Are You a Safe & Responsible Skier/Rider?
While safety on the slopes is important every day of the season, January is National Ski Safety Awareness Month, a good time to remind ourselves about our responsibility to ourselves, family, friends and the strangers with whom we chair the slopes.
You may already be familiar the ten points of Your Responsibility Code. You probably have seen it posted on slopes somewhere, instantly recognizable thanks to its bright yellow signage and reminders posted throughout US ski areas.
The Code has been in use since 1962, when it was developed by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). In the last 60 years, the Code has undergone revision to stay in step with modern language and skiing behavior.
The Code covers ten points:
1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
There are a couple of other safe practices I use, and you should, too.
Maybe these also will be included one day to an update to the Code –
Courtesy Colorado Ski Country
· Always lower the safety bar on a chairlift, for everybody’s safety.
· Be nice to lift attendants and to ski patrollers, who work long hours in the cold to help ensure that you are safe and enjoying yourself. Also to employees in ticket sales booths, restaurants and the front desk of your hotel or condo.
· Slow down around beginners and kids.
· Remember where you parked your car and also your skis.
· Share photos on social media only of skiers and riders practicing slope safety, to encourage others to enjoy the sport we love.
See you on the slopes – safely – during National Ski Safety Awareness Month and all the other months of ski/snowboard season.
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People completely ignore rule #2. I have been hit from behind so many times.
Parents – consider using air tags or other tracking devices for your children when on the slopes.
Also mark or tape your contact info on the child’s helmet or other gear.
Excellent suggestions.
And AVOID CLOSE PROXIMITY slope side. As a common curtesy, allow adequate space of several meters between you and others. Graphic signage depicting this should be front and center at ski areas, ie on lift towers to the back of John doors.