Safety Tips

First Timers Guide

Know The Symbols

You’ve arrived. You’re geared up and have a lift ticket. Now what? Go get a trail map at the base lodge or lift-ticket window. Take a few minutes to check it out. The lifts and the trails are marked on the map. The colored symbols next to the trails are the keys to enjoying your first few days on the slopes. Their shape and color indicate the difficulty of the trail.

Here’s what they mean:

• Green Circle: Easier
• Blue Square: More Difficult
• Black Diamond: Most Difficult
• Double-Black Diamond: Most Difficult, use extra caution;
• Orange Oval: Freestyle Terrain.

You’ll find them on trail maps and posted on signs on the mountain.

Before you ride a lift during your first few days, make sure you can handle the trails at the top.  Check your trail map and make sure the trail symbols off of that lift fit your ability. If you have any questions or need directions, go talk to a lift attendant or anyone in a resort uniform. “What’s the easiest way down?” “Where’s the closest groomed trail?”

Visit LidsOnKids.org, a site dedicated to providing information on helmet safety and answer questions about helmet use.

Helmet use is strongly recommended for all ages.

Ski and Snowboarding Tips

Tips for Prior to Hitting the Slopes

• Get in shape.
• Obtain proper equipment that is fitted properly for performance as well as satety.
• Be sure to buy quality clothing and products.
• Dress in layers.
• Be prepared.
• Wear sun protection.
• Always wear eye protection.

Tips for while on the Slopes

• Take a lesson from a qualified instructor.
• Stay in control.
• Be aware of the snow conditions.
• Be aware of your surroundings and other skier/snowboarders.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Curb alcohol consumption.
• Know your limits.
• Helmets may reduce the risk of injury.

How To Dress For Winter Weather

Layer Up

The best way to dress for winter is to wear layers. This gives you flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather and your activity.

Wicking layer: This is the layer worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear.

• Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic or silk fiber that has “wicking” power. This means the fibers will move moisture away from your skin. This keeps you warm, dry and comfortable.
• Even though it’s cold, you will sweat — especially if you are cross country skiing or snowshoeing.
• The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture.

Insulating layer: This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. This layer is to keep heat in and cold out by insulation. Comfort is key for the insulating layer. It should be loose enough to trap air between layers, but not so bulky that it restricts movement.  Try to avoid cotton since it retains moisture.  Popular insulation materials include:

• Fleece, a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly.
• Wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.

Protection layer: The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow, sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate.  Whether you are a skier, snowshoer or snowboarder, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.

• Most genuine winter shells and pants are made waterproof and are breathable to some extent. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape.
• Don’t wear jeans or street pants. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through.
• One-piece suits, which combine a jacket and pants, are popular with many alpine skiers, especially on cold days and days where there is a lot of fresh powder snow.
• Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers — details that truly make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.
• Although less baggy than in previous years, most snowboard clothing is still designed to fit looser than alpine skiwear, giving snowboarders freedom of movement. In addition, many snowboard pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.

Accessorize

Headwear: Up to 60 percent of your body’s heat can escape from an uncovered head, so wearing a hat, headband or helmet is essential when it’s cold. Helmets are becoming very popular as part of saftey equipment. Not only do they protect your head from bumps, but they also keep your head warm. A fleece neck gaiter (like a collar) or face mask is a must on cold days.

Sunglasses and goggles: Sunglasses protect your eyes from damaging solar radiation. Snow, or any other reflective surface, makes ultraviolet (UV) rays stronger, while increased altitude also magnifies the danger. Look for 100 percent UV protection in sunglasses.  On flat-light days or when it’s snowing, goggles are vital. They protect your eyes and special lens colors increase the contrast so you can properly discern terrain features.  Goggles should form an uninterrupted seal on your face, extending above your eyebrows and below your cheekbones. Watch for gaps, especially around your nose.

Gloves and mittens: Look for waterproof, breathable fabrics. Mittens, in general, are warmer than gloves. Snowboarding gloves and mittens often have a reinforced palm because of extra wear from adjusting bindings and balancing on the snow.  Don’t buy gloves or mittens that are too tight. There should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation.

Socks: Wear one pair of light-weight or medium-weight socks specific for snowsports.  Some socks have wicking properties similar to long underwear, meaning your feet will stay dry and comfortable.  Avoid cotton becuase it retains moisture.  Resist the temptation of putting on too many pairs of socks.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain Sport Shop offers a variety of accessories for your last minute needs.

Mountain Responsibility

Skier Responsibility Code

As a “skier” you assume the risk of and accept the responsibility for injuries resulting from the inherent risks of skiing/riding, which include, but are not limited to:

1. Changing weather conditions
2. Variations or steepness in terrain
3. Snow or ice conditions
4. Surface or sub-surface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, impact with lift towers and other structures and their components
5. Collisions with other skiers, users or persons
6. A “skier’s” failure to ski within his own ability.

Skiers include, among others, alpine/downhill skiers, nordic/cross-country skiers, telemarkers, mono-skiers and snowboarders.

All persons on or using any Lost Trail Powder Mountain facilities, including spectators, assume the risks set forth above as well as all risks which are inherent in this mountain environment.

Notice: If you cannot assume these risks and accept Lost Trail Powder Mountain policies and regulations described herein and posted at Lost Trail Powder Mountain , please do not use this mountain resort or its lifts.

Your Responsibility Code
The slopes at Lost Trail Powder Mountain can be enjoyed in many ways. You may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country and other specialized ski equipment. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in snow sports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers and riders the responsibility for a great experience.

1. Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

KNOW THE CODE. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
This is a partial list. Be safety conscious. Officially endorsed by:
NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION.

Warning: Snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking may be encountered on any run at any time.

Terrain Park Safety
Freestyle Terrain is becoming more popular at resorts and proper use is important. The National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards have developed the “Smart Style” Freestyle Terrain Safety initiative, a cooperative effort to continue the proper use and progression of freestyle terrain at mountain resorts, while also delivering a unified message that is clear, concise, and effective.

The 3 main points of Smart Style include:

• Look Before You Leap
  • Before getting into freestyle terrain observe all signage and warnings
  • Scope around the jumps first not over them
  • Use your first run as a warm up run and to familiarize yourself with the terrain
  • Be aware that the features change constantly due to weather, usage, grooming and time of day
  • Do not jump blindly and use a spotter when necessary
• Easy Style It
  • Know your limits and ski/ride within your ability level
  • Look for small progression parks or features to begin with and work your way up
  • Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the air
  • Do not attempt any features unless you have sufficient ability and experience to do so safely
  • Inverted aerials increase your risk of injury and are not recommended.
• Respect Gets Respect
  • Respect the terrain and others (Freestyle terrain is for everyone regardless of equipment or ability)
  • One person on a feature at a time
  • Wait your turn and call your start
  • Always clear the landing area quickly
  • Respect all signs and stay off closed terrain and feature
    For more information visit: http://www.freestyleterrain.org/

In case of Injury
Contact Mountain Patrollers wearing red parkas with white crosses. They can be contacted through a lift attendant or other area Team Members.

1. Do not remove the injured person’s skis or snowboard
2. Do not move the injured person unless you are trained to do so
3. Cross your own skis uphill from the incident

Send someone to the nearest lift or open building to report the location, type of injury and description of the injured skier.