Rules of the Ski Slopes

You’re flying down the mountain weaving in and around the signs and skiers, hitting jumps, shredding the snow big time. You’re big, bad, large and in charge. That is until ski patrol catches you, clips your ticket and sends you home early for reckless skiing. That’s right; it is NOT a free-for-all on the slopes! There are rules, and you can either follow them and have fun or go home early–or worse, get yourself or someone else hurt.

It’s YOUR responsibility to know the code. The Skier Responsibility Code is usually printed on the ski area trail map or on the back of your lift ticket, so you have no excuse. Basically the rules of the slopes are: don’t ski like a jerk and don’t ski or board recklessly.
(http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/safety/know_the_code.asp)

Ski Area Boundaries
So you’re standing there in the choppy mid-day groomer on the run, and you spot a sick line through the untracked powder in the trees. You bend down and duck the boundary rope and shred some sweet turns, not hurting a soul–its Forest Service land after all. Not quite. The resorts operate under special use permits and are not public land access points. You can loose your ski pass, and/or get a ticket from the local law enforcement for ducking ski area boundaries. Some Tahoe resorts do allow backcountry access, but only through designated gates.

There are reasons they put the boundaries where they do. With all the snow-making that goes on at the large Tahoe resorts you might think that there is endless neck-deep powder off in the trees, but sometimes there isn’t; you can’t tell from looking at it. And without the right backcountry skiing equipment you could be in for a long hike out if you get lost.

Ski Patrol takes this VERY seriously. Don’t duck the gate. You’ll get caught and it’ll be a bad end to what should have been a good day.

Ski in Control
People take it personally when you endanger their safety. Skier collisions can brake bones and leave scars. It’s best to avoid them. The number one rule of skiing is that people ahead of you have the right of way. It is YOUR responsibility to avoid them. Always be prepared for downhill skiers to be unpredictable. Don’t cut it close.

There’s a time and a place for skiing fast. Have a good time, but down there by the lifts, where everyone comes together, you need to crank it down a notch. It takes a lot of skill to turn or stop on a dime and most people who come screaming into the lift line do NOT have it. They end up over shooting the line, crashing into other skiers, or taking out a fence or railing, or just looking like a jerk and annoying their fellow skiers.

Ski Patrol will usually give you a warning for this, but they have good memory and will clip your ticket if you persist. Be especially mindful around those big orange SLOW signs where trails merge or lift lines form.

Freestyle Terrain Parks
Ok, so you’re a sick air-getting, carcass-hucking, jibber, rail rider, table sticker. Good for you. What if you’re not? Sure, you still get a chance to try terrain parks too. Start off on the easy features in the smaller parks, and work up as you get better and more confident. (http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/safety/smart-style/)

Keep in mind that you, the skier or snowboarder are responsible for your own safety. The features are designed to get you in the air. Don’t expect there to be a way out. You are also responsible for NOT endangering those around you. If you come flying off a fun box and crash into another boarder below you, YOU are responsible. Just like riding a bike or driving a car, be in control and be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you know the base of a jump rail, bank or fun box is clear before you hit it.

Take turns. There’s usually a line and there’s usually a few boarders or skiers sitting waiting for a turn on the first jump at the park. Don’t just ski up and jump the line. You won’t get your ticket clipped, but people will get testy about it. Keep it fun by being nice.

Safety
It’s a good idea to ski with a buddy. This isn’t always practical, but most skiers are friendly and happy to help, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. If you are skiing with a buddy and you rip down a run and turn at the bottom to wait for him or her, don’t obstruct the trail. Slide on over to the edge of the trail where you can watch for skiers as you wait for your buddy. A ski run dotted with resting or waiting skiers can be a hazardous buzz kill for the rest of the shredders on the mountain. If you crash in the middle of the run and need assistance from ski patrol, flag someone down and have them post your skies above you in the snow in an X. That is the universal signal of a skier in distress and will alert other skiers to your presence.

It is required at all resorts that you have your equipment outfitted with some kind of tether of arrester so that it can not run down the hill out of control if you crash. Modern skis have integrated plastic brakes which are sufficient to keep them under control. Telemark skis and some Alpine Touring gear needs to be leashed to your leg or boot. Runaway skis are very scary and dangerous.

Waiting and lines are part-and-parcel to skiing at a resort, especially in the extra busy holiday times. The biggest gripe and complaint you hear on the mountain is skiers and riders who get off the lift and immediately stop to buckle boots or bindings or strap on poles. This congestion can be a big problem for novice skiers to deal with and a major annoyance for everyone else. It’s easy and much more convenient for you to move clear of the unloading zone before you stop.

Have Fun
Skiing and snowboarding in Tahoe is fun. The guidelines and rules above are meant to keep it that way. It’s not a race, it’s not a contest, but the issues addressed above can still ruin your day if handled poorly. Take the time to know the code and ski the code and everyone will have awesome days on the slopes!