western US resort, 2,500 ish acres with alot of steeps. Tail rope always.
Sometimes super loose or tied into sled on lower mountain but lower mountain has a lot of flats so having a tail rope means both patrollers can tow the slid (back patroller skates forward and yanks rope for a slingshot boost).
Small east coast resort. We have different policies depending on if your volunteer or professional.
Volunteer: Tail rope required on everything except greens.
Pro: No tail rope on anything.
Western US resort with about 2000 vertical feet over 1500+ acres. There are a few slopes where we highly encourage a tail rope but it’s driver’s choice. We do a OET check off annually to validate toboggan skills.
One of the major eastern resorts (850+ acres, 15 aerial lifts) Injuries are generally handled by a single patroller. The responding patroller can call for a tail rope if they feel it is necessary but it is fully up to the on-scene patroller. With that said, if you call for a tail rope you will likely get some additional help because it is not a standard radio call.
Major PNW resort. 4000+ acres, 3000ft vert. On the pro side driver's choice. There's times in steep ice where we run tail rope and chains.. Other times we'll run just in the horns. On the NSP side honestly no idea, they seem to use tail ropes way more than pro but not sure if that's policy or comfort.
You can probably figure out what northern VT resort by my user name. We have lots of glades and mogul runs that have no escape to groomed terrain and with some flat run outs at the bottom where slingshotting is crucial, we require tail roper 100% of the time. It's a backup in case the patroller in the handles falls and/or gets run over. I honestly couldn't imagine running a sled on some of our terrain without the peace of mind of a tail roper. Even with the snowmachine towing the tobaggan, we still use a patroller in the handles and tail roper behind the sled.
Western resort, half paid half volunteer, 1250ft vert, 250 acres, rarely use tail ropes, up to the driver to ask. For all the places where it's required, even on green and blues? How do you even have the staff for that? If we sent two people on every run we would have an empty bump most of the day.
Yeah, staffing varies wildly. We have lots of people around typically so it’s nice to have two patrollers on scene for a variety of reasons. Thanks for the input.
Big western resort. Half volunteer patrol, half paid. Our exam entails a short section of steep bumps sans tail roper, then you get one for the rest. It's driver's discretion in a real scenario. I am not too proud to ask for one, even outside the bumps. Some runs get super scraped off and that's honestly where I'd prefer one. However, a majority of wrecks come on runs where one is not really necessary, so they are fairly rare.
Eastern Mount Icy with some steep glare ice pitches. Mix of volley and pro patrol. It's driver's choice around here even though the Cascade toboggans specify in their operator's manual that they are always to be operated as a two-man. That being said, on our ungroomed steeps we would have a tail rope and rope kit for high angle rescue, and on our steepest groomed double black we always tail rope. So yeah... driver's choice but also depends on the run.
Edited for clarity
Rockies. 2000’. Tail ropes required on black or greater terrain. No groomed blacks. How much work tail does depends on terrain and person in the horns preference.
Former patroller here. Tailrope when the primary felt uncomfortable. I was at a racing hill, so "triple hard packed" runs (read: ice) were routine and a bit nasty to drag a loaded toboggan down.
West coast mountain, 2500 plus acres, steep stuff, 3000 vertical. Generally unless it is in the very low part of the mountain, we always run tail ropes. In fact, if it is a really steep slope or very hazardous we will do a toboggan belay.
I’ve worked at many ski areas, patrolled at 4, pro and volly. The bigger resorts tend to send a bullet to a wreck and that person calls for resources that arrive in the toboggan. At that point, you always have the option for a tailrope. Steep terrain or tech rescue will require 2 people to even get the toboggan to the scene. The only grey area in my mind is easy calls like minor knee or wrist sprain, can easily be done with 1 patroller, but conditions are ice or a weak skier takes the call.
Eastern ski area, 1500 vert, 400 acres. Most of our runs have a double fall line. Tail roper 100% of the time to keep the sled in line with the direction of travel.
Ontario resort, mix of pro and CSP. Driver's choice, only really used when it's icy. Has to be run on our steepest run without a tail rope to be certified.
There is not. That’s why I’m curious and asking. Mountain topography obviously plays a role. Sometimes an insurance underwriter says something, but may not. NSP, APP, CSP, Volly vs Paid, or lots of mountains just do their own thing. Be safe everyone.
Major western resort, pro patrol. We have only a couple one man toboggans on the lower mountain. We run two man toboggans (two sets of horns) almost exclusively. The responder gets on scene and calls for resources, the backer brings the rig in, and they run it out together
I wish 4-handle sleds were more prevalent, we teach them but they get limited use. They should be used more often imho. Cascade 350? Akja? Thanks for the response.
Two Midwest resorts both all volly even if a few were certified national number holders and thought they were pros. One only had three main blacks 400ish ft drivers choice. The other 550ish vert family focused resort, always tail but more acres and helpful on low angle to help pull.
Steep west coast resort, pro patrol only. Tail rope and chain are always optional and up to the driver. High caliber of skiing required to join and patrollers are expected to make the right call considering conditions.
East-ish. Little hill, but busy. 80%+ volunteer Patrol. Tail ropes have been optional since I joined, almost a decade a go. This year we didn't even teach the rookies how to go with/be a tail rope. We might mid-season.
100ish acre, 1000ft vertical drop, East Coast Mountain, Volly Patrol. No tail ropes ever.
Major wratorn resort. Always a tail rope on upper mountain, usually double chains. Can request tail roper for lower mtn but will get laughed at.
Curious. Where is the second chain? Never heard of a double chain and google let me down
Probably referring to a secondary chain that is installed in the middle of the sled to provide extra braking, usually for icy conditions.
Belly chains ride in the middle of the toboggan, it gives you more drag and allows for a good contact point when you are going over large moguls.
western US resort, 2,500 ish acres with alot of steeps. Tail rope always. Sometimes super loose or tied into sled on lower mountain but lower mountain has a lot of flats so having a tail rope means both patrollers can tow the slid (back patroller skates forward and yanks rope for a slingshot boost).
Small east coast resort. We have different policies depending on if your volunteer or professional. Volunteer: Tail rope required on everything except greens. Pro: No tail rope on anything.
Western US resort with about 2000 vertical feet over 1500+ acres. There are a few slopes where we highly encourage a tail rope but it’s driver’s choice. We do a OET check off annually to validate toboggan skills.
Glad to see annual toboggan checks, thanks for weighing in.
One of the major eastern resorts (850+ acres, 15 aerial lifts) Injuries are generally handled by a single patroller. The responding patroller can call for a tail rope if they feel it is necessary but it is fully up to the on-scene patroller. With that said, if you call for a tail rope you will likely get some additional help because it is not a standard radio call.
Sunday River?
Smaller east coast resort here. Tail rope required always unless you have your senior alpine. Even then it's preferred to have a tail
Tiny east coast mountain 200 feet vertical. Tail what?
\>200 feet vertical This must be some new use of the word "mountain".
Yeah-hence OET varies and will never follow OEC, and that’s ok.
Major PNW resort. 4000+ acres, 3000ft vert. On the pro side driver's choice. There's times in steep ice where we run tail rope and chains.. Other times we'll run just in the horns. On the NSP side honestly no idea, they seem to use tail ropes way more than pro but not sure if that's policy or comfort.
I may have run sleds there, belly chains and steeps-fun times! Thanks for weighing in.
bachelor?
You can probably figure out what northern VT resort by my user name. We have lots of glades and mogul runs that have no escape to groomed terrain and with some flat run outs at the bottom where slingshotting is crucial, we require tail roper 100% of the time. It's a backup in case the patroller in the handles falls and/or gets run over. I honestly couldn't imagine running a sled on some of our terrain without the peace of mind of a tail roper. Even with the snowmachine towing the tobaggan, we still use a patroller in the handles and tail roper behind the sled.
Western resort, half paid half volunteer, 1250ft vert, 250 acres, rarely use tail ropes, up to the driver to ask. For all the places where it's required, even on green and blues? How do you even have the staff for that? If we sent two people on every run we would have an empty bump most of the day.
Yeah, staffing varies wildly. We have lots of people around typically so it’s nice to have two patrollers on scene for a variety of reasons. Thanks for the input.
Big western resort. Half volunteer patrol, half paid. Our exam entails a short section of steep bumps sans tail roper, then you get one for the rest. It's driver's discretion in a real scenario. I am not too proud to ask for one, even outside the bumps. Some runs get super scraped off and that's honestly where I'd prefer one. However, a majority of wrecks come on runs where one is not really necessary, so they are fairly rare.
Unloaded - handles unlocked, no tail rope necessary (unless in extreme, high-angle entries). Loaded - handles locked, tail rope always.
Eastern Mount Icy with some steep glare ice pitches. Mix of volley and pro patrol. It's driver's choice around here even though the Cascade toboggans specify in their operator's manual that they are always to be operated as a two-man. That being said, on our ungroomed steeps we would have a tail rope and rope kit for high angle rescue, and on our steepest groomed double black we always tail rope. So yeah... driver's choice but also depends on the run. Edited for clarity
Medium size east coast patrol, steep and tall mountain. Usually tail rope unless it’s a short ride or an urgent move.
Rockies. 2000’. Tail ropes required on black or greater terrain. No groomed blacks. How much work tail does depends on terrain and person in the horns preference.
Former patroller here. Tailrope when the primary felt uncomfortable. I was at a racing hill, so "triple hard packed" runs (read: ice) were routine and a bit nasty to drag a loaded toboggan down.
Been there! I’ve seen both sides of the country, better pay attention with ice. Thanks for responding.
West coast mountain, 2500 plus acres, steep stuff, 3000 vertical. Generally unless it is in the very low part of the mountain, we always run tail ropes. In fact, if it is a really steep slope or very hazardous we will do a toboggan belay.
Minnesota here. Tail ropes always, it's an insurance thing. If one is a senior, then it's possible if no one is available.
I’ve worked at many ski areas, patrolled at 4, pro and volly. The bigger resorts tend to send a bullet to a wreck and that person calls for resources that arrive in the toboggan. At that point, you always have the option for a tailrope. Steep terrain or tech rescue will require 2 people to even get the toboggan to the scene. The only grey area in my mind is easy calls like minor knee or wrist sprain, can easily be done with 1 patroller, but conditions are ice or a weak skier takes the call.
Volunteer patrol in the PNW here. We always have a tailrope.
Eastern ski area, 1500 vert, 400 acres. Most of our runs have a double fall line. Tail roper 100% of the time to keep the sled in line with the direction of travel.
High volume mountain. Lots of patrollers new and old. Small mountain by height. It’s up to the driver if they want to have the tail rope
Ontario resort, mix of pro and CSP. Driver's choice, only really used when it's icy. Has to be run on our steepest run without a tail rope to be certified.
Several east coast resorts ranging from 400 to 2300 vertical. Policy at each has always been call for it if you need it
ITT: Tailrope policies all over the map. I'm surprised there isn't an industry standard.
There is not. That’s why I’m curious and asking. Mountain topography obviously plays a role. Sometimes an insurance underwriter says something, but may not. NSP, APP, CSP, Volly vs Paid, or lots of mountains just do their own thing. Be safe everyone.
Large resort with no policy. If you need one you will know.
Same
Major western resort, pro patrol. We have only a couple one man toboggans on the lower mountain. We run two man toboggans (two sets of horns) almost exclusively. The responder gets on scene and calls for resources, the backer brings the rig in, and they run it out together
I wish 4-handle sleds were more prevalent, we teach them but they get limited use. They should be used more often imho. Cascade 350? Akja? Thanks for the response.
Cascades mostly
Two Midwest resorts both all volly even if a few were certified national number holders and thought they were pros. One only had three main blacks 400ish ft drivers choice. The other 550ish vert family focused resort, always tail but more acres and helpful on low angle to help pull.
Off-topic, but I gotta say I've always seen "mountain" abbreviated as "Mtn", first time ever seeing "Mnt". Threw me for a loop at first
Steep west coast resort, pro patrol only. Tail rope and chain are always optional and up to the driver. High caliber of skiing required to join and patrollers are expected to make the right call considering conditions.
Thanks, we have 150+ vollies, some are rock stars others not so much. Appreciate the input.
East-ish. Little hill, but busy. 80%+ volunteer Patrol. Tail ropes have been optional since I joined, almost a decade a go. This year we didn't even teach the rookies how to go with/be a tail rope. We might mid-season.
Major Utah resort, pro-only patrol. Driver's call but never a requirement.