Yes were going places. But, a lot of these places are near a trail. So, the machines, yes, but access in general is better due to better grooming technology. Due to better trails, average untrained people are getting back further, than they should, on bad days. You don't have to be on a vertical cliff, to be killed with this snow. Just about any slope, of trail below a slow, can slide. I think were seeing a lot more people going in any conditions. That's all.
I also think, that you used to never hear about every single death, as a front page headline. The media can't wait for a snowboard or a snowmobiler to die. I mean, just the other day, news flash, car looses control and hits kids party. I know it's news, but is that all they have to talk about? Guess your average news reader is fixated on death stories. But, not just any death stories. After all, 150 people die every day in auto accidents. But, rarely is it national news.
Remember, people are dieing on controlled terrain. Like Jackson Hole Ski Area, not just some vertical, unreachable hill. They'll use it as an excuse to close more terrain. But, then a lot of us will just start skiing backcountry, and we'll be in just as much danger.
