Safety on the ski slopes should be a priority for everyone. But as anyone who frequently skis or rides at Tahoe ski resorts understands, safety isn’t always a consideration.
In an effort to help make the sport less dangerous, Ski California member resorts in California and Nevada will promote on-mountain safety initiatives during the fourth annual Ski California Safety Day on Saturday (Jan.29).
The safety theme will be explained through a variety of activities designed to engage guests and offer opportunities to win prizes.
“The safety of our guests and employees is something our industry is focused on every single day. Safety Day presents a unique opportunity to increase everyone’s focus on mountain safety,” said Michael Reitzell, Ski California president.
This year, in partnership with the High Fives Foundation, Ski California collaborated on a new video focused on how to avoid collisions as the next entry in the High Fives B.A.S.I.C.S. series.
The video will be shared through Ski California, High Fives, and member resorts’ social media and other channels. It will be released in early February.
“Collisions with fixed objects are the number one source of serious incident,” Reitzell said. “Skiing and riding safely is a shared responsibility between resorts and our guests. Teaching skiers and riders how to avoid collisions so they can ride another day is just one part of our ongoing education efforts.”
Below are three tips to avoid a collision.
- Be Ready to slow down and avoid objects or other people at any time. Ski and ride in such a manner that you are always able to control yourself, regardless of conditions.
- Stay Alert to what’s going on around you, especially other skiers and riders.
- Plan Ahead. Slow down at blind spots, look uphill when merging onto trails, and give others plenty of room when passing. Look out for spots on the run where traffic merges or you can’t see what’s coming next.
Below is a list of Tahoe-area resorts providing safety tips Saturday.
Boreal/Woodward Tahoe:
At the resort’s entry ticket gate, resort staff will educate skiers and riders on Park S.M.A.R.T., the skier/rider responsibility code, and helmet safety in partnership with the High Fives Foundation.
Raffle tickets will be given to every guest arriving with a helmet. Ten different winners will receive a one-month Woodward/Boreal All-Access membership.
Heavenly: Resort safety committee members will host Safety Day demonstrations throughout the day in various locations around the mountain.
An Avalanche Dog Team meet and greet will take place at the top of Groove run at noon, along with a park safety talk and lap through Groove Park.
Participants will learn how to scope a feature, to always call your drop and how to approach a jump.
Nature Valley Bars and swag will be given to guests in the Groove Park who know the SMART Style acronym or the Responsibility Code.
Homewood: On-mountain safety stations will be used to share information about how to dress for cold weather, review chairlift safety, and educate guests on how to avoid collisions by demonstrating what a 15-foot safe riding zone looks like on snow.
Kirkwood: Focusing on safety, education and awareness, resort Terrain Park staff will be at the top of Bandit Terrain Park during the day with a special appearance by Kirkwood Rescue Avalanche Dog, Lennon.
Staff will educate guests on safety topics, including SMART Style, the skier and rider Responsibility Code, and preventing collisions.
At noon, a talk and lap through the park with terrain park staff will address how to scope and ride features.
Kirkwood will give out Nature Valley Bars, candy bars, and a limited number of hats, koozies, buffs and stickers to skiers and riders who can recite elements of the SMART Style acronym or the Responsibility Code.
Mt. Rose: Skiers and riders will find a welcome information booth at the Main Lodge on Safety Day with information including Mountain Safety Guides and Poker Card pick-up.
From 10 a.m. to noon, a safety-themed Poker Run will take place on the mountain, with winners to be announced at 1:30 p.m. on TVs and LED boards around the resort.
Northstar: A discussion focused on engaging guests about collision avoidance in a fun way both on-site and digitally.
Northstar Ski Patrol will host both a scavenger hunt and a meet and greet with the Northstar Avalanche Rescue Dogs.
A Respect for Respect raffle will include giveaways, with tickets to be handed out in the terrain parks and around the mountain to those who demonstrate safe skiing and riding.
A “bars for bars” program will offer Nature Valley bars to guests who use the safety bar when riding chairlifts.
Palisades Tahoe: With a variety of informational and hands-on activities planned, the resort will host avalanche dog demonstrations at both mountains and deep snow immersion clinics that will educate participants about tree wells and deep snow safety.
Alpenglow Expeditions will also offer mini-avalanche awareness clinics, geared toward novices interested in learning about avalanche terrain, how beacons work, search and digging techniques.
These 1-2 hour sessions will be offered in advance of Ski California Safety Day on Jan. 27-28 at 11 a.m. Advance registration will be required.
Sugar Bowl: With a focus on terrain park safety, the resort will share images, video and important messaging designed to reinforce safety in the parks.
Tahoe Donner: Resort staff will pass out Ski California Mountain Safety Guides and help educate visitors on slope safety, including following the skier and rider Responsibility Code, proper chairlift usage, helmet safety, and deep snow and tree well safety.
Tahoe Donner will also host chairlift safety demonstrations at its base area.
For more information, visitskicalifornia.org.
