Colorado Ski Areas Celebrate Safety Initiatives During National Safety Month

In honor of National Safety Month at ski areas across the country this January, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member ski areas will host safety-related programs across the state.

Colorado’s ski areas work hard throughout the year to educate guests about the importance of safe skiing and riding, whether they are new to the sport or long-time veterans. In January, Colorado ski areas will host safety demonstrations, ski patrol ski-alongs, avalanche safety training, helmet safety giveaways and more. Guests are encouraged to ask ski area employees for help and assistance if they have safety-related or other questions during their visit.

All skiers and riders should know the Your Responsibility Code:

Your Responsibility Code

Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Below is a summary of National Safety Month activities at CSCUSA member resorts.

WOLF CREEK SKI AREA

Your Responsibility Code Safety Poster Contest

Wolf Creek’s annual safety poster contest invites local elementary, junior and high school students to illustrate one or more aspects of the Your Responsibility Code. Posters will be displayed in the Base Camp Building where the illustrations will be voted on by Wolf Creek staff and guests. First through third place winners will be awarded a free ski day with immediate family members. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.

WINTER PARK RESORT

Children’s Poster Contest and Raffle

For the month of January, Winter Park Ski Patrol will hold a drawing where guests who answer a question about the Your Responsibility Code will get a raffle ticket and be automatically entered to win an array of prizes, including early resort access with patrol, two hours of guided skiing, and dinner for two at the Lodge at Sunspot. The raffle tickets will also have the Your Responsibility Code on them serving as a reminder that can be put in a wallet or on the refrigerator. Winners will be selected the first week of February. Winter Park Ski Patrol will also be holding its annual poster contest with local Grand County school children. Kids can submit a poster featuring the Your Responsibility Code, winners get a chance to be a Winter Park Junior Patroller for a whole day. For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com.

TELLURIDE SKI RESORT

Safety Tent and Employee Training

For guests, Telluride Ski Resort sets up a “Safety Tent” for the month of January. Guests are encouraged to check out the daily safety topics and participate in a scavenger hunt around the mountain, which highlights different aspects of trail safety, safe skiing techniques, the Your Responsibility Code and the Skier Safety Act.

For employees, Telluride creates in-house videos to help promote safety and identify situations to take extra precaution and keep safety a top priority. Telluride also promotes NSAA's “Ride Another Day” campaign and offers extra employee safety classes at their company wellness center. For more information, visit www.tellurideskiresort.com.

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT

Sunlight Safety Day (March 2)

At Sunlight, skier safety also focuses on sun safety. Each March, Sunlight honors Brad Lanpher, a long time Sunlight skier who lost his life to Melanoma Skin Cancer. Sunlight Safety Day includes a free testing clinic and educational safety booths. Sunlight offers free lift tickets with donations, and proceeds benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation. For more information, visit www.sunlightmtn.com.

POWDERHORN RESORT

Ski Patrol Ski Along

In honor of National Safety Month, Powderhorn invites guests to ski or ride with the ultimate local, a professional Ski Patroller. Guests can learn some of the tools of the trade such as safety, transporting, and caring for customers on the mountain. This program educates guests of all ages about the roles of ski patrol and their importance to the ski area. For more information, visit www.powderhorn.com.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN

Backcountry Day (Jan. 12)

Monarch Mountain will host Backcountry Day, an education program on backcountry skiing and riding. Activities and events will include a Know Before You Go program, avalanche dogs, a dawn patrol tour, trip planning advice, beacon demonstrations, backcountry merchandise vendors and more.

Kids on Lifts & Lids on Kids & Sun Safety (Jan. 19)

As part of National Ski Safety Month, Monarch will partner with the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) and Central Mountain Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (RETAC) to provide educational information and help with helmet fitting. Lift Operators and Instructors will provide guidance on proper chairlift riding and the Outer Edge Ski Shop will promote the use of sun screen and quality helmets. For more information, visit www.skimonarch.com.

LOVELAND SKI AREA

Safety Weekend (Jan. 19-20)

Loveland will celebrate Safety Weekend with a safety tent set up at the base area informing guests on the Your Responsibility Code, terrain park etiquette, sun safety, hydration, snow and avalanche safety and other topics. Loveland’s ski patrol will have patrol dogs on hand to demonstrate avalanche rescue techniques, conduct beacon demonstrations and talk about avalanche awareness and tree well safety. Loveland employees will be quizzing kids on the Your Responsibility Code and handing out prizes for those that can recite the entire code. The Sport Shop will also be offering discounts on helmets and the Ski & Ride School will offer free helmets with any kid’s lesson package. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.

GRANBY RANCH

Ski with a Patroller (Jan. 19)

Granby Ranch will offer a special program for intermediate skiers ages 8-17 for National Safety Month. On January 19, participants can Ski with a Patroller and learn about mountain safety, tour patrol huts, review the Your Responsibility Code, learn first aid and even take a toboggan ride. For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN

Safety Fest (Jan. 19-20)

Copper Mountain will recognize National Safety Month with Safety Fest in Center Village. Participants will learn about grooming and snow cats with Slope Operations, learn terrain park safety with Woodward Copper, meet Copper’s youngest patrollers and learn about first aid with Copper Mountain Junior Ski Patrol and more. There will also be programs on sun safety, helmet safety, patrol dogs, backcountry skiing, avalanche awareness, forest safety and a tour of Copper’s air-transport helicopter. Guests who visit each safety tent will be entered into a daily-prize drawing with prizes totaling $10,000.

Free Hot Cocoa at Ski Patrol

All month long, January 1-31, Copper invites all guests to visit Patrol Headquarters or Timberline Patrol to meet the ski patrol staff, learn some insider tips from the pros, and perhaps meet an avalanche dog and while sipping free hot cocoa. For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.

ASPEN SNOWMASS

Safety Month Activities

Aspen Snowmass will host a variety of safety-centric activities at the four mountains throughout January. Highlights include information on lift safety, avalanche dog demonstrations, staying in control, right of way, safe stopping, and observing posted signs and closures. Aspen Snowmass will also host a Safety Tent with avalanche dogs, stickers, and safety materials from the National Ski Patrol. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA

Skier Safety Week (Jan. 12-13)

Arapahoe Basin will host the Safety Village in Mountain Goat Plaza January 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arapahoe Basin's Avalanche Rescue Dogs will be in the Safety Village, along with skier and rider safety presentations, a Your Responsibility Code recitation contest, and information on the “Ride Another Day” safety campaign. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.