Ski & Snowboard Safety
Safety is a shared responsibility — it takes all of us.
By staying informed and prepared, you can contribute to a safer experience for yourself and others. NSAA together with many other industry associations and sponsors has created safety programs and resources to protect skiers and riders on the slopes. SkiSafety.US, Smart Style, Know the Code, Lids on Kids, Kids on Lifts and National Safety Month are just a few created to keep all skiers and snowboarders educated and safe. Explore the resources below to see how you or your ski area can continue promoting safe skiing and riding.
Additional Safety Links
Avalanche Safety Links
Your Responsibility Code
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead 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.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.
Your Responsibility Code Video
Collision Safety
Collision safety promotes on-hill safety and responsible skiing and riding to reduce the risk of a collision between two or more skiers and riders. Sometimes, skiers collide. It is important to remember that we are sharing the slopes with skiers and riders of all different ages, abilities and sizes. Your awareness of those around you and of the surrounding environment, as well as responsible skiing and riding, are the best ways to reduce the risk of a collision between you and another skier or with an object.
Continue reading to learn how an on-snow collision inspired the development of the #RideAnotherDay campaign, about the Triangle of Safety, and what you can do to promote safety on the hill at your ski area.
In 2016, after a tragic ski collision that took their 5-year-old daughter’s life and left Kelli with a severe TBI, Chauncy and Kelli Johnson launched the #RideAnotherDay safety campaign to help prevent similar collisions.
Tips for Avoiding Collisions
Complementing the Responsibility Code and its 10 tenets, #RideAnotherDay 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. Look out for 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 of room, especially if you are passing them. There’s plenty of space out there, so there’s no need to crowd each other.
By doing these three things every run, you’ll be helping keep the slopes safe and enjoyable, for you and everyone else.
Freestyle Terrain Safety
The National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards would like to welcome you to the “Park SMART” Terrain Park Safety initiative. Park SMART is the evolution of the original Smart Style program. A cooperative effort with the help of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) and National Ski Patrol (NSP) that emphasizes the proper use of terrain parks while delivering a unified message.
Skiers and Riders: Click the button below to learn more about Park SMART and tips for navigating terrain park safety.
Tree Well Safety
Skiing and snowboarding off of the groomed runs and in deep powder snow is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of our sport.
If you decide to leave the groomed trails, you are voluntarily accepting the specific risks of falling into tree wells or deep snow and suffocating, however, fortunately these types of accidents are very preventable.
Each skier or snowboarder controls his or her own level of risk and are the only ones that can prevent this type of accident from happening. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel safely with your partners in these ungroomed deep snow areas.
The personal safety information is intended to assist all skiers and riders in learning about the risks and prevention of tree well and deep snow immersion accidents. If you still have questions please contact your ski patrol.