Winter Safety
Know Before You Go
Schweitzer is committed to providing a safe, fun place for you and your family to play. Our slopes are some of the least crowded anywhere, and our safety patrol is constantly on the lookout for new ways to make your experience as safe as possible. One of the most important parts of safety on the slopes is education.
General Winter Safety
- Important Phone Numbers
Ski Patrol (General Inquiries): 208.263.9555
Ski Patrol (Emergencies Only): 208.603.2173
Public Safety: 208.290.2331
- Your Responsibility Code
Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, nordic 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 that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.
- Injured/Need Assistance
* Crossed skis means someone needs assistance
* If you are injured have someone cross his or her skis above you or lay their snowboard above you. This makes it easier for the ski patrol to find you and makes others on the hill aware that you are there.
* Send someone to the nearest lift operator and give them exact location, noting trail name, tower number, skiers right or left of run, etc.
- Uphill Travel Policy
* For your safety and to avoid disruption in our ability to safely open and operate the mountain, uphill travel is prohibited (except on Nordic trails).
* Hazards include: Avalanches and explosives work, on-snow equipment, snowcat winch lines and unmarked obstacles.
* Schweitzer is private property. Valid lift ticket/pass is required at all times. Violators may be prosecuted and/or trespassed for up to 1 year. Thank you for your cooperation!
Slow Zones & Reckless Skiing/Riding
Slow zones are our beginner areas and congested areas. Please slow down through these areas. Please report violators to the Ski Patrol. Clothing descriptions are helpful. Violators will lose their ticket or pass.
Your lift privileges may be revoked for reckless skiing and snowboarding defined as:
* Jumping into runs
* Jumping blind. Jumping blind means you can't see the landing. Have a spotter and make sure the area is clear before you jump.
* Skiing/ snowboarding faster than the flow of traffic in congested or high traffic areas
* Skiing/snowboarding fast in Slow Zones
* Skiing/snowboarding out of control? If someone suddenly appeared 20 feet below you would you be able to stop or avoid them? If not you are out of control. Make turns and slow down. Give others enough room to avoid collisions. Call out on your left or on your right when passing near someone.
* Swinging, bouncing, or jumping from chairs. (RCW 79A.45.030) Chairs aren't designed for bouncing, swinging or abrupt weight loss out of the chair. It may damage the lift and/or cause it to derail injuring others.
* Disorderly conduct, loud or abusive language, drunkenness, use of illegal drugs, throwing trash or other objects from the lift.
* Removing signs or hill markings. If you take away the marking someone may be unaware there is a hazard and get hurt.
Chairlift Safety
Riding the ski lift can be one of the best parts of the day - the views are beautiful, your legs get a rest, and you get to catch up with friends, family, or make a new friend! But, it's important (and part of Your Responsibility Code) to know how to load, ride and unload all lifts safely. Not sure what to do at a lift? Ask an attendant or ski patroller for help. Learning how to ride the lift is also one of the features of a ski lesson, and another reason it's worth discovering snow with a pro.
* Be familiar with the type of lift you are riding, and ask for help if you need it.
* Before loading, remove backpacks and secure loose items. Remove pole straps from wrists.
* Look over your shoulder to watch the chair approach.
* Sit all the way in the chair, with your back to the seat rest.
* If the lift has a restraint bar, wait until everyone is seated, and slowly reach up and lower the bar. Do not attempt to lower the bar if you cannot reach it! Adults should always help kids to lower the bar.
* Be aware of your surroundings while riding the lift. If you drop something, let it fall! You can always ask ski patrol for help retrieving the lost item.
* As you approach the top terminal, prepare to raise the bar. Look for signs advising you to do so to help with your timing.
Tree Well and Deep Snow Safety
Skiing and snowboarding off groomed trails and in deep powder is one of the most exciting and appealing parts of our sport. However, if you decide to leave groomed trails, you are voluntarily accepting teh risk of a potential avalanche and/or a deep snow immersion accident. A deep snow or tree well immersion accident occurs when a skier or rider falls into an area of deep unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized and suffocates. Stay safe, always use the buddy system and keep an eye on each other. Learn more about what to do if you or your ski partner find themselves in a tree well at DeepSnowSafety.org.
Boundary Policy
Schweitzer has no obligation to anyone proceeding beyond the area boundary. If you choose to cross the area boundary, you do so at your own risk and assume the burden of responsibility for your actions. Avalanche danger and other hazards exist. You are solely responsible for your safety and welfare and all costs of rescue. All boundaries are show on the mountain maps and are marked with signs of ropes. DO NOT CROSS ROPED AREAS AT ANY LOCATION ON THE MOUNTAIN AT ANY TIME. Access to out-of-bounds areas is through designated gates only. These gates are identified on the trail map. Do not cross the area boundary without a partner and the necessary equipment to negotiate the backcountry safely. Refer to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center for current avalanche conditions.
Schweitzer's New Partnership with AirFlare
As part of our ongoing effort to educate and promote safety at Schweitzer, we've partnered with AirFlare which transforms your mobile phone into a safety and rescue beacon. AirFlare enables Schweitzer Ski Patrol to quickly locate a skier or snowboarder in need of assistance, whether in or out of cell coverage. AirFlare also provides a number of self-help features, for example, the ability to determine the exact location of a friend or family member with a single push of a button, and to quickly navigate to them. While this app is a great tool to use while skiing or riding at Schweitzer, it should not be considered a replacement of an avalanche transceiver. Learn more, and try it free for 6 months.
For information on Schweitzer's policies click here.
