Cross Country Skier’s Code of Ethics…
At ski resorts you are introduced to a variety of people who have different ski levels, and types of equipment. It is important to remember that you must always be responsible, aware of your surroundings, use common sense, and show courtesy to others in order to enjoy the slopes. There are guidelines to follow to keep you and others safe on the slopes and reduce the risk of getting injured skiing.
- Always check posted trail conditions and obey all signs and posted warnings.
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- Stay to the right when meeting oncoming skiers.
- Before passing another skier from behind, announce your presence and ski around them when safe to do so.
- Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible by others.
- Do not access/use terrain or trails when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others.
In Case of an Accident…
- Place a pair of crossed skis in an “X” position close to the injured skier.
- Do not attempt to move the injured person.
- Be sure that they are kept warm.
- Look around for trail markers, or landmarks that can be used to determine your location.
- Call for help.
- Enlist the aid of a fellow skier.
Know The Symbols…
You’ve arrived. You’re geared up and have a lift ticket. Now what? Go get a trail map at the base lodge or lift-ticket window. Take a few minutes to check it out. The lifts and the trails are marked on the map. The colored symbols next to the trails are the keys to enjoying your first few days on the slopes. Their shape and color indicate the difficulty of the trail.
Here’s what they mean: Green Circle: Easier, Beginner; Blue Square or sometimes a Blue Circle: More Difficult, Intermediate; Black Diamond: Most Difficult, Expert; In some cases you will see a Safety symbol, which is a yellow triangle with an exclamation point (!) which means use extra caution. You’ll find them posted on signs on the mountain.
The same trail symbols are used at every resort in the country, but as Albert Einstein must have said, “It’s all relative.” A Green Circle trail at one resort, might be as tough as a Blue Square at another. Not a big deal. The trail ratings are consistent within each resort. So all the “Greens” at a ski area will be about the same difficulty, as will the “Blues” and the “Blacks.” Realize that difficulty ratings are based on good snow conditions so icy conditions could make the trails much more treacherous.