Newsgroups: rec.skiing

            The rec.skiing Frequently Asked Questions List
                              -or-
   Everything you always wanted to know about skiing and were *just* about
   to ask by posting.

   The rec.skiing FAQ is a work in progress and is maintained by glen
   baker (glenb@sr.hp.com) Additions and corrections to the FAQ are 
   welcome. If you have an addition or correction to make please take the
   time to write it out in the format of the FAQ so that I don't have
   to try to figure out how to say what you're trying to say!


   ***********************************************************
   *       REALLY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER STUFF!!               *
   *     -------------------------------------               *
   * The rec.skiing FAQ is a compendium of questions and     *
   * answers that frequently appear on rec.skiing. Neither   *
   * the contributors to the FAQ, the posters of the FAQ,    *
   * nor their employers make any claim whatsoever regarding *
   * the accuracy or safety of ANYTHING in the FAQ. Any item *
   * that may appear to be offering either medical or legal  *
   * advice is doing neither.                                *
   *                                                         *
   ***********************************************************


   Index:
       1) Welcome, Disclaimers, etc
       2) Alpine Equipment
       3) XC equipment/Info
       4) Clothing
       5) Technique
       6) Transportation
       7) Lodging
       8) Phone Numbers
       9) Miscellaneous
      10) Jobs
      11) Summit County
      12) Southern California
      13) Exercises
      14) National Ski Patrol
      15) Europe
      16) Lest we become too serious

 ------------- Section 01: Welcome, Disclaimers, etc -------------

  Welcome to rec.skiing. This group is a forum for the discussion
  of skiing (snow, water, downhill, cross country, snowboarding) and 
  related topics. If you're new to the net, or even just new to 
  rec.skiing please take a couple of minutes to read this note...it 
  may save you a lot of grief in the long run!

  If you're *brand* new to the net, please check out the group
  news.announce.newusers for general information about usenet.

  Here are a few rules of thumb that will help you get around in
  rec.skiing (and even some other places) without firmly inserting
  your foot in your mouth.

    - Don't quote entire articles. Only quote what is absolutely
      necessary in order to make your point clear. Anytime you 
      are quoting more than you're writing you should question
      yourself.

    - Avoid long signature files. They may look cool the first time
      you see one but they get real old real quick.

    - Limit lines to 80 characters *max*, preferably 72 chars.

    - You're probably better off if you avoid telling everybody what
      a radical skier/snowboarder you are.

    - rec.skiing is populated by some "unique" individuals. You'll
      notice a lot of people making fun of various ski areas,
      various techniques, and various other people. Don't go taking
      all of this seriously! For the most part there are a lot of
      tongues firmly inserted in cheeks.

    - There *will* be flame wars from time to time. Try not to take
      these too seriously either; they rarely get hot enough to 
      actually melt the snow.

 Some other groups that you might find interesting are:
    
      rec.backcountry     for more generic wildnerness stuff.
      rec.boats           for more waterskiing stuff.

 1.01) "So where's the obligitory disclaimers?"

    Thanks for asking.This list is a compilation of many frequently asked 
    questions and their frequently posted responses. As such it is merely 
    a compression of information from many sources. Neither the persons 
    maintaining and posting this list nor their employers make any claims 
    about the safety or even the accuracy of the information in the list.

    You're on your own. Make informed decisions. Only take the risks
    that you feel comfortable taking. Don't ski alone. Stay warm.
    Don't get caught in an avalanche. Use appropriate equipment. Don't
    ski in closed areas.
   
    Have some respect. Respect the other people on the slopes. Respect
    the mountains...they can bite. Respect the weather, it can change.
    Respect your limitations, exceed them and you'll hurt yourself.
    Respect the setting...littering is for morons.

 1.02) "How dangerous is skiing?"

    It's about as safe or as dangerous as you want it to be. While there
    is always some inherent danger in the sport most problems are due
    to "pilot error". Pay attention to posted signs...they're there for
    a reason. Ski in control. Don't ski in closed areas. 

    The injury rate for skiing has been fairly level at about 3 injuries
    per thousand skier-days. These injuries include everything from 
    minor bruses and lacerations to broken necks. The most common injuries
    are thumb and knee injuries.

    You *can* kill yourself skiing. You can also kill somebody else. Stay
    in control. That being said it should also be mentioned that you're
    probably more likely to slip and fall in the parking lot...

 1.03) "What's this skier's responsibility code thing?"

    Well, rather than saying much *about* it, we'll just include it here.

    Note: This code is widely accepted in the United States...other 
          countries may have similar codes. One netter reports that
          this code is similar to what's posted in New Zealand.

 
		  The Alpine Skier's Responsibility Code
                  --------------------------------------

	1.  Ski under control and in such a manner that you can stop or
	    avoid other skiers or objects.  
	    Excessive speed is dangerous.

	2.  When skiing downhill or overtaking another skier, 
	    you must avoid the skier below you.

	3.  You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not 
	    visible from above.

	4.  When entering a trail or starting downhill, 
	    yield to other skiers.

	5.  All skiers shall use devices to prevent runaway skis.

	6.  You shall keep off closed trails and posted areas and
	    observe all posted signs.


    The Skier's Responsibility Code is endorsed by The American Ski 
    Federation, National Ski Patrol, United States Ski Industries 
    Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America, Cross Country 
    Ski Areas Association, United States Ski Association, Ski Coach's 
    Association, and other organizations.


    The European countries have th FIS-rules (Federation International de 
    Ski).They are a basis for courtroom decisions but are not laws. 
    The FIS-rules are:

                             The FIS-rules
                             -------------
 
         1.  Consideration of the other Skiers
             Every skier has to behave in a way he or she doesn't endanger 
             or damage any other.
 
         2.  Controlling of speed and way of skiing 
             Every skier has to ski on sight. He has to adapt his speed
             and way of skiing to his abilities and the conditions of the
             terrain, the snow and the weather as to the traffic density.
 
         3.  Choice of track
             The skier coming from behind another has to choose his track so
             that skiers before him won't be endangered.
 
         4.  Overtaking
             Overtaking is allowed from above or below, from right or left
             but always with a distance so that the skier being overtaken 
             has space enough for all his movements.
 
         5.  Entering and restarting
             Every skier entering a trail or starting after a halt has to
             asure himself uphill and downhill of the fact that he can do 
             so without danger for himself and others.
 
         6.  Stopping
             Every skier has to avoid stopping at small or blind places of a
             trail without need. A fallen skier has to free such a place as
             quick as possible.
 
         7.  Mounting and descend
             A skier mounting or descending by feet has to use the border of
             the trail.
 
         8.  Pay attention to signs
             Every skier has to pay attention to the marks and signs.
 
         9.  Behavior in case of accidents
             In case of accidents every skier has to help.
 
         10. Duty of proving identity
             Every skier whether witness or involved, whether responsible or
             not has to prove his identity in case of an accident.
 

 1.04) "Is there a Nordic Skier's Responsibility Code?"

   Glad you asked...turns out that there is one!

		  The Nordic Skier's Responsibility Code
		  --------------------------------------

	1)  Ski in the indicated direction and observe all signs.

	2)  Always ski to the right when passing oncoming skiiers
		and when skiing a double track.

	3)  On a two way trail descending skiers always have the right 
            of way.

	4)  Don't litter!  If you pack it in, pack it out.  Respect private 
            property.

	5)  Don't obstruct the trail:  move off the track quickly if you 
            fall and quickly step off the track during breaks.



Newsgroups: rec.skiing