Safety
Skiing and riding can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country, and other specialized equipment, such as that used by adaptive skiers and riders. 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 and riding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE listed below and share with other skiers and riders the responsibility for a great on-hill experience.
Safety, Signage & Equipment
Below please find a list of safety topics, knowledge and suggestions for visiting Granite Peak and safely enjoying your time on the slopes!
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.
TRAIL SIGNAGE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
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. The same trail symbols are used at every resort in the country, but as Albert Einstein must have said, “It’s all relative.”
The trail ratings are consistent within each resort. So all the “Greens” at a ski area will be about the same difficulty, as will the “Blues” and the “Blacks.”
CHAIRLIFT KNOWLEDGE
Chairlifts have been around since skiing began. Here we have three high speed detachable chairlifts Comet, Dasher & Cupid. These chairs will detach from the haul rope in the load and unload area to assist guests getting on and off.
You need to be ready to go once you step into the terminal area. Please make sure all your children and party is complete and ready. Loading is the most important part of riding a lift. As soon as you are situated on the lift and sitting with your back against the chair back lower the safety bar. Lift rides are short so please this is the time that no fooling around should occur! (Adults & Kids!)
Before you ride a lift during your first few days, make sure you can handle the trails at the top. Granite Peak is steeper at the top and mellower down low. Beginners should stick to the Santa and Blitzen Lifts.
- NOTE: All Beginners NEED TO EXIT at the BLITZEN MID-STATION UNLOAD! Expert terrain is at the top!
Some skiers think they can improve by skiing tough terrain when their skills aren’t up to that level, but that’s a good way to get hurt. Instead, take a lesson.
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?”
- “What’s the capital of New Guinea?” :-)
- They want you to have fun nearly as much as you do.
HELMETS - USE THEM!
Helmets can help mitigate head injuries on the slopes. Bonus: they also keep your head warm! Not all ski areas require helmets, but it is a good idea to outfit your child with one, and wear one yourself. While wearing a helmet is a personal choice, you would be setting a good example for the young ones in your family if you chose to wear one while skiing or riding.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY ITEMS
- Snowboarders should always wear wrist guards.
- If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, consider taking a lesson—it’s the best way to learn safety on the mountain.
- Always carry a ski area map and any needed medications such as an inhaler or insulin or snack.
- Maintain your equipment—keep the bindings clean and functioning.
- Wear proper clothes. Wool socks are the best to keep your feet warm. Cotton is not a good material for winter sports.
- Protect your eyes with goggles and put on a hat—or, better yet, a helmet. You lose most of your body heat through your head.
- Stay sober! Just like driving a car, alcohol and drug use can inhibit your ability to control yourself!
Wisconsin Law - Duties of Individuals Engaged in Skiing
Wisconsin State Statute 167.33 Alpine sports.
Duties of individuals engaged in alpine sports.
Safety rules; skiing and sledding. Each individual engaged in skiing or sledding at a ski area has a duty to do all the following:
1. Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2. Keep off of closed trails and out of closed areas.
3. Know the range of his or her ability and engage in skiing or sledding within that ability.
4. Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains that are open to skiing or sledding.
5. Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6. Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the number of passengers or on the amount of weight of the sled or other sledding device while it is being ridden.
7. Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
8. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are ahead or who are down the slope.
9. Not stop at a point that will result in the individual obstructing a trail or not being visible from above.
10. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are uphill when starting downhill or merging onto a trail.
11. Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to skiing or sledding.
12. Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
13. If involved in a collision with another participant in an alpine sport that results in injury or death, not leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision. A person who leaves the scene of the collision for the purpose of securing aid shall give his or her name and current address after securing the aid."
D.2 1 Passenger Notice
The American National Standard for Passenger Ropeways recognizes that certain dangers and risks are inherent in machines of this type, and their operation. It is also recognized that inherent and other risks or dangers exist for those who are in the process of loading, riding or unloading from lifts, tows or conveyors. Passengers accept the risks inherent in such participation of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware.
Passengers shall use good judgment and act in a responsible manner while using the ropeway, tow or conveyor, including:
• Participating in the loading, riding, and unloading processes in such a manner as to reduce risks for themselves and others;
• Obeying all written and oral instructions and warnings;
• Refraining from using the lift, tow or conveyor while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Properly use the lift, tow or conveyor and equipment provided.
All passengers who use a lift, tow or conveyor shall be responsible for their own loading, riding, and unloading. They shall be presumed to have sufficient ability, physical dexterity, and/or personal assistance to negotiate and to be evacuated safely. Passengers shall maintain control of their speed and course while loading and unloading.
A passenger shall get on and get off at designated areas. No passenger shall load the lift without first understanding and observing the proper loading, riding, and unloading procedures.
Passengers, while riding a ropeway, tow or conveyor, shall not throw or expel there from any object, nor shall any passenger do any act or thing that shall interfere with the operation. Passengers shall not willfully engage in any type of conduct that may contribute to or cause injury to any other person.
Please read and observe all signs. Ask for instructions if needed.
