After two fatal accidents, ski resorts should be cautious

After two fatal accidents in less than a week in the Laurentians, the Quebec Ski Resorts and Industry Association (ASSQ) is asking skiers and snowboarders to be cautious on the slopes.

• Read more: Fatal skiing accident in the Laurentians

• Read more: Teenager's fatal fall at ski center in Morin-Heights: “It's very difficult to explain what could have happened”

“Safety is a shared responsibility between ski resorts and visitors,” Yves Juneau, president and CEO of ASSQ, said in a press release issued Wednesday.

“Increased use of social media highlights inappropriate behavior such as drug or alcohol use or forgetting to lower safety barriers on ski lifts,” he said.

ASSQ asserted on January 15 that it had launched a safety awareness campaign in ski resorts. The campaign reminds snow sports enthusiasts about the rules of conduct in the mountains, the proper behavior to follow and fixing the rules and regulations around wearing a helmet.

Two fatal accidents

Recall that on Tuesday, a 78-year-old man died after a fall while skiing at Mt. Avila, in the Laurentian mountains. A few days ago, a 15-year-old boy died after falling from a ski lift at Morin-Heights Ski Resort in Laurentians.

The Sûreté du Québec has opened investigations to understand the circumstances surrounding these two tragic events.