Like Em, then Lock Em!

I've always locked my skis, no matter where I've been skiing. This week in Zermatt I locked my Stockli's in a rack at the top of the KM while I went for a coffee.
My bindings were tampered with during my coffee break, one heel unit was put into walk mode on my Fritschis. 3 separate actions are needed to achieve this and the heel release unit is quite stiff, so no chance of malfunction or the binding having been knocked.
I skied off with the heel unit in walk mode, and did about a kilometre before I had to deal with a tele turn :lol:

So, double disappointment for the folks who failed to have a cutter big enough to cope with my cable lock, and who then failed to see me wipe out after opening my heel unit to walk mode.

Bummer :lol:

It's sad that people set out to pinch ski equipment. All I've ever known about was a mates pair of hire poles went walkies whilst having lunch. He in turn did the same to someone else and got very short shrift when he told us about it.

Tino, Zermatt is the only resort where I have seen skis chained up with padlocks. I was surprised to still have my BD touring poles when I left yesterday.
What was done to my binding heel piece is not an obvious step to take for a casual thief/vandal. Whoever did this knew Fritschis mechanism, and was not a numpty who'd misplaced their kit.

Me skiing for about a km before needing to turn is a reflection of the gradient up there :D

Surely you needed a turn or two to get from the top of KM to Plata Rosa, sown where the draglifts are? I grant you the section between there and Trockner Steg can be a real chore in spring on a board unless it's been prepared with a base for gliding.

The thought of professional thieves is disturbing as they need to invest in passes to ply their trade. Must be profitable. Can you get your skis chipped?

Tino, I think I was skiing lazy S turns, not needing to check speed until I got to the main runs where the drag lifts are. I've not seen anywhere offering microchips for skis. I do routinely take photos of my kit, with the serial numbers visible and post it up on Picasa (or similar). I think it would be good for you to do similar with your boards, as they are desirable items.

I think a professional thief would have a big cable cutter :twisted: I have read that this winter the theft of skis has again been widespread in parts of the Tarentaise, including organised theft, with the use of vans to clear ski racks outside bars.
Maybe Microchipping will be the way forward.

Whilst we perhaps should not be surprised to hear that ski theft is on the increase, it does come across as shocking to know it goes on to such an extent.
So many places you see racks in resort outside bars etc with thousands of pounds worth of gear lying around unlocked. I have to confess I have done it many a time. I never think twice up the mountain and leave my skis unlocked, although usually well hidden away out of the prying eye if possible, or within eye shot.
I always thought it was an unwritten law amongst skiers to respect each others gear. But I guess this is the 21st century, and anyone who can make an illegal buck does. I would not be surprised if eastern europeans are behind this kind of activity.
Hmmmm, so I really need to start using my locks when leaving skis unattended. How annoying.

When our group go every year we always swap the skis to mismatch the pairs & put them in different racks,no probs so far,but of no help to solo skiers.

I think good ski locks will eventually become the norm as theft is as you say increasing.

It certainly looks like they pick the more popular upmarket resorts, never had that problem in LGb or Livigno, so I'm not buying a lock and I'll continue to
select the Nice resorts to ski.