Mountain Safety Guide

Mountain safety is a partnership

Ski California and its member resorts in California and Nevada created the Mountain Safety Guide to educate our guests on how to ski and snowboard responsibly and safely while having a fun experience. Learning and practicing what is contained in this guide, using common sense, and making good decisions will contribute to your safety and the safety of all guests.

Before you Ski & Ride

So, you’re ready to ski or snowboard. Whether it was family or friends, the beauty of the mountains, or love for outdoor recreation that brought you here, PREPARATION will help your trip to the slopes be both enjoyable and safe.

Your Responsibility Code

Kids & Safety with Jeremy Jones

Video: Kids & Safety with Jeremy Jones

Safety for new skiers and riders

Video: Safety for new skiers and riders
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Always wear a helmet

Wear a properly fitted helmet with the chin strap securely tightened to help prevent or minimize injuries.

Learn more about helmet safety

Illustration of a skier wearing a helmet

Use properly maintained equipment

Have bindings inspected and correctly adjusted by a certified technician.

Dress for winter

Dress in water– and wind-resistant outerwear and layers to accommodate changing conditions.

Protect yourself from UV rays

Use sunscreen and wear goggles or sunglasses. The sun at altitude is intense, even on cloudy days.

Ski instructor with students

Take a lesson

Every experience level can benefit from professional instruction.

On The Slopes

Skiing and snowboarding are active and exciting outdoor sports with inherent risks that cannot be eliminated, including the risk of serious injury and death. Because of these risks, it is YOUR responsibility to be aware of your surroundings, the conditions, and your ability.

Ski or Ride in Control

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Ski or ride at a speed you are able to safely stop and avoid others and objects you may encounter.

Illustration of a skier wearing a helmet

Do Not Enter Closed Areas

Ropes and closures are in place for your safety.

Look Out for Hazards and Obstacles

Both natural and man-made. Resorts may use poles, flags, discs, ropes, fences, pads, signs, and other devices to provide visual warnings. These devices will not protect you from injury. No resort can mark all hazards and obstacles.

Look Out for Over-Snow Vehicles

They may be on the slopes heading uphill or downhill, so stay clear of them at all times.

Triangle of Safety – Speed, Space & Self

(in partnership with High Fives Foundation & Snow Angel Foundation)

Video: Triangle of Safety – Speed, Space & Self

Preventing Collisions

(in partnership with High Fives Foundation)

Video: Preventing Collisions

Mountain Signage

Maps and mountain signs contain information that can help you find trails and lifts, know when trails merge or if terrain is closed, learn where slow skiing and riding is required, and locate ski patrol and other mountain services.

All signs, fences, pads, equipment covers, poles, and other markings exist to warn you of potential obstacles or hazards. They will not protect you from injury. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

Trail difficulty ratings are relative to each resort’s specific terrain and rating systems do vary by resort (e.g., a "blue diamond" for more difficult intermediate runs), so guests should always be aware of a particular resort's rating system. Work your way up from easier to more difficult trails. When in doubt about a trail or what type of terrain a lift serves, ask resort staff for guidance.

Trail rating symbols indicate the difficulty level of terrain. Here’s what they mean:

Collage of signage
Collage of signage
Snowboarders on a groomed green run

Green Circle Easier

Skier on a groomed blue run

Blue Square More Difficult

Skier in deep powder a black run

Black Diamond Most Difficult

Snowboarder dropping off a rock

Double-Black Diamond Experts Only

Skier hitting a rail

Orange Oval Freestyle Terrain

Happy skiers on a chairlift

Lift Safety

Lift incidents are almost always avoidable. It's important (and part of Your Responsibility Code) to know how to load, ride and unload all lifts safely.

Illustration of an adaptive skier

If you need assistance or there is a problem, SPEAK UP, and tell a lift operator.

Chairlift Safety

Video: Chairlift Safety
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Terrain Parks

Terrain parks offer unique challenges and risks. Every park is different and it is important to use features that meet your ability. All users should educate themselves on Park SMART.

Parents, make sure you understand Park SMART and ensure your kids are educated on the proper use of terrain parks and their features.

Park Smart logo

Park SMART with Maddie Bowman

Video: Park SMART with Maddie Bowman
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Snow Safety

Deep Snow Safety

Fresh snow is fun, but it also creates additional inherent risks. On deep snow days, be prepared and take the necessary precautions for a fun and safe day for you and other skiers and riders.

Illustration of a tree well safety sign

Avoid Tree Wells

These are voids or depressions in the snow that form around the base of a tree and are often hidden by low branches. Skiers and riders can fall into these wells and die. To avoid tree wells, steer clear of trees and stay in control.

Stay With A Buddy

Always maintain visual contact and stay close enough that you can pull or dig each other out of deep snow. Share your live location via electronic devices with your buddy.

Carry Information and Tools

Wear a locator (aka avalanche) beacon and know how to use it. Also, carry a whistle! They are cheap and can alert people to your location quickly. Have ski patrol phone numbers so you can quickly call for help (but be aware of areas without cell coverage).

Deep Snow Safety with Travis Ganong

Video: Deep Snow Safety with Travis Ganong
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Avalanche Awareness

Many ski resorts have avalanche-prone terrain, and the risk of avalanches cannot be completely eliminated.

Aerial photo of an avalanche

Closed Areas

Ski Patrols use a variety of techniques and equipment for avalanche mitigation, including explosives. Avalanche mitigation may require terrain closures and delay opening. For your safety, never enter a closed area.

Changing Snow Conditions

In a mountain environment, conditions change rapidly. Temperatures, sun, wind, snow, and other skiers and riders can drastically change conditions throughout a day. Be aware of changing conditions and know your limits on different snow surfaces.

Out of Bounds

If you leave the ski area boundary, which is illegal at some resorts, you do so at your own risk. Areas outside the boundary are neither controlled nor patrolled, and ski patrol is under no obligation to conduct a rescue. Avalanche education, proper equipment, and a partner are essential if you choose to enter the backcountry. Contact your local avalanche center or visit the Ski California website for more information.

Commit To Safety

When it comes to safety, we are all in this together. Our Commitment to Safety helps us prepare and operate the mountain for your enjoyment. Your Responsibility Code helps you understand the rules you must follow to enjoy a safe day on the slopes.

Your Responsibility Code

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. Remember that staying in control is the best way to stay safe on the slopes.

Graphic showing the 10 responsibilities, click for PDF

Our Commitment to Safety

We are committed to addressing safety every day and in every facet of our operations. This guide is part of that commitment.

Graphic showing the 7 commitments, click for PDF

It's the Law

It is illegal to ski or ride in a CLOSED area. (Cal. Penal Code 602(r); NRS 455.100(8))

It is illegal to leave the incident scene if involved in a collision, except to notify and obtain ski patrol assistance. (Cal. Penal Code 653i; NRS 455.170)

Commit to Safety and Win!

Complete the Ski California Mountain Safety Guide Quiz for entry into a March raffle for a chance to win a 2025-26 Ski California Gold Pass, plus drawings during season with packages that include Glade helmets, goggles, and other accessories!

Take the Quiz

Our Partners in Safety

Ski California and its 36 member resorts in California and Nevada would like to thank our partners for their effort and dedication to support snow sport safety: