More than 2,000 People Sign Petition for Greater Safety Measures in Whistler
1st June 2026
Last modified on June 22nd, 2026
A doctor’s petition for more enforcement of the Alpine Responsibility Code has received 2,014 signatures to date. It seems people want more to be done about slope safety – in Whistler and other ski areas. UPDATED
The online petition has been launched by Dr Christina Williams from Vancouver, who has skied at the Canadian resort for many years.
The petition calls for action from Whistler-Blackcomb and its parent company, Vail Resorts:
- Increase safety personnel.
- Mandate safety education.
- Aggressively revoke passes for reckless behaviour.
Dr Williams was hit from behind by a speeding rider in the resort suffering a broken leg and ankle.
She said it was the third time she had been hit while on the slopes last season.
“I can understand if I fell on a difficult run but this [accident] was totally avoidable,” Dr Williams said.
“I was skiing in my little line and to be sent flying from behind has massive consequences.
“It’s like a highway that doesn’t have police monitoring.”
We post the petition in full as the end of this article, along with reaction from many people who have signed it that detail their experiences.
Whistler, Canada. Image c/o PlanetSKI
The COO of Whistler, Belinda Trembath, said in a statement that “Our mountains welcome skiers and riders of all ages and abilities, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that every visit is enjoyable, comfortable, and safe.”
“We ask all guests to adhere to the Alpine Responsibility Code, and safety personnel reinforce this on our slopes.”
Here at PlanetSKI we have recently reported on people skiing and snowboarding out of control and have received much reaction from readers.
PlanetSKI reporter Clare Meaney who was hit from behind in Val d’Isere. Image © PlanetSKI/Clare Meaney
It seems the courts in Europe are taking a stronger position.
Last month on May 13th a British skier was convicted at the Albertville Criminal Court after a serious accident on the slopes of Tignes in France on February 7th, 2024.
The accused was on a black slope on the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes and collided with another skier at the intersection of two runs.
The victim suffered life changing injuries with internal bleeding and a serious head injury.
It follows the conviction of a man who killed a British child in a collision in Flaine.
The Petition from Dr Williams:
Since Vail Resorts bought Whistler Blackcomb there has been a noticeable decrease in number of safety staff enforcing excess speeding on crowded runs suitable for beginners.
This has resulted in increasing numbers of injuries caused by collisions.
Some life changing, that is a broken neck and multiple surgeries later the person still cannot stand up straight.
I myself have been hit three times this season alone; the last one resulting in a broken leg/ankle.
Instructors working on the mountain have also been seriously injured.
The impact was very forceful because he did not “see me” and as a result could not stop.
The person who hit me felt bad about it but the damage was done.
This incident and conversations with many friends who have similar concerns prompted me to start this petition.
Whistler’s Emergency Department noted that there has been a significant increase in collision accidents in the last few years.
At the same time there has been a noticeable lack of Safety Staff volunteers on the mountain and lack of enforcement over reckless skiing, particularly in busy areas and designated slow zones.
It is so bad, that even experienced and expert skiers find it daunting and nerve racking to ski during busy times; such as skiing out at the end of the day.
The situation is so bad that ski school has had to create its own blocked off run for teaching.
We are requesting that measures are taken by Vail and Whistler Blackcomb for next ski season to improve safety on the the mountain.
Below are ways that this could be done:
1. Increase Safety Staff. Currently there are so few that at many times both mountains cannot be staffed. Number of staff needs to sufficient to properly monitor safety.
2. Enforce the Alpine Responsibility Code. This means monitor reckless skiing and create consequences. In the past dangerous skiing could mean having one’s pass taken away.
3. Instruct Children Instructors. Children’s instructors have been regularly seen having their students jump over roads in congested areas. This is dangerous behaviour and is teaching them the wrong message.
4. Create speed traps. One method would be to cordon off areas in such a way as to force riders to slow down with Large Signs indicating that this is a speed controlled area with consequences for speeding.
5. WB / Vail consider publishing accident data (i.e. number of injury reports on mountain)
Please help us to request the above actions by signing this petition, WE BELIEVE IT WITHIN OUR RIGHTS TO DEMAND VAIL RESORTS GIVE PRIORITY TO OUR SAFETY.
Dr. Christina Williams, Vancouver BC.
See here for more on the petition in Whistler from Pique News Magazine.
Update:
Others have commented on the petition:
Lyall – “I was struck by a snowboarder in 2011 and suffered a broken neck.
“My son was struck this year avoiding it out of control skier and broke his arm.
“The patroller that attended him said that 90% of injuries are now caused by collisions on the mountains.
“Totally unacceptable!!”
Steve – “I was hit just above the big red chairlift in a crowded zone with lots of congestion.
“The rider was going so fast, I was thrown through the air and suffered a shattered shoulder, broken ribs and a broken thumb.
“This happens to everybody, including advanced skiers like myself.
“WB attention to incidents like mine is utterly inadequate and their response to my concerns, shows their utter lack of intent to address safety issues on terrain they manage.”
Katie – “Vail is responsible for the massive increase in bad skiers at their resorts and it’s their responsibility to keep them from causing injuries.
“Stowe used to be a skiers mountain, but now it’s incredibly unsafe with beginners on every advanced trail.
“Good skiers have moved elsewhere and it’s kind of a death trap at this point.”
Michelle Marie – “Work at WB for a decade prior to Vail owning it.
“Bought an epic pass and came back to WB for 3 weeks of vacation this past winter.
“I could not believe there was no mountain safety reminding people to slow down or not do ridiculous things in high traffic areas.
“So many near misses.
“It was a scary experience.
“I’m sure this is costing people their health and increasing work safe bc claims.”
James – “I have been a skier for 75 years and when I give it up the reason is that there are far too many reckless skiers on the slopes.
“EPIC pass created the overcrowding and now they must take action and responsibility to provide safer slopes.”
Kelly – “I have been skiing at WB for more than a decade and have always considered it one of the world’s premier ski destinations.
“However, after becoming a parent and witnessing a growing culture of reckless skiing on the mountain, I no longer feel comfortable bringing my family there.
“Over the years, I have witnessed countless unsafe incidents, near misses, and serious collisions.
“I have personally been sideswiped by a reckless boarder who was travelling far too fast for the conditions and surrounding traffic.
“Unfortunately, this type of behaviour no longer seems to be the exception—it has become increasingly common.
“What is most concerning is the apparent lack of visible enforcement.
“Skiers and snowboarders routinely travel at excessive speeds through crowded areas, weave unpredictably through beginner terrain, and ignore basic skier responsibility codes.
“Yet it is rare to see ski patrol actively monitoring or addressing these behaviours.
“Equally troubling, I have witnessed unsafe and careless behaviour from some ski instructors and organized groups.
“Instructors should be modelling safe skiing practices and helping foster a culture of mountain safety, particularly around children and novice skiers.
“No one expects skiing to be risk-free.
“Collisions can happen even when everyone is acting responsibly.
“However, (imo) many of the incidents occurring today are preventable and stem from reckless behaviour that goes unchecked.
“WB should be a place where families, beginners, and experienced skiers alike can enjoy the mountain safely.”
Ray – “I was hit on the trail leading to the Red Chair on Whistler that caused a lot of deep bruises and muscle tears that took almost 2 months to heal.
“The safety and attention to safety on Whistler Blackcomb is almost none existent and pretty much just a free for all up there.
“I see lots of people wearing yellow safety jackets but I have yet to see them do anything about unsafe boarders or skiers on the mountains.
“They seem to like to put up signage and barriers as there only line of defence.”
Grant – “I was struck from behind on Pony Trail 200 feet from the Red Chair lift line, with enough force to completely tear my right should rotator cuff tendons.
“This required surgery and months of rehabilitation.
“The surgeom was unable to attach two of the four tendons rendering my right arm partially disabled.
Ian – “I have skied at Whistler for 50 years and worked on the Ski Patrol in the 1980’s.
“I have noted far more close calls recently and have had a number of friends hit and injured by speeding skiers/boarders.
“Vail should feel an obligation to take reasonable measures to reduce these obvious risks.
“Speed limits, speed control measures and signage with visible monitoring and real consequences are necessary, and should be a minimum standard for any responsible organization.”
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