In many of my entries, I talk about skiing safety, but I think it needs more emphasis, maybe even continual emphasis. Here are the seven rules of slope safety to keep you and others out of danger:
1. Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It’s your responsibility to avoid them.
3. Don’t stop where you obstruct a trail or aren’t visible from above.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging on to a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas
7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload safely.
I’ve been thinking hard about the code of skiing. The most important in my mind is number two which doesn’t apply to you but really applies to all the people who are going to pass you.
As a senior skier I tend to ski slower and more carefully along the side of the trail and respect the code by announcing when I’m going to pass a skier well before I do. I ski at a speed that allows many people to pass me. I feel there must be a way to educate others who, when passing me, don’t say a word or shout “watch out”. I learned to ski in the 60’s and 70’s and announcing my intention is ingrained in me. The big question is how to indoctrinate many others who don’t apply this simple safety and courteous practice? If this was the armed service, their teaching methods would be to repeat it 100 times until it was engrained into your brain.
I think one solution would be to put up a permanent banner in the lift line where no one will miss it. If they take 10 runs a day they’ll see it 10 times. Unless they can’t read, it should eventually sink in. Wouldn’t that be nice? It’s the most important rule on the slopes and would prevent many accidents. I also think the logo for the Snow Angel Foundation is one we should all adopt. I plan on getting a patch to wear on my jacket just to give them the exposure. I know that Killington and other ski areas have partnered with the Foundation and will give the cause a great deal of exposure.
Last year at Whiteface the Foundation did have signs up in two locations in the lift line that said, “respect the zone”, meaning the 15-foot radius that is the “no ski zone” as one is passing. The signs were very small. They should be banners across the entire lift line so no one can miss them.
I avoid weekend skiing just because it’s crowded with hundreds of people zooming by you at speeds where they may be in control of or not! I also try to ski the wider trails and stick to the edges to give people the most room to pass. Lastly, I look for the most out of the way, unpopular trails on any mountain. Believe it or not there are many.
Today, our equipment is designed better and better for safer skiing. We have helmets to help prevent head injuries, heated equipment to prevent frostbite, and even inflatable vests for speed racers who might have a bad fall. Maybe someone should design ski clothing with airbags!
However, no matter how much you do personally, it’s the other guy you must worry about! I now have the ski pole extensions designed by SKI GUARDIAN and called MY SKI SPACE. Let’s see how much they’ll help keep people away.
Mike Roth is a ski journalist who writes a regular ski blog for the Albany Time Union. He is also a talented cartoonist and and architect.
