TikTok Trend Sends Inexperienced Skiers Into Vermont’s Backcountry, Triggering Dangerous Rescues
Tds Virals news, Vermont | Breaking News: A rapidly growing TikTok skiing trend is pushing inexperienced skiers and snowboarders into Vermont’s backcountry leading to a surge of rescues, dangerous situations, and warnings from authorities.
Viral videos showing skiers enjoying knee-deep powder have unintentionally inspired thrill-seekers to leave marked ski boundaries and follow tracks into remote, hazardous terrain.
According to Stowe Mountain Rescue, this phenomenon has become a significant safety risk during the early ski season, when snowpack remains unreliable, hidden hazards lurk beneath the surface, and navigation errors can turn deadly.
Rescue Teams Report Unprecedented Incidents – TikTok Trend On social media, Stowe Mountain Rescue revealed a sharp rise in calls to assist lost or stranded skiers who ventured into backcountry zones accessible from Stowe Mountain Resort. The Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol,
which provides on-mountain rescue, also confirmed that several recent incidents involved groups who admitted they were inspired by TikTok videos.
We’re finding skiers utterly lost—exhausted, cold, and scared, the rescue team wrote. This wave of lost skiers is largely the result of impulsive behavior driven by social media trends.
While Vermont has seen strong early-season snowfall Mount Mansfield recorded 38 inches of snowpack on November 17—rescuers emphasize that early snow does not guarantee safe skiing conditions.
Why Early-Season Snow Is So Dangerous – TikTok Trend Vermont may be blanketed in fresh snow, but experts warn that the snowpack is unstable and unpredictable, especially at lower elevations. Key hazards include
Rocks and Tree Stumps Hidden Below Thin Snow, Early-season snow rarely covers natural obstacles completely.
Weak Layers Caused by Freeze–Thaw Cycles, Warm spells can melt the snow surface, refreeze, and create slick, unstable layers underneath.
Brambly, Low-Snow Terrain on Lower Mountain Areas, Even if upper elevations have deep powder, routes below can be “woefully inadequate, making exit points treacherous.
These conditions create false confidence the top of the mountain looks perfect, while the bottom becomes a trap.
Skiers Following Tracks Get Pulled Into No-Man’s Land – TikTok Trend One of the most problematic areas is Toll Road, a two-mile beginner trail at Stowe. Tracks in fresh snow appear tempting, and many skiers assume they lead back to the resort. Instead:
- They pass clearly marked boundaries,
- Miss the correct exit,
- And end up in remote sidecountry zones with no lift access.
For those unfamiliar with the terrain, rescuers say it turns into a long, cold, exhausting slog often in failing daylight.
TikTok Trend | Trend Mirrors 2024 Killington Incident – The dangers aren’t new. In 2024, more than 23 skiers had to be rescued near Killington after following fresh tracks into the sidecountry, unaware they would need to hike out through an icy trail.
Authorities warn that this year’s TikTok-fueled trend is creating a repeat scenario possibly worse.
Rescuers Issue Firm Warning: If You Don’t Know, Don’t Go – Stowe Mountain Rescue is urging visitors and newcomers to practice common sense and risk awareness, emphasizing
Stay Inside Marked Boundaries | TikTok Trend Signs are clear. Ignoring them leads directly into dangerous terrain.
Resist Blindly Following TikTok or Ski Tracks – Just because tracks exist doesn’t mean the route is safe or that there’s a way back.
Know the Terrain Before Heading Out Backcountry requires local knowledge and proper preparation.
Travel With Proper Equipment At minimum:
- Navigation tools
- Avalanche awareness
- Safety gear
- Ski partners
- Knowledge of weather and daylight conditions
Avoid Impulse Decisions Backcountry skiing must not be done on a whim, rescuers stress.
Safer Alternatives Still Offer a Powder Experience | TikTok Trend Stowe Mountain Rescue suggests that skiers looking for adventure can still find thrills within the resort boundaries, such as:
- Powder pockets between named runs
- Ungroomed patches inside the ski area
- Managed glades with adequate snowpack
These areas deliver excitement without the life-threatening consequences of unmarked backcountry.
TikTok Trend – Conclusion
What seems like a harmless TikTok trend has quickly turned into a mountain safety crisis.
As more inexperienced skiers venture into Vermont’s backcountry chasing viral content, rescue teams are urging caution before another preventable tragedy occurs.
Deep snow can be fun but only when enjoyed safely, responsibly, and within designated terrain. Backcountry is not a trend. It’s a skill. If you don’t know, don’t go.
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