The Last Stand
Comments by skiblue
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On Safety on the slopes
(anonymous)
February 5, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
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sbvor
Thank you for your warning about boulder wells. (see 4th previous comment…..midwest and easterners-read this!) If I remember reading correctly, another skier died in 2005 in one of the chutes, though it wasn't a well.
seeuski
Sorry, I did take the comment about Mark's size the wrong way. You are completely rignt about getting an adult who is head first out of a tree well. I realized that when I first read about Jared's accident. Please check out the websites that seeuski and svbor mentioned. While watching my 14 y/o son in a GS race on Sunday, I noticed some children along the side of the trail playing by and in “PA tree wells.” The tree needs to be shorter than I. The well is about 6-8inches deep with packed powder. You slide in and crawl out. We just don't have anything like western tree wells. Then my son had the “crash of the season” according to those from that mtn. Thank God he wasn't hurt. Call me crazy, but I think Mark was there to help protect him. We will always ski but with greater care for safety, not that we didn't practice safety, except for what we didn't know. Everyone, have fun and watch out for ski partners and anyone else. Don't forget that whistle out west!
On Safety on the slopes
(anonymous)
January 31, 2008 at 1:55 p.m.
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We were totally unaware of ski well dangers. Coming from eastern PA, we ski on packed powder, ice and are not allowed to ski the trees. Our part of the state does not experience lake effect snow. Tonight's forcast is rain and freezing rain. . There currently is no snow left in my yard. Our mountain has a 3-4 foot base, mainly man made snow. Our lift tickets post warnings about injury and death also. After returning from Steamboat, explaining the tragedy to our fellow skiers at our mountain, most were totally unaware of tree well dangers. Mark did not weigh 270 lbs. Don't know where that came from. He was in very good health and an excellent skier. I am an excellent skier, and the children who have all been skiing since they were toddlers, alpine ski race, do freestyle events and are even better skiers than us. All I'm asking is to post signs at the entrance of Morningside Park. Steamboat is a national resort and yes, many of us east of Denver are unaware of the danger. stmbtgrl20, freshair and anyone else, we were not skiing out of bounds, recklessly, and how do you ski too fast in the trees at Morningside Park? When we ski fast, it's a groomed diamond. The kids have medals for skiing fast in races. Just keep everyone in sight at all times in the trees. Apparantly Jared's friends were there and his tragedy still occurred. There were 2 very unfortunate accidents to great people. If any of you ski in the east, sharpen your skis (razor sharp) and wear your helmet. We carve through the ice and the most common injuries are knee, wrist and hitting your head on the packed powder and ice. I didn't read the local paper before I skied and never posted a comment before all this. Thank you again for everyone's support and our support to the Daniels.
On Snowboarder remembered by family, friends
(anonymous)
January 29, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.
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My family was skiing with Mark Stout and his daughter on Jan. 15 when the terrible misfortune happened to Mark. Our prayers and hugs go to Jared's family and friends. He seems like a great person from what I've read. Another beautiful life lost. Very sad.
On Snowboarder dies at Steamboat Ski Area
(anonymous)
January 28, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
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Kusellout
A whistle is a very smart idea. Ski patrol has strongly suggested that. You never know. Our group were all advanced skiers. All my prayers are to the Stout and Daniel families and the safety of all skiers.
On Have the recent snow immersion deaths at Steamboat Ski Area made you reconsider your skiing or snowboarding habits?
(anonymous)
January 27, 2008 at 3:29 p.m.
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Yes, I will definately change my skiing habits. Many of us easterners are unaware of tree well dangers.
On Snowboarder dies at Steamboat Ski Area
(anonymous)
January 25, 2008 at 10:56 p.m.
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My family was skiing with Mark Stout on Tuesday, the terrible accident. Just learning of Jared's accident is awful. So young. My condolences and prayers to his family and friends. And his friends were with him, how devastating for them. Someone mentioned about signs at the entrance to Morningside Park regarding the dangers of narsid. That is an excellent idea. Skiers from the east are nieve to narsid. With the dampness, we don't have “Champagne Powder.” Honestly, most of us have little or no clue of the dangers. Our dangers of skiing in the west are hitting a tree or an avalanche. Please post the warnings and be so extra careful. Morningside Park is beautiful. Guys, you did what you could have. I'm still beating myself up with not being there for Mark. And ski patrol, I know you did all you could have….You did for Mark.
On Slope safety stressed
(anonymous)
January 23, 2008 at 6:24 a.m.
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Thank you again for all of your support, prayers and hugs. We love Steamboat and will return when we can.
On Slope safety stressed
(anonymous)
January 21, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.
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Boatmaster
Thank you for your apology. I wanted to blast you also for your orginal comments. In my situation, it wasn't for me to take on. It upset me more than I already was. My boys lost their dad in June, aren't coming to grips with it yet, and now this….
Thank you again everyone for your support from my family and the Stouts.
On Slope safety stressed
(anonymous)
January 21, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.
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I was skiing with Mark Stout on Tuesday. I'm not sure I should make a comment, but after reading all this, I feel I need to. We (Mark, his daughter Maggie, my self and my 2 sons, Shaun and Ryan) decided to start out @ Morningside Park. I wanted to film the children skiing through the trees and powder. Afterwards, the kids were going their way and we were headed for groomed trails. Ryan and Maggie skied the trail to the lift, our meeting point. Shaun skied down, in and out of trees. Mark and I went in and out of powder, no trees. I stayed on the groomed trail to the bottom. I had no idea my son and Mark were in the trees, different areas. If I did, I wouldn't have thought much about it. We're from PA. We ski on packed powder, ice and have no tree skiing. This was a treat, I thought. When he did not meet us @ the bottom, I called his cell phone. He did not answer and I knew he had poor service. The children went up to look. I stayed at the bottom of the lift waiting for him to come down. They combed the trees somewhat, calling his name. We presumed he was stuck in the snow or lost a ski. When they returned, heard no response, we panicked and contacted ski patrol. It was a while before he was found with us and ski patrol searching. We always ski together, not totally in sight at all times though. I never imagined this would happen. This tragedy will haunt my mind forever. The guilt will never go away. Mark is successful businessman. They have a beautiful family. They helped me during a financial hardship and later invited us to their home in CO. He is an advanced skier and all the children, teenagers, alpine ski race and freestyle. I was somewhat aware of tree wells as far as being stuck, but nothing more. I realize now we MUST keep ski partners in sight @ all times. Not just, “I'll meet you there, or let's go this way.” Most comments have been sympathetic and supportive. I'm sure practically no one has ALWAYS kept ski partners in sight every second. It's a terrible accident. My sympathy to his family and all the children cannot be expressed as much as I want. The entire Steamboat family, ski patrol, hospital and strangers I've met were genuinely helpful, sympathetic and more than kind. please, please keep everyone in sight @ all times. Even keep an eye on a lone skier. This week is “Skier Safety Week.” Steamboat is offering free classes. Enroll. Thank you to those who give their support and regards.
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On S. J. Sackter: Tree well dangers (anonymous)
February 6, 2008 at 2:09 p.m.
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So glad you were able to get out of your terrible predicament. We were skiing with Mark, the first skier who lost his life in a tree well at Steamboat. I have told everyone who skis, about tree well dangers. Again, in the east, at least eastern PA we are unaware of this danger. At my son's pediatrician's yesterday, he was totally unaware and his friend mentioned he was unable to right himself up in deep snow. Thought his friend was kidding. The doctor who is going out west is aware ahead of time. It's so easy to slack on all safety measures when having a great time. No one can blame anyone or the ski resort. My aim is to educate and make skiers/riders aware of dangers. Our mistake was being unaware of tree well dangers.