Mountain Safety
Ride smart. Stay safe. Share the mountain responsibly.
Adult Season Pass $599
At Lookout Pass, fellow riders use alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, and specialized ski equipment, such as “sit-skis” used by adaptive skiers. Regardless of how you enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others! Be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
We always recommend wearing a helmet while skiing and snowboarding. However, helmets have their limitations and are not the end-all for safety. Observe the Code and share it with others!
January is National Safety Awareness Month!
Becon Training Park
We established a Beacon Training Park between Rolling Thunder & Hoot Owl. Guests are encouraged to stop by the Ski Patrol Top Shack if they need assistance with either the Beacon Park or understanding the function of their Beacons.
Know the Code
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead of or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride, and unload lifts safely.
If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant. - Do not use lifts or terrain 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.
Tips for Avoiding Collisions
Complementing the Responsibility Code and it’s 7 tenets, Ride Another Day promotes 3 actions every skier and rider can take to help keep themselves and those around safer on the slopes.
1. Be Ready
Be ready to slow down or avoid objects or other people at any time. Ski and ride in such a way that you are always able to control yourself regardless of conditions and avoid others and objects you may encounter on the run, groomed or otherwise.
2. Stay Alert
Stay alert to what’s going on around you, especially other skiers and riders. Being aware of those around and changing conditions will help you have a fun and safe day on the hill.
3. Plan Ahead
Ease up at blind spots, check uphill when merging onto trails, and give other skiers plenty of room when passing. Be on the lookout for blind-spots on the run where traffic merges or you can’t see what’s coming next. If you are unfamiliar with a run, take it easy the first time down it, and make note of places where you’ll want to slow down, such as cat tracks and rollers. Also, give other skiers and riders lots or room, especially if you are passing them. There’s plenty of space out there, so there’s no need to crowd each other.
Deep Powder Safety – Tree Well Safety – Snow Immersion Safety
Skiing and snowboarding off of the groomed runs in deep powder snow is a big part of the Lookout Pass experience. If you leave the groomed trails, you are voluntarily accepting the specific risks of falling into tree wells or deep snow and suffocating. Always Ski & Ride with a buddy.
Tree Well Safety
Storms with cold, dry snow creates some amazing skiing and riding opportunities. Always make sure you are skiing with a buddy when in the trees. Tree wells can be difficult to get out of alone, and by using the buddy system and maintaining visual contact with your partner it makes a safer experience for all.
Nationwide resorts are experiencing and hearing reports about near misses with tree well incidents (SIS – snow immersion suffocation). While SIS incidents are rare, they are one of the risks inherent to the sport of skiing and snowboarding, and such incidents can be prevented.
Safety remains one of the highest priorities in the ski industry, and ski areas focus on in-bounds tree well and deep snow mitigation, safety, and guest education measures. The responsibility to understand such risks is on skiers and snowboarders. They should comply with safety recommendations, including avoiding the base of trees, where snow often accumulates, and the hazards of confinement are higher. They should always use the buddy system and ski or snowboard within direct sight of a partner, especially when they are off of a designated trail, within the trees or gladed terrain, or in the backcountry.
When skiing or boarding in such conditions, guests should always follow the ski industry’s long-standing “Your Responsibility Code,” including complying with all signs, warnings, and closures. In addition, guests should carry or wear a whistle in case they become engulfed in deep snow or a tree well. Also, it is wise for all skiers and boarders to enter the ski area’s ski patrol contact phone number into their Smartphones—with the advent of Smartphone technology (and voice command features like Siri on the Apple iPhones), if a person becomes entrapped in deep snow or a tree well, using voice command to call ski patrol can be a critical hands-free tool.
The SIS safety education website (www.DeepSnowSafety.org) is an excellent educational resource for skiers and riders.
What to do in a snow immersion situation
https://deepsnowsafety.org/what-to-do-in-a-snow-immersion-situation/ (videos available)
What to do if you go down: Yell or use a whistle to get your partner’s attention. Do whatever you can to keep your head above the surface of the snow, including rolling, grabbing tree branches, or the tree trunk. If possible, keep your feet below the level of your head. If you become immersed, make a space around your face and protect your airway – resist the urge to struggle, it could compromise your airspace and entrap you further. Stay calm to conserve air. Trust your partner is on their way. If possible, use your cell phone to call ski patrol or the resort’s emergency number.
What to do if your partner goes down: Don’t leave to get help – Stay with your partner! Call for additional resources. Use a whistle or yell for assistance. If possible, call ski patrol or the resort’s emergency phone number. IMMEDIATELY begin snow immersion rescue efforts. Go directly for the airway, and keep it clear. Be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Clear any
snow from the airway and continue necessary first aid or extrication efforts. Do not try to pull the victim out the same way they fell in. Instead, determine where the head is and tunnel in from the side. When tunneling directly for the airway, be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Continue expanding the tunnel to the airway until you can extricate the body. Efficient “strategic shoveling techniques” with multiple rescuers are very useful.
Keep kids safe: In an effort to protect small children from the folly of a trip up when parents are carrying them in a front or back pack. We will no longer allows such practices. Be safe and thank you for understanding.
Resources:
http://www.DeepSnowSafety.org/
