Okemo… where Glades Peak chair drops off and Rim Rock officially begins 🤦♂️…
Great weekend at Okemo in my opinion… cold, snow, and not nearly nearly crowded as I mentally prepared myself for… BUT after the past few years of a creeping occurrence that began as a tad annoying, I think the situation of folks walking back up where Rim Rock technically begins (right where Glades Peak chair drops off to either Rim Rock/South Face area and/or Buckhorn/main summit is getting a tad out of control. There were groups of 5 or more people walking uphill while others (myself included) were simply heading down the opening of Rim Rock causing complete stops (meaning those of us on snowboards having to restrap in bindings and skate on the flats under the South Face chair). But if this was just about the plight of snowboarders or anyone else having to slow down to avoid head-on collisions, I would not bother posting this.
I sense on a very crowded weekend- such as the annual chaos of MLK Weekend upcoming (I’ll sit that one out, thanks) - the potential for a bad collision is increasing right in that spot. People (skiers and snowboarders alike) dropping in right there have a blind spot and cannot always see the folks walking up hill. Be it careless or first timers at Okemo (seemed like first timers outnumbered Okemo vets this weekend), folks dropping in there are not looking. And some of the folks walking up that hill are utterly clueless. Bad mix imo.
I tried calmly and respectfully to explain to one group in the way walking up that space to simply ski/ride Rim Rock right off of the South Chair all the way back to the Glades Peak chair or even to the Six pack. I was told to “stay in my lane and shut up”… (the irony of the “lane” quote is rich)…
I circled above on the trail map the exact spot I’m talking about - right next to that little ski patrol station. Am I the only one who sees the potential for a bad situation here? I’m assuming Okemo cannot “ban” people from walking up that hill/blind spot. But perhaps if more newcomers were aware of how to get back to Glades Peak or further downhill when they unload South Face chair, we wouldn’t have this issue? I’m in no way criticizing Okemo ski patrol or staff. They’re amazing. But be it, rookies, or just plain selfish, clueless Jerrys, I fear something bad is going to happen there.
Am I overreacting? Or do you agree? Maybe there has been collisions in the past? Anyone have a view on this. ✌️
Great weekend at Okemo in my opinion… cold, snow, and not nearly nearly crowded as I mentally prepared myself for… BUT after the past few years of a creeping occurrence that began as a tad annoying, I think the situation of folks walking back up where Rim Rock technically begins (right where Glades Peak chair drops off to either Rim Rock/South Face area and/or Buckhorn/main summit is getting a tad out of control. There were groups of 5 or more people walking uphill while others (myself included) were simply heading down the opening of Rim Rock causing complete stops (meaning those of us on snowboards having to restrap in bindings and skate on the flats under the South Face chair). But if this was just about the plight of snowboarders or anyone else having to slow down to avoid head-on collisions, I would not bother posting this.
I sense on a very crowded weekend- such as the annual chaos of MLK Weekend upcoming (I’ll sit that one out, thanks) - the potential for a bad collision is increasing right in that spot. People (skiers and snowboarders alike) dropping in right there have a blind spot and cannot always see the folks walking up hill. Be it careless or first timers at Okemo (seemed like first timers outnumbered Okemo vets this weekend), folks dropping in there are not looking. And some of the folks walking up that hill are utterly clueless. Bad mix imo.
I tried calmly and respectfully to explain to one group in the way walking up that space to simply ski/ride Rim Rock right off of the South Chair all the way back to the Glades Peak chair or even to the Six pack. I was told to “stay in my lane and shut up”… (the irony of the “lane” quote is rich)…
I circled above on the trail map the exact spot I’m talking about - right next to that little ski patrol station. Am I the only one who sees the potential for a bad situation here? I’m assuming Okemo cannot “ban” people from walking up that hill/blind spot. But perhaps if more newcomers were aware of how to get back to Glades Peak or further downhill when they unload South Face chair, we wouldn’t have this issue? I’m in no way criticizing Okemo ski patrol or staff. They’re amazing. But be it, rookies, or just plain selfish, clueless Jerrys, I fear something bad is going to happen there.
Am I overreacting? Or do you agree? Maybe there has been collisions in the past? Anyone have a view on this. ✌️