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SUMMIT COUNTY- Ski theft in Summit County is quickly becoming a hot button issue after two men were arrested in Breckenridge last week for attempting to steal 13 snowboards and three pairs of skis.
It seems that ski areas are not as safe as they used to be and skiers are now being advised to take extra precautions when leaving their gear unattended at the base of the mountain.
Denver resident Kate Liston couldn't wait to try out her brand new K2 T:Nine women's skis at Winter Park last week. After two hours on the mountain she decided it was time for lunch and left her skis on the rack directly across from the mountain security office.
"We had a pretty quick lunch, maybe only 45 minutes," Liston said. "When we walked back out I looked around and my skis were gone. We looked all around the other racks to make sure and then finally realized that my skis were definitely not there."
Liston immediately took the short walk to the security office to report her skis stolen. She then filed a police report citing that the skis were over $400 and would be difficult to replace.
"I had only skied on them for two hours, I didn't even have them long enough to fall in love with them," Liston said. "I've lived and skied in Colorado my whole life and never once thought that someone would steal my skis. I am definitely going to buy a lock before I get my next pair."
As problems with ski theft continue to grow, some mountains are implementing prevention programs to reinforce the fact that theft is something that will not be tolerated.
Whistler Blackcomb ski area in British Columbia, Canada, implemented a Bait Ski and Snowboard program, setting up traps to monitor ski and snowboard gear from being stolen.
In addition to legal prosecution, those who are caught stealing immediately loose their pass and have a three year ban from being able to purchase passes or tickets for the mountain.
If instances of ski theft continue to occur in Summit County it will be up the ski areas to decide how to make the mountain a safer place for both skiers and their equipment.
It seems that ski areas are not as safe as they used to be and skiers are now being advised to take extra precautions when leaving their gear unattended at the base of the mountain.
Denver resident Kate Liston couldn't wait to try out her brand new K2 T:Nine women's skis at Winter Park last week. After two hours on the mountain she decided it was time for lunch and left her skis on the rack directly across from the mountain security office.
"We had a pretty quick lunch, maybe only 45 minutes," Liston said. "When we walked back out I looked around and my skis were gone. We looked all around the other racks to make sure and then finally realized that my skis were definitely not there."
Liston immediately took the short walk to the security office to report her skis stolen. She then filed a police report citing that the skis were over $400 and would be difficult to replace.
"I had only skied on them for two hours, I didn't even have them long enough to fall in love with them," Liston said. "I've lived and skied in Colorado my whole life and never once thought that someone would steal my skis. I am definitely going to buy a lock before I get my next pair."
As problems with ski theft continue to grow, some mountains are implementing prevention programs to reinforce the fact that theft is something that will not be tolerated.
Whistler Blackcomb ski area in British Columbia, Canada, implemented a Bait Ski and Snowboard program, setting up traps to monitor ski and snowboard gear from being stolen.
In addition to legal prosecution, those who are caught stealing immediately loose their pass and have a three year ban from being able to purchase passes or tickets for the mountain.
If instances of ski theft continue to occur in Summit County it will be up the ski areas to decide how to make the mountain a safer place for both skiers and their equipment.
How to be smarter than a ski thief
• Separate your skis when you leave them at the bottom of the mountain. There is no way a thief is going to want to take just one ski, and most times the thief wont have the energy to search for the matching one. • If skiing with a friend, mismatch your skis together. This will greatly discourage theft and possibly confuse others who will think they missed out on a hot new ski trend.
• Keep track of the make and model of your equipment, this could include serial numbers as well as any distinguishing characteristics your gear might have. If you do become a victim of theft, knowing your equipment will make it a lot easier when filing a report to the police.
