NSAA : National Ski Areas Association : Press

Contact: Troy Hawks
NSAA Communications
(720) 963-4215
thawks@nsaa.org

Events for National Safety Awareness Week 2007

CALIFORNIA

Northstar-at-Tahoe
(Jessica VanPernis, phone, 530.562.3866, email: jvanpernis@boothcreek.com)

Geocaching treasure hunts will be held during the week that will take place around the mountain with the use of GPS receivers. Those who locate all seven points on the mountain will receive a complimentary ice skate rental coupon valid for use at Northstar’s 9,000 square foot ice rink.
Other activities include the distribution of complimentary hot cocoa and water bottles at Northstar’s safety tent, located on Main Street at mid-mountain.
Captain Safety and the Safety Squad will visit the mountain.The Safety Squad will be posted with radar guns to monitor the speed of skiers and riders, and to remind and educate them on the importance of safety on the mountain and skiing or riding in control.
Poster contests for kids ages 5-12 will be held. Each poster entry will receive a complimentary child lift ticket (one entry per child).
Discounts on helmets and other select safety equipment will also be offered.

Sierra-at-Tahoe
(Jessica VanPernis, phone, 530.562.3866, email: jvanpernis@boothcreek.com)

The weeks activities include a poster contest designed to introduce children to mountain safety will be held for kids ages 4-12.
Kids of all ages are welcome to participate in Avalanche Awareness Day on Jan. 17. Sierra’s ski patrollers will explain basic snow study analysis and act out avalanche rescue scenarios with patrollers and an avalanche dog. Transceiver demonstrations and training will also be included in this clinic. Interested participants should meet at the bottom of the Rock Garden chairlift at 10 a.m.
In an effort to educate local students about snow safety, Sierra will host a private avalanche training demonstration, snow measurement, poster contest and tubing for the third and fourth grade students attending the local Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School in South Lake Tahoe on Jan. 18.
The Resort’s terrain park crew will also host park safety clinics in the resort’s new Burton Progression Park. Clinics will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, with the terrain park crew explaining Smart Style and giving tips to skiers and riders on how to ski or ride Sierra Resort’s parks.
Discounts on helmets and other select safety equipment will also be offered.

Squaw Valley USA
(Savannah Cowley, Public Relations, 530.583.6985, email:savannah@squaw.com)

Events include the annual Steep & Deep avalanche awareness clinic, daily introductions to the RECCO avalanche rescue system, photo sessions with the Squaw avalanche rescue dogs, and opportunities to meet and talk safety with members of Squaw Valley Ski Patrol.
Public service announcements related to slope safety will air on the local Resort Sports Network, as well as daily postings of the Skier's Responsibility Code will be placed on the resort’s website and snow report to heighten awareness.

COLORADO

Arapahoe Basin
(Leigh Hierholzer, Public Relations, 970.468.0718, email: leighh@a.basin.net)

Ski patrol hosts an assembly at Summit Middle School during the early season.
Ski Club Arapahoe has a ski safety program—Ski Patrol puts on avalauncher, search and rescue and avalanche dog displays.
Ski patrol gives safety talks to visiting groups.
Children receive a free helmet rental with ski school.
Arapahoe Basin employees are encouraged to complete a unique “Save Your Season” training program, an interactive training program designed to increase safety at work.
February 5.10 Arapahoe Basin will be focusing on increasing Avalanche Awareness with programs like the 3rd Annual Beacon Bowl, Avalanche Awareness Day and an avalanche school.
The Arapahoe Basin website has a page dedicated to safety information including Skier Safety, the Responsibility Code and Freestyle Terrain.

Aspen/Snowmass
(Kristin Rust, Public Relations, 970.925.1220, fax: 970.925.3785, email: krust@aspensnowmass.com)

A Safety Tent will be located at the Top of Sam’s Knob at Snowmass all week. Safety topics will include dog searches, rescue beacons, speed awareness, terrain park safety, pins and safety code handouts for kid’s lessons.
Also at Snowmass, there will be several clinics with athletes on terrain park safety and an avalanche dog demos on Sunday, January 15.
At Aspen Mountain, there will be a tent all week near Ski Patrol headquarters at the top of the mountain with emphasis on hydration, sun protection and backcountry awareness.
At Aspen Highlands, here will be an avalanche dog demo on Saturday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 17.
At Buttermilk, there will be a Poster Contest at the kid’s ski school.
Also, the Given Institute will host evening safety talks with an emphasis on safety concerns and injury prevention.

Beaver Creek
(Christina Schleicher, (970) 845.5292, email: Cschleicher@vailresorts.com)

On Saturday and Sunday, Beaver Creek will host a Family Safety Fair at the base of Centennial Express Lift from 10 a.m..3 p.m.
Guests will have an opportunity to meet representatives from Eagle County Safety Alliance. "Think First" helmet checks and helmet giveaways will be held.
An Avalanche and Backcountry Awareness Classroom Session will be held on Monday from 9:30.11:30 a.m. Includes beacon and route finding work for beginners and experienced backcountry enthusiasts. Participants can win a free beacon
Beaver Creek will also host a Ski Patrol Open House at Patrol Headquarters.
Canine avalanche rescue demonstrations will be held. Beaver Creek Ski Patrol members Dixie and Blu will pose for photos and demonstrate their skills.
In addition, guests can look for the safety tip of the day displayed on all electronic signboards, lift callboards, grooming reports and on the Mountain Journal.

Breckenridge
(Nicky DeFord, Public Relations, 970.453.5000, email: ndeford@vailresorts.com; Kate Osborn, Communications Coordinator, 970.547.7402, kosborn@vailresorts.com)

On Saturday and Sunday the Breckenridge Ski Patrol will host from 10a.m.-2p.m. its Kids safety poster contest.
Guests will be able to meet and greet Ski Patrol and the avalanche dogs during the weekend.
A helmet promo will be held during the holiday weekend sponsored by Breckenridge Sports with discounted coupons for guests.
Binding safety checks will be sponsored by Breckenridge Sports.
At 10:30a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, resort mascot Ripperoo hosts a slow skiing parade for kids with fun along the way. Meet Ripperoo at the Peak 8 tent.
At noon on Monday and Friday an avalanche dog demo will be hosted by the Breckenridge Ski Patrol with a drawing for 1 free lift ticket for participants. (Subject to change).
At 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday a Mountain Safety tour will be hosted by Breckenridge Mt Safety with drawing for 1 free lunch for participants. (Subject to change.)
At noon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday a Beacon Basin demo will be hosted by the Breckenridge Ski Patrol with a drawing for 1 free lift ticket for participants. (Subject to change.)
At 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday the Breckenridge Ski and Ride School will host a ski school mini clinic for intermediate skiers and riders.
At noon on Wednesday, the Breckenridge Ski Patrol will host an avalanche awareness tour for advanced skiers and riders.

Copper Mountain
(Lauren Pelletreau, Communications Manager, 970.968.2318 ext. 38833, email: PelletreauL@CopperColorado.com)

Copper’s Slope Watch, Mountain Ambassadors, Ski Patrol, Ski & Ride School, Lift Operations and Terrain Park staff join together to promote on-snow health and safety by focusing on one safety principle each day of the week with giveaways, contests and more.
Each day, Copper volunteers disseminate information and goodies across the mountain and at the Safety Station near the base of the American Flyer Chairlift. The Safety Station also serves as a hub of information and as a meeting place for clinics and tours throughout the week.
Guests can learn more about the “Smart Style” Freestyle Terrain Safety initiative initiative and support terrain park safety at Copper during Terrain Park Safety Day, Saturday, Jan. 13, and all season long.
Guests can learn more about Your Responsibility Code from Copper Mountain’s Slope Watch Team and Ambassadors at various events throughout Know the Code Day, Sunday, Jan. 14.
Monday is Lids on Kids Day at Copper, and the resort’s Slope Watch and Ambassadors will be on hand to reward helmeted kids with stickers and offer coupons for 15 percent off a new helmet at participating stores throughout Copper. The Safety Station moves from the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to Union Creek for the day.
Tuesday is Backcountry Awareness Day. Interested guests can practice their skills with an avalanche beacon at Copper’s Beacon Bowl Training Center behind the Timberline Patrol Duty Station, near the top of the American Flyer Chairlift. Local Backcountry Access representative Steve Christie is on hand to explain some of the details of backcountry preparedness. Guests can also learn about Copper’s avalanche dogs while Eddie, the black lab, assists with a mock avalanche search at 1:00 p.m. near the top of the American Flyer Chairlift. Avalanche Dog hats are available for purchase at the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift throughout the week and help support Copper’s Avy Dog program.
On Wednesday, Wellness Day encourages skiers and riders to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen while enjoying Copper’s high alpine environment by stopping the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to pick up free samples while supplies last. Guest can also learn more about overall wellness, the effects of high altitude on the body and more.
Thursday is Meet Ski Patrol Day. Guests can meet at the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift at 11:00 a.m. for a pre-lunch tour of Copper Patrol duty stations where they can meet members of Copper Mountain Ski Patrol including avy dogs and see the behind the scenes of a day in the life of Copper Patrol.
Friday is Mountain Awareness Day. The Copper Mountain guest experience is made safer because of the volunteer Ambassador and Slope Watch programs. Guests can visit the Safety Station at the base of the American Flyer Chairlift to learn how they can participate in free daily mountain tours and snowshoe hikes led by the Ambassadors and receive information on Copper’s Mountain Safety and Education programs from the Slope Watch Team.

Eldora Mountain Resort
(Rob Linde, 303.440. 8700 ext ., #243 Cell 720.299.9741, email: rob.linde@eldora.com)

Eldora and Marker USA have teamed together to encourage helmet use and to promote skier safety. The Eldora / Marker Helmet Test Drive Center will be set up at the base of Cannonball and Challenge lift for the weekend.
Eldora will offer its guests a free “test drive” of a Marker helmet Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th. Guests may ski or snowboard up to the Test Center and try a helmet.
After using the helmet, they may purchase it directly at that time (while supplies last), with discounts of up to 50 percent below retail.

Powderhorn
(Karen Guillen, Manager Sales and Communications, 970.268.5700 ext. 5158, email: kguillen@powderhorn.com)

Powderhorn will participate in Safety Awareness Week’s children safety poster contest via the Children’s Learning Center.
Powderhorn will also dedicate an entire run as a Slow Skiing Zone Run for safety and family skiing.
The resort will also offer a free hot chocolate to anyone who can recite Your Responsibility Code at the Guest Services Desk.

Vail
(Jen Brown, Communications Manager, 970.479.3001, email:jbrown@vailresorts.com)

Daily scavenger hunts for children
Yellow Jacket Safety Booths in all base areas
A slowest skier/rider race
Helmet demos
Ski Patrol safety fairs
Sting days
Snow sculpture contest
Flight for Life Helicopter Viewing

Winter Park
(Matt Sugar, Communications Dir., 970.726.5514, email: msugar@skiwinterpark.com)

Winter Park will kick off with the awards for the resort’s Safety Week poster contest winners, Friday, January 12, at the Balcony House in the Winter Park base area at 3:00p.m. Posters will be on display throughout the week.
Safety Week banners will be displayed at the Winter Park and Mary Jane base.
Throughout the week, Volunteer Hosts will be giving beverage coupons away to anyone who can recite Your Responsibility Code and demonstrate safe skiing and riding on the hill.
Safety Week Public Service Announcements on Grand County radio stations.

IDAHO

Bogus Basin
(Gretchen Anderson, Communications Director, 208.332.5100, email: grety@spro.net)

This year's Ski Safety Week goes beyond resort boundaries and also looks at safety on the road leading to the hill which has seen several accidents over the years. Guests can expect to see a crumpled car at the base of Bogus Basin Road this weekend as a harsh reminder for drivers to take it easy on their way up the hill.

MAINE

Sunday River
(Alex Kaufman, Communications Manager, 207.824.3000, email:alexk@sundayriver.com)

Sunday River instituted a new signage program for it award wining Go With the Flow program.
The resort is also increasing the amount of guest interaction between ambassadors, park rangers and guests regarding slope safety and the Go With the Flow program during Safety Week.

MASSACHUSETTS

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
(Bryan Lavin, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator, 978.464.2300 x3702, email:bryan@wachusett.com)

Mountainside Sports will offer free binding checks Jan. 13th and 15th from 11a.m. – 2p.m. They will assign a few employees to work a satellite table located near the elevator in the lodge.
All Week Ski Patrol and Rangers will randomly stop skiers and riders during the week. If the stopped person can recite 3 of the 7 responsibility codes they win free hot chocolate. If all seven can be recited participants win a free lift ticket.
Kids at Wachusett will have the opportunity to enter the Safety Poster Contest from Jan 13.15. Entry forms will be available in the lodge along with Crayons, Makers, & Colored Pencils. Posters can be created right away, or they can take them home a work on them. Safety Posters must relate to at least one of the seven responsibility codes. Entries will be posted in the Lodge during the week. Winners will be selected on the 19th. Winners will receive some “awesome” prizes.
During the week Wachusett’s Ski Patrol will set.up a table with safety information in the lodge.
Mountainside Sports Shop will be offering 30 percent of on select helmets throughout safety week.

MONTANA

Bridger Bowl
(Doug Wales, Marketing Director, phone 406.556.5675, email:dw@bridgerbowl.com)

Bridger Bowl produced a safety video focusing on Smart Style and added it on to its Daily Snow Video at www.bridgerbowl.com/mediagallery. Bridger will be running three separate 15 to 30 second safety related public service announcements and rotating them through the week.

NEW HAMSHIRE

Pats Peak
(Lori Cayouette, Director of Marketing and Sales, 603.428.3245 ext. 108, email: lori@patspeak.com)

Pats Peak National Safety Awareness Week Activities include a Kids' Safety Poster Contest with designs based on Your Responsibility Code. Kids' Safety Posters will be hung in the base lodge and a winner will be chosen and submitted to NSAA for the national contest.
Pats Peak Fun Squad will conduct quizzes with kids based on Your Responsibility Code. Correct answers will receive a complimentary Hot Chocolate.
Pats Peak Fun Squad will target safety messages in their kids' activities.
A safety message will be posted on the Pats Peak daily Snow Reports throughout the week.

NEW YORK

Peek’n Peak Resort
(Chip Day, Vice President of Brand Management, phone 716.355.4141, email: cday@pknpk.com)

Peek’n Peak in cooperation with Hamot Shock Trauma and Erie Safe Kids Coalition, sent a safety education packet to more than 60 ski schools. The packet contains a master copy of ski safety tips, a safety video that reviews valuable safety information for skiers and snowboarders, a helmet fitting guide and a certificate of completion. These were given to the ski schools free of charge. Also included was a letter from Safe Kids of Erie regarding their discounted ski helmet program and an easy-to-use order form.
During the week, the ski patrol at Peek’n Peak will award anyone wearing a helmet with free ChapStick-on-a-Leash while supplies last. These ChapSticks have a handy fastener for easy access while on the slopes.

Whiteface
(Sandy Caligiore, Public Relations, email sandyc@orda.org; or Stephanie Ryan, email: sryan@orda.org; or phone 518.523.1655)

Whiteface Willy, the wily Whitetail, is visiting the mountain to remind everyone to be safe and have fun while skiing, riding and working at Whiteface.
This year a poster contest will be held for local fourth and fifth graders. The posters will be on display in the base lodge and prizes will be awarded to winners for the best safety messages.
This year Willy will be out on the slopes trying to catch skiers and riders in the act of doing "good things". A special effort is also being made to promote safety at the freestyle skiing and boarding parks since these areas exhibit some of the most technical and creative skills displayed by young athletes.
Whiteface guests can learn more about Whiteface Willy and the Skiers Responsibility Code, by stopping in the safety tent at the base of the Cloudsplitter Gondola where refreshments and chocolate mints will be handed out.

Windham Mountain
(Ed Koller, PR Manager, phone 518.734.4300, email:ekoller@windhammountain.com)

Windham Mountain will have secret safety inspectors giving out free prizes all week to people demonstrating safe skiing and riding.Things like wearing a helmet and helping other skiers and riders will be rewarded.

OREGON

Mt. Hood Meadows
(Dave Tragethon, Marketing Director, 503.287.5438 ext. 190; or Dave Riley, President & COO, 503.337.2222 ext. 259)

Meadows will recognize the week with a Safety Fair Saturday and Sunday (January 13 – 14). In addition to awarding prizes for those who can recite different safety rules, a safety coloring contest for kids will be presented.
Safety equipment will be displayed, including a helmet tent to demonstrate how to select the right size helmet for the appropriate fit and to better understand the benefits of wearing a helmet.

VERMONT

Burke Mountain

Burke has upgraded the padding on snowmaking hydrants and tower guns.
Ski Patrol will be heavily promoting the Skier’s Responsibility Code through new “Know The Code” signage at lodges and lifts.
Burke’s Safety Patrol will be on the lookout for safety conscious skiers and riders who will be rewarded with prizes.

Mount Snow
(Chris Lenois, Communications Manager, 802.464.3333, email: cleois@mountsnow.com)

Mount Snow is taking an additional approach toward skier education with its “Go with The Flow” program. Adopting the slogan from its sister company, Sunday River, the aim is to brand Mount Snow’s own version of guest education in response to a newer, more diverse group of skiers and riders sharing the slopes. Go with the flow is delivered in part by saying to the guest: Let us help you understand where and when you can ski and ride in your style; Going with the flow is a way to share our mountain with everyone.
To spread the message and create “buzz” about Go with the Flow, Mount Snow is marketing a new logo on its multiple lift tower and trail sign displays, as well as a base lodge informational displays. * Nametags and stickers have been distributed and detailed letters of the plan has been sent to passholders.
Staff training in the use of Go with the Flow with guests consists of an interactive demonstration at new hire and re.hire orientations. Volunteers from the staff are chosen to act out multiple scenarios depicting typical and not.so.typical guest interactions.

Okemo Mountain Resort
(Bonnie MacPherson, Public Relations Director, 802.228.4041, email: bmacpherson@okemo.com)

Okemo will kick off Safety Week with a Vermont Snow Sports Research Team PHAT (Protect Your Head at All Times/Protect Your Head on All Terrain) Day. The Vermont Snow Sports Research Team is a partnership of Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care and the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Over the past four years, this team has been focused on developing a program to prevent serious head injuries by increasing voluntary ski helmet use among both children and adults. The team of physicians and health care providers is headed by Robert Williams, M.D., pediatric anesthesiologist, and critical care specialist at Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen. In addition to education, the team’s project includes observations of skiers and riders to determine baseline data about helmet use. Their work has been presented at medical conferences, accepted for publication in medical journals and has been extensively covered by news media nationwide. The program’s presence at a resort includes the use of posters in strategic locations around the resort, distribution of brochures and a “Phat Day,” where a few members of the team come to the resort, set up an exhibit, give away stickers, prizes and talk with kids and parents about helmets. The program is non.coercive and is designed to promote both helmet use and skiing and boarding as a healthy lifestyle.
Throughout the week anyone who purchases a helmet at Okemo's Snowsports shop will receive a coupon for 50 percent off a group l esson or specialty clinic, or 50 percent off a full day lift ticket, or 50 percent off a full day equipment rental or high.performance demo.
Okemo’s Rental and repair Shop will also rent helmets all week for a "buck a bucket.”
In addition, Okemo will be conducting a Safety Awareness Poster Contest for elementary.school aged children. Posters will be judged based on relevance to the Skier Responsibility Code with winners to be announced and displayed in time for Safety Awareness Week. In addition to prizes, all winning entries will be posted at the resort and online at okemo.com.

WASHINGTON

Crystal Mountain
Kalela Enger, Events Coordinator phone 360.663.3011, email: kalela@skicrystal.com

The skier responsibility code will be posted on our website, morning faxes and mentioned on the snow phone during the National Safety Week from January 13.19, 2007.
The Kids Club is participating in the kid’s safety poster contest starting January 6, 2006.
Signage and Banners will be hung in visible locations around the resort for the week.
The skier responsibility code will be posted on the bulletin boards around the mountain and included in our daily conditions report posted around the mountain.
Canine Hero Safety Cards will be available throughout the mountain for kids to collect. After they have collected 4 cards their names will be entered in a raffle for a Giro helmet.
Avalanche Beacon Practice Area: Hone your transceiver skills with our new easy searcher practice system. Located at the Campbell Basin Lodge, the easy searcher has multiple “victims” at three levels of difficulty. The system is free and always open. Check with ski patrol for questions.
Level I Avalanche Hazard Evaluation Training is an intensive weekend course focused on the principals of stability evaluation. Each day includes classroom and field work. Cost: $295.00. Contact Northwest Avalanche Institute at (360) 825.9261.
Level II Avalanche Hazard Evaluation Training is the premier advanced course in the Northwest. The course features instructors that are professional avalanche forecasters, with over 90 years of combined experience. The format of field and classroom allows the participants to focus on forecasting problems specific to the Northwest. An emphasis is placed on skill development and practice. Classroom workshops will contain some problem solving. This course provides great benefit to professionals and participants familiar with avalanche fundamentals. Cost: $295.00. Contact Northwest Avalanche Institute at (360) 825.9261.
The yellow.jacketed Safety Patrol crews are stationed around the mountain in order to prevent speeding and give updates on the current mountain conditions. They are in constant communication with ski patrol.
A ski patroller will at Safety Week Booth in the day lodge answering questions and handing out information on the responsibility code. There will also be a rescue dog from our ski patrol team to attract children and families in order to inform them about the safety week.

Summit at Snoqualmie

For the week 20 percent discounts will be available in retail shops on all GIRO helmets.
All rental shops will be lowering the rental cost of helmets to $5 on Saturday and Sunday.
Stickers, buttons and tattoos with helmet safety messages will be distributed to guests all week.
Increased signage displaying the helmet and chairlift safety messages will be displayed.
Avalanche dog demonstrations Saturday in Alpental’s base area.
Avalanche transceiver demonstrations Saturday at the top of the Armstrong Express chair.
Avalanche dog demonstrations in the base area.
Washington State Patrol hosts “Winter Safe Driving Tips.”
Summit West Ski Patrol will host a safety carnival booth featuring fun safety activities and games.
Ski Patrol snowmobile and sled displays showing safety equipment and first aid supplies with question and answer sessions.
Chairlift model available for practicing safe loading and unloading procedures with tips and suggestions.
Search and Rescue team on.site to communicate avalanche safety tips and answer questions.

WYOMING

Grand Targhee Resort
(Susie Barnett-Bushong, Public Relations, 307.353.2300 ext.1312, email: susie@grandtarghee.com)

Grand Targhee is hosting a variety of events to help promote “Safety on the Slopes” and for the past several years the resort has encouraged local youth to participate in its Safety Poster Contest. Participation is open to both elementary and middle school children (single children or groups of 4 to 6 students). Interested students can contact their school principal for entry deadlines and further details or the resort directly at 353-2300 x1313.
Ski Patrol and their rescue dogs will again host the popular safety assemblies in local schools educating them on practicing safe skiing and becoming familiar with the Responsibility Code (published in the Grand Targhee Trail Map and on the resort website).
There will also be Avalanche Dog Demonstrations at the base area on Saturday the 13th.
and Thursday the 18th at 2:30 pm.

THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

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