Posted by Amador Mom, a member of the Amador Valley High School community, on Feb 18, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Oh how tragic! I am so sorry for the family.

Posted by Doo Doo, a resident of the Valley Trails neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2009 at 1:00 pm

I can't imagine the pain they must feel. My prayers are with you. This is the kind of tragedy that a community should 'be there' for the living victims.

Posted by jordyn, a resident of Dublin, on Feb 18, 2009 at 1:25 pm

this whole situation is unreal. i used to work with aline. i just saw her when she was home for x-mas break. its brutaly shocking. its things like this that really puts life into perspective.

Posted by Rick, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2009 at 5:24 pm

I've had it with these ski resorts.

How many young people have to die before something is done to improve safety.

They should comb the mountain EVERY DAY looking for hazards.

Instead they let their customers discover them.

I am deeply saddened by this story.

My condolences to the family.

Posted by co workers at the club, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2009 at 12:18 am

We love you Aline !!!

Posted by Joe, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2009 at 11:24 am

I would sue if I were her family. Why? She was not out of bounds. Were there any signs warning her?

Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Feb 19, 2009 at 3:08 pm

I'm not familiar with Dodge Ridge but I will remember never to visit.

The safest ski resorts are in Europe. I mostly ski cross country now. There needs to be a very thorough investigation. Safety first, always.

Very very sad.

Posted by Friend of Pleasanton, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Our hearts should go out to this family and prayers for their loss...we should NOT however, be discussing "suing" anyone! My goodness people! Skiing and especially snowboarding, (as with many sports) come with an inherent risk. She was a good athlete and knew the risks, no one is at fault, it was a tragic, tragic accident.

Posted by another resident, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm

That is RIGHT, Friend of Pleasanton!! Skiing is a dangerous sport; those of us who take up the sport know we could die doing it. This is a tragic, horrible accident. My family knew Aline and are deeply, deeply saddened by this horrible news. My heart is aching for her family and her brother especially. Let's not degrade to blaming and fault-finding and talk of suits (We are the most unfree 'Free' country in the world because of lawsuit-happy people!!) and let us rise higher and make "Donations in her honor to the Children's Make A Wish Foundation."

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2009 at 5:25 pm

This is very sad, my thoughts and prayers are with the family. Here is some information to keep in mind about tree wells and snow safety:

Web Link

********************************************

Text of link in case you have trouble accessing it:

Skiing and snowboarding off of the groomed runs and in deep powder snow is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of our sport.

If you decide to leave the groomed trails, you are voluntarily accepting the specific risks of falling into tree wells or deep snow and suffocating, however, fortunately these types of accidents are very preventable.

Each skier or snowboarder controls his or her own level of risk and are the only ones that can prevent this type of accident from happening. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel safely with your partners in these ungroomed deep snow areas.

This personal safety information is intended to assist all skiers and riders in learning about the risks and prevention of tree well and deep snow immersion accidents. If you still have questions please contact your ski patrol.

A deep snow or tree well accident occurs when a rider or skier falls into an area of deep unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized. The more the person struggles the more entrapped in the snow they become.

If a partner is not there for immediate rescue, the skier or rider may die very quickly from suffocation - in many cases, they can die as quickly as someone can drown in water.

Deaths resulting from these kinds of accidents are referred to as a NARSID or Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death.

The odds of surviving a deep snow immersion/NARSID accident are low; especially if you are not with a partner. In two experiments conducted in the U.S. and Canada in which volunteers were temporarily placed in a tree well, 90% COULD NOT rescue themselves.

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Here is the link again:

Web Link

Posted by Mom of a friend of Aline's, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2009 at 7:45 pm

My son had just met Aline during her visit to the Dallas, TX area over the Christmas holidays and spent as much time as he could with her during that period. She phoned him last Saturday to thank him for the roses he sent for Valentine's Day. They had a lot in common, both studying psychology in college, both loved to play soccer. They talked daily on the phone since she left Dallas to go back home and talked about how she loved to snowboard. This is a very tragic event and my prayers go out to her family. I never got to meet her, but my son had sent me a picture of her when she was in Dallas and told me all about her. She sounded like an incredible young woman! We will keep her family in our prayers. Just remember and treasure the good times you had with her, her beautiful smile, and know that she is in God's hands now.

Posted by Molly, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2009 at 9:03 pm

Aline was a wonderful babysitter to my children. She was a lovely young lady. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family.

Posted by saddened, a resident of Livermore, on Feb 20, 2009 at 9:55 am

An accident like this is so tragic. You can lose a loved one so fast without warning. My heart and prayers goes out to the family. I cannot imagine the pain they must feel. She will be at peace with God but the family must somehow go on. So sad...

Posted by Boggs, a resident of the Pleasanton Village neighborhood, on Feb 20, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Just remember the BEST times-- Jardel keep your head up she'd want you to do that.

Posted by Vandenson family, a resident of another community, on Feb 24, 2009 at 12:51 am

Dearest Martins Family

You know how much we love you - God Bless you all and know that you precious Aleni is in His gentle arms, proteced and happy, watching and keeping over us all...our deepest sympathies, prayers, and undending love are always with you, especially now during your time in Brazil. We love you all so very very much,

Vandenson Family

(Mechelle, Brian, Brady, shaley, and Kylie)

Posted by An Amador Family, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 25, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Our hearts ache for your loss. What a special young lady with many gifts. May every memory you have of Aline bring your broken hearts closer to healing and the love and support of the community help to carry you.

Posted by Katie C, a member of the Foothill High School community, on Feb 27, 2009 at 7:04 pm

I love you Aline

REST IN PEACE <3

Posted by Sammy, a resident of the Las Positas neighborhood, on Apr 2, 2009 at 7:49 am

she used to babysit me and i just found out yesterday...why is it that all of the good people have the shortest lives, she was like a sister to me and she will always be in my heart...i love you aleni!!! r.i.p

Posted by Murillo Martins, a resident of San Ramon, on May 31, 2010 at 9:53 pm

I Love You Aline .

Please pray for my sister, and have Faith in God.

.Murillo

Posted by A denise M., a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 18, 2011 at 7:41 am

Thanks for the words, Aline was a beautiful, loving daughter that gave me so much love during her shortest passage in this world. Life has been a roller coaster since feb.16, however God has touched our hearts in so many different ways. Thank you for your words of encouragement and love for my beautiful Aline.God bless each one of you with his glory.Adenise