Before You Ski or Ride | Safety at Palisades Tahoe

Your Responsibility Code
Your Responsibility Code represents the foundation of mountain safety. These are not suggestions—they are essential rules that every mountain user must follow. Violation of any point in the Responsibility Code may result in loss of skiing and riding privileges.

Your Responsibility Code signage with ten code items

1. Always Stay in Control

You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects at all times.
This means:
• Ski and ride at speeds appropriate for conditions and your skill level
• Maintain the ability to change direction or stop instantly
• Slow down in areas of limited visibility, congestion, or changing conditions
• Never ski or ride so fast that you cannot react to unexpected situations

2. People Ahead Have the Right-of-Way

You must avoid them.
The downhill skier or rider always has priority because:
• They cannot see what is happening behind them
• You have a better vantage point to avoid collisions
• It is your responsibility to choose a safe path around others

3. Stop Only Where Visible and Safe

Do not obstruct trails or stop where others cannot see you.
This means:
• Stop only at the side of trails, never in the middle
• Choose locations visible from above for at least 100 feet
• Avoid stopping below blind rolls, around corners, or narrow trails
• Resume skiing only after looking uphill and ensuring it is safe

4. Look Uphill Before Starting

Yield to others when entering trails or starting downhill.
Always:
• Look uphill and check for approaching skiers/riders
• Wait for a clear opening before entering the flow of traffic
• Merge gradually rather than darting into the fall line
• Communicate your intentions when possible

5. Prevent Runaway Equipment

Secure all equipment to prevent it from sliding downhill.
• Use ski brakes or safety straps on all skis
• Place snowboard with bindings face-down when unstrapped
• Never leave loose equipment on slopes
• If equipment does get away, warn others below by shouting "LOOSE BOARD" or "LOOSE SKI"

6. Read and Obey All Signs and Markings

Mountain signage exists for your safety.
This includes:
• Trail difficulty ratings and warnings
• Closure signs and rope barriers
• Hazard markers and protective padding
• Slow zone and beginner area designations
• Lift loading and safety instructions

7. Keep Off Closed Trails and Areas

Respect all closures—they exist to protect your life.
Closed areas may contain:
• Avalanche hazards and unstable snow
• Hidden obstacles, rocks, or debris
• Snowmaking or grooming operations
• Maintenance equipment and personnel
• Violating closures will result in immediate pass suspension

8. Know How to Use Lifts Safely

You must demonstrate the ability to load, ride, and unload safely. If you need help:
• Ask lift attendants for assistance—they're trained to help
• Practice loading procedures on beginner lifts first
• Keep ski tips up and apart when loading
• Lower safety bars and keep them down during the ride
• Prepare for unloading before reaching the top

9. Never Use Lifts or Terrain While Impaired

Alcohol and drugs severely impair judgment and reaction time.
Impairment:
• Affects your ability to assess risk and make good decisions
• Slows reaction times when quick responses are needed
• Increases the likelihood of serious accidents and injuries
• Will result in immediate removal from the mountain and possible legal action

10. Exchange Information After Incidents

If involved in a collision, you must:
• Stop immediately and check for injuries
• Provide your name and contact information to all parties involved
• Share information with a Palisades Tahoe employee
• Remain at the scene until Ski Patrol or Management arrives
• Leaving the scene of an accident will result in pass suspension and possible legal consequences

Creating a Positive Mountain Community

Palisades Tahoe welcomes guests from around the world to share these legendary mountains.
With that privilege comes the responsibility to treat others, our employees, and our mountain environment with respect.

Expected Behavior Standards
Respectful Interaction:
• Treat all guests and employees with courtesy and consideration
• Use appropriate language free from profanity, harassment, or discrimination
• Respect cultural differences and varying skill levels
• Help others when safe and appropriate to do so

Mountain Etiquette:
• Yield appropriately in lift lines and on trails
• Share the mountain with others both considerately and safely
• Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect our environment

Safety-Conscious Behavior:
• Model good safety practices for others, especially children
• Speak up and report if you witness dangerous behavior
• Assist in emergencies when qualified to do so
• Report safety concerns to Ski Patrol or other Resort personnel

Prohibited Behavior
The following behaviors are unacceptable and will result in immediate intervention:

Safety Violations

• Reckless or dangerous skiing/riding that endangers others
• Skiing/riding while impaired by alcohol or controlled substances
• Intentionally ignoring safety signage or closure barriers
• Deliberately colliding with others or causing accidents

Disruptive Conduct

• Verbal abuse, threats, or harassment of any kind
• Physical altercations or violence
• Destruction of resort property or guest belongings
• Inappropriate behavior in public areas

Policy Violations

• Unauthorized use of closed terrain or restricted areas
• Failure to comply with employee instructions
• Misuse of lift tickets or fraudulent pass usage
• Smoking in prohibited areas (lifts, buildings, designated zones)

Responsibility Corrective Action Guidelines

Corrective Action Guidelines

Responsibility Code Violations

	Low Level	Medium Level	High Level
Responsibility Code, including Slow Zone Violation, Recklessness, or Skiing/Riding in a Closed Area	Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Patrol determines suspension 3. Suspension period: 0-14 days	Immediate 48-hour suspension: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Patrol DH determines suspension 3. Suspension Period: up to 30 days, including revoked right to trespass	Immediate 48-hour suspension (Same as Medium Level plus): 1. Requires Senior Leadership Team approval 2. Suspension period up to the remainder of the season or longer
Collisions WITHOUT Injury	Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Patrol determines suspension 3. Suspension period: 0-14 days	Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Patrol determines suspension 3. Suspension Period: up to 30 days, including revoked right to trespass.	N/A
Collisions WITH Injury, including Mutual Fault, No Fault, No Code Violation, Unable to Determine & Parties in Agreement	Minor Injury: Both skiers return to skiing for the rest of the day Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Notify skier/rider of penalty within 48 hours if necessary 3. Patrol determines suspension 4. Suspension period: 0-14 days	N/A	Major Injury: At least one skier does not return to skiing Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Notify skier/rider of suspension within 48 hours 3. Patrol investigates & recommends suspension to Senior Leadership Team 4. Suspension period: Up to the remainder of the season or longer, including revoked right to trespass
Collisions WITH Injury, including Fault, Code Violation, Unable to Determine & Parties Not in Agreement on Fault	Minor Injury: Both skiers return to skiing for the rest of the day Suspension possible pending investigation: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Notify skier/rider of penalty within 48 hours if necessary 3. Patrol determines suspension 4. Suspension period: 0-14 days	N/A	Major Injury: At least one skier does not return to skiing Immediate 48-hour suspension: 1. Education & documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Notify skier/rider of suspension within 48 hours 3. Patrol investigates & recommends suspension to Senior Leadership Team 4. Suspension period: Up to the remainder of the season or longer, including revoked right to trespass

Code of Conduct Violations

Code of Conduct Violations

Courtesty Code

Level of Severity	Low Level	Medium Level	High Level
Courtesy Code	Suspension possible pending investigation 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report 2. Suspension period: 0–7 days	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass) 2. Suspension period: 7-day to 30-day suspension of day/multi-day ticket, season pass	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report 2. Suspension period - up to the remainder of the season or longer, may include Revoked Right to Trespass
FraudCA Penal Code 537 2b -Day Ticket -Pack Tickets -Season Pass (Lift Operations, RASS, Security), -Falsifying records for Teams/Ski School Enrollment	Suspension possible pending investigation Courteous Exchange 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass) Note in RTP/Ikon tools. Pass is revoked pending $300 reinstatement fee 2. Day Ticket has option to purchase another ticket 3. Suspension period: 0–7 days		Immediate 48-hour suspension Discourteous Exchange 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON tools Pass is revoked pending $300 reinstatement fee. Security is called to the scene and investigates sends report to H & S & Orgami. Guest is notified of immediate 48-hour suspension. 2. Guest is notified through Conduct Standards that the investigation in underway and suspension period - up to the remainder of the season or longer, may include Revoked Right to Trespass
Parking Policy Violation CA Vehicle Code 22658(a)(1) 1. We hope our guests will be part of the solution and not the traffic problem. 2. Our third party provider will begin fines at $100. If not paid within (10) days there is additional penalty of $100. 3. Repeat offenders may face pass suspension or vehicle towing. 4. Access to the parking reservation system may be restricted for abuse or failure to follow rules. See parkpalisadestahoe.com	Fine Only 1st Offense - $100	Fine Plus Pass Suspension 2nd Offense - $100 fine and 48 hour pass suspension begins first day of next paid reservation day 1. Documentation in RTP of fine & suspension. Guest is notified by email their pass has been suspended and the reactivation dates pending fine payment. 3rd Offense – $100 fine and two-week pass suspension begins first day of next paid parking reservation day; plus, county issued citation of $200 1. Documentation in RTP of fine & suspension. Guest is notified by email their pass has been suspended and the reactivation dates pending fine payment.	Fine Plus Pass Suspension 4th Offense- $100 fine and county issued citation 1. Documentation in RTP of fine and suspension. Guest is notified by email. their pass has been suspended with recommendation of a 30-day suspension. Pending investigation, they will be notified of when their pass will be reactive pending fine payment 2. Escalated with investigation documents to SLT Conduct Group. Final decision of SLT Conduct Group emailed to guest within (7) days.
Penal Code (Security)	Suspension possible pending investigation 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON tools. 2. Suspension period: 0 to 7 days.	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report. 2. Suspension period: Post investigation up to 30-day, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report. 2. Suspension period - up to the remainder of season or longer, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.
Unauthorized Instruction (Security)		Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON 2. Suspension period - up to 30 days, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON 2. Suspension period - up to remainder of season or longer, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.
Unauthorized Instruction (Security)		Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report. 2. Suspension period - up to 30 days, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.	Immediate 48-hour suspension 1. Education and documentation (log photo of pass). Note in RTP/IKON/Origami Report. 2. Suspension period: Up to remainder of season or longer, may include Revoked Right to Trespass.

Be Mountain Wise

It is up to you to make safe and smart choices while you are out on the slopes. You have a responsibility to be familiar with the rules and regulations of Palisades Tahoe Ski Area before you get out on the slopes. Knowing the Skier's Responsibility Code and being aware of possible obstacles, natural hazards, or other dangers is up to you.

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