Ski Resorts Panicking About Cold Weather

[gorgonzola]

I was fortunate enough to study a semester in Rome (the dollar was strong in the 80's and cheaper than staying in Philly) and a few of us flew over early to ski a few days on the way down from Luxembourg. When we arrived a bitter cold snap hit and EVERYTHING in the Alps shut down After spending a few cold nights on the train we got to Rome and there was snow on the ground for the first time in like 20 years. Made for some fun "sledding" on the Palatine with the locals...

 

[Benny Profane]

Killington closed entirely on a Saturday last year (?) or the year before due to cold.

All you need is one good mechanical breakdown of a lift, which is much more likely in extreme cold (and wind added) and you'll probably have a few deaths, and certainly many cases of frostbite and hospitalizations for hypothermia. Even without the lift problem, first aid will be inundated with frostbite injuries. I saw it first hand when I was learning to ski way way back and two people in my class were rushed inside for face frostbite on a -24 degree morning. With no wind. And we haven't even begun to ski.
Then there's probably the lawyers warning about the lawsuits.

Besides, skiing in this weather is just no fun, and this is supposed to be fun. Stop acting like it's your job or something.

 

[Low Angle Life]

What is not spreading like a virus in the ski industry according to your opinion?

 

[Benny Profane]

Also, Saturday is Gaper Day supreme, and 90% of them have no idea how to dress for the extreme cold. Saving them from themselves.

And, as somebody mentioned in another thread, there is employee safety to consider.

 

[rfreeman]

Good move IMO shutting down for extreme cold. But it should be coupled with offering people a credit to reschedule any lodging they have booked at properties co-owned with the ski area.

Keeps employees healthy and happy and dumb asses alive and limits liability.

 

[LIskibum91]

MLK weekend in 2022 had blistering colds. Headed to Mt Ellen on the Saturday (slept in my Subaru the previous night off I-89 and had my first ever wellness check by state troopers because it was THAT cold). I was the only idiot who went to ride up the Inverness Quad (their only open lift on the Mt. Ellen side). After a few runs, it wasn't worth it (even though I had so many layers on), and it wasn't for any other people. It was a ghost town. Switched boots and started to skin uphill once my friends arrived. It was much more enjoyable.

 

[WillowKat]

Hey, if these resorts want to make an "unacceptable" business decision that may keep employees and customers safe, more power to them. Its just a day or two, no big deal. Nothing to get all upset about. Unless you're being paid to ski 7days a week.

 

[snoloco]

Killington closed entirely on a Saturday last year (?) or the year before due to cold.

All you need is one good mechanical breakdown of a lift, which is much more likely in extreme cold (and wind added) and you'll probably have a few deaths, and certainly many cases of frostbite and hospitalizations for hypothermia. Even without the lift problem, first aid will be inundated with frostbite injuries. I saw it first hand when I was learning to ski way way back and two people in my class were rushed inside for face frostbite on a -24 degree morning. With no wind. And we haven't even begun to ski.
Then there's probably the lawyers warning about the lawsuits.

Besides, asking in this weather is just no fun, and this is supposed to be fun. Stop acting like it's your job or something.

The day you're referring to was January 6th. No not that January 6th. January 6th 2018. Pico stayed open with 3 lifts. It was decided the morning of. It was not pre-emptive.

I skied MLK Saturday last year. Killington opened all their scheduled lifts, which is why I was completely dumbfounded by them deciding to run only 4 lifts the next 2 days. It is not normal for them to pre-emptively close 75% of their available terrain across Killington and Pico. In fact, unprecedented.

I work full time, so I have to ski in any weather I've got on the weekends.

Are there any well-documented instances of anyone winning a lawsuit over getting frostbite at a ski area? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

What is not spreading like a virus in the ski industry according to your opinion?

I first used the term to describe add-on fees for things like parking and bag storage that should be free and have always been free in the Northeast. Now I'm using it describe advance closures of entire resorts due to cold weather that used to be much less common.

 

[Benny Profane]

You win the most least likely I'd like to share an apres beer with.

 

[Ripitz]

severe

limited

closed

aggressive

shut down

unacceptable

hyper-sensitive

extreme

panicky

ridiculous and unjustified

Might be a good time to try some cross country or just go for a nice walk in the woods.