Mountain Safety

"Be Aware - Ski & Ride With Care"

Squaw Valley USA puts a very high priority on providing you with a fun and safe mountain experience. We take your safety very seriously and would like to remind you of a few things that we hope will make your day on the mountain more enjoyable.

General Mountain Safety

Please show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Look around and be aware of your surroundings so you can make smart decisions.

Squaw Valley has several "slow zones". Please slow down and make an extra effort to give other skiers and snowboarders some room in these areas. We appreciate your cooperation.

Squaw Valley has 4,000 acres of some of the greatest terrain you will find, however, there are areas that can be closed for safety reasons. Please abide by all signs and do not duck under ropes. The signs and ropes are there for your protection.

In case of an emergency please keep in mind that Squaw Valley's Patrol monitors channel 9-11 on all personal two way talkabout radios and walkie-talkies.

 

Pipes & Parks

This season Squaw Valley has also adopted the National Ski Areas Association's new Smart Style Terrain Park signage. You will see these new signs at all of our terrain parks and half pipes. The new program offers some smart safety advice that we think is very easy to digest.

We know that terrain parks and half pipes are fun and challenging places to explore and Squaw Valley Ski Corp is committed to building new features and elements, however, we encourage people to keep safety top of mind.

Smart Style Code

01. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area.
02. EASY STYLE IT
Start small and work your way up.
(Inverted aerials not recommended).
03.RESPECT GETS RESPECT
From the lift line through the park.

Patrol

Squaw Valley USA's Ski Patrol works overtime to help ensure your safety. They are there to help you at any time during the day.

Squaw Valley USA's 4,000 acres receive an average of 450" (37.5 feet) of snow each winter and as a result the mountain has one of the largest avalanche safety programs in the country. Staff control over 35 “snow safety routes” and during strong storm cycles, patrollers often arrive at work before 4:00 am to prepare the mountain for your arrival and ensure that every powder day is a safe one.

Squaw Valley also utilizes avalanche rescue dogs in snow safety efforts. The dogs are trained to assist in recovery efforts in the case of an avalanche. The dogs cruise the mountain daily so don't be surprised if one hops on a lift in front of you.

Check out the Squaw Dogs web site at: www.squawdogs.com

In conjunction with their training and continuing education programs, the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol hosts avalanche beacon/transceiver classes every Friday evenings 5:30-7:30pm. Classes are free and we will provide a beacon if you don't have one. Please call 530 581-7260 to register.

Squaw Valley is proud to be equipped with The RECCO® Rescue System. RECCO® is an avalanche rescue system utilized by more than 600 rescue organizations worldwide to assist in fast and efficient rescues. RECCO technology enables rapid directional pinpointing of a person ’s precise location using harmonic radar. The two-part system consists of a RECCO® detector used by organized rescue groups, and RECCO® reflectors that are integrated into apparel, helmets, protection gear or boots. The reflector is permanently affixed, requires no training for use and needs no batteries to function.

Did you know? Squaw Valley’s Patrol was one of the first resorts to implement the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to ensure that Ski Patrollers have the tools available to offer superior emergency medical care to guests. An AED machine delivers an electric shock to the heart known as defibrillation. This is considered the definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Squaw Valley’s Ski Patrol has been a driving force behind making AED use standard at Ski Resorts across the country.

Helmets

While Squaw Valley does not currently mandate guests wear helmets we do feel it is very important that parents, skiers and snowboarders educate themselves about the benefits and limitations of helmets.

Throughout the season Squaw hosts a variety of hemet demo days and most retail stores sell helmets. In addition, the main Ski Rental Shop rents helmets of various sizes.

For more information about helmet safety and for answers to some frequently asked questions regarding helmet safety please visit the NSAA web site or the new Lids on Kids web site.

Most importantly...

Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

Your Responsibility Code

  1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

 

KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

 

This is a partial list. Be safety conscious.

Officially endorsed by: NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION.

 

Thank you and have a fun and safe day at Squaw!