So, this is a dated story from 2010, but I think it's worth a discussion. At the very least, it will bring awareness on mountain safety.
After watching the video above, your heart breaks for the death of the child, and suffering of the mother, and family. Which is tragic for sure, but why isn't the full story revealed?
From articles on the net, this is what I gather...
A 22 year old snowboarder named, Craig Shirley was skiing down an icy black diamond run, and accidentally hit a 5 year (Elise Johnson), and her mother (Kelly Johnson). The snowboarder and child died on impact, and mother was severely injured, but later recovered fairly well, after years of medical treatment.
Apparently the mother and daughter stopped at a low point on the hill, which wasn't visible from skiers/snowboarders above. To emphasize, it was a black diamond run, which is typically dangerous for most, with icy conditions, and stopping at a blind spot with mother and kid.
So, my view point would be that, blacks (black rated ski runs) are for advanced skiers/snowboarders, who throw caution a side, but demonstrate strong enough skills to handle difficult terrain. Blue trails are generally far less dangerous runs, and are for intermediate riders, while greens are the easiest, and are generally preferred in learning to ski and ride.
With that said, the video above, sorta paints a picture, that snowboarders need to slow down, because they kill little kids. Well, black runs are dangerous! Ever ski a black run with icy conditions?!?! Would you take your 5 year old there? An icy blue run is scary enough, but an icy black run is generally asking for trouble, if your not pro/expert.
One, if I had a 5 year old kid, they would probably not even be allowed to snowboard or ski, unless it's a bunny slope (green run), with a trained instructor, while I would stand guard for any renegade riders. I would probably be over protected, and wouldn't let my kid go skiing/snowboarding, until the age of 10.
Anyways, the parents of the deceased child, don't hold any angst against the snowboarder, because it was an accident. Accidents happen all the time on the slopes, or at least it's common enough, to have snow patrol, and first aid on stand by.
So, who is at fault? Would the snowboarder bombing down a black run going 50 mph, be at fault, when skiiers stop at a blind spot?!?! Maybe someone would consider taking a 5 year to a black ski run, child endangerment?!?! One article noted, that the mother used to be a ski instructor, why didn't she practice more safety precautions?