Winter Mountain Safety

To download the #RideAnotherDay video, please contact NSAA at nsaa@nsaa.org.

Complementing the Responsibility Code and its seven tenets, #RideAnotherDay promotes three actions every skier and rider can take to help keep themselves and those around safer on the slopes. These three actions are:

1. BE READY

Be ready to slow down or avoid objects or other people at any time. Ski and ride in such a way that you can always control yourself, regardless of conditions. Doing so will help you avoid others and objects you may encounter on the run, groomed or otherwise.

2. STAY ALERT

Stay alert to what’s happening around you, especially other skiers and riders. Being aware of those around you and changing conditions will help you have a fun and safe day on the hill.

3. PLAN AHEAD

Ease up at blind spots, check uphill when merging onto trails, and give other skiers plenty of room when passing. Look out for places on the run where traffic merges, or you can’t see what’s coming next. If you are unfamiliar with a run, take it easy the first time down it and take note of places where you’ll want to slow down, such as cat tracks and rollers. Also, give other skiers and riders lots of room, especially if you are passing them. There’s plenty of space out there, so there’s no need to crowd each other.

Doing these three things every run will help keep the slopes safe and enjoyable for you and everyone else.

KNOW THE CODE

Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas, you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country, and 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 the responsibility for a great skiing experience with other skiers.

• 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.

NO RECKLESS INDIVIDUALS ALLOWED

This resort supports and enforces a policy adopted by the Legislature of the Great State of Wyoming. Individuals who enter closed areas, are involved in hit-and-run collisions, are impaired by alcohol or drugs, or act recklessly, endangering themselves or others, may be subject to arrest, criminal prosecution, revocation or suspension of lift privileges and removal from the area. See Wyoming Statutes sections 6-9-201, 6-9-301.

All uphill pedestrian traffic, sledding and snowmobiling are forbidden within the area boundaries. Inverted aerials are not recommended.

NOTICE OF INHERENT RISKS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Alpine recreation involves a high mountain winter environment where activities create inherent risks, which may result in catastrophic injury or death. These risks include artificial and natural obstacles, both marked and unmarked, including but not limited to: avalanche danger, non-avalanche-related snow immersion, tree well immersion, changing weather, snow conditions, surface and subsurface conditions, variations in terrain, trees, gullies, cliffs, rocks, towers, snowmaking equipment, fencing, failure to perform within one’s ability, and contact or collision with others or animals. CAUTION—you may encounter snowmobiles and snowmaking or grooming equipment at any time.

By entering this ski area, you are assuming and accepting all risks of injury, damage, or loss. If you are unwilling to assume and accept these risks, please do not purchase a lift ticket at this resort. See Wyoming Recreation Safety Act, Wyoming Statutes sections 1-1-121 through 1-1-123.

NATIONAL SAFETY LINKS

• NSAA Ride Another Day Initiative 
• Lids on Kids
• Tips for Responsible Lift Use
• Know The Code
• Trail Signage
• Smart Style
• National Safety Month
• Other Safety Program

We are world-renowned for deep, light snow. While this is almost always a good thing, there are inherent hazards related to deep snow within the resort boundaries! NARSID stands for Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death. NARSID incidents occur with deep snow or tree well immersions, where a rider or skier falls into an area of deep, unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized. The more the person struggles, the more entrapped in the snow they become, risking suffocation.

• Every skier or snowboarder controls their own level of risk and are the only ones that can prevent this type of accident. Always ski and ride with a partner. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel safely with your partners in these ungroomed, deep snow areas.
• Always stay in visual contact so your partner(s) can see you if you fall. Visual contact means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times, then proceeding downhill while they watch you the entire time. It does no good if your partner is already waiting for you in the lift line while you descend the slope.
• Stay close enough to either pull or dig someone out. If you have questions about what is “close enough” to assist someone in a tree well, hold your breath while you read this. The amount of time before you need air may be how much time your partner has to pull or dig you out of danger. Other factors, such as creating an air pocket or the position you fall in, may affect this critical time frame.
• Remember, if you lose visual contact with your partner, you could lose your friend. It is important to know that most people who have died in deep snow or tree well accidents had been skiing or riding with “partners” at the time of their accident. Unfortunately, none of these partners were in visual contact, so they could not be of help in a timely manner.
• If you have lost contact with a friend or group, contact Grand Targhee Resort patrol at 307-203-7627

Learn more at: www.deepsnowsafety.org

DESIGNATION OF BOUNDARY TYPES

Information on closures will be available by calling 307-203-7627 between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Grand Targhee Resort acknowledges and marks its boundaries in several forms:

CARIBOU-TARGHEE NATIONAL FOREST PERMIT AREA:

The total area the National Forest Service allows for use by Grand Targhee Resort. As each of the following zones resides within, the Permit Area itself bears no marking.

SKI AREA BOUNDARY:

The total zone within the designated permit area that Grand Targhee Resort determines as their official boundary. This boundary may be subject to change and will be delineated by “Ski Area Boundary” signs. Some Ski Area Boundary zones are also Closed Areas. Backcountry users may leave the Ski Area Boundary at any time by way of the “Open Backcountry Gate” located at Scotty’s Couloir (unless closed by the USFS or the Teton County Wyoming Sheriff’s Office). Other backcountry access zones are located within Closed-Avalanche Areas (see below) and may only be used when these areas are open for use. These areas lack rope lines and “Closed” signs, but have the requisite “Ski Area Boundary” signs.

CLOSED AREA:

Consisting of sub-zones within the Ski Area Boundary, Closed Areas are marked with “Closed” signs and rope lines. Access to these areas is prohibited, and violators may be subject to Law Enforcement penalties.

CLOSED-AVALANCHE AREA:

As a subset of the Closed Area policy, users may access Avalanche Areas when allowed and indicated by qualified Grand Targhee Resort personnel. These areas have specific flip signs that read “Closed-Avalanche Area” when closed, and “Caution-Avalanche Hazard” when open for use. Gates in the area’s rope line will be opened when access is allowed and closed when disallowed. All users must enter the area through these gates only. Closed-Avalanche Areas within the permit area will be posted on status boards at the appropriate lift loading area and included as part of the snow report.