Aspen Powder Poachers Arrested
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- December 29 2008
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- 32 comments
Extreme avalanche conditions and recent avalanche deaths at many resorts have led to stronger enforcement of boundary rules. Read the full article in The Aspen Times.
ASPEN — Three powder poachers were arrested Sunday for skiing in a closed area at Aspen Highlands.
The skiers names haven’t been released by the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office but officials have confirmed they were each issued a summons for violating the state’s skier safety act.
Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle said the skiers went into the G-9 portion of Highland Bowl, which is out of bounds.
Typically, those caught skiing or boarding in closed sections of the mountain are subject to having their ski passes or lift tickets revoked. But this season is not typical.
“Anyone in this kind of terrain and in these kinds of conditions is going to be subject to the maximum penalty,” Hanle said, adding avalanche danger is extreme and deaths are occurring locally and at other ski areas as a result of people heading into the unstable backcountry.
“The message is ‘don’t do it’ and if [arrests are] what it takes to save lives then that is what it takes,” Hanle added.
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December 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
If they are risking there own lives why not allow them to ride at their own risk? But Aspen probably wants to save the powder for people who pay their life savings for it
December 29th, 2008 at 11:34 am
You Goddamn hippy. Who knows what kind of danger they could have put others who might have been below them in. Also, at many resorts there are portions of mountains that are within the ski area boundary that are prone to avalanche dangers. Enforcement of boundaries is a necessary evil.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
They were just trying to find some freshies. Besides Vail, Aspen, etc. just got dumped on
December 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
you obviously know nothing about the backcountry. These kids are probable complete jack asses without any knowledge on avalanche safety, no beacons, no probes, and no shovels. Also Anon is 100% correct. If you want to risk your own life buy a snowmobile, take a few classes on avalanches and then go to the backcountry.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Also: redickalous rescue costs that can easily be avoided
December 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Agree, it’s dangerous, especially with all the inbound slides and deaths. Prob weren’t safe, been hearing that this is a year where people should have beacons inbounds. Sucks for them but they are alive. If you disagree watch the video of Randall Stacey getting caught in an avalanche in Argentina, 10 mins later they found him beat and battered. I hear you that Aspen is expensive but lives are priceless.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:43 am
ya these kids might be dumb-even if they arent kids.. .but u should remeber that time u slid under the ropes because of what was on the other side! i mean stop criticizin these unlucky people… sorry they got caught. we all do it sorry if ur bein lame but pow is pow and it kinda seems like everyone likes that fluffy white stuff- o u know . its weird cause of what it can cause on others but stop yellin homie. its all chll. o and aspen can be pricey. but that means less people in perfect conditions. DANGIT come visit
December 30th, 2008 at 4:05 am
so who cares about rescue costs … i mean lay off dude.think aspen can afford it.. and the people caught have to pay for alot of it. thse kids were tryin to kick it and have a good time.got caught. it is more messed up that they are gettin yelled at for riding in a national forest. i mean i love pricey resorts.. ride them daily for real they are great(I really love them honestly vail= home )but kinda weird that people cant ride where they want. sorry people are below them on the mountain . who cares. they are on a mountain… people should die on mountains shits dangerous. if u cant ride on it go home. avalanches suck but i figure ill prob end up in one some day… just deal with it or stay on the east coast. in the mean time we will stay doin what we do . i wouldnt worry about it realy? sorry dad.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:26 am
So, it’s cool for people to be irresponsible and kill other people when they could have prevented it?
You’re a douche nozzle.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:52 am
it’s a bit like drink driving, right?…it’s fine as long as you don’t get caught and nobody gets hurt.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Hey CO, YOU’RE A DUMBASS. WHY DON’T YOU GO BURY YOURSELF IN AN AVALANCHE RIGHT NOW AND PUT US OUT OF OUR MISERY OF READING YOUR BRAINDEAD COMMENTS!
December 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
shut the fuck up u sound like one of those tight ass fuckin jocks who worships shawn white. and in case u havent noticed most snowboarders are hippies/gangsta style. so u have just been hated on by the snowboard community u asshole. but ur right about the safety thing, ill give u that
December 30th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
And this furthers my proof that the wanna be’s that post on here have no knowledge of how dangerous Avy’s are. I say go get caught in one some time and see how much fun it is.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
wait till it happens to you and watch your opinion change
December 30th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
snowboarding is dangerous where ever your doing it. obviously avalanches are extremely dangerous and you should be prepared while in the backcountry. but whats next? is there gonna be a helmet law? or are we gonna have to pass a verbal test in order to be allowed into parks? its already illegal to shred in the streets but how can they take away fresh pow in the mountains? thats total bunk. but im stoked that its gonna feel so much more rewarding after a successful poach.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
fuckin pigs makin up these fuckin rules that we have to live by day by day which isnt really living at all we might aswell be robots with applications the applications of course are metaphors for the bullshit rules our govt gives us. now we can get arrested just for gettin sum fresh pow? fuck this world
December 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
People die because of jerks like you crossing those lines and triggering avalanches. If you really want to go for fresh pow go to the backcountry and expose yourself, not other riders. And these rules are made by mountain staff not cops.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
you’re wrong, nobody was killed trying to rescue them…i dont see you’re logic in calling this kid a “douche nozzle”. and yes, if you’re concerned with rescue costs, the people being rescued have to pay for it anyways. I dont see the problem with what they did. Just people restricting they’re freedom to make profit off of a mountain that they claim to “own”
December 31st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
mama, buffalo soldier(bitch) i am sorry if u dont like how we see it . grow one … i have been in av. saftey classes, experience in the backcountry, own beacons, grew up in eagle county. …i am sorry if i like good snow u shouldnt ski if u dont want to be in any danger. these kids were havin fun i am sure its bein blown out of proportion for a display… i get fucked with all the time for cutting ropes on the side of any run…. generally these aren’t gonna cause avis. sorry if u dont understand what i am sayin.. i am sure u ar very knowledgable…. go back to west virginia and play some golf. have a great season! hopefully i burry u!
December 31st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
You’re: you are, as in, “You’re a douche nozzle.”
Your: possessive, as in, “Is that YOUR douche nozzle?”
They’re: they are, as in, “They’re douche nozzles.”
Their: possessive, as in, “They got their douche nozzles stuck.”
It’s totally appropriate to call someone out as being a douche nozzle if they’re proposing that people can recklessly ride avalanche prone areas that may pose a risk to riders below them. It’s true that “people die on mountains.” Do you want to be one of them? It has nothing to do with riding ability. The best riders in the world can be caught in avalanches. What this thread, and the law is about is public safety, not money.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Wow, I thought a rich place like Pitkin county would educate their kids a little better…
We’re not talking about ducking a rope for 100′ to “get some freshies.” We’re talking about dropping into an area that hasn’t been controlled and causing an avalanche that might injure or kill people below it.
People like you really ruin shit for everyone else. Keep being stupid and watch the resorts really reign everyone in. Soon enough we’ll all be riding groomed out bunny slopes in blow up sumo suits with lawyers making us sign releases just to strap in.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
yea, we will, because of people like you
January 1st, 2009 at 3:18 am
because when they get caught in one a full scale search and rescue will be launched that not only cost lots of money but also takes limited resources away from other possible needs.
January 1st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
uuuuuhhhhhh chill out?
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:31 am
“Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle said the skiers went into the G-9 portion of Highland Bowl, which is out of bounds.”
they are skiers, who cares
just kidding
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
oh well if they’re skiers then yeah screw em
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I love how that whole argument went on and then we find out it was skiers arrested!
January 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Your on their mountain with their rules. And when you bought your pass you agree to the rules and conditions which they broke. So they have every right to arrest them. If they wanted to ride fresh powder than they should have gone into the backcountry, not on a closed bowl in aspen. They deserve their punishment.
January 4th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
sorry to say boys but you guys are both f*%kin losers for using the word douche nozzles
January 4th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Douche nozzle is two words. Besides, the interwebs told me “asshat” was out of style.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Firstly, a mountain cannot arrest you for breach of contract. The police can arrest you for committing a crime….in this case the crime of riding out of bounds.
What is really the difference between the back country and an out of bounds area. The resort does not own the land that they ride on, it is still national park. These resorts seem to want the best of both worlds. They want the area for themselves, but are not prepared to put the regular work in to prevent avalanches or at least reduce the risk. So they stick up a sign and say that this area is out of bounds.
Does it make a difference if I go hiking or ski-dooing in these areas. If it does, then we have a problem. What if I walk up the mountain (remember, the mountain is freely open to the public….its a national park) and then go skiing out of bounds. I have no contract with the resort, so try and pull my pass all you like. I never bought one and never caught a lift.
If the mountain wishes to not service an area, fine, but that area should then be treated like a back country area. The resort is absolved of any guilt (hence legal action).
If the mountain lets you get to an area where you might be run over from an avalanche from above, they are not doing their job. If you board/ski to an area out of bounds that could be hit by an avalanche (this is for you people worrying about you skiing below and getting hit from a careless person above) that is the risk you run just like in the back country.
Bottom line is…….this should not be an offense that you can be arrested for.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:07 am
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