Skiing and snowboarding are potentially high-risk sports that require appropriate safety precautions. In 1966, the National Ski Areas Association created the "Skier's Responsibility Code," which established the basic safety rules of skiing. When snowboarding gained popularity, resort management changed the name to "Your Responsibility Code" to include everyone on the mountain. Skiers and riders should be proactive and take precautions to ensure their safety. These precautions include wearing a helmet and dressing appropriately for the weather.
Be In Control
Ski or ride at a speed that allows you to stop and avoid people, trees or lift towers. Make sure you choose the appropriate terrain for your ability; this will enable you to maintain control. If you explore higher or more dangerous ground, improve your skills by taking a lesson with a certified instructor. When taking a lesson, your instructor may have you ski down the slope, and then regroup at a certain point on the trail. Always ski to the bottom of the group. If you stop at the top and can't control your speed, you risk crashing into other people.
Right of Way Rules
People ahead of you have the right of way, even if they are skiing slower than you would like them to. Avoiding them is your responsibility, and unlike a running race, yelling out "on your right" is not appropriate on the slopes. The person may be wearing a helmet and unable to hear you.
Stay Out of the Way
You should always avoid obstructing the middle of the trail, especially if you are in a low-visibility area. If you must sit on the slope to rest, move to the side of the trail.
Merging Rules
Merging on a ski slope is similar to merging into traffic. Look uphill and yield to other skiers and riders. If you are a slow skier or snowboarder, let the faster people go down before beginning your descent.
Snowboard Safety
A snowboard leash attaches your front boot to your front binding (this is your left boot if you have a regular stance, and your right boot of your stance is "goofy"). In the event of a fall, it prevents your board from sliding down the hill and crashing into other skiers and riders. The safety leash should be fastened before stepping into your bindings, and it should be last item unfastened when stepping out of your bindings, says Dave Schutz in an article distributed to the National Ski Patrol.
Stay Within the Boundaries
The ropes on ski trails are there for a reason. The terrain outside the ropes may have exposed ice or may even be susceptible to avalanches. If you injure yourself outside of the ski area boundaries, the ski patrol may not be able to see you, and cell phones may not work in certain areas. If the mystique of the backcountry tempts you, many resorts now offer guided off-piste tours.
Understand the Ski Lifts
If you don't understand how to use a particular lift, ask the lift attendant for help. Modern resorts use a detachable lift, which slows down during the loading and unloading process. Some resorts still use non-detachable lifts. These lifts do not slow down when they approach, so you need to look over your shoulder and prepare to sit. Stay at the edge of the chair when you are ready to unload. Poma lifts require you to hold your poles with one hand and grab the stick with the other. Place the stick between your legs and stay in an upright position. If you fall off the lift, quickly get out of the way and ski back down. Do not attempt to get back on.
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