Ski California (aka the California Ski Industry Association) and its member resorts have unveiled the first Mountain Safety Guide for the 2017-18 season. The free guide will be available at resorts in a pocket-size format (like a trail map) as is available for download here.
Read/print a PDF of the Mountain Safety Guide HERE.
“All resorts make safety an essential priority, and they are committed to addressing safety every day in their operations. I think the Mountain Safety Guide sends a powerful message because this is the first time our resorts have come together with one all-encompassing educational platform,” said Michael Reitzell, Ski California president, in a press release. “This guide is designed to help the millions of guests be our resorts’ partners in safety.”
“Skiing and snowboarding are fun and exciting outdoor sports, but like any sport they have inherent risks. Because of these risks, we need to remind the veterans and introduce the newcomers to our sport about their responsibilities – like being aware of your surroundings, the conditions and your ability,” said Amy Ohran, president and general manager of Boreal Mountain Resort, in the release. “We want our guests to leave the mountain with a great experience, and one way to do that is knowing the risks and understanding how to be safe, smart and in control.”
As California and Nevada resorts gear up for the 2017-18 season, Reitzell hopes that, along with last year’s record winter snowfall that extended operations at some resorts into summer, the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics will draw even more skiers and snowboarders this year.
“People should ski or ride at a speed that allows them to stay in control and be able stop safely. Most serious injuries occur from collisions at high speed. The educated skier is a safer skier. The smart snowboarder is a safer snowboarder,” added Chase Allstadt, a veteran ski patroller for Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.
The guide contains safety education every resort guest should know, covering everything from what to do before going to a resort, to loading and riding lifts, navigating potential hazards – including deep snow and avalanche awareness, and understanding trail signage. The guide is printed on reclaimed stone without using trees or water, and is waterproof and tear-resistant. | skicalifornia.org
