Ski Season 23-24 thread

[JFskiDan]

18 minutes ago, Barb said:

Article won’t paste but looks like Killington and Pico have been sold. 
 

 

yup.  they wrapped up Killington, so onto Elk.  

https://www.killington.com/the-mountain/sustainability-community/insider-blog/killington-pico-sold-to-local-investors

[Barb]

Wasn’t really sure where to put this. Our rescue team was called out on this avalanche on Saturday. I was first on scene at the firehouse.  Once one of my team members arrived we were trying to assess what was the best way to access the victims.  We discussed skinning up to them but that would take time.  The terrain was sketchy and they were not in a great place. Then it was decided careflight would be called in. They would shuttle us one at a time to a landing zone above where they were. I was pretty nervous, both about the helicopter ride and the terrain. I said I would snowshoe instead of ski (brought both) as I didn’t feel comfortable on a 40+ degree slope. 
 

At what felt like the last minute, two other strong team members arrived who were good skiers. I was off the hook. I was happy to just help from the command base. Communications are bad here, with cell and radio signals. I helped coordinate info from the county sheriff to our team members on site and on their way. Mountain Rescue Aspen also sent 3 of their guys to help if needed. 
 

6 of us (West Elk Mountain Rescue), 3 Marble fire personnel, 3 MRA guys in all plus the careflight team. Once a paramedic and 2 team members were shuttled to the landing zone and worked their way down to the victim, it was apparent he was not doing well.  Head injury, kept losing consciousness, badly broken arm (arm was wrapped backwards around a tree) and leg injury. Chopper was low on fuel so last minute desist on was made for pilot to land in a sketchy gully and take patient. His friend was uninjured and did a great job holding it together, digging him out and getting him out of the debris field to a safer location. By this time it was dark and friend and my 2 team members had to ski out. They said it was survival skiing, breakable crust through a thick aspen grove and shrubs. Glad I stayed on the ground. 
 

We got a debrief from the friend back at the firehouse. He was very emotional at first, understandably so. He gave us a detailed account of how it went down. Luckily the friend was only buried to his chest. He was able to dig him out and somehow guide him down without any of his gear.  It was very intense and it reminds you how unforgiving the mountains can be. 
 

This volunteer gig so far is very satisfying and I am learning so much valuable outdoor info. 
 

https://avalanche.state.co.us/report/98249357-2906-4534-b287-61e125e28a58
 

Edited March 10, 2025 by Barb

[PSUFrankenstein]

sounds crazy, great job on getting out there and volunteering.  Normally I'd make fun of you for posting in last year's (2023/2024) ski season thread, but given the situation, I will behave myself  

Edited March 10, 2025 by PSUFrankenstein

[Barb]

Whoops, didn’t notice it was the wrong year. 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Wow Barb that’s nuts. 

[theprogram4]

That’s badass barb, salute!