As AC/DC would advise ... 'Ride on'

By Matt Boxler

Music and motion go hand in hand, especially when that motion includes dropping into the superpipe or embarking down your favorite run. New England resorts have invested significantly over the past couple decades to install speaker systems alongside halfpipes and terrain parks to create an instant party atmosphere.

More and more, however, riders are arriving at these parties BYOT – bringing their own tunes. Thanks to the technology of MP3 players, music is more portable than ever before. As usual, the snowboarding industry is leading the way in advancing personal listening ease on the mountain. Consider that Burton and Apple have combined efforts to design a snowboard jacket – the Burton Amp – that integrates Apple’s iPod control system directly into the arm of the Amp jacket.

“It’s like having a portable DJ booth in your jacket," said Keir Dillon, Burton Global Team Snowboarder. "It makes changing songs before a pipe contest or on the lift so much easier – you don’t have to take off your gloves or unzip anything."

But does the onset of this trend give cause for any safety concerns? “Skiing/riding with music is a new trend, but all skiers/riders still have the same responsibility to ski/ride with care,” said Jay Peak’s Kim Hewitt. “Being distracted or unaware because of their music doesn’t mitigate the individual’s responsibility for their actions.”

Snowboarders and skiers alike accept that their sport is inherently risky and they take responsibility for those risks when they purchase a lift ticket. Generally, resorts recognize that freedom is paramount.

“Skiing and riding is all about the freedom of being on the mountain and enjoying yourself,” said Tom Meyers of Wachusett Mountain. “I see this as a trend everywhere, not just at ski areas. My fourth-grader walks out of the house every morning with earphones on to wait for the bus.”

Sven Cole, communications manager at Attitash/Bear Peak said he sees more and more people using headphones while out on the hill. “Attitash doesn’t currently have a policy on headphone usage, nor have we noticed any incidents related to headphone usage. With that being said we do expect all of our customers to exercise safe skiing and riding practices, and if people are riding with headphones then they need to compensate for that reduction in how well they can hear.”

Cole said he skis with headphones from time to time, more during the midweek when he’s skiing alone and there aren’t as many people out on the slope. “When the trails get a bit busier, I find that I prefer to be able to hear better,” he said. “In the park and pipe where we may see more headphone usage, there seems to be a strong etiquette that dictates who is dropping in on a park element or into the pipe, and you will see the riders making several visual checks before they drop in. I’ve got to imagine that listening to your favorite music while getting big air has got to be a good sensation.”

Susan DuPlessis, director of communications at Sunday River, said the resort has not had an issue with MP3 players and it has not imposed any regulations. “There are a few skiers and riders who use them in the terrain parks, but we find that freestylers are terrific at self-regulating – meaning that they all spot for each other and are generally using elements one person at a time,” DuPlessis said.

“With this said, safety is always top of mind here, and if a ski patrol saw any activity that they felt compromised the safety of a skier or rider or others on the hill, it would be dealt with. Our recommendation regarding the use of MP3 players is to not let their use impede the sight or sound of any obstacle, including others on the hill.”

There used to be a rule at Jiminy Peak 10 to 15 years ago that headphones were not allowed while skiing or snowboarding, but the resort stopped enforcing it a few years ago. “The impetus for the rule was a concern for safety, but it hadn’t been shown that headphones caused accidents, and with the new, much more subtle wires and ear-pieces, it was hard to catch someone wearing them,” said Sally Johnstone. “Personally, I wouldn’t wear headphones while skiing or riding, but I also won’t talk on a cell phone while driving. It’s a mindfulness thing.”

Dyke Shaw of Mount Sunapee Resort said he believes it’s each person’s individual right to do what they want to do to enjoy the alpine experience. “I think that people can consciously make the right decision and abide by the rules that will enhance their safety along with their day on the slope,” he said.

Besides, it’s not like all riders want to listen to music while on the mountain. A quick posting on the topic in a snowboarding chatroom yielded several insightful replies, including the following.

“I’m a huge music junkie, but I don’t board with headphones or music,” one rider wrote. “In all reality it’s a nice break to get on the mountain and just listen to the mountain. I mean, that’s what it’s really all about. Is it that hard to break away? Nature is epic enough. It’s amazing what you hear when you take the time to just listen.”

(Matt Boxler is a member of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association and the Eastern Ski Writers Association.)