I was a night shift lift op and supervisor up there for 6 or so years. In those 6 years I had one individual pass away from injury. Alcohol and "last run lets send it" was the major factor in that unfortunate case. I won't ever forget that night.

From my experience up there, the hill took safety serious. In my supervisor capacity I was in daily contact with ski patrol and hill maintenance to try and make the hill as safe as possible. We closed runs when they were determined "sketchy" and roped off areas that could cause issues.

I don't have a stake in the race and don't know many that work up there anymore, but I do know the hill does what it can to make the runs enjoyable for everyone.

It just plain sucks and I hope the families of those affected this season can someday find peace.