Barber: Urging proper ski etiquette

As the 2024/2025 ski season begins, I feel compelled to share my story and urge skiers to approach the slopes with vigilance and responsibility. The exhilaration of skiing is unmatched, but it comes with a shared duty to keep all skiiers safe. I have skied for almost 50 years; was an avid tennis player for over 50 years; as well as a mountain biker and yogi.

In March 2023, I was severely injured in a collision with a reckless skier who came barreling down a crowded run, ignoring fundamental safety rules. I was standing still, securing my boots, when she crashed into me. The impact shattered my shoulder and forever changed my relationship with the mountain. Nineteen months of pain, therapy, and the loss those activities once loved followed. My shoulder never healed (the bone died). Thus, an upcoming major surgery and eight-plus-more months disabled from activities I’ve loved a lifetime.

What has made this experience even more difficult is the skier’s refusal to take responsibility. Instead, she has misrepresented the incident to the ski company, her insurance provider, and even during legal proceedings. Had she admitted fault and apologized from the start, I wouldn’t have been forced to file a lawsuit or endure the emotional and mental toll of this ordeal.

That day could have ended much worse. If she had hit me directly, I might be in a wheelchair. If it had been a child, the consequences could have been unimaginable. PTSD has been ongoing, and driving on Interstate 70 can even create some anxiety. Doubt I will ever ski again.

Skiing is about more than skill — it’s about mindfulness. The uphill skier is responsible for avoiding those below. This rule isn’t just etiquette; it’s essential for safety. Recklessness, excessive speed in family-friendly areas, and a disregard for others put everyone at risk.

To my fellow skiers: Stay aware of your surroundings. Ski within your abilities. Wear a GoPro to document your runs — it’s a simple precaution that can protect you in case of an incident.

Tasha Maria Barber

Fellow Aspen alpine skier