Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, or other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop, or avoid other
skiers and 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.
Duties of Skiers Under Oregon Law
Skiers and snowboarders agree to abide by the duties of skiers under Oregon Law, ORS 30.985, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within the permit area assume inherent risks thereof.
B. Skiers shall be the sole judges of the limits of their ability to meet and overcome the inherent risks of skiing and shall maintain reasonable control of speed and course.
C. Skiers shall abide by the directions and instructions of the ski operator.
D. Skiers shall familiarize themselves with posted information on location and degree of difficulty of trails and slopes to the extent reasonably possible before skiing on any slope or trail.
E. Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.
F. Skiers shall not overtake any other skier except in such a manner as to avoid contact and shall grant the right of way to the overtaken skier.
G. Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.
H. Skiers must wear retention straps or other devices to prevent runaway skis.
I. Skiers shall not board rope tows, wire rope tows, j-bars, t-bars, ski lifts or other similar devices unless they have sufficient ability to use the devices, and skiers shall follow any written or verbal instructions that are given regarding the devices.
J. Skiers, when involved in a skiing accident, shall not depart from the ski area without leaving their names and addresses if reasonably possible.
K. A skier who is injured should, if reasonably possible, give notice of the injury to the ski area operator before leaving the ski area.
L. Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated area or by the authority of the ski area operator.
Violation of any of the duties of skiers set forth above entitles and the ski area operator to withdraw the violator’s privilege of skiing.
A ski area operator shall be notified of any injury to a skier by registered or certified mail within 180 days after the skier discovers or reasonably should have discovered, such injury. ORS 30.980 (1). Failure to give notice as required by this section bars a claim for injuries or wrongful death. ORS 30.980 (4).
The above notice is required by Oregon Law and is presented in a manner reasonably calculated to inform. It is in addition to other notices and specific release agreements you may have entered into with Ski Area Management.
Terrain Park Safety
Smart Style
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
Repect 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
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche safety and survival requires you to gain knowledge and experience of snow, avalanches, and rescue. Avalanches are a danger for anyone who enjoys snow. Anyone who is slightly athletic can easily find himself or herself in avalanche terrain. Many avalanche accidents occur near ski areas when someone ventures out-of-bounds in search of powder snow and untracked slopes.
Staying alive in avalanche terrain not only involves learning about avalanches but also traveling with experienced and practiced companions, carrying rescue equipment and knowing how to use it, obeying ski area signs and warnings, being flexible about when and where to go and, lastly, being able to say “not today”.
RECCO system devices are supplied courtesy of REECO.
Within the Mt. Ashland ski area boundary, our ski patrol constantly monitors snow activity and takes appropriate measures to reduce avalanche potential at the ski area. Below you will see a video clip of our ski patrol using detonation charges to neutralize the threat of avalanche in "the bowl" area of Mt. Ashland.
Only after the Mt. Ashland ski patrol has taken the neccessary avalanche precautions will they open areas to the skiing public.
Rescue Dogs
Since 1990, Mt Ashland has had several dogs trained for avalanche rescue. The current Mt Ashland rescue dog is Raven, owned by Don and Dee Keenan. Our Ski Patrol canines are primarily trained for avalanche search and rescue, and do ride the lifts for training and rescue purposes.
Look for Raven on the hill and give him a pat.
Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol
The Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol exists to assist the skiing public at Mt. Ashland by providing Skier Education, Boundary Maintenance, Accident Response, Avalanche control, and Search and Rescue. The Patrol is made up of professional and volunteer men and women from various walks of life who share a common interest in skiing, the winter environment and helping others.
The Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol was selected as the "Patrol of the Year" in Oregon by its peers. The Patrol is looking for interested candidates to join their team. Joining the Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol requires the following:
Interest in outdoor emergency care and ongoing willingness to study and improve first aid skills.
At least Advanced skiing or snowboarding skills with a desire to improve.
A service-minded person willing to maintain and improve the skiing and snowboarding environment on Mt. Ashland.
There are many additional particulars in regard to training, testing, and fundraising.
Please call 541.482.2897 for more information about becoming a member of the volunteer Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol.
