Many ski areas in the US are located on, or adjacent to, easily accessed public lands. While an incredible recreational resource, these backcountry areas are uncontrolled and unpatrolled. In other words, ski patrols do not conduct avalanche control, and in the event of an accident, rescue is the responsibility of the rider. As Doug points out in the following article: “after a parent waves goodbye in the ski area parking lot do they know what the kids are doing? Are they leaving the ski area for R-rated terrain?”