Vermont Rescuers Respond to Surge in Lost Skiers Amid TikTok Trend

URGENT UPDATE: Vermont search-and-rescue teams are grappling with an alarming rise in lost skiers, driven by a dangerous TikTok trend that is leading inexperienced riders into perilous backcountry areas. Just today, Stowe Mountain Rescue announced they are “plagued” by “unprecedented numbers” of rescue calls linked directly to viral videos showcasing knee-deep powder, enticing skiers to venture outside normal ski runs at Stowe Mountain Resort.

The trend has resulted in a dramatic surge in rescue operations, with officials reporting that several of the rescued parties cited TikTok as their inspiration. “Our team has been called in to help several times,” rescue officials noted on Facebook. “Many are following tracks past marked boundaries, particularly near the Toll Road, where the thinning snow and treacherous terrain make it nearly impossible to return.”

In one notable incident, two 19-year-olds from New York City were rescued after they strayed off the resort Saturday near the Toll Road trail and became disoriented as night fell. Jon Wehse, Chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue, confirmed that the pair admitted they were influenced by a TikTok reel. A volunteer crew successfully located them using an ATV and brought them back to safety.

“We have a lot of clueless people out here who are chasing a dream,” Wehse said. “They’re chasing a pow shot.”

Authorities are increasingly concerned about safety issues as an unusually early and snowy start to the season has attracted more visitors to the mountains. Stowe Mountain Rescue reported that 41 inches of snow has fallen atop Mount Mansfield, creating both excitement and danger for inexperienced skiers.

Last month, Jay Peak Resort issued warnings as skiers ignored rules requiring uphill travel only in designated zones, endangering themselves near active grooming machinery. General Manager Steve Wright highlighted a particularly chaotic weekend in November, which saw multiple incidents, including two lift-shack break-ins, two fires, and a severe injury to a skier attempting a risky backflip.

The resort’s social media post urged the skiing community to exercise caution: “An unfortunately evergreen note and request for the use of logic to our uphill community.”

Stowe Mountain Rescue echoed this caution today. They implored skiers to reconsider following risky TikTok trends or blindly following others’ tracks without assessing the inherent dangers. Staying within the designated boundaries is the best way to ensure safety, officials emphasized. “Powder can still be found within the resort, offering adventure without risk,” they added.

For those contemplating off-piste skiing, rescuers urge careful planning, terrain familiarity, and a clear exit strategy. “If you don’t know, don’t go,” they concluded, offering a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by chasing viral trends.

The situation remains developing as authorities monitor ongoing trends. Skiers are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety to avoid becoming the next rescue statistic.