Safety - Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is Dedicated to Safety.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE
1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
4.Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
7. 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 the National Ski Areas Association, National Ski Patrol & American Snowsports Education Association.

The Smart Style Program: 
There are four main messages that are associated with Smart Style:
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: Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area.
3. EASY STYLE IT: Start small and work your way up. (Inverted aerials not recommended)
4. RESPECT GETS RESPECT: From the lift line through the park.

Video Links:
Know the Code
Smart Style

Mountain Safety/Slow Zone Program:

The Crested Butte Mountain Resort Mountain Safety Team is working hard to encourage safe skiing and riding in designated Slow Zones and other areas of common congestion. Slow Zones are identified as yellow highlighted areas on all trail maps and by orange “SLOW” banners on the slopes.  Mountain Safety volunteers wear yellow vests and look for skiers and riders traveling too fast and/or displaying reckless behavior in these areas. Typically, Mountain Safety team members are able to correct fast and/or reckless behavior via a verbal request.  But occasionally, the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Patrol needs to become involved and skiing and riding privileges can be suspended.

Slow Zone Behavior:
Slow Zones are commonly on beginner runs and near lift bases and lodges. The biggest users of these areas are typically kids and beginners. Kids and beginners tend to be highly focused on what they are doing (namely trying to ski and ride) and don't have great awareness of what other skiers and riders may be doing around them.  Kids and beginners also have a tendency to ski or ride erratically; stopping, turning, and/or falling without warning or pattern. 

Given these facts, all skiers and riders must always ski or ride in control when in Slow Zones, no matter whether they are beginner, intermediate, or an expert. Skiers and riders should also try to give everyone else as much space as possible and refrain from jumping or riding switch. While in the air or riding backwards, skiers and riders have a reduced awareness others and do not have control over their speed or direction.  The speed of each skier or rider in a Slow Zone is relevant to how many people are on the run.  If the run is empty, or nearly so, skiers and riders may increase there speed while still always staying in control.  If the run is more congested, a 10% rule is in effect.  Skiers and riders may pass others at a speed of not more than approximately 10% faster than the general flow of traffic. 

How can I tell that I'm in a Slow Zone?
There are a couple of ways. First of all, have a look at our trail map. The Slow Zones are highlighted in yellow. You will notice that most of them are beginner runs as well as entrances to our lifts. When you are on the mountain look for 'Slow' or 'Slow Zone' banners. Most Slow Zone runs have 4 ½ foot high poles at the top with 3 foot high banners in between, which are drilled into the snow. These top banners will usually be installed in such a way as to force skiers and snowboarders to slow down as they enter.

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 Slow Zone. This is the first point of Your Responsibility Code.  If you are in the air, you have no control over your speed or direction. Jumps and hits are not allowed in Slow Zones. The speed expected is relevant to how many people are on the run. If there is no one on the run, you may do short radius turns. When there are more people on the run the 10% Rule is in effect. You may pass people at a speed approximately 10% faster than the flow of other skier traffic on the run.

Why can't I go as fast as I want when there's no one else on the run?
The majority of the Slow Zones are on beginner runs. One of the biggest users of Slow Zones are kids. Kids don't have a high awareness of what other people are doing and are easily distracted. They might be on one side of the run and see something that they want to take a closer look at on the other side and just veer over and cross the run without checking to see if anyone is coming. Kids and adults that are learning to ski also tend to fall on terrain transitions (knolls) and can be trying to recover from a crash in an area that can't be seen from above.


Bubba & Betty with Smokey the Bear During Safety Week 2012