The Mountain Times

National Ski Areas Association Safety Awareness Week begins Jan. 14

Photo courtesy of Okemo Mountain Resort
Jimmy, a visitor to Okemo, shows off his "Helmet Head" during the 2011 contest.

The National Ski Areas Association recognizes National Safety Awareness Week annually with a variety of events, educational programs and special deals throughout ski country. Killington, Pico, Okemo and Suicide Six are all members of The National Ski Areas Association.
 
The purpose of Safety Week is to highlight resort safety education efforts while increasing slope safety. Resorts are encouraged to develop new and creative ways to involve employees and guests in activities for Safety Week.
 
KILLINGTON/PICO
 
National Safety Awareness Week at Killington and Pico Mountains will run from Jan. 14-22. Kids are encouraged to visit the Safety Awareness Display area inside Ramshead Lodge or inside Pico Base Lodge for coloring, stickers, tattoos, visiting with Ambassadors, photo opportunities and the chance to take a safety quiz. Kids can also enter to win a free helmet and other prizes.
 
Ambassadors, patrollers and instructors will be handing out Know the Code stickers and cards, Smart Style stickers and a Freestyle Terrain User's Guide to guests. Some Ambassadors will wear bright yellow jackets that display important safety awareness messages and will give away prizes to guests who successfully answer a safety awareness quiz.
 
Killington/Pico Resorts are also hosting a local safety poster contest in order to promote slope safety awareness and education to elementary school children. Several area schools are participating. The contest rules call for 4th and 5th graders to create posters illustrating one of the seven points of Your Responsibility Code or one of the four elements of Smart Style. Poster entries will be on display around the resort throughout the season.
 
Posters will be judged in two categories: Best Overall Safety Message and Most Creative Design. Two winners and two runners-up will receive prizes. Killington/Pico winners and runners-up will be entered in the NSAA National Poster Contest.
 
The national contest targets 4th - 6th graders, but any elementary-age child can participate. Go to www.nsaa.org for more details on the national contest.
 
In addition to educational activities, Killington will also present a video starring Killington staff titled, "Share the Fun-Share the Mountain."
 
OKEMO
 
Okemo will host its annual "Helmet Head" contest during National Safety Week. Okemo staff members will be out on the mountain taking photos of willing candidates showing their best helmet head - that cool, disheveled look of matted hair that happens when a skier or snowboarder removes his helmet after a great day on the slopes.
 
A panel of judges will select the top-ten best helmet heads and post those photos on Okemo's Facebook page for voting by Okemo fans. The candidate who receives the most votes will win two complimentary lift tickets for a day of skiing or riding at Okemo.
 
Vermont's own PHAT team (Protect Your Head at All Times/Protect Your Head on All Terrain) will be returning to Okemo during Safety Week. The Vermont Snow Sports Research Team, a partnership of Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care and the University of Vermont College of Medicine will also be on location to help educate skiers and riders about helmet use.
 
The National Ski Areas Association recently named Okemo Mountain Resort winner of the Best Helmet Safety Program in its annual Heads Up National Ski Area Safety Awards.
 
Also, as a way to promote safety and to familiarize skiers and riders with the Skier Responsibility Code, a Safety Scavenger Hunt will take place on the slopes of Okemo. Elements of the "Code" and "Smart Style" will be posted along trails all over the mountain. Winners who collect The Code elements will receive fabulous prizes from Okemo's prize vault.
 
DEALS:
 
•    Free lift ticket voucher with helmet purchase. Guests who purchase a helmet at any Killington Sports location during the week of Jan. 14-22, will receive a voucher for a free lift ticket.
 
•     Free lift ticket voucher with helmet purchase. Guests who purchase a helmet at Pico Sports during the week of Jan. 14-22 will receive a voucher for a free lift ticket.
 
•    Anyone who purchases a new helmet at Okemo's Snowsports Shop Jan. 14-20, will receive a coupon for 50 percent off a full-day lift ticket, or 50 percent off a full-day equipment rental or high-performance demo, or 50 percent off a group lesson or specialty clinic.
 
 
 
Know The Code & Smart Style
 
The slogan for this year's National Safety Awareness Week is, "Responsibility is the key to slope safety." Regardless of how they enjoy the slopes, skiers and riders should 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.
 
THE CODE:
 
Always stay in control.
 
People ahead of you have the right of way.
 
Stop in a safe place for you and others.
 
Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
 
Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
 
Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
 
Know how to use the lifts safely.
 
Smart Style:
 
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.
 
Look before you leap: Scope around the jumps first. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area.
 
Easy style it: Start small and work your way up.
 
Respect gets respect: From the lift line through the park.
 
For more information on National Safety Awareness Week and other NSAA safety programs, visit www.nsaa.org.
 

Tagged: National Safety Awareness Week