Can they just pull my pass for riding switch at 3-5 mph?????  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer P 

Okay so just two days ago, I had to take a class and got my pass suspended for going too fast into a slow zone. Which I presumably was going too fast, So I watched the video and took the class and just got my pass back, so I could start skiing again. Now we were warned that our next strike could possibly result in suspension of a pass for the rest of season. So I have done about 5 park laps and my friend wants to go to peak 9 and do runs over there. Reluctantly I went to peak 9 and we were on a beginner run that turned into a catwalk. Now I was skiing switch and passed by a red jacket and the Ski school taking up the whole mountain kind of cut me off and I had to stop abruptly but everything was fine.I get to the line and I'm getting tapped on the shoulder by a red jacket saying that I"m not allowed to ride switch unless I am in the terrain park, that tricks are only for the terrain park. I acted very apologetic and said I was sorry and explained to her that Ive already had a strike, and Im at risk for loosing my pass. I was very cooperative and handed her my pass and she told me that she is pulling it for the rest of the season. I said let me speak to the manager of ski patrol because I did nothing wrong and I have been cooperative there is no reason to pull my pass. The ski patrol manager says that If I would've seen any skier skiing switch I would of pulled him over and gave him a strike. I explained to them that I was never informed of that rule and that it was not in the responsibility code. Since we were on a catwalk I was going 3-5mph if that, and I said how am I suppose to prevent getting a strike if I'm not aware of this rule. Sure enough they had 10 red jackets surrounding me and it had turned into a scene because they insisted on pulling my pass. All the crowd and even the tow ticket guys were agreeing with me and telling the red jackets that they sucked. I told the red jacket supervisor, so Ive been cooperative and Ive not violated any skier code and Im getting my pass pulled? She responded yes that is the case. Then my temper had got the best of me and I called her a F**** c*** and headed towards the parking lot. I should have never of responded in this way but I was so furious with the way ski patrol was handling the issue. And I ski 90x a year so it affects me greatly.  pretty much got my pass pulled for no reason.  feel like there is someone I should be able to contact so I can tell my side of the story and get the issue resolved by maybe paying some sort of fine. Its a pretty harsh consequence to pull my pass It wasnt like I hit anyone, or I ducked rope or was I going too fast. Does anyone know who I can contact or what chance I have of getting my pass back? This was at Breckenridge, and its a Vail Resort EpicMix pass.

there has to be more to this story. I ski switch alot of the time, and never once been hassled.

What are you not telling us?

also if your telling us the real truth, its frightning and big brother like and kinda of lame becasue how is it any different from a boarder going switch? 

If they have a written rule that states you can only ski switch in the terrain park, you're out of luck.  It isn't unlike being pulled over by a cop for doing 50 in a 35 zone when you didn't know it was a 35 zone.  Just because you didn't know it was a 35 mph zone doesn't mean anything.  Ignorance of the law/rule is no excuse, that is just the way it is.  Just because you didn't violate anything in the responsibility code is also meaningless because any ski area can add additional rules, but they need to be clearly posted.  The only chance you have is if they don't actually have this rule.  If the rule actually exists, any patroller or instructor should be able to point it out on a sign or on the trail map or in some other reasonably easy to see location.

Ya, IDK.  I skied switch on greens all day last time I was skiing and nobody said a word though I did get several thumbs ups.  Full disclosure, I was teaching my kid at the time.  But, that's even a bit more distracted skiing seeing that I'm watching him, giving him tracks to follow,  and having to be fully aware at what's coming up behind me with some other noobs criss crossing erratically.  I did also have a CSIA instructor helping/blocking from behind that would have alerted me had I been about to hit someone or something.  This was on MLK Day too, but it wasn't THAT crowded.  How congested was it on the catwalk where the incident occurred?  Do you suppose a side hit and reentry air would have been equally frowned on? 

Anyway, I doubt it was the fact that you were skiing switch, more that you could have been more careful given the terrain width limitations and congestion typical of catwalks.  How heinous was your first strike? Someone just getting their license back after being clocked at 140 might just lose it again for floating a stop sigh ya know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer P 

Exactly its not a rule, thats the thing, skiing switch is a technique even taught by ski school so there is no reason I shouldnt be able to ski switch. Does ne1 know who I should contact??

I'd start by contacting the general manager of the mountain. If its the Vail Resorts pass then probably someone at Vail proper rather than Breck if the GM of Breckenridge doesn't fix things. Raising hell on the company Twitter and Facebook pages can be effective at times to (especially if you get a bunch of friends to post about it too, not just one person), but I'd suggest going through the normal more civil channels first. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Matta 

there has to be more to this story. I ski switch alot of the time, and never once been hassled.

 

What are you not telling us?

 

also if your telling us the real truth, its frightning and big brother like and kinda of lame becasue how is it any different from a boarder going switch? 

 

 

A boarder is faced the same direction no matter what, while a skier is riding backwards.

I don't really understand why skiers feel the need to ski backwards in general, but especially in the slow zone. No one's impressed, just ski normally. Beginner skiers (or anyone, for that matter) shouldn't have to worry about some dopey show-off with a blind spot that equates to 50 percent of the trail.

That's a x10 if you just got your pass back from being suspended. Don't necessarily think it's a good reason to pull your pass for the season, do think you're a bonehead for doing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

I'd start by contacting the general manager of the mountain. If its the Vail Resorts pass then probably someone at Vail proper rather than Breck if the GM of Breckenridge doesn't fix things. Raising hell on the company Twitter and Facebook pages can be effective at times to (especially if you get a bunch of friends to post about it too, not just one person), but I'd suggest going through the normal more civil channels first. 

Why would you encourage this type of nonsense? The resort was doing its job (keeping slopes safe) and clearly pulled his pass because he already was suspended. Then dude called her a c*!t (and apparently didn't think that warranted censoring on the forum while f$#@ did).

He's not really a victim, and a disingenuous social media campaign painting him as such should not be encouraged by the "resorts editor".

Maybe PASSING a ski patroller in a narrow, congested, BEGINNER area and being so unaware of what's below you that you had to do an emergency stop WHILE SKIING BACKWARDS wasn't such a good idea?

tylrwnzl's advice about going to upper management to plead your case is your best route at this point.  

I wouldn't go viral (if I were you) until you've exhausted every possible alternative in begging the management to give you back your pass.  Just my opinion, but the only thing going social will do for you is get you a few posts like "You're right man. That's f***ed up!".    

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer P 

Okay so just two days ago, I had to take a class and got my pass suspended for going too fast into a slow zone. Which I presumably was going too fast, So I watched the video and took the class and just got my pass back, so I could start skiing again. Now we were warned that our next strike could possibly result in suspension of a pass for the rest of season. So I have done about 5 park laps and my friend wants to go to peak 9 and do runs over there. Reluctantly I went to peak 9 and we were on a beginner run that turned into a catwalk. Now I was skiing switch and passed by a red jacket and the Ski school taking up the whole mountain kind of cut me off and I had to stop abruptly but everything was fine.I get to the line and I'm getting tapped on the shoulder by a red jacket saying that I"m not allowed to ride switch unless I am in the terrain park, that tricks are only for the terrain park. I acted very apologetic and said I was sorry and explained to her that Ive already had a strike, and Im at risk for loosing my pass. I was very cooperative and handed her my pass and she told me that she is pulling it for the rest of the season. I said let me speak to the manager of ski patrol because I did nothing wrong and I have been cooperative there is no reason to pull my pass. The ski patrol manager says that If I would've seen any skier skiing switch I would of pulled him over and gave him a strike. I explained to them that I was never informed of that rule and that it was not in the responsibility code. Since we were on a catwalk I was going 3-5mph if that, and I said how am I suppose to prevent getting a strike if I'm not aware of this rule. Sure enough they had 10 red jackets surrounding me and it had turned into a scene because they insisted on pulling my pass. All the crowd and even the tow ticket guys were agreeing with me and telling the red jackets that they sucked. I told the red jacket supervisor, so Ive been cooperative and Ive not violated any skier code and Im getting my pass pulled? She responded yes that is the case. Then my temper had got the best of me and I called her a F**** c*** and headed towards the parking lot. I should have never of responded in this way but I was so furious with the way ski patrol was handling the issue. And I ski 90x a year so it affects me greatly.  pretty much got my pass pulled for no reason.  feel like there is someone I should be able to contact so I can tell my side of the story and get the issue resolved by maybe paying some sort of fine. Its a pretty harsh consequence to pull my pass It wasnt like I hit anyone, or I ducked rope or was I going too fast. Does anyone know who I can contact or what chance I have of getting my pass back? This was at Breckenridge, and its a Vail Resort EpicMix pass.

Seems like there's more to the story if a beginner class, "taking up the whole mountain kind of cut me off..".
 

Rules 4 skiing Switch.

Don't go switch in the lift line,parking lot,slow zone,access trails.around kids or resort employees.

Places that are appropriate are Moguls, off-piste,black diamonds,and terrain parks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider 

Rules 4 skiing Switch.

Don't go switch in the lift line,parking lot,slow zone,access trails.around kids or resort employees.

Places that are appropriate are Moguls, off-piste,black diamonds,and terrain parks.

 

 

Don't forget tight trees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider 

Rules 4 skiing Switch.

Don't go switch in the lift line,parking lot,slow zone,access trails.around kids or resort employees.

Places that are appropriate are Moguls, off-piste,black diamonds,and terrain parks.

 

 

I make it point to go switch though our new gates just because it is funny!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tog 

 

 

Seems like there's more to the story if a beginner class,

 

" Now I was skiing switch and passed by a red jacket and the Ski school taking up the whole mountain kind of cut me off and I had to stop abruptly but everything was fine.".

 

 

Bingo...

The up-hill skier must always yield to the down-hill skier. It is not possible for any down-hill skier to "cut off" an uphill skier.  Everything was fine according to who?  If I shoot a gun at you and the bullet whizzes by your ear is everything fine?

Here's a crackpot idea. Not that I would every do this. Go to your local NASTAR course. Sign up and pay the fee. Get all dialed in at the wand then hurl yourself out on to the course and flip switch. There were not amused at my scandalous activities or the carnage that ensued. PS-It doesn't fly on the Magic Carpet either.

Dude if you're going to ski switch in Nastar you should be able to do it....or...it's just lame or funny.

Did you get your pass pulled??

as both a Patroller and an instructor, I can't see why skiing switch is an issue. Skiing recklessly would be though.  You can be in complete control switch, which should not be a problem.

But I think your verbal abuse sealed your fate , even if you could talk them out of the skiing offense. Cant see her cutting you a break now.

No. It's ok to race switch as long as you don't trash the gates, that have to be reset.

I feel there was definitely more to this story. I ski switch on the slow skiing trails all the time and have never had anyone say a thing to me. IN fact I usually end up getting yelled at by going froward ( not very often but occasionally). Those slow zones are kinda weird sometimes, I have seen people flying full tilt through a slow zone in full view of patrolers  adn then slam the brakes on about 50 yards out and they don't say anything. Then someone doing half the speed but breaking comes by and gets yelled at   

Funny, jut the other day I suggested that BWPA/Josh Matta flip switch right before crossing the finish of the all resort Super-G they were having at Stowe.  I'm actually surprised he didn't do it.

Not sure that I agree the pass should have been pulled or the odds of the OP getting the pass back .  Couple of thoughts- 1). There are two sides of every story and we only know one and parts of this seem an over reaction but only know one side... Emergency/abrupt stop comment makes me think there is more to the story.  2). When you have a strike against you, it is time to be extra careful!!!  

Quote:

Originally Posted by bplatt03443 

as both a Patroller and an instructor, I can't see why skiing switch is an issue. Skiing recklessly would be though.  You can be in complete control switch, which should not be a problem.

 

But I think your verbal abuse sealed your fate , even if you could talk them out of the skiing offense. Cant see her cutting you a break now.

 

 

I'd say the issue probably had to do with this: "...Ski school taking up the whole mountain kind of cut me off and I had to stop abruptly but everything was fine."

In impartial, non-OP speak that sounds a lot like: "I was so busy honing my steezy switch-skiing that I hardly saw the ski school taking up the WHOLE MOUNTAIN in time to slam on the brakes hard."

Also, the fact that it came on the heels of watching pass suspension/safety video and the whole name-calling thing.

I remember seeing one of the well known freeskiers in one of those celebrity pro-am races skiing a Nastar type course switch. He did pretty well, I think it was one of the Mahre's kids.

I have been skiing switch while coaching students since long before it was in vogue, no one ever seemed to think it was a problem.  It is nice to be able to make eye contact with your students while they are skiing & offer them some verbal cues.

I have heard of patrollers being chastised for telling guests to STFU, I suppose calling the Patrol Director a dirty name didn't help your case.

Sorry,

JF

Must not have looked like you were in control. 

What are the ***s after the f and c.

They are just being p****s.

So why did you feel it was a good idea to ride switch on a crowded catwalk?

Is this a troll?

If not, I'm really trying to feel bad for you, but just. can't.

I think it may be overkill to pull somebody's pass IF the story as listed above is correct, but I'm having a very hard time believing this to be the case.

I really, really hope that this experience has caused you to seriously re-evaluate the way you are skiing. If I can go 30 years of skiing without getting any type of formal warning (knowing how I used to ski and sometimes still do) and you can get 2 in two days, well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeUT 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

I'd start by contacting the general manager of the mountain. If its the Vail Resorts pass then probably someone at Vail proper rather than Breck if the GM of Breckenridge doesn't fix things. Raising hell on the company Twitter and Facebook pages can be effective at times to (especially if you get a bunch of friends to post about it too, not just one person), but I'd suggest going through the normal more civil channels first. 

Why would you encourage this type of nonsense? The resort was doing its job (keeping slopes safe) and clearly pulled his pass because he already was suspended. Then dude called her a c*!t (and apparently didn't think that warranted censoring on the forum while f$#@ did).

 

He's not really a victim, and a disingenuous social media campaign painting him as such should not be encouraged by the "resorts editor".

I don't see how skiing switch constitutes being unsafe. I do it when I'm skiing in PA and its not crowded because I get bored going forward on beginner slopes. While I do doubt he has provided the whole story, I was simply giving him an answer based off the available facts. Did he exactly act appropriately in cussing the PD out? No, but he even admitted it was wrong and he'd lost his cool. 

How do you know he's not a victim? Odds are he probably isn't, but if he is then going to social media tends to have an impact. Frequently the social media marketing department, especially one at a major resort like Vail, is a lot better at actually getting things done for you than conventional channels who could really care less about what you think about their actions. And note that I said that was a last resort only if he really felt he was the victim and after exhausting his other options.