KILLINGTON, Vt. -
Skiing conditions have been ideal these past few weeks, but almost every year, skiers searching for untouched powder ski out of bounds and get lost. This means search and rescue has to be called, man hours are used, and tax payer dollars are spent.
"It is technically illegal," Captain Donald Patch said of the Vermont State Police, Rutland Barracks.
But because police fear a ticket would deter lost skiers from calling and asking for help, it's been years since anyone has been charged. Already this season, 40 Killington or Pico mountain skiers have skied out of bounds, gotten lost and had to call. The majority were from out of state.
"Anybody that has to be fielded in that area, it's a dangerous situation because of steep inclines, the snow is deep," Captain Patch said.
Every search and rescue mission takes about four hours. We reached out to Vermont State Police to find out how much that costs you and I, who foot the bill, but did not hear back. Aside from tax payer dollars, it's officer time.
"The troopers on duty, when they're stuck on those cases up there, they're not able to tend to other incidents," the Captain said.
With the diverse terrain, and sheer volume of space, the Killington Resort Communications Manager doesn't see why skiing out of bounds is even desired.
"We have 140 trails, there are 71 miles, anything you want from long cruisers, blue square trails, tree skiing, steeps, bumps, parks, it's offered in bounds," Sarah Thorson said.
Thorson says the violators know they're breaking the law. To ski out of bounds, you would literally have to lift a rope and ignore the signs.
"The signs are very very prominent," Thorson added.
Not only is it Vermont State Police troopers who respond, but also Vermont Fish and Wildlife, volunteers and the ski patrol.
There will be a meeting soon involving all of those agencies, to discuss how skiing out of bounds can be prevented.
