Safety tips for the start of ski season
Ski season is upon us, and whether it’s the view or the exhilaration of the winter sports that take you to the slopes, safety should always be the first thought. From beginners to experts, there’s fun to be had, but that fun can go away quickly due to an unexpected accidents while skiing or snowboarding.
“We get a lot of calls,” said Stefan Berkel, ski patrol director at Pebble Creek Ski Area, “from just needing a Band-Aid to serious trauma and having to fly someone out in a helicopter.”
Berkel said helmets and the proper safety equipment are just part of being a safe skier and boarder, especially considering they are both a winter sport.
“So with any kind of sport or activity you want to stretch out and warm up beforehand,” he said. “You don’t want to pull something and get hurt.”
Other items of safety include proper gloves, wearing and reapplying sunscreen as necessary and sunglasses or tinted goggles to protect your eyes.
It’s also important to make sure you have the proper clothing. Avoid cotton and dress in layers to stay warm, looking to the synthetic fibers.
Ski resorts also have a list of rules and responsibilities for you to read and follow, rules like giving those in front of you the right of way, yielding to those above you when trails merge and not stopping on trails where you could obstruct the way or can’t be seen by any oncoming skiers or boarders.
Obviously accidents can happen, but preparing beforehand can help reduce the risk of anything going wrong.
“It’s hard to say what we’re going to get every day,” Berkel said. “It’s a new adventure every day up here, but that’s what makes a job and working at a ski area fun.”
Berkel said while the employees enjoy their job, they are also there to answer any questions and help you in any way. They want to make sure you have a good time and can leave exhausted, happy and safe.
The two skiers that collided in the video above were not injured.
Pebble Creek is going to be holding its safety training class on Jan. 17 for kids 12 and older. There will also be a poster drawing contest.
To find out more about rules and responsibilities while on the slopes, head to Pebble Creek’s website here: bit.ly/1AfVLli.
