Know the Code
The National Ski Areas Association established "Your Responsibility Code" in 1966 as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety, but snowboarder and lift safety as well.
Ultimately, safe skiing and snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. Following "Your Responsibility Code" will help all skiers and snowboarders have a safer mountain experience.
Your Responsibility Code
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Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely-not only for yourself, but for others as well.
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stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
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People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
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Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
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Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
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Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
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Observe all posted signs and warnings.
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Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
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Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.
The Colorado Ski Safety Act
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing including: changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collision with natural objects, man- made objects or other skiers; variations in the terrain; and the failure of the skiers to ski within their own abilities.®
The Ski Safety Act of 1979 became law in Colorado on July 1, 1979. Copies of the Act dealing with your duties and responsibilities as a skier or snowboarder are available for your information at Steamboat Ticket Offices and Ski Patrol stations. Please read this information. Highlights of the Act are listed here:
Do not board a lift unless you feel confident that you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to use the lift safely. Please follow the instructions of the lift operators.
Do not throw or expel any object from a lift while you are riding on the lift.
Your skis must be equipped with a strap or other device capable of stopping your skis if they become unattached while skiing.
Each skier solely has the responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate any ski slope or trail and to ski within the limits of such ability.
It is your responsibility to maintain control of your speed and course at all times and to maintain a proper lookout so as to be able to avoid objects and other skiers. Careless and reckless skiers will have their skiing privileges revoked.
It is unlawful for you to ride a lift or to use any ski slope or trail when your ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or any drug.
If you are involved in a collision with another skier that results in injury, it is unlawful for you to leave the vicinity of the collision before you have left your name and current address with a member of the Ski Patrol.
It is unlawful for you to ski on any slope, land or trail that has been posted CLOSED. Closed trails and slopes will be marked. Roped off areas also designate that area as being closed.
It is your obligation and responsibility to heed all posted information and other warnings, and refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to your injury or the injury of any other skier or person. Please read and heed all posted information and warnings.
Avoid High Altitude Illness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs when your body does not adapt to its current altitude. The most frequent symptoms of AMS are headache, queasiness, tiredness and trouble sleeping. To minimize symptoms of AMS we recommend following these simple guidelines from the Colorado Altitude Research Institute:
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Exercise in moderation.
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Drink more water than usual. When you combine altitude with physical exertion, you need to drink before you get thirsty.
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Eat food high in carbohydrates, such as grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.
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Limit alcohol consumption. It's tempting to party the evening you roll into a ski town. However, drinking alcohol and cheating yourself on sleep the night before you ski is a big mistake. Use common sense.
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If your symptoms get worse or do not go away after a day or two at altitude, you need to seek medical help. All medical centers in altitude communities are used to dealing with these symptoms.
Sun Safety
The combination of higher altitude and ultraviolet (UV) rays reflected by the snow puts skiers and snowboarders at an increased risk of sun damage. It's easy to associate winter with frostbite and windburn, but most people are unaware that UV rays can be even more damaging on the slopes than on the beach.
Higher altitude means increased levels of harmful UV exposure compared to sea level areas. UV exposure increases 8-10 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. At an altitude of 9-10,000 feet, UV may be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, snow reflects about 80 percent of the UV light from the sun.
Please follow these important sun protection tips:
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Use broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 15 or higher Be aware that the sun's reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days.
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Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin. Most skiers and snowboarders do not use enough sunscreen.
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Use a more moisturizing sunscreen. Winter conditions can be particularly harsh on the skin.
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Be sure to cover often-missed spots: lips, ears, around eyes, neck, underside of chin, scalp and hands.
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Always wear a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher. Lips are even more sensitive than most parts of the skin.
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Carry sunscreen and lip balm with you on the slopes. Reapply on the chairlift during the day.
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Wear goggles and/or sunglasses that have UV protection
To find out more about how to protect yourself from the sun this winter and all year-round, visit www.skincancer.org.
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