Vermont Skiers Risk Lives Following TikTok Trend
The backcountry terrain on Mount Mansfield has become a hotspot for reckless skiers inspired by social media, leading to numerous rescue operations and near-misses. At least one group of 19-year-olds from New York City was rescued recently after quoting TikTok as their inspiration for venturing into the restricted area.
According to Stowe Mountain Rescue, the uptick in rescue operations on Mount Mansfield may be attributed to a viral trend featuring videos of "whooping skiers in knee-deep powder" that lure unsuspecting skiers into treacherous terrain. The team has received an unprecedented number of calls from skiers who have wandered off-bounds and become lost, many citing the social media platform as their inspiration.
Jon Wehse, chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue's volunteer squad, warned of a pattern where skiers follow other people's tracks into restricted areas, often with disastrous consequences. "They're following tracks that take them past the ski boundary and into sidecountry from which access back to the resort can't be regained," he said.
The rescue team emphasized the importance of respecting the ski boundaries and being aware of daylight hours, impending weather, and snowpack conditions before venturing into off-bounds terrain. "Don't blithely follow trends or tracks!" they urged.
This trend is not limited to Mount Mansfield; Jay Peak Resort in nearby Vermont has also reported problems with skiers ignoring safety guidelines and getting lost. The general manager warned visitors to stay cautious and alert, particularly those engaging in early-season skinning and uphilling.
The recent ski season started unusually early, with record snowfall on Mount Mansfield. However, the emphasis is now on caution and responsibility as skiers take advantage of the fresh powder. By following safety guidelines and respecting the resort's boundaries, skiers can minimize their risk of getting lost or injured in the backcountry terrain.
The rescue team's warning serves as a reminder that the simplest solution to avoiding these situations is awareness and preparedness. As one official put it, "It's not rocket science; just pay attention to the ski boundary and respect it."
The backcountry terrain on Mount Mansfield has become a hotspot for reckless skiers inspired by social media, leading to numerous rescue operations and near-misses. At least one group of 19-year-olds from New York City was rescued recently after quoting TikTok as their inspiration for venturing into the restricted area.
According to Stowe Mountain Rescue, the uptick in rescue operations on Mount Mansfield may be attributed to a viral trend featuring videos of "whooping skiers in knee-deep powder" that lure unsuspecting skiers into treacherous terrain. The team has received an unprecedented number of calls from skiers who have wandered off-bounds and become lost, many citing the social media platform as their inspiration.
Jon Wehse, chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue's volunteer squad, warned of a pattern where skiers follow other people's tracks into restricted areas, often with disastrous consequences. "They're following tracks that take them past the ski boundary and into sidecountry from which access back to the resort can't be regained," he said.
The rescue team emphasized the importance of respecting the ski boundaries and being aware of daylight hours, impending weather, and snowpack conditions before venturing into off-bounds terrain. "Don't blithely follow trends or tracks!" they urged.
This trend is not limited to Mount Mansfield; Jay Peak Resort in nearby Vermont has also reported problems with skiers ignoring safety guidelines and getting lost. The general manager warned visitors to stay cautious and alert, particularly those engaging in early-season skinning and uphilling.
The recent ski season started unusually early, with record snowfall on Mount Mansfield. However, the emphasis is now on caution and responsibility as skiers take advantage of the fresh powder. By following safety guidelines and respecting the resort's boundaries, skiers can minimize their risk of getting lost or injured in the backcountry terrain.
The rescue team's warning serves as a reminder that the simplest solution to avoiding these situations is awareness and preparedness. As one official put it, "It's not rocket science; just pay attention to the ski boundary and respect it."
ugh, tiktok is literally killing me right now lol. can't believe people are so reckless on the slopes because of a viral trend 
they're gonna get themselves killed following strangers around in the backcountry 
like what's next? skiing off cliffs just for a sick pic?! 
newsflash: powder doesn't care about your followers, stay safe out there! 
It's like, basic common sense, people! Don't be a rookie 
. Your fellow skiers (and rescue teams) will thank you 
!
. I mean, I get that powder is amazing but it's not worth risking a broken neck or worse 
. Can't they see the warnings on the mountain? Like, don't they know how to read a map or something? 
It's not like they're going into a foreign country or anything! 
They just need to be more responsible and aware of their surroundings.
. If you want to ski, take your own track, don't follow some random dude who's trying to get likes on TikTok 
. It's not about being cool or edgy, it's about staying safe and alive. Let's all just be more chill and aware of our surroundings, ya know? 
]
The rescue team is doing a great job of spreading awareness, but I wish more people would just be responsible and follow the rules, you know? 
They're literally putting their lives at risk for a sick Instagram pic 
? But seriously, this trend is getting out of hand. I've seen some crazy videos online where people are skiing in areas that are literally off-limits 
" Um, nope! Not cool at all 
Like, let's just stick to the designated trails and follow safety guidelines, okay? It's not that hard 
. The thought of those rescue teams having to deal with all these near-misses is keeping me up at night 
.
! This trend on TikTok is crazy 
! It's like, use your brain 
and check those maps 
. Safety first, folks! 
. Let's all take a chill pill and respect those ski boundaries 
! So, let's get smart and use our heads 
. And to all the skiers out there, just remember: it's not rocket science... 
Jay Peak Resort should def be more careful too, dont wanna hear about any skiers gettin lost or injured 
.
#TikTokTrendsAreNoJoke! I mean, who needs knee-deep powder when you're risking frostbite and altitude sickness? 
#SkiersBeAware! It's like, we get it, social media is fun, but not at the expense of our safety 
. Can't we all just enjoy the powder responsibly? 
#SkiSafetyMatters!