Ski Safety and Medical Experts, Victims of Snow Sport Tragedies and Consumers Shed Light on Questionable Safety Practices of California Ski Resorts

Ski Safety and Medical Experts, Victims of Snow Sport Tragedies and Consumers Shed Light on Questionable Safety Practices of California Ski Resorts

Powerful Assembly Judiciary Committee to Hear their Concerns Today at Capitol Hearing

 SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ --    WHAT:   As the 2008-2009 California ski season opens, safety practices at   California ski resorts are being called into question by a diverse and   powerful group of ski and snowboard safety advocates; some of whom have   been touched by tragedy.  Crowded ski slopes, new ski technologies and   limited traffic management contribute to unsafe conditions, while some   skiers and snowboarders travel as fast as cars.  If highway safety is a   priority, they wonder how many deaths and injuries must occur before   uniform safety measures are implemented to prevent further tragedy on the   slopes.    WHY:   The basic tenet of ski law is that injuries and death are just an   "inherent risk of the sport," shielding ski resorts from liability   associated with ski and snowboard deaths and injuries regardless of fault.   As a result, there is no accountability and no accurate or reliable data   to objectively guide the public, as well as policymakers, on snow sport   risks.    WHERE:   California State Capitol, Room 437    WHEN:   Wednesday, November 12   10 a.m. - 1 p.m.    WHO:   Dr. Dan Gregorie, Founder, California Ski and Snowboard Safety   Organization (father of 24-year-old Jessica Gregorie who lost her life in   a fall at Alpine Meadows)   Julia Kozberg, sister died from falling into an unprotected tree well at   Heavenly   Matt Calvert, paralyzed in ski accident at Alpine Meadows   Dr. Matthew Foley, American College of Emergency Physicians, SEMA   Emergency Medicine staff physician   Cathy Barankin, California Coalition for Children's Safety and Health   Melissa Hyland, parent advocate for ski and snowboard safety   Dick Penniman, snow sport safety expert   California State Assembly Judiciary Committee   Assemblymember Dave Jones, Chair   Assemblymember Van Tran, Vice Chair  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: California Ski and Snowboard Safety Organization

CONTACT: Lisa Yates, +1-916-552-2650, cell +1-916-215-9550,
lyates@acsquantum.com, for California Ski and Snowboard Safety Organization

NOTE TO EDITORS: Contact Lisa Yates at 916-552-2650 to schedule interviews.

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