Prime Time Ski Club News for Bethel Citizen 3/20/14
The past two weeks (there wasn’t room for this column last week) provided more great skiing for Prime Time Ski Club members and everyone else at Sunday River ski area. Some of our members had fun celebrating Mardi Gras on the slopes during “Fat Tuesday.” There were lots of beads and baubles as well as colorful undergarments worn on the outside of ski clothes until these “fashion accessories” were added to various “underwear trees” along the Spruce lift line.
Last week’s big dump of snow on Thursday made for a busy Friday on the slopes. Several near collisions among our ski club members and unsafe moves by some others pointed out the importance of knowing and complying with the Responsibility Code, developed by the National Ski Areas Association to help skiers and boarders recognize that there are elements of risk in snow sports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. The Responsibility Code summarizes the main elements of skiing safely and courteously and is printed on trail maps and posted slopeside at most North American ski resorts. It’s endorsed by the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the National Ski Patrol and the National Ski Areas Association.
Everyone on the mountain, no matter what level, is responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the seven points of the Responsibility Code: 1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. (Conditions on the mountain can change quickly so adjust your skiing accordingly.) 2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them. (Always leave plenty of room and if you do pass someone, make sure you shout out what side you are passing on. Be aware that snowboarders have a blind side and may not see you on that side.) 3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above. (Stopping on the side of a trail is usually a good choice. If you fall and have to stop beneath a headwall or roller, have someone stop above you to protect you from on-coming traffic. When stopping, always ski downhill of others in your group.)
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others. 5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. (Have your bindings and ski brakes or retaining devices checked each season by a qualified technician.) 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. (When leaving a lift, make sure you clear the unloading area quickly so you are out of the way of other skiers and riders.)
Be safety conscious. Know the Code: it’s your responsibility. And if you are looking for someone to ski with, why not join Prime Time Ski Club members every weekday at North Peak Lodge at 10 a.m. (upper level, right-hand side). After a brief time for announcements, members (who are 50 years or older) usually break into small groups of from four to eight skiers, based primarily on skiing ability and terrain preference. Check out our website at www.primetimeskiclub.com or just show up at North Peak Lodge and ski a few runs with us (safely, of course) and make some new friends.
