Safety on the slopes

TO REPORT A SKI RELATED COLLISION OR ACCIDENT, PLEASE CALL DISPATCH

Call Palisades Dispatch 530.452.7145

Call Alpine Dispatch 530.581.8222

Once you're on the mountain, your safety depends on applying smart decision-making and safe practices with every turn. This guide provides practical tools and techniques to help you ski and ride safely while enjoying everything Palisades Tahoe has to offer.
A still from the Ride Another Day video about collision safety.
A still from the Ride Another Day video about collision safety.
If a Collision Occurs
Immediate Response:
1. Check for injuries - yourself and others involved
2. Move to safety if possible, away from skier/rider traffic
3. Call for Ski Patrol to assist and wait for them to arrive
4. Exchange information - names, contact information, circumstances

Legal Requirements:
• Stay at the scene until information is exchanged and help arrives if needed
• Provide accurate information about what happened
• Cooperate with Ski Patrol and resort personnel investigating
• Report to resort employee - required by Placer County, California, Code of Ordinances art. IX § 28.040A

Remember: Every run is an opportunity to practice safe skiing and riding. Your decisions affect not only your safety but the safety of everyone sharing the mountain with you.
    • The Triangle of Safety
      The Triangle of Safety: Speed, Space, Self

      The Triangle of Safety provides a simple framework for making safe decisions on every run. These three elements work together to prevent accidents and ensure everyone enjoys their time on the mountain.

      Speed - Control Your Velocity
      "Speed determines everything in skiing and snowboarding"

      Why Speed Matters:
      • Determines your ability to stop or avoid obstacles
      • Affects reaction time when unexpected situations arise
      • Influences the severity of injuries if accidents occur
      • Impacts your control during turns and direction changes

      Practical Speed Management:
      • Ski to the conditions: Adjust speed for visibility, snow quality, and traffic
      • Use the "3-second rule": Maintain distance that allows 3 seconds to react
      • Check your speed regularly: Consciously slow down before you need to
      • Match the flow: In busy areas, ski no more than 10% faster than surrounding traffic
      • Control through technique: Use turns and edge control, not just straight-line speed checks

      Space - Respect Personal Distance
      "Give others the room they need to ski safely"

      Why Space Matters:
      • Allows time for others to complete turns and maneuvers
      • Provides buffer zones for unexpected movements
      • Reduces anxiety and pressure on other skiers/riders
      • Creates safer passing opportunities

      Practical Space Management:
      • Downhill priority: Always give right-of-way to skiers/riders below you
      • Use your eyes: Look around and behind you, especially before you make significant changes in direction such as turning onto a new trail
      • Signal your intentions: Verbally and/or visually alert others to your intentions such as saying “passing on your left” or signal your turns with your arms like you would riding a bike
      • Passing distance: Allow at least 10 feet when overtaking others
      • Merge awareness: Extra space needed where trails combine
      • Family considerations: Children and beginners need more space to maneuver
      • Equipment respect: Stay clear of ski tips, snowboard edges, and poles

      Self - Know Your Limits and Awareness
      "Honest self-assessment prevents dangerous situations"

      Why Self-Awareness Matters:
      • Prevents skiing beyond your ability level
      • Helps recognize when fatigue affects performance
      • Allows for appropriate terrain selection
      • Enables better risk assessment

      Practical Self-Management:
      • Regular check-ins: "Am I in control? Am I tired? How are conditions?"
      • Ability matching: Choose terrain appropriate for your current skill level
      • Fatigue awareness: Take breaks before exhaustion affects judgment
      • Condition assessment: Adjust expectations based on weather and snow
      • Equipment check: Ensure gear is functioning properly throughout the day
    • #RideAnotherDay

      #RideAnotherDay: Collision Prevention in Action
      The #RideAnotherDay campaign promotes three specific actions every skier and rider can take to prevent collisions and keep slopes safe for everyone.

      Be Ready
      Always prepared to slow down or avoid objects and people

      On Every Run:
      • Maintain speeds that allow immediate stops or direction changes
      • Keep your equipment in good working order with proper edges and bindings
      • Stay physically prepared through the day with adequate hydration and nutrition
      • Position your body for quick reactions (balanced stance, hands forward)

      Anticipate Challenges:
      • Scan ahead constantly for obstacles, other skiers, and changing conditions
      • Identify potential trouble spots before you reach them
      • Have escape routes planned when approaching congested areas
      • Recognize when conditions exceed your comfort level

      Stay Alert
      Constantly aware of surroundings and changing conditions
      360-Degree Awareness:
      • Uphill: Check before starting down or merging onto trails
      • Downhill: Monitor skiers/riders you're approaching from behind
      • Peripheral: Watch for cross-traffic from connecting trails
      • Ahead: Scan for obstacles, signs, and changing terrain

      Situational Monitoring:
      • Weather changes: Visibility, wind, temperature effects on snow
      • Traffic patterns: Busy areas, lesson groups, racing programs
      • Trail conditions: Ice patches, rocks, grooming operations
      • Time awareness: Lunch rushes, end-of-day congestion

      Plan Ahead
      Pre-Descent Planning:
      • Study trail maps to understand layout and connections
      • Identify slow zones, merge areas, and potential bottlenecks
      • Plan rest stops at safe, visible locations
      • Consider alternate routes if conditions change

      Dynamic Adjustments:
      • Blind spots: Slow down before cresting hills or around corners
      • Merge points: Check uphill traffic before entering flow
      • Passing strategy: Ensure adequate space and communicate intentions
      • Exit planning: Know how to get to lifts, lodges, and services
    • Skiing and Riding Within Your Ability

      Skiing and Riding Within Your Ability

      Understanding Terrain Ratings
      Green Circle - Beginner Terrain
      • Gradient: Generally 25° slope or less
      • Characteristics: Wide, groomed runs with gentle, consistent pitch
      • Appropriate for: First-time skiers/riders, those learning basic techniques
      • Safety focus: Learning speed control, basic turns, and stopping

      Blue Square - Intermediate Terrain
      • Gradient: 25-40° slope
      • Characteristics: Moderate steepness, may include moguls and varied conditions
      • Appropriate for: Comfortable with parallel turns and speed control
      • Safety focus: Managing varied terrain and snow conditions

      Black Diamond - Advanced Terrain
      • Gradient: 40°+ slope, may include very steep sections
      • Characteristics: Challenging terrain including moguls, trees, narrow passages
      • Appropriate for: Strong technical skills and experience with difficult conditions
      • Safety focus: Advanced technique, risk assessment, emergency procedures

      Double Black Diamond - Expert Only
      • Gradient: Extreme steepness, often exceeding 45°
      • Characteristics: Cliffs, extremely steep chutes, significant hazard exposure
      • Appropriate for: Expert-level technique and extensive big-mountain experience
      • Safety focus: Advanced safety equipment, partner travel, rescue skills

      Progressive Skill Development
      Moving Up Difficulty Levels:
      • Master current level completely before advancing
      • Try new terrain with instruction or experienced guides
      • Start with easier examples of the next difficulty level
      • Practice in good conditions before tackling challenges in poor weather
      • Build confidence gradually rather than attempting dramatic jumps in difficulty
    • Hazard Management
      Hazard Awareness and Management
      Common On-Mountain Hazards

      Natural Obstacles:
      • Rocks and stumps: More common early/late season and on less-groomed terrain
      • Tree wells: Deep snow pockets around trees (especially dangerous alone)
      • Ice patches: Often in shaded areas or high-traffic zones
      • Variable snow: Wind-affected areas create inconsistent conditions

      Man-Made Features:
      • Snowmaking equipment: Guns, hoses, and hydrants on trails
      • Grooming equipment: Snowcats operating during and after hours
      • Lift towers and safety padding: Fixed obstacles requiring safe passage
      • Trail markers and signage: Poles and posts marking boundaries
      • Other man-made infrastructure: Pump houses, power poles, electrical cabinets, etc.

      Traffic-Related Hazards:
      • Merge zones: Areas where multiple trails combine
      • Learning areas: Unpredictable movement from beginners
      • Racing programs: Temporarily restricted areas during training
      • Lift lines: Congested areas requiring slow, controlled skiing

      Hazard Response Strategies
      • Assess the situation before attempting to navigate around obstacles
      • Choose the safest path, not necessarily the fastest
      • Communicate with others when hazards affect multiple people
      • Report dangerous conditions to Ski Patrol or mountain staff
      • Know when to retreat if conditions exceed your ability to manage safely

      Slow Zones and Traffic Management
      Purpose of Slow Zones:
      • Protect areas with mixed ability levels and high traffic
      • Provide safe spaces for beginners and families
      • Manage congestion at lift loading areas and trail intersections
      • Create predictable, controlled environments for safer skiing and riding

      Designated Slow Zone Areas:
      • Beginner terrain: All green circle trails function as slow zones
      • Base areas: Approaches to lift loading areas and lodges
      • Trail merges: Points where multiple trails combine into one
      • Family zones: Specially designated areas for children and families
      • Learning areas: Ski school lesson areas and progression terrain
      • Mountain Run and other areas specifically designated as Slow Zones per trail maps

      Slow Zone Behavior
      Speed Guidelines:
      • "Go with the flow": Ski no faster than the general traffic speed
      • Child awareness: Dramatically reduce speed around children and families
      • Visual scanning: Constantly monitor for unpredictable movements

      Enforcement and Consequences:
      • Ski Patrol monitor slow zones regularly
      • Violations may result in warnings, education, or pass suspension
      • Excessive speed in slow zones is considered reckless behavior
      • Repeat violations can lead to seasonal or permanent bans
    • Collision Prevention
      Collision Awareness and Prevention

      Understanding Collision Dynamics

      High-Risk Situations:
      • Afternoon periods: Fatigue and congestion increase accident risk
      • Merge areas: Multiple traffic streams combining creates complexity
      • Blind spots: Hilltops, corners, and terrain features limiting visibility
      • Variable conditions: Changing snow or weather affecting control
      • Skill mismatches: Advanced skiers mixing with beginners

      Contributing Factors:
      • Excessive speed: Most significant factor in collision severity
      • Alcohol impairment: Zero tolerance policy due to dramatic risk increase
      • Equipment failure: Poorly maintained or inappropriate equipment
      • Fatigue: Decreased reaction time and decision-making ability
      • Peer pressure: Attempting terrain beyond current ability level

      Active Collision Prevention

      Visual Scanning Techniques:
      • Look ahead: Constantly scan 100-200 feet down the trail
      • Peripheral awareness: Monitor activity on the edges of your vision
      • Check your six: Regularly look uphill to assess approaching traffic
      • Trail reading: Identify potential conflict points before reaching them

      Communication on Slopes:
      • Verbal warnings: "On your left" when passing others
      • Hand signals: Point toward your intended direction when appropriate
      • Eye contact: Make visual contact when possible during passing
      • Space language: Your position and location communicate intent to others

      Defensive Skiing/Riding:
      • Assume unpredictability: Other skiers may change direction suddenly
      • Maintain escape routes: Always have options for emergency direction changes
      • Control engagement: Don't ski so close that others' actions affect your safety
      • Priority awareness: Remember that downhill