| Reckless skiing is a real problem in some areas. Those | | | | deaths in the 2006-2007 ski season due to |
| disobeying the speed limit signs in Utah may face jail | | | | high-speed collisions. |
| time and fines. | | | | Resort owners hope to combat deaths and injuries |
| The speed limit was put in place in certain areas | | | | by decreasing speeds on crowded and beginner |
| where less experienced skiers are trying to learn the | | | | slopes. |
| sport. Reckless behaviors of others have caused 10 | | | | Richard Slater, a British skier and father of three told |
| percent of all collisions in Park City and Deer Valley. A | | | | reporters, 'It's particularly good if you have young |
| report in the Salt Lake City Tribune states that | | | | children and want them to be able to ski without |
| reckless skiing is now considered a Class B | | | | being hit by out of control skiers going too fast.' |
| Misdemeanor. | | | | According to BBC News, a study of 24 resorts |
| Ski patrollers will be monitoring the slopes in search of | | | | reveals that all are keeping an eye on the |
| people disobeying the speed limits or skiing recklessly. | | | | experimental speed limit enforcements. |
| The ski patroller can now call the police, and the | | | | Speed limits for skiers and snowboarders might soon |
| offenders may find themselves in court. If a reckless | | | | become commonplace on slopes around the world. |
| skier is called to court, the patroller will be called in as | | | | The resorts of Park City and Deer Valley, both in |
| a witness to the incident. If skiers are found guilty of | | | | Utah, are the first to implement a fine and jail time. |
| reckless skiing, they will be fined 1,000 USD and face | | | | Grindelwald and other European resorts that are |
| a six-month jail sentence. | | | | adopting the ski speed limit do not plan to fine |
| Some ski resorts in Europe are also adopting the ski | | | | offenders. There they are simply warned to slow |
| speed limit, including Switzerland's Grindelwald and | | | | down. |
| Verbier. Pierre-Yves Deleze with the Verbier Tourist | | | | When the proper amount of care and respect are |
| Office said, 'The idea is to allow beginners to learn | | | | given, skiing in general is a relatively safe sport. Some |
| without people skiing by them too fast and | | | | members of staff and skiers at the affected resorts |
| frightening them.' | | | | are torn. They can see the importance of safer |
| The problem isn't simply fast skiers. Other reckless | | | | skiing, but some feel the punishment far exceeds the |
| behaviour also endangers other skiers on the slopes. | | | | crime. |
| 'We did it because that's what people wanted', said | | | | Some skiers see the new law as a way for |
| Susanne Daxelhoffer at the Grindelwald area tourist | | | | authorities to control what they do in their leisure |
| office. 'The project is based on complaints of people | | | | time. These skiers feel the law imposes unfair |
| skiing too fast and therefore fulfills a need', | | | | restrictions on a fast-paced, thrilling sport. |
| Daxelhoffer added. | | | | Skiers on the other side of the fence believe the law |
| Swiss ski resort Grindelwald was the first European | | | | will stop some skiers from recklessly skiing and |
| resort to introduce a speed limit on one of its slopes. | | | | putting others in harm's way. This law gives less |
| A growing number of high-speed collisions on | | | | experienced skiers hope that they can safely enjoy |
| crowded slopes helped fuel the decision to implement | | | | their time on the slopes. |
| the 30kmph speed limit. France reported several | | | | |