SnowBoarders Are VULNERABLE

Recently, there was a tragic accident in Wyoming involving a snowboarder creaming a Mom and her 5-yr-old daughter---two died.  While there was probably some Terrain-Park Mentality going on, without independent-leg-action or poles, SnowBoarders do not have the same control as skiers either.  This also makes snowboarders vulnerable out-of-bounds, around tree-wells or in avalanches---it is not uncommon to hear about missing snowboarders nowadays.  Skiers with poles and independent feet can get around and even climb when they want to; they can get themselves out of tree-wells before they suffocate upside-down; but a snowboard on or off the feet is like a turtle upside down if the slope isn't just right.  When snowboarders resort to snow-shoes or split-boards and pole to get around in the Back-Country, it's important to note that they are then more in skier-mode rather than snowboard mode; . . . but snowboard mode is always a lot less safe and makes them vulnerable.