Freebies and fun for Colorado’s Ski and Snowboard Safety Month

Colorado ski resorts take safety on the mountain very seriously. They have even devoted a full month (January) toward ski/snowboard safety. And each resort does some special events and offers to help highlight it. Guests are encouraged to ask ski area employees for help and assistance if they have safety-related or other questions during their visit in January or at any time during the season.

Colorado Ski Country made a super cute video series focused on chairlift safety starring Penny the Safety Penguin. The videos are geared towards the general public and skiing and riding families and provide guidance and tips for children and adults on how to load, ride and unload a chairlift safely.

Aspen Snowmass has planned a whole month of fun and informative activities to celebrate safety all winter, but in January each of Aspen’s four mountains will dedicate a week to safety education during National Safety Month. Buttermilk will observe January 2 – 8, Aspen Highlands will observe January 9 – 15, Aspen Mountain will observe January 16 – 22, and Snowmass will observe January 23 – 29. Highlights include information on lift safety, avalanche dog demonstrations, staying in control, right of way, safe stopping and observing posted signs and closures. Aspen Snowmass will also host a Safety Tent with avalanche dogs, stickers, and safety materials from the National Ski Patrol.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area would like you to meet their avalanche rescue dogs in the Safety Village on January 11. Children can earn a Jr. Ski Patrol badge when they show they know the Your Responsibility Code. 

Copper Mountain’s Safety Fest is January 18-19. The events include avalanche dog demos, visits with ski patrol, and prize giveaways including a 2020/21 Copper Season Pass. Guests who visit each safety tent will be entered into a daily-prize drawing with prizes totaling $10,000! Plus, you can enjoy free hot chocolate every day in January by visiting Patrol Headquarters or at Timberline Patrol.

 

Loveland Ski Area will have kid-friendly snow safety education, ski patrol demos, sun safety tips, terrain park safety, helmet information and a Know the Code challenge with prizes January 18-19. It is FREE to participate, find the Loveland Tent in the base of the Basin. Loveland’s ski patrol will have patrol dogs on hand to demonstrate avalanche rescue techniques, conduct beacon demonstrations and talk about avalanche awareness and tree well safety. Loveland employees will be quizzing kids on the Your Responsibility Code and handing out prizes for those that can recite the entire code. The Sport Shop will also be offering discounts on helmets and the Ski & Ride School will offer free helmets with any kid’s lesson package.

Powderhorn Resort invites you to spend the day skiing alongside a ski patroller. The “Ski Patrol Ski Along” program serves to educate guests of all ages about ski patrol and how to safely enjoy the slopes. 

Monarch Mountain offers Backcountry/Avalanche Safety Day on January 11 with backcountry themed events and activities. The day will include a Know Before You Go (KBYG) program, backcountry merchandise vendors, an uphill/downhill event, beacon camp, avalanche dog demos and Colorado Avalanche talks and presentations. On January 18, Monarch will partner with the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) and Central Mountain Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (RETAC) to provide educational information and help with helmet fitting and sunscreen education. 

Steamboat’s Powder the Safety Dog will visit elementary schools for safety talks and will often greet guests around the mountain as well.   

Sunlight Mountain Resort will host their Safety Day on March 2. The event includes a free testing clinic and educational safety booths. Safety is not just conducted on the mountain (which is important) but also sun safety and being aware of how to reduce the effects of being outside in Colorado.

Telluride Ski Resort will host a community safety dinner at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 22 at the Telluride Conference Center. There will be raffle prizes if guests visit each of the safety stands set up around the conference center.

Winter Park Resort will enter guests who answer questions about the Responsibility Code correctly to win several prizes including early resort access with patrol, two hours of guided skiing and dinner for two at the Lodge at Sunspot. And Grand County children can submit a poster featuring the Your Responsibility Code with winners receiving the chance to be a Winter Park Junior Patroller for a day.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is hosting a Safety Poster Contest and avalanche drills will be open to the public. First through third place winners will be awarded prizes. Posters will be displayed in the Base Camp Building where the illustrations will be voted on by Wolf Creek staff and guests.