Hey Wildsnowers, should we install some forum BBS software here on WildSnow.com? Every so often someone requests that we do so. Also, when our comment threads become extensive, the usefulness of the blog type format diminishes and the function of the forum format (such as TGR) becomes more appropriate. To that end, we of course provide our Facebook Page, which can function as a forum if it’s used that way. But Facebook isn’t quite the same as a full-on BBS (though it does have powerful self policing behavior when it comes to spam and flame, which is why I like it).
I just checked out what’s out there, and the existing forums seem to be doing a good job of defining their focus. For example, EpicSki trends towards posts such as “Should I use the chairlift safety bar?”, while TGR, if amusing and useful, is of course known as the place where you sometimes feel like a shower after you scroll through the threads. TelemarkTips continues to sustain with their core group, but really, they’re about telemarking, despite perfunctory efforts to segue into a general backcountry skiing focus. Newschoolers is there and popular, but hey, it’s definitely not backcountry focused. Other options exist, perhaps the field is still crowded? Or should we go for it?
Forums are actually a ton of work due to spam attacks, software upgrades, and the never-ending moderation to defend against alias mischief and forum bullies. But we’ll do it if it seems right. Some days we get upwards of 15,000 unique visitors here, so there must be a few people out there who would do forum posts if we provided the venue.
Your comments? (And please don’t spam us with a bunch of links to other ski forums, we know they’re out there. I’m simply am looking for your opinion on if we should do it here or not.)
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
