Just because the East Coast has had a great start to the season doesn’t mean that people should be breaking the rules. This week, Stowe Mountain Rescue called out an uphill skier for going over a winch cat while shredding down the slope. Getting close to a snowcat is dangerous in and of itself, let alone a winch cat. The winch cat cable could break, potentially resulting in death.
The reason ski resorts pull uphill skiing is for situations like this. These situations continue to occur, so the uphill community needs to be smarter before a serious injury or death occurs.
Stowe Mountain Rescue’s statement is below.
“We have an urgent request to all uphill skiers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Please observe all signage and stay away from the winch cat groomers. This morning grooming operations had to be put on hold because some skiers actually skied over the active winch cat cable on their glory run down. Yes, you read that right.
Please understand that we’re not just asking this out of respect for the resort’s right to get the mountain ready for their paying guests (though that alone is a valid reason). No, this is a pressing safety issue. Winch cats are extremely dangerous because their cable is under incredibly high tension. If that thing were to break in your vicinity, it would kill you in a second. It’s also a horrible clothesline injury waiting to happen. Think about it: the resort saw uphill skiers in their winch cat grooming area and their response was to shut down the whole operation – THAT’S how dangerous it is.
PLEASE be respectful and stay on the designated trails and away from grooming operations. And please pass this message along to anyone even thinking about skinning the mountain.”
Image Credits: Stowe Mountain Rescue, Stowe Mountain Resort
