn't see much of it. You'd think somebody that could afford a $70 lift ticket would be above skiing. Maybe just the opposite is supporting theft, people are so put out by the cost of the sport they can't help themselves when they see something they can pilfer and justify it by telling themselves the person they just ripped off can afford to replace. I hope not.

I have a seasons locker at my home hill and its worth the price just having peace of mind knowing my skis aren't going to be stolen while I eat lunch.

#16

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 3:53pm

Richie-Rich
offline

Joined: March 2006
Location: Strong Island, NY
Post Count: 5,067

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundturns

Its a sad statement of the times and unfortunately some of the people that ski. Years ago skiing was more of a fraternity and bond and commraderie existed that made this type of activity really really low rent and you didn't see much of it. You'd think somebody that could afford a $70 lift ticket would be above skiing. Maybe just the opposite is supporting theft, people are so put out by the cost of the sport they can't help themselves when they see something they can pilfer and justify it by telling themselves the person they just ripped off can afford to replace. I hope not.

I have a seasons locker at my home hill and its worth the price just having peace of mind knowing my skis aren't going to be stolen while I eat lunch.

Yeah! Good point you're probably right...ah he can afford it, F him, those skis are mine.

#17

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 4:18pm

yetidave
offline

Joined: September 2007
Post Count: 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1er

My wife left her fanny pack in the restroom at a smaller PA ski resort with her wallet and phone in it last weekend. Went back in about 2 minutes for it but it was gone. Went to the courtesy desk and there it was - everything in it. Just depends on the crowd at the mountain.

Nice to hear. What mountain?

#18

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 5:00pm

Que
offline

Joined: November 2007
Location: Crested Butte
Post Count: 212

I had a pair of Indigo adjustable ski poles swiped a few years ago. Really pissed me off. They're pretty uncommon and I had my phone number scratched into them. I hope some day I find the punk who swiped them and I will shove them so far up his.... Ya, completely pisses me off. I ski on High Society Freerides with Freeride Pluses and also a pair of Bros mounted with Naxos. I realize that this screams "take me" to your average punk. I separate them at all times but usually have to put some distance between them as they stand out in a crowd.

Stealing ski gear = stealing a townie = bad karma for life

#19

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 5:27pm

heisoktoday
offline

Joined: December 2007
Location: Northern Cal
Post Count: 12

Bummer about thefts. My experience reinforces the experience of Philpug in 85. Ski theft was very common even in the 70's in Southern Cal, and at Mammoth. Generally there have been thieves throughout history. It sucks.

I always thought that it was a crime of opportunity, as opposed to a systematic planned theft by groups as evidenced by the 50 skis stolen at Camelback. I guess that 2 or 3 thieves! (not skiers) with cell phones could grab a few pairs of skis quickly, and move on to another area for more.

#20

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 5:30pm

Ron White
offline

Joined: February 2005
Location: Catskill Region of New York
Post Count: 1,629

I once had my instructor's jacket stolen from the locker door in the pro room. Two days later in the construction technology class I was teaching, comes in one of the students wearing it. How dumb can someone be? BTW, I got it back.

RW

#21

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 6:06pm

Racer256
offline

Joined: March 2007
Location: Central MA
Post Count: 602

So lame.

Wach has a bad case of sticky finger syndrome.

I have developed a pack system that looks huge but when I am wearing most of the contents, it fits in a 75 cent locker.

Had a BIG bag of stuff:Boots pants bib helmet gloves etc etc stolen a few years ago. Claimed it on my homeowners ins. $500 gets you $1.5K.

New gear baby.

Lock your gear. Split up your skis. Wawa DOES have a free ski check. Use it. Flip the kids a buck a day in "Tippa da boot".

#22

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 6:25pm

Philpug
offline

Joined: September 2000
Location: NTS, PA
Post Count: 22,538

From a previous thread....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philpug

Mad River Glen and Karma,

Mad River is one of those rare places on earth where the cosmic tumblers sync more often than they do not. Some might recall, when I was there 2 years ago, I lost my car keys...on the mountain. Not only that I lost keys on the mountain, but it was a powder day. Due to powers stonger than Ullr, my keys were found and returned to me. The gentleman (lift operator) who found them also refused a reward and simply said that he was glad he could help.

Fast forward two years to today. My son and I were skiing down liftline (which were EPIC bumps I may add) and someone from the lift yells down to me…”I think that is a wallet over there”, and sure enough it is. Since my son and I were on our way down to meet up with a buddy, who is a ski patrol at MRG, I put it in my pocket and head down. We get to our meet point a few minutes early for our 11:30 meet, so I open the wallet to see if there is any ID. Sure enough there is, (name held) he is from Nashua NH and there is a bunch of Credit card receipts and six $50.00 bills. $300.00 is a lot of money for anyone to loose, but the credit cards and ID are the stuff that is a bear to replace. I give the wallet to Ski patrol who brings it in to Lost and Found.

Ty and I finish up skiing at 2ish and we head in for lunch and to pack for our 7+ hour drive home. I stop and check in at lost and found and the wallet was yet to be claimed. I then get in line for lunch and as I am to pay for Ty and my lunch the cashier (who is also the Lost & Found) says, “You are the nice man who turned in the wallet, no charge for your lunch and thank you very much”

I really hope my new friend realizes that he doesn’t have his wallet before he heads back to New Hampshire. Mad River Glen, it truly is a magical place to ski and spend time at. And remember, pay it forward.

Finding a wallet

Click. Point. Chute.

#23

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 6:55pm

at_nyc
offline

Joined: February 2007
Post Count: 1,498

Sometimes the dog wags the tail. Other times the tail wags the dog...

In one single weekend, I lost a pile of cash, a sunglasses, and found a wallet full of bills. I didn't count how many. Just turned it in to the lost and found.

I'm suspicious the resorts are "helping" the thiefs, partly because some of them once were? How hard it is to stick a CC camera in the corner of the lodge? Maybe another one watching over the skis? When it's so easy to walk off with other people's skis, the temptation can get the better of some marginal characters.

#24

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 7:19pm

skier219
offline

Joined: March 2004
Location: Virginia
Post Count: 4,014

Someone stole my brother-in-law's gloves last weekend. He had them hanging from his skis when he went in to the lodge to buy a lift ticket (bad idea). Poor kid skied for a couple hours without gloves before we showed up and loaned him a spare set. Then again, he's your typical college kid and the whole thing didn't seem to phase him. Me, I keep an eye on all my stuff whenever I can. I hate leaving skis/poles unattended, especially if it's near a parking lot.

#25

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 7:35pm

spud6414
offline

Joined: December 2007
Location: Upton Wyoming
Post Count: 106

Some people are punks. What I really would like to do to punks like this. This summer at my folks house, someone stole my moms bike? She is an old lady with an old lady bike. Who steals old lady bikes? My little brother asked me if one of his buddies could use my ski's a couple of years back, he got drunk and broke for a week and pawned them. Then the little prince had the nerve to call me this year and ask if I had any he could borrow? Wow.

#26

Rating: 0

1/9/08 at 7:44pm

crank
offline

Joined: July 2002
Location: Connecticut
Post Count: 1,336

I had a pair of Pocket Rockets with AT bindings stolen at Sugarloaf last year on my 50th birthday. Though the skis were a few years old, they only had 4 days on them. Obviously, I still haven't gotten over it.

On the gloves, you can ususally borrow stuff like that from an area's lost and found. They just ask that you return them when your done.

#27

Rating: 0

1/10/08 at 7:34am

Phatboy
offline

Joined: December 2004
Post Count: 62

Well I got new goggles and a lock. I carry everything I need to ski in a backpack and usually leave it behind in the lodge when skiing at the Waaa but going forward I am putting all my stuff (except shoes) in it and skiing with the pack.
I hope the old saying “what goes around comes around” is true and the low life’s who feel the need to take from others rather they earn it themselves get what is coming to them

#28

Rating: 0

1/10/08 at 7:38am

comprex
offline

Joined: October 2003
Post Count: 11,240

Quote:

Originally Posted by NE1

One can only hope you caught him!

:

I didn't let myself catch him, if you know what I mean.

anticooler than you

#29

Rating: 0

1/10/08 at 8:21am

ctskierguy
offline

Joined: February 2005
Location: The skiing wasteland of New Haven, CT
Post Count: 201

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie-Rich

I carry my Leki poles into the lodge even with all the signs saying I shouldnt.

I wish that I had taken my Leki's into the lodge with me last year at Okemo. They got swiped from the rack at the end of the day as I was changing back into sneakers for the ride home.

They must have wanted them pretty badly too. As they had the trigger system and the straps were on my gloves in my boot bag.

Mike

#30

Rating: 0

1/10/08 at 8:58am

Richie-Rich
offline

Joined: March 2006
Location: Strong Island, NY
Post Count: 5,067

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctskierguy

I wish that I had taken my Leki's into the lodge with me last year at Okemo. They got swiped from the rack at the end of the day as I was changing back into sneakers for the ride home.

They must have wanted them pretty badly too. As they had the trigger system and the straps were on my gloves in my boot bag.

Mike

My fears are well warranted. Those Leki poles, especially the brightly colored race ones, just look too much like eye candy for a would be thief.

Tags

Recent Reviews

What Barking Bears Want

Venting about stolen equipment

Lost wallet

Got Facebook?

Already a User?

Create a New Account

Recent Discussions

Recent Reviews

Recent Wikis