| 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. The speed limit was put in place in | | | | Resort owners hope to combat deaths and injuries |
| certain areas where less experienced skiers are trying | | | | by decreasing speeds on crowded and beginner |
| to learn the sport. Reckless behaviors of others have | | | | slopes. Richard Slater, a British skier and father of |
| caused 10 percent of all collisions in Park City and | | | | three who take ski holidays told reporters, 'It's |
| Deer Valley. A report in the Salt Lake City Tribune | | | | particularly good if you have young children and want |
| states that reckless skiing is now considered a Class | | | | them to be able to ski without being hit by out of |
| B Misdemeanor. | | | | control skiers going too fast.' |
| Ski patrollers will be monitoring the slopes in search of | | | | According to BBC News, a study of 24 resorts |
| people disobeying the speed limits or skiing recklessly. | | | | reveals that all are keeping an eye on the |
| The ski patroller can now call police, and the | | | | experimental speed limit enforcements. Speed limits |
| offenders may find themselves in court. If a reckless | | | | for skiers and snowboarders might soon become |
| skier is called to court, the patroller will be called in as | | | | commonplace on slopes who cater for ski holidays |
| a witness to the incident. If skiers are found guilty of | | | | around the world. The resorts of Park City and Deer |
| reckless skiing, they will be fined 1,000 USD and face | | | | Valley, both in Utah, are the first to implement a fine |
| a six-month jail sentence. | | | | and jail time. Grindelwald and other European resorts |
| Some ski holidays resorts in Europe are also adopting | | | | that are adopting the ski speed limit do not plan to |
| the ski speed limit, including Switzerland's Grindelwald | | | | fine offenders. There they are simply warned to |
| and Verbier. Pierre-Yves Deleze with the Verbier | | | | slow down. |
| Tourist Office said, 'The idea is to allow beginners to | | | | When the proper amount of care and respect are |
| learn without people skiing by them too fast and | | | | given, skiing in general is a relatively safe sport. Some |
| frightening them.' | | | | members of staff and skiers at the affected resorts |
| The problem isn't simply fast skiers. Other reckless | | | | are torn. They can see the importance of safer |
| behaviour also endangers other skiers on the ski | | | | skiing, but some feel the punishment far exceeds the |
| holidays 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 | | | | |