Ski Safety Month Blog

The past storm cycle was extremely deep, causing safety closures by our Snow Safety Team and UDOT. OpenSnow forecasts up to 20 inches of snowfall from today, January 17th to Thursday, January 18th. This presents an opportune moment to familiarize yourself with fundamental aspects of Deep Snow Safety. 

• Always ski or ride with a partner within viewing distance in deep snow conditions.  
• Tree well/ snow immersion suffocation can happen when a rider falls (usually headfirst) into a tree well or deep loose snow and becomes trapped. You are accepting this risk when you ride off-piste. 
• Remember, rope lines are set by Ski Patrol to secure your safety. Abide by all rope lines and closed terrain signs. Your season pass will be suspended or day ticket taken away.

Last winter the National Ski Area Association introduced an updated Your Responsibility Code to better encompass all the ways to stay safe on the slopes this season. It is your responsibility to know the code and abide by it as you adventure on the mountain. Let us take a refresher on our responsibility code! When you visit Powder Mountain you are acknowledging that you know the code and you will abide by it.

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.