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Mountain Safety

 

At Northstar California Resort, we take safety very seriously.  Our mission is to ensure that all guests and employees are aware of the Skier Responsibility Code, thereby making our slopes safer for all.

Our Mountain Safety Team is always out there on the slopes ready and willing to help everyone stay safe and enjoy their day. You can help the Mountain Safety Team by skiing or riding in control, by staying in bounds, and by using common sense and courtesy while on our mountains.

 

Your Responsibility 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 and snowboarding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.  Know your ability level and stay within it. 

Observe Your Responsibility Code listed below and share with others on the slopes the responsibility for a great snowsports experience. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

FREESTYLE TERRAIN AREAS.  reestyle Terrain Areas are designated with an orange oval and may contain jumps, hits, ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes, quarter pipes, snowcross, bump terrain and other constructed or natural terrain features. Prior to using Freestyle Terrain, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with Freestyle Terrain and obeying all instructions, warnings and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground, and in the air. Use of Freestyle Terrain exposes you to the risk of serious injury or death. Inverted aerials are not recommended. You assume the risk.

Freestyle Terrain has designations for size. Start small and work your way up. Designations are relative to this ski area.

 

Terrain Park Safety

• Know your Limits and ability level and select the appropriate Freestyle Terrain for you.
• Your condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will DIRECTLY AFFECT YOUR DESIRED OUTCOME.
• Know the intended use of the Freestyle Terrain you have chosen. For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping and some individually with stopping areas; jump takeoffs are for jumping and rail takeoffs are for entering onto rails.
• Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death, no matter how the feature is designed or where you land. Land on your feet!
• Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature, or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt, and demand that users be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.
• Know where to Land. The SWEET SPOT is between the "knuckle" and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot, you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is not correct.
• INVERTED MANEUVERS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.
• BE AWARE that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day.
• Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using Freestyle Terrain.
• Some resorts designate features as small, medium and large. Be aware these ratings are determined by size, not degree of difficulty, and are relative only to that  resort.

FOUR MAIN POINTS OF SMART STYLE.  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. Learn more about the Smart Style terrain park safety initiative below. For more information go to  www.TerrainParkSafety.org.

  Download Smart Style Brochure (2 MB)

1. Make a Plan.  Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use. Your speed, approach and take off will directly affect your maneuver and landing.
2. Look Before You Leap.  You are responsible for inspecting Freestyle Terrain before initial use and throughout the day. The features vary in size and change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Do not jump blindly. Use a spotter when necessary.
3. Easy Style It.  Always ride or ski in control and within your ability level. Do not attempt Freestyle Terrain unless you have sufficient ability and experience to do so safely. You control the degree of difficulty you will encounter in using Freestyle Terrain, both on the ground and in the air.
4. Respect Gets Respect.  Respect Freestyle Terrain and others. Only 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 do not enter Freestyle Terrain or use features when closed.
   

 

 

Electronic Devices

Vail Resorts strongly discourages the use of electronic devices including cell phones, personal entertainment and communication devices, and any other electronic equipment that utilizes head/ear phones while skiing and snowboarding, or loading and unloading lifts.

 

Lift Safety

Be advised that you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use such lift safely, or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to load, ride and unload the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

  

CAUTION

Be cautious of snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking that may be encountered at any time.

  

Slow Zones

Certain areas (highlighted on the map) are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow zone areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Fast and aggressive skiing and riding will not be tolerated.

MELLOW YELLOW ZONES. You can't miss our staff in their bright yellow jackets.  We are on the mountain each day patrolling the 'Mellow Yellow Zones' and any other areas that could become congested.  Mellow Yellow Zones are clearly identifiable by the bright orange banners and signs at the run entrances. 

Our staff are on the look-out for skiers and riders traveling too fast or displaying reckless behavior.  Normally, a verbal warning will correct fast and reckless issues, but on occasion, skiing and riding privileges are suspended.

• How Fast is Too Fast?  Many people have a hard time remembering what it was like to be a beginner skier or snowboarder, and having to worry about whether there is enough space to attempt a turn. So first off, think about giving people some space. Next, remember that you must always be in control whether you are on an expert run or in a Mellow Yellow Zone. This is the first point of the Skier Responsibility Code. If you are in the air, you have no control over your speed or direction. Jumps and hits are not allowed in Mellow Yellow Zones.
• How Can I Tell That I'm in a Mellow Yellow Zone?  The Mellow Yellow Zones are signed on the mountain with big yellow banners.  Most of them are at trail junctions, and at the beginning of runs where skiers and snowboarders converge.  Be aware of other skiers/riders, and please check your speed.
• Why Can't I Go as Fast as I Want When There is No One Else on the Run?  Many of the Mellow Yellow Zones are on beginner runs, and where trails of different ratings converge.  Where beginners, kids and more advanced skiers/riders converge, everyone needs to slow down and be aware of who is around them.  Often beginners and children haven't developed this "run awareness" yet, and may not have the foresight or physical ability to avoid others.  Going slow in the Mellow Yellow Zones helps both beginners and advanced skiers navigate the runs and avoid collisions!

  

Helmet Use

Helmets are a smart idea. Northstar Resort encourages you to educate yourself on the benefits and limitations of helmets. If you choose to wear one, please ski or ride as if you are not wearing one. Every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her safety and for that of others using the ski area facilities.

LIDS ON KIDS.  We believe in safety just as much as we believe in fun. You will see many of our on mountain staff wearing helmets and we encourage the use of helmets on kids as a way of having more fun and being more safe! Check out some of these resources for more info:

• www.nsaa.org/nsaa/safety/lidsonkids.asp

  

Backcountry Warning

The ski area assumes no responsibility for skiers or riders going beyond the ski area boundary. Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled or maintained. Avalanches, unmarked obstacles and other natural hazards exist. Rescue in the backcountry, if available, will be costly and may take time.

OUT OF BOUNDS AREAS.   Out of bounds areas are exactly that - out of bounds.  Our Mountain Safety Team sets up out of bounds areas every day depending on the stability of mountain conditions.  Our staff also keeps an eye on out of bounds areas and makes sure guests are staying inside the lines.  Riding or skiing out of bounds can result in loss of pass or ticket, possible arrest by the Truckee police department and possible fine.  Just don't do it.

• Why Can't I Ski or Ride Out of Bounds? Out of bounds areas are marked on the mountain because our Mountain Safety Team has identified the conditions in those areas as too unstable or dangerous, even for the most expert skiers and riders.  These areas are not regularly patrolled by Ski Patrol, thereby increasing the risk to skiers and riders who may become injured if they are in an out of bounds area.  There are always plenty of ways down the mountain without skiing going out of bounds! 

 

Deep Snow Safety + Tree Wells

The most important prevention step is to remain on groomed runs, resisting the urge to ski or snowboard through the trees during deep powder conditions, no matter how inviting the untracked powder looks.  If you choose to ski or snowboard in the ungroomed, deep snow areas with trees, remember:

• Ski/ride With a Partner.  It is critical to ski or ride with a partner who remains in visual contact at all times.  In many cases, some of the deaths which have occurred due to tree well incidents may have been avoided had 1) the person been with a partner, 2) the partner saw the person fall, and 3) the partner was close enough to assist digging the victim out in a timely manner.
• Every Second Counts.  It does no good for your safety if you are under the snow and your partner is waiting for you at the bottom of the lift.  If you have any question about what a "timely manner" is to assist someone in a tree well, hold your breath now as you are reading this and the amount of time until you need air is approximately how much time your partner has to help get you out of danger.  Other factors such as creating an air pocket or the nature of how you fall into the well may extend this critical timeframe.
• Maintain Visual Contact.  Visual contact means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times, then proceeding downhill while he or she watches you at all times. IF YOU LOSE VISUAL SIGHT OF YOUR PARTNER, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR FRIEND.
• Carry Backcountry Gear.  Carry the same personal rescue gear as backcountry skiers or snowboarders: Transceiver, Shovel, Probe, and Whistle.
• Remove Your Pole Straps.  If you are a skier, remove your pole straps before heading down a powder slope. Trapped skiers have difficulty removing the pole straps, which can hamper efforts to escape or clear an air space to breathe.

WHAT IF I GO DOWN?  Hopefully, your partner will have seen what happened and will come to your rescue within minutes. If not, experts advise staying calm while waiting for assistance. Survival chances are improved if you maintain your air space. Over time, heat generated by your body, combined with your rocking motions, will compact the snow, and you may be able to work your way out. 

• If you are sliding toward a tree well or a deep snow bank, do everything you can to avoid going down: grab branches, hug the tree, or anything to stay above the surface.
• If you go down, resist the urge to struggle violently. The more you struggle, the more snow will fall into the well from the branches and area around the well and compact around you.
• Instead of panicking, try first to make a breathing space around your face. Then move your body carefully in a rocking manner to hollow out the snow and give you space and air.

 

On-Hill Emergency Contact

Ski patrollers and mountain safety hosts are stationed at the top of major chairlifts.  The first-aid room is serviced by Truckee Tahoe Medical Group and is located on the lower level of the Northstar Club building in the Village at Northstar™.  Report all accidents to the attendant at the bottom or top of the nearest chairlift.  To summon help, use the international signal of crossing your skis in an "X" uphill of the injured skier or rider, or contact Ski Patrol at 530.562.3444. 

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KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

WARNING: Skiing, snowboarding and other winter recreational activities involve inherent and other risks of injury and death. Trail conditions vary constantly because of weather changes and ski/snowboard use. Bare spots, stumps, ice, variations in terrain, moguls, forest growth, rocks and debris, lift towers, snowmaking and grooming equipment and other natural and man-made obstacles and hazards may exist throughout the area. You must assume the risks of personal injury and death related to participation in recreational activities within this ski area. Violators of hit-and-run skiing may be prosecuted under Section 653-i of the California State Penal Code. It is unlawful for persons under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence, to ski in a ski area (Sec. 12.134, Placer County ordinance).

Do not ski into "CLOSED" areas or beyond ski area boundaries; you may be prosecuted (CC 602.Q) or held liable for the cost of search and rescue.