Mountain Safety at Mount Pleasant

Welcome to our safety resource center. Whether you are here for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing, safety is our top priority. By following these guidelines, you help ensure that every member of our community can enjoy the slopes responsibly.

Section 1: Why Safety is Important

Safety isn't just about rules; it's about respect for yourself and others. On the mountain, conditions can change rapidly—from "extreme cold" notices to shifting snow density. Understanding safety protocols allows you to:

Prevent Collisions: Most on-mountain incidents are preventable through awareness and control.
Protect our Community: Especially in our SnoKids and SnoParents programs, we strive to create an environment where new learners feel secure.
Maximize Your Season: Staying safe means more days on the snow and fewer days in recovery. As we say at Mount Pleasant, "Safety First" ensures the fun never has to stop.

Section 2: Your Responsibility Code

The industry standard for safety is "Your Responsibility Code." Recently updated by the NSAA to 10 points, these are the "Rules of the Road" for the slopes:

Stay in Control: Always be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People Ahead: People downhill have the right-of-way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Stopping: Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Starting/Merging: Look uphill and yield to others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
Runaway Equipment: Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Signs & Warnings: Read and obey all signs and markings. Keep off closed trails.
Know Your Lifts: You must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload lifts safely.
No Impairment: Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Collision Protocol: If you are involved in a collision, you must share contact information with the other party and a ski area employee.
Service: If you see someone injured, notify Ski Patrol immediately.

Section 3: Lift Safety

Riding the lift is a major part of the mountain experience. To ride safely:

Ask for Help: If you are a beginner or unsure, tell the lift attendant. They can slow the chair for you.
Remove Gear: Take off backpacks and remove pole straps from your wrists before loading.
Sit Back: Once seated, sit all the way back against the seat rest.
Lower the Bar: If the chair has a restraint bar, lower it gently after everyone is seated.
Prepare to Unload: Raise the bar only when you see the "Raise Bar" sign and stay seated until you reach the unload point.

Section 4: Ride Another Day

The #RideAnotherDay campaign, founded by the Snow Angel Foundation, focuses on three key actions to prevent catastrophic collisions:

Be Ready: Always be prepared to slow down or avoid objects.
Stay Alert: Be aware of who is around you, especially in "Slow Zones" and congested areas.
Plan Ahead: Ease up at blind spots and give others plenty of room when passing.
Note: Yielding to the downhill skier is the single most important thing you can do to prevent a collision.

Section 5: Lids on Kids

Mount Pleasant and the NSAA strongly encourage the use of helmets. The "Lids on Kids" initiative emphasizes:

A Helmet is a Smart Idea: While helmets are a critical piece of safety gear, they do not make you "invincible."
Ski as if You Aren't Wearing One: A helmet is a secondary defense; your primary defense is staying in control.
Proper Fit: Ensure your helmet is snug and the chin strap is fastened. For our SnoKids participants, we recommend that parents double-check helmet fits before every lesson.

Section 6: Collision Safety – Shared Responsibility

Collisions are one of the most preventable types of incidents on the mountain. At Mount Pleasant, we promote a "Culture of Safety" where every skier and rider takes responsibility for their path.

How to Avoid a Collision

The Downhill Skier Rule: The person ahead of you has the right of way. Even if they make a sudden turn, it is your job to have enough space to react.
Give a Wide Berth: When passing others, leave at least one to two "ski lengths" of space. People often make unpredictable turns, especially beginners in our learning areas.
The "Stop" Rule: Never stop in the middle of a trail or where you cannot be seen from above (like underneath a knoll or a jump). Move to the side of the trail immediately.
Merge with Caution: Entering a trail is like pulling onto a highway. Look uphill, wait for a gap, and yield to those already coming down.

In the Event of a Collision

If you are involved in a collision, the Skier Responsibility Code requires you to stay at the scene.

Check for Injuries: Check yourself and the other person.
Alert Patrol: Use a phone or ask another skier to notify Mount Pleasant Ski Patrol.
Exchange Information: Much like a fender-bender, you are required to provide your name and contact information to the other party and a resort employee before leaving the area.

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