Ski Patrol at Mammoth Mountain, CA, is back with another message to skiers about the breaking of their avalanche closures following large snowstorms.
This message is timely, as the resort was hit with 40 inches of snow from the same storm that hammered most California resorts over the weekend.
The mountain currently has a 115 inch base depth.
A Ski Patroller is filmed speaking directly to the camera in a serious tone, saying, "these closures are for your safety, and the last thing we want is for one of you to get taken out by an avalanche running down the mountain."
Officials at Mammoth have upped the ante on penalties for disobeying closures. What used to be a 10-day pass revocation is now a 30-day minimum loss of a pass.
For second offenses, skiers and riders who go out of bounds will lose their pass for the entire season and face criminal charges.
This is all being done in hopes that people respect the closures so the mountain can open as soon as possible on powder days. The more people who ski and ride out of bounds are ruining the resort for everybody.
Following on hill signage and obeying these closures allows Ski Patrol to do their job. Because at the end of the day... it is their job to make these calls, and they are on the mountain for your safety.
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