Viral skiing online trend leading people off trail, mountain rescues spike
By Jackson Stoever
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STOWE, Vermont (WPTZ) — Vermont mountain resorts like the Von Trapp family’s are preparing for a very busy winter season.
Their highland cows are social media stars. Much like Vermont’s fall foliage, the cows have become a major attraction to the lodge and have people flocking to see them.
“I always say besides the Von Trapps themselves, the cows are our biggest draw here at the lodge,” said marketing director Bob Schwartz.
Stowe Mountain Rescue referenced the resort’s ‘cow-mania’ in a social media blast this week, before addressing a different Vermont TikTok trend that has had their staff picking up extra shifts.
The volunteer-led rescue team has been called out to Stowe’s back country to help bring an unprecedented number of lost skiers home. Chief Jon Wehse says part of the problem is what people are seeing online.
“People who see them [the videos] probably want to recreate that for themselves,” said Wehse.
These viral videos are leading people off designated trails across the state to look for thrills and powder pockets.
“What we’re finding is people ending up where they shouldn’t be because they’re not geo-spatially aware. They don’t know where they’re going to end up,” said Wehse.
The mountain rescue team says the best way to avoid a run-in with them is to stay in-bounds at resorts when hitting the slopes this season.
“There really is no answer to stop this dilemma,” said Wehse. “Other than to continue to try and train and educate our audiences, and our skiers about trying to be safe.”
The Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort echoes that sentiment and says they are ready to welcome a safe and productive winter season.
“The winter is off to a great start so far, so hopefully we’ll have some great skiing for the rest of the month,” said Schwartz.
This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.
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