YOUNG VS OLD ON SLOPES PRODUCES TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES FOR BOTH

   BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. _ The generation gap has become a crevasse at the nation's ski resorts, pitting young, thrill-seeking snowboarders and skiers against older enthusiasts - with sometimes tragic consequences.

   A series of deaths in New England and Colorado, some of them the result of collisions attributed to reckless skiing, has refocused resorts on safety. Over the long holiday weekend, a new patrol squad aimed at stopping reckless skiing made its debut at Vail Resorts. 

   "I think that, clearly, road rage exists on the slopes," said John Frew, president of Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade group. Frew said ski resorts all over the country are seeing a decline in courtesy.

   Longtime skier Don Rooks of Colorado Springs, 64, said he is being driven off the slopes by young people. "These people just don't give a damn. It's no fun when you have to watch your backside. They need to kick these people off the mountain," he said.

   Vail Resorts, operator of the nation's two busiest ski resorts, has been inundated with complaints by longtime skiers. After six deaths this year at its resorts, Vail created the special safety and courtesy patrol.

        SNOW THRILLS FOR BORED KIDS

   BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. _ Resorts across the West are trying to put an end to a vacationing parent's No. 1 nightmare: bored children.

   From Breckenridge to Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia, resorts will offer multiple park areas with varied terrain suitable for everyone from beginners to Olympic superstars like Todd Richards of Breckenridge.

   They also will provide more safety training for jumping and traveling airborne.

   "We've been known for our expert-level terrain. This year, we had a big push for lower-level terrain. We added the family fun park so parents can goof around on low-level jumps with their kids," said Owen Tanzer, manager of terrain parks at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. 

   Terrain parks typically have been used exclusively by snowboarders because they are full of obstacles that are difficult to negotiate for skiers. Now the parks are also popular with skiers on twin tip skis, designed so riders can take off or land backward.

   "They come in and throw their backpacks down. We have to kick them out in the afternoon," said Tim Eastley, Breckenridge terrain park manager. He likened it to "controlled craziness."