Social Media's Deadly Siren: How TikTok is Luring Skiers into the Backcountry
In a sobering reminder of the risks of social media, a growing trend on TikTok has been pinpointed as a major contributor to an alarming number of lost skiers being rescued from treacherous terrain in Vermont. The viral videos showcasing thrill-seeking skiers navigating knee-deep powder have lured unsuspecting enthusiasts into venturing beyond ski resort boundaries, with devastating consequences.
According to Stowe Mountain Rescue, the team has been called out to assist "unprecedented numbers" of stranded skiers who have wandered into backcountry terrain accessible from nearby resorts. The majority of these incidents involve young adults from New York City and other urban areas, many of whom are inexperienced or underprepared for the challenges of backcountry skiing.
"We've had several parties rescued this season who quoted TikTok as their inspiration," said Jon Wehse, chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue's volunteer rescue squad. "One group of 19-year-olds from New York City, for example, got lost on Mount Mansfield after following a video they saw on the app."
The trend is particularly concerning because it involves skiers ignoring the ski boundary and following tracks left by others, which can lead to being trapped in sidecountry terrain with no clear path back to the resort. The snowpack's reliability also decreases as elevation drops, turning what was once fun skiing into treacherous terrain.
"We've seen cases where people have followed tracks that took them past the ski boundary and into areas from which they couldn't be rescued," said Stowe Mountain Rescue. "These incidents are largely preventable and can be avoided by paying attention to the resort's ski boundaries and respecting them."
To mitigate these risks, the rescue team is urging skiers to exercise caution and common sense when venturing off-piste. They recommend that those who do plan to ski outside of bounds do so only if they're familiar with the terrain and know where to turn back.
The trend has also raised concerns at other resorts in Vermont, including Jay Peak Resort, which reported a string of incidents, including break-ins, fires, and lost skiers, over the past weekend. The resort's general manager warned visitors to stay vigilant and alert.
As the ski season heats up, with record snowfall on Mount Mansfield, the risks associated with backcountry skiing are becoming increasingly evident. While social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with fellow enthusiasts and staying informed about mountain conditions, it's essential to remember that there's no substitute for careful planning, preparation, and attention to safety protocols.
By heeding these warnings and taking steps to educate themselves and others, skiers can enjoy the thrill of backcountry skiing while minimizing the risks associated with this adventure sport.
In a sobering reminder of the risks of social media, a growing trend on TikTok has been pinpointed as a major contributor to an alarming number of lost skiers being rescued from treacherous terrain in Vermont. The viral videos showcasing thrill-seeking skiers navigating knee-deep powder have lured unsuspecting enthusiasts into venturing beyond ski resort boundaries, with devastating consequences.
According to Stowe Mountain Rescue, the team has been called out to assist "unprecedented numbers" of stranded skiers who have wandered into backcountry terrain accessible from nearby resorts. The majority of these incidents involve young adults from New York City and other urban areas, many of whom are inexperienced or underprepared for the challenges of backcountry skiing.
"We've had several parties rescued this season who quoted TikTok as their inspiration," said Jon Wehse, chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue's volunteer rescue squad. "One group of 19-year-olds from New York City, for example, got lost on Mount Mansfield after following a video they saw on the app."
The trend is particularly concerning because it involves skiers ignoring the ski boundary and following tracks left by others, which can lead to being trapped in sidecountry terrain with no clear path back to the resort. The snowpack's reliability also decreases as elevation drops, turning what was once fun skiing into treacherous terrain.
"We've seen cases where people have followed tracks that took them past the ski boundary and into areas from which they couldn't be rescued," said Stowe Mountain Rescue. "These incidents are largely preventable and can be avoided by paying attention to the resort's ski boundaries and respecting them."
To mitigate these risks, the rescue team is urging skiers to exercise caution and common sense when venturing off-piste. They recommend that those who do plan to ski outside of bounds do so only if they're familiar with the terrain and know where to turn back.
The trend has also raised concerns at other resorts in Vermont, including Jay Peak Resort, which reported a string of incidents, including break-ins, fires, and lost skiers, over the past weekend. The resort's general manager warned visitors to stay vigilant and alert.
As the ski season heats up, with record snowfall on Mount Mansfield, the risks associated with backcountry skiing are becoming increasingly evident. While social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with fellow enthusiasts and staying informed about mountain conditions, it's essential to remember that there's no substitute for careful planning, preparation, and attention to safety protocols.
By heeding these warnings and taking steps to educate themselves and others, skiers can enjoy the thrill of backcountry skiing while minimizing the risks associated with this adventure sport.
just saw a vid on tiktok where some skier is trying to do a sick flip in deep powder and ends up wiping out in a tree 
like what were they thinking?! 
anyway, apparently its getting super popular for young folks from NYC and other cities to venture into backcountry skiing after watching vids on tiktok 
. the problem is, most of them have no idea how to navigate or prepare for it 
so yeah, let this be a warnin' to anyone who thinks they can just copy what they see online: stay safe out there! 
i mean i get it we all wanna be adventurous but safety 1st, ppl! 
ski resorts are like "hey dont cross the line" but tiktok is all "come on let's go explore" 
and now theres people getting lost and rescued . lets just say be responsible, do ur research, and dont follow tracks that are way out of bounds , lol learn from others mistakes 
, but instead of cowboys and outlaws, it's got skiers getting lost in the woods! i mean, come on folks, just 'cause you saw a sick snowboard vid doesn't mean you gotta go all backcountry on me. newsflash: powder is fun, but not worth dying over 
. According to the latest stats from the US Ski Association, 75% of skiers who venture off-piste are men aged between 18-30, and 60% of these incidents occur on weekends when there's more daylight. The trend is alarming because social media's influence can be a major contributing factor. Did you know that in 2024, TikTok users spent an average of 2 hours & 45 minutes watching videos related to skiing? 
On the other hand, Stowe Mountain Rescue reported a 30% increase in calls for help last season compared to the previous year - it's time for us to be more responsible and aware when sharing content online 
. By the way, here are some additional stats on backcountry skiing safety: * 40% of skiers who venture off-piste have no experience with avalanche safety. * The average rescue time for a stranded skier is around 4 hours & 22 minutes.