Mountain Safety

Ride Another Day

Complementing the Responsibility Code and its 10 tenets, #rideanotherday promotes 3 actions every skier and rider can take to help keep themselves and those around safer on the slopes.

3 Actions Every Skier & Rider Can Take:

1. Be Ready
   Be ready to slow down or avoid objects or other people at any time. Ski and ride in such a way that you are always able to control yourself regardless of conditions and avoid others and objects you may encounter on the run, groomed or otherwise.
2. Stay Alert
   Stay alert to what’s going on around you, especially other skiers and riders. Being aware of those around and changing conditions will help you have a fun and safe day on the hill.
3. Plan Ahead
   Ease up at blind spots, check uphill when merging onto trails, and give other skiers plenty of room when passing. Look out for spots on the run where traffic merges or you can't see what's coming next. If you are unfamiliar with a run, take it easy the first time down it and make note of places where you'll want to slow down, such as cat tracks and rollers. Also, give other skiers and riders lots or room, especially if you are passing them. There's plenty of space out there, so there's no need to crowd each other.

By doing these three things every run, you'll be helping keep the slopes safe and enjoyable, for you and everyone else.

About RAD and the Johnson Family

National Safety Month

January is National Safety Month at Killington and Pico

Along with the National Ski Areas Association, Killington/Pico educates skiers and riders about slope safety awareness throughout the month of January by promoting, #rideanotherday, The Snow Angel Foundation, Your Responsibility Code, Park Smart, Uphill touring etiquette and safety, Kids on Lifts, and other programs aimed at increasing awareness of the elements of safe skiing and riding. We will also be collaborating with Mammut to offer special promotions for safe skiers and riders, which can be accessed at on-hill activations throughout the month of January.

Learn More about National Safety Month

By encouraging awareness and responsibility across these topics, Killington/Pico hopes to influence guests to make their best decisions on the hill and create an enjoyable environment for our entire community. In support of this goal, Killington/Pico will hold the following events this January in addition to other educational initiatives:

Killington Resort and Pico Mountain will also make a donation to the Snow Angel Foundation in support of the Ride Another Day Campaign.

Your Responsibility Code

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. Help promote skier and rider safety awareness. Observe YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE shown below and share the responsibility for a great outdoor experience.

How To Adopt The Responsibility Code

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Variable Walking Surface Conditions

Warning: Use caution when walking in parking lots and in all other areas of the resort.

Please note and consider the following:

• Be informed about current and upcoming weather conditions. Weather and walking conditions in the mountains can change rapidly. New snow can cover slick spots. Communicate to others and tell them to “pass it on.”
• Before exiting a vehicle, open the door and look down to assess the walking surface conditions.
• Wear slip-resistant footwear with soles designed for outdoor winter conditions. Consider using specially designed shoe or boot attachments in icy conditions such as traction cleats or rubber sole attachments for ski boots.
• Avoid distractions and focus on the walking surface ahead. Store your phone securely in a pocket.
• Keep your head up, plan your path of travel, look before you step, and walk slowly. Use handrails on stairs.
• Take shorter steps. Shuffle your feet in slick conditions. This helps to force shorter steps and keep both feet positioned to help you recover if you start to slip.
• Remove sunglasses and tinted goggles when entering a low-light area.

Lift Safety

According to our friends at NSAA, using and riding chair lifts in a responsible manner is one of the primary safety considerations for all mountain bikers, skiers, and boarders. It’s your responsibility to know how to use and ride the lift safely.

Chair Lift Safety Guidelines:

1. Remove and carry packs. Do not use phones, music or games while loading or unloading.
2. Need assistance? Ask the lift attendant for help. Smallest kids should load closest to the attendant.
3. It is okay to miss a chair and wait for the next one
4. When loading, watch for approaching chair and then sit to the back once seated.
5. Drop something? Let it fall. Any item dropped can be picked up later.
6. Absolutely no horseplay on the lifts.
7. At Killington/Pico, adult passengers carrying children in their arms, or in any type of pack, may ride in gondolas but may not ride on chairlifts.

The American National Standard for Passenger Ropeways

The American National Standard for Passenger Ropeways recognizes that certain dangers and risks are inherent in machines of this type, and their operation. It is also recognized that inherent and other risks or dangers exist for those who are in the process of loading, riding or unloading from lifts, tows or conveyors. Passengers accept the risks inherent in such participation of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware.

Passengers shall use good judgment and act in a responsible manner while using the ropeway, tow or conveyor, including:

• Participating in the loading, riding, and unloading processes in such a manner as to reduce risks for themselves and others;
• Obeying all written and oral instructions and warnings;
• Refraining from using the lift, tow or conveyor while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Properly use the lift, tow or conveyor and equipment provided.

All passengers using a lift, tow, or conveyor are responsible for their own loading, riding, and unloading. Passengers are presumed to have the knowledge, ability, physical dexterity, and/or personal assistance needed to ride and be evacuated safely. No passenger shall load the lift without first understanding and observing the proper loading, riding, and unloading procedures. You must maintain control of your speed and direction, stay clear of the chair’s path, and load and unload only at designated areas.If you are unsure of proper procedures or locations, ask for assistance before entering the loading area.

Kids on Lifts

To make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible, we strongly suggest that you take the time to review the following 11 Kids-on-Lifts Safety Tips with your children before they take their first chairlift ride. Your small child (defined as a child shorter than 51" to the top of their helmet) may be assisted by the lift operator unless instructed differently by their parent or guardian.

1. A small child should not ride a chairlift alone.
2. A small child should sit to the far outside of the chair next to the armrest for added security.
3. A small child not seated next to an armrest should be accompanied by an adult.
4. When riding a fixed grip chairlift with your child (chairlifts that do not automatically slow down while loading and unloading), position them on the side next to the lift operator.
5. If your child uses ski poles they should take the straps off of their wrists and hold them in the hand away from the outside of the chair while loading.
6. Once they are ready they should quickly move from the Wait Here signs to the Load Board. They should remember "Boots on the board".
7. As the chair approaches the load board your child should turn to the outside of the chair, reach back with their free hand, and grab on to the vertical pole. They should remember "Turn, reach, and grab."
8. Your child should hold on to the vertical bar next to them all the way up the chairlift. They should remember "Hold on".
9. Your child should sit all the way back in the chair with their back touching the back of the chair. They should remember "Sit all the way back".
10. Your child should sit still until they reach the Unload Here signs. They should remember to "Sit still". Our qualified lift staff can assist with loading small children, guests of any age. Don't hesitate to ask for lift assistance, if needed.

Helmet Use

Along with NSAA, Killington/Pico promotes the use of helmets on the slopes. We urge all mountain bikers, skiers, and riders to wear a helmet. NSAA and Killington/Pico promote wearing a properly fitting helmet while skiing and snowboarding as a primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders.

Learn About Lids On Kids

In 2002, Lids on Kids debuted as a resource for consumers to learn about helmet use in skiing and snowboarding. This site contains FAQs about helmet use, fit and sizing information, general slope safety information, related articles and games, and testimonials about helmet use from well-known athletes, including US Ski Team members. Killington/Pico and the NSAA promote wearing a properly fitting helmet while skiing and snowboarding as a primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders.

Park Smart: Terrain Park Safety

Along with the NSAA and Burton Snowboards, we introduce you to the Park Safety Terrain Park Safety Initiative.

Learn More

Sun Safe

To ensure you have a safe and fun day on the slopes, remember these tips to protect you from the sun and its radiation.

Tips to Protect You from The Sun

1. Wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves even on warm days.
2. Put on a hat or helmet that covers your ears.
3. Wear 100% UV protection goggles or sunglasses.
4. Apply generous amounts of SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin every two hours.
5. It’s not the heat of the sun that causes skin damage but radiation from the sun.
6. What to look for in sunblock: SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both
7. Eye Protection: Eye health is important for everyone. Skiers and snowboarders spend long hours on the snow which can increase your risk of eye health issues. Fortunately, wearing good quality sunglasses and goggles that offer UV-protection are a great way to significantly reduce these risks.