Mountain Safety
Your Responsibility Code
Mt. Bachelor thanks you for taking the time to read this page! Safety is of the utmost importance when enjoying the slopes or trails of Mt. Bachelor. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the resort, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in snow sports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers and riders the responsibility for a great 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.
KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
This is a partial list. Be safety conscious. Officially endorsed by: NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION.
Warning: Snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking may be encountered on any run at any time.
Mt Bachelor Guest Common Courtesies
"Welcome to the 2009-2010 ski season at Mt. Bachelor. On behalf of our staff, I would like to welcome you and your families to our winter destination set in the beautiful Deschutes National Forest. We at Mt. Bachelor believe that we all have a right to enjoy this setting, and that we all have a duty to respect it as well. Below are some areas where, if we work together, the experience will improve for everyone. We believe in the golden rule of treating people the way you wish to be treated."
- Dave Rathbun, Mt Bachelor President and General Manager
Smart Style
Terrain Park Safety 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.
- Respect 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 feature
For more information on Mountain Safety, please visit the NSAA at www.nsaa.org
Mt Bachelor Ski Resort Closure Policy
Closed areas within the ski area boundary
Closed areas within the Mt. Bachelor permit area are defined by but not limited to OPEN/CLOSED signs posted at the tops of lifts and ski runs, rope lines, active grooming and avalanche control work. Skiing/Snowboarding in a closed area or on a closed run will result in the loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges. Any rescue operations that are initiated on your behalf will result in the loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges, and you are subject to being billed for the total amount of the costs incurred by Mt. Bachelor during rescue operations. This amount will be no less than $1000 and could be subject to search costs of $1000 per hour. The lengths of time that your skiing/snowboarding privileges will be revoked are to be determined by ski patrol and area management.
Avalanche closures
Skiing/snowboarding in an area that has been closed for avalanche danger or avalanche control work will result in the loss of skiing privileges. Any rescue operations that are initiated on your behalf will result in the loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges, and you are subject to being billed for the total amount of the costs incurred by Mt. Bachelor during rescue operations. This amount will be no less than $1000 and could be subject to search costs of $1000 per hour. The lengths of time that your skiing/snowboarding privileges will be revoked are to be determined by ski patrol and area management.
Ski area Boundary
Mt. Bachelor operates with a closed ski area boundary policy. It is your responsibility to be aware of the ski area boundary location, any questions contact ski patrol. There is no lift served access to terrain outside of the ski area boundary. Skiing/snowboarding outside of the ski area boundary when accessed by a ski lift will result in the loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges. Any rescue operations that are initiated on your behalf will result in the loss of skiing/snowboarding privileges, and you are subject to being billed for the total amount of the costs incurred by Mt. Bachelor during rescue operations. This amount will be no less than $1000 and could be subject to search costs of $1000 per hour. The lengths of time that your skiing/snowboarding privileges will be revoked are to be determined by ski patrol and area management.
Exceptions
Only Ski Patrol, area management, search and rescue personnel or other persons with permission from Area management and ski patrol management may be in closed areas, avalanche closures or outside the ski area boundary to perform necessary duties.
Slow Area Policy
What is a slow area?
Any area at Mt. Bachelor that we have put up a green circle designation and post signage for guests to slow down, these areas are:
- Carousel lift line
- Marshmallow
- Avalanche
- Home run
- Leeway
- West Village Getback
What is fast skiing?
Fast skiing is defined as: If you are going considerably faster than the other user’s on the run and essentially passing the majority of the guests on the run you are going to fast for the area regardless of whether or not you are in control.
What are the consequences for fast skiing?
Education is our best tool, talk to the guest about why we do not want to ski fast in these areas and get a confirmation from them that they understand. Every guest that is talked to needs to have their name recorded at Dispatch. If the guest is not cooperative their pass should be blocked for one week, starting at the time of the offense. Other offenses such as a collision, destruction of mountain property, verbal abuse of guests or employees, not obeying a closure, etc… may result in a 2 week suspension. In order to get your pass back you must attend a safety education course held on Saturdays and Sundays at (9am?) and have a meeting with the President Dave Rathbun.
How will we accomplish slowing guests down?
Clear and obvious signage will be posted at the top of the run’s to inform guests that this is a slow skiing area. There will be a minimum of two patrollers one at the top of the run and one down lower. The first will educate the guest that this is a slow skiing area; if the guest does not comply then the second patroller will be able to stop and educate the guest and take the necessary actions. Recruit more people to help and offer them speed control training so that we are all approaching the guest with the same message. Some possible departments might be; National Ski Patrol, Ambassadors, Ski School, Park Pals.
