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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 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:


Visit www.LidsOnKids.org
This 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

Ski and Snowboarding Tips

Prior to Hitting the Slopes

  • Obtain proper equipment that is fitted properly for performance as well as safety.
  • Dress in warm layers. (See below)
  • Wear sun protection.
  • Always wear eye protection.


Tips for while on the Slopes

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

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 might sweat. Skiing/snowboarding are considered exercise after all.
  • The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture.


Insulating layer: The middle layer could include 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 because 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 (coat) 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 or snowboarder, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.

  • Most 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 sweatpants. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through the fabric.
  • Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers - details that truly make garments comfortable.

Accessorize

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 popular as part of safety equipment. Not only do they protect your head from bumps but they also keep your head warm. A neck gaiter or face mask is a must on cold days and are available for purchase in our retail shop.

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 identify 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 because it retains moisture. Resist the temptation of putting on too many pairs of socks.

Lost Trail Ski Area Retail 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:

  • Changing weather conditions
  • Variations or steepness in terrain
  • Snow or ice conditions
  • Surface or sub-surface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, impact with lift towers and other structures and their components
  • Collisions with other skiers, users or persons
  • A "skier's" failure to ski within his own ability.
  • Skiers include, among others, alpine/downhill skiers, telemark skiers, mono-skiers and snowboarders.


All persons on or using any Lost Trail Ski Area 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 Ski Area policies and regulations described herein and posted at Lost Trail Ski Area, please do not use this mountain ski area or its lifts.

Your Responsibility Code
The slopes at Lost Trail Ski Area can be enjoyed in many ways. You may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark and other specialized adaptive 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 their responsibility for a great experience.

  • Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  • People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  • You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
  • Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  • Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  • Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  • 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

Terrain Park Safety

Freestyle Terrain is popular at ski 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 ski 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 entering 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 features

For more information visit: http://www.freestyleterrain.org/

In Case of Injury

Contact LTSA Ski Patrollers wearing red parkas with white crosses. They can be reached through a lift attendant or other LTSA employees.

  • Do not remove the injured person's skis or snowboard
  • Do not move the injured person
  • Cross your own skis uphill from the incident to alert others


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