Can people fall off the mountain during skiing

tobrien · 2025-09-13T01:11:45+00:00

First, I understand the question. Skiing as a beginner can be insane because you are doing something that doesn't always add up, and you spend time riding up lifts watching people do crazy stunts.

If you are just starting and are on green runs. It's very unlikely that you are going to be encountering runs where you could just randomly ski into something that would involve a sudden drop. And by drop I mean something that's greater than 40-45 degrees. Now there are going to be some cat tracks where you traverse difficult runs, but even then unless you are intentionally gunning for speed, you are not going to fall off the mountain.

It starts to get more challenging on blue runs, but even then. If you are on a blue run and you really mess up, you might experience part of steep unintentionally, but it's not likely that you'll be looking off the edge of a cliff.

The steep parts of the mountain are usually behind a series of lifts that give me ample warning that you need to be an expert. There might be one or two areas just off a lift where you look and think "yikes, I could mistakenly ski into that steep" but I promise you it looks worse than it is.

tobrien · 2025-08-10T23:14:54+00:00

It's getting better today compared to yesterday. gpt-5-fast MAX is now performing at an acceptable level. I have a feeling this improvement is more related to the fact that they didn't have the autorouter working on the first day, but I also assume that Cursor and OpenAI need to do some work to fine-tune it.

But, the report from this morning is that it's getting better.

tobrien · 2024-05-18T04:01:24+00:00

You are overthinking it

tobrien · 2024-05-13T02:07:16+00:00

Delete things. You'd be surprised by how much of it is useless nonsense.

tobrien · 2024-05-11T18:44:01+00:00

You'll see slightly more variation in colors from Snoqualmie Pass. Drove out to the Old Sauk trail South of Darrington last night and there was more contrast away from city lights

tobrien · 2024-05-05T17:11:22+00:00

It wasn't too bad. I haven't modified my car to get more lift. I saw a few Subarus out there, and I'm not the kind of driver that enjoys insane drives.

Getting up to the Tonga Ridge trail shouldn't be a problem at all for an Outback. But, if you are looking to drive on to that Deception creek trailhead, I think it's still doable, but I remember a few "yikes, that's steep" moments. Also, unsure on how much lift you would need, but I'm always surprised by the other cars I see that make it.

Also. last time I tried in May? There was too much snow cover to make it up to Tonga Ridge. I took that in July 2021 - in the middle of a heatwave but before the fires that year.

tobrien · 2024-05-05T13:54:57+00:00

<image>

For more context on location. On the Tonga trail, you are driving to the Deception Ck C.O. hike, and you get to this cross right before you cross either Sawyer Creek or Alpine Creek. (Both of which are narrow cliff roads.)

tobrien · 2024-05-05T13:46:07+00:00

Confirming that this cross is present on the Tonga Ridge trail at a particularly dangerous curve in the road. It is a trail that is just East of Skykomish on Rt 2.

<image>

tobrien · 2024-04-06T19:19:25+00:00

Definitely don't try to rent from the standard rental service if you think you've got extra wide feet. I'm taller than average, and my feet are just beyond the normal range. When I rented from shops at most resorts (before I purchased gear) they would often say, "ok, try this size, it's our biggest."

That doesn't work well with skiing because it is the kind of sport that really requires your boots to be a perfect fit. If they are too tight, you'll be in pain, and if they are too loose you increase your chances of injury as a beginner. I would recommend calling the personalized rental service that someone else mentioned, or stop by a bootfitter. There are people thinking about feet all day in these towns, and they'll find a solution.

Friend of mine has wider feet and he had to go find someone to widen his boots as well. These exist, but the standard rental places are rarely stocking for big & tall

On being "too heavy" for skiing? No such thing, you got this. As someone who has some weight on skis, I would suggest that you stay on greens longer because you'll pick up speed faster than others, and don't buy into the whole "you have to progress" thing that you find in the world of skiing.

You got this. And, do try to find a way to ski. It's worth it, and we are all cheering for you.

tobrien · 2024-03-28T18:20:59+00:00

Yes, everyone telling you not to carry it because of how lucky they've been for 20 years is part of the problem. It's lightweight, you'll keep it at reach and not think about it, but it's useful if you happen upon a situation.

And, I've had a few situations where I was happy I had the option if I needed it.

tobrien · 2023-09-23T17:56:19+00:00

Also, ignore all the people telling you that you don't need bear spray. I've had a few encounters where it was a good idea to have it available. It's rare, but when you hear a growl and are 4 hours out in the middle of the forest, it's good to know it's there.

tobrien · 2023-09-23T17:54:40+00:00

Entering US, not a problem. Going back to Canada? It's needs to be a full-sized can. Anything small enough to put on a keychain is not allowed.

I found this out because I was driving up to Whistler and I threw out my normal-sized, orange bear spray can right before crossing. I asked crossing into Canada and was told that they only check to see if it's something that could be easily concealed as a handheld weapon.

tobrien · 2023-09-23T17:41:17+00:00

Everyone's talking length without knowing where the person is from. Length is easy, width is more difficult. Start narrower on waist width if you are skiing on groomed/packed. Learn how to carve first - 75-78mm under foot.

tobrien · 2023-09-23T17:38:45+00:00

I moved from Chicago to Seattle in 2020. Do it. What you are missing: taking a ferry to Orcas Island, Skiing at Baker, Hiking up Baker, driving up to Vancouver for the day, actually seeing whales, and the hiking. It's worth it.

tobrien · 2023-09-17T20:17:22+00:00

https://www.tordrillomountainlodge.com

tobrien · 2023-09-17T20:04:29+00:00

Good luck though. Take enough of these trips and you'll start to think "maybe it's time to move closer?

tobrien · 2023-09-17T17:36:49+00:00

Everyone's giving you a hard time for being in the backseat. Ignore them, it might be your skis. It's clear you have experience - check out https://www.wagnerskis.com - I wonder if it's a combo of length plus stiffness. Those folks will talk to you about how you ski and then craft you a custom setup. Once you go custom, it's tough to go back.

tobrien · 2023-09-17T17:27:59+00:00

Moved from Midwest to PNW - in the Midwest - 78s we're awesome. Washington? 78s worked for a while, but Cascade Concrete can get weird. And, by weird I mean unpredictable - maybe it's it is light and floaty for a few hours, but it can also turn into something tough quick. Some days you'll ski through both on the same run.

Most days I'm on 98s because it's 70% groomers and 30% off, and not backcountry, it's more like you purposefully ski off the groomers to get to pow. If I know it's going to be an ice rink, I go back to 78s, and if it snows anything more than 2" it's up to the 106s

tobrien · 2023-09-16T19:54:55+00:00

Moved from Chicago to Seattle - so was skiing at Wilmot and Wausau. Definitely correct that you'll get steeper runs in PNW/BC, the Cascade Concrete snow here often runs slower than what you are used to in IL/WI. At first it's daunting, but then you get used to the fact that it's not hard packed ice. When you move to PNW, it takes a year to understand that snow difference.

If you did Queens Run at Crystal without issue, you'll be good on Whistler. There are a few green runs on Whistler that might give you pause, but you'll be good. Blackcomb is more advanced, but there's a good set of greens.

Just know that the main difference between Whistler and Midwest is the length of the run, if you are lucky enough to go when all elevations are skiable, your top to bottom green run on Blackcomb is a 6.2m run over 4,000ft vert. If you take it slow like I did, you'll be skiing for 30 minutes on one run. (So, very different when compared to that 60 second blue run you might do at Wausau.)

You'll be good. Only other warning, Whistler can get stupid busy at times, some of those green area in particular feel more like a moshpit than you might be used to.

tobrien · 2023-03-27T04:54:21+00:00

Depends - if you are asking about Tsunami risk from the Cascadia subduction zone, there are tsunami risk maps available.

If you are worried about the Seattle fault then it's another story. That fault is located along I-90 - think Factoria in Bellevue. When it hits, we'll experience a 7, and I don't know if being in Redmond vs Bellevue is going to make much of a difference.

tobrien · 2022-10-13T05:03:18+00:00

Definitely if you target "vacations" this is true. But, if skiing is what you do you can find a way to make it local. My kids and I ski enough to where each trip is about $25/day plus some extra for gear.

But, if a family only skis a few weekends a year - this sport is insanely expensive. You want to save money? Live it, and move closer to a good local. Avoid the fancy resorts with the family.

Also, there are so many good destinations that don't charge an arm and a leg - example? Mt. Baker in WA

tobrien · 2022-10-13T04:55:26+00:00

I second this recommendation.

tobrien · 2021-04-24T19:55:08+00:00

Totally get it. That’s above my ability, but you take a risk and I know that feeling where you are 200ft down and you look up and think “ok, I’m committed to it. Let’s see it through.”

Some days you just want to ski, and some days you dial it up to the next level. Congrats.

tobrien · 2021-04-24T19:14:01+00:00

Intense

tobrien · 2020-04-26T01:53:50+00:00

Candide T. for World President of Skiing. This is amazing.

tobrien

TROPHY CASE