JACKSON, Wyo. — On Friday, Jan. 3, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) CEO Mary Kate Buckley released a public statement that provides an update to the resort’s new safety plan, including the removal of its popular vertical feet leaderboard from the JH Insider app.
“We are removing the JH Insider app vertical feet leaderboard, which was deemed to potentially promote fast skiing,” Buckley wrote in the letter posted on JHMR’s website.
Laurie Thal and Bob Peters, spokespeople for a local citizens group campaigning for safer skiing measures, asked Buckley to remove this feature from the app last summer.
“This is a big concession!” Peters told Buckrail. “It’s something that many of us have been requesting for many months. Almost by definition, publicizing the people who have skied/ridden the most vertical encourages and rewards fast riders. This is a really important development and shows that your message is being received by the ski resort.”
Buckley also wrote in the letter that the speed wrangler team will continue to assist the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in identifying and intercepting those who exhibit reckless behavior. Additionally, JHMR Operations Management will use lift camera footage to assist in this measure.
“The consequences for violations vary based on severity, ranging from educational warnings to pass suspensions or revocations,” Buckley wrote. “In extreme cases, a no-trespass ban may be issued, legally barring individuals from the resort. All enforcement actions are recorded in a centralized database to track trends and repeat offenses.”
According to JHMR, there has been an increase in enforcement actions for violations such as skiing in closed areas, reckless skiing and speeding compared to last year. Buckley pointed to a day when Ski Patrol issued 24 pass suspensions for violating closure signs.
Buckrail has been receiving comments from local residents about the need for greater safety enforcement. On Jan. 3, resident Beth Schenck told Buckrail that she has not seen enough changes in safety precautions at the mountain.
“On R Trail, where the terrible accident happened last year, there are still primarily young people bombing down, skiing way too fast in a highly congested area,” Schenck said. “No safety precautions whatsoever have been erected there. More yellow coats are desperately needed all over the mountain and not standing with their skis/boards off — how do they stop the perpetrators if they can’t chase after them? Not a good plan at all.”
Buckley wrote that she has received positive feedback on the increased presence of Speed Wranglers and Ski Patrol, and she asks people to help “create a culture of safety at JHMR.”
“While some have requested more personnel across the mountain, our 2,500 acres of terrain make this impractical,” Buckley wrote. “Instead, we focus on strategic enforcement and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their actions.”
At the end of the season, JHMR will analyze reported collisions, including the circumstances of each incident, daily guest scans, weather conditions and other relevant factors to help identify areas for improvement, according to Buckley.
“Historically, including during the 2023/24 season, our ratio of reported collisions to skier visits aligns with the industry average,” Buckley wrote. “But we are not striving for the average; our goal is to have the most robust culture of safety in the industry.”
