Mountain Safety

PHONE: (970) 754-6610

SKI SAFETY: HEADS UP - KNOW THE CODE, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Beaver Creek received 11 Safety Awards from the National Ski areas Association. We pride ourselves on instilling safety as a core value among employees and also educating and promoting a safe, fun environment on the mountain for guests.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE:

Beaver Creek is committed to promoting skier safety.  In addition to people using traditional alpine ski equipment, you may be joined on the sloped by snowboarders, telemark skiers or cross country skiers, skiers with disabilities, skiers with specialized equipment and others.  Always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and snowboarding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.  Know your ability level and stay within it. Observe “Your Responsibility Code” listed below and share the responsibility code for a great skiing experience with other skiers and riders. 

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.

Unmarked Obstacles.  Be advised that Beaver Creek does not mark all potential obstacles or hazards.  When marked, poles, flags, fencing, signage, padding or other forms of marking are used to inform the skier/rider of the location of a potential obstacle or hazard.  These markers are no guarantee of your safety.  It is part of your responsibility under the Your Responsibility Code and the Colorado Ski Safety Act to avoid all obstacles and hazards.

Colorado Ski Safety Act. The Colorado legislature, recognizing risks that are inherent in the sport, has passed the Colorado Ski Safety Act which provides inherent risks of the sport and relative responsibilities of the "skier" and the ski area. You must obey the Act. Under the Act, any person using the facilities of a ski area is considered a skier. A summary of the inherent risks is listed below:

WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.

In-bounds avalanches are included in the above inherent dangers and risks.  Also, the Ski Safety Act was amended in 2004 to include CLIFFS, EXTREME TERRAIN, JUMPS AND FREESTYLE TERRAIN as inherent dangers and risks of the sport.

Trail Designations.  Skiers and Riders should be advised that a green circle, blue square, single or double black diamond, or orange oval at Beaver Creek is not necessarily the same as a similar designation at other resorts. The system is a relative rating of trails at each resort and does not compare trail or park difficulty between resorts.  Skiers and Riders should begin with the easiest terrain and then move up in difficulty as their ability permits in order to understand the relative rating at Beaver Creek.

Electronic Devices. Beaver Creek discourages the use of electronic devices – cell phones, music players, or earphones – while skiing and snowboarding, or loading and unloading lifts.

Lift Safety. Under Colorado law, you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use such lift safely or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to use the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Snow Cats and Snowmobiles.  CAUTION – snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking activities and equipment may be encountered at any time.

Slow Zones. Certain areas (indicated on the map in yellow) are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated and may result in termination of your skiing/riding privileges.

Helmet Use.   – Beaver Creek encourages our guests to wear a helmet.  While helmets may mitigate or reduce the severity of some head injuries, their use does not guarantee safety and will not prevent all injuries.  Beaver Creek reminds you that every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her own safety and for the safety of others using the ski area facilities.

Avalanche and Snow Safety.  Avalanches may occur both inside and outside of the developed ski area at any time and are an inherent risk of the sport.  When skiing in deep, unconsolidated snow, beware of the risk of deep snow immersion accidents and/or suffocation, particularly around the base of trees.  Always ski with a partner, stay aware and observe all posted signs and warnings.

Backcountry Warning.  Pursuant to the Colorado Ski Safety Act, the ski area assumes no responsibility for skiers going beyond the ski area boundary.  To access the backcountry, use designated gates only.  Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled or maintained.  Avalanches, unmarked obstacles and other natural hazards exist.  BEWARE: the backcountry avalanche hazard may be extreme.  Rescue in the backcountry, if available, is the responsibility of the Eagle County Sheriff.  It will be costly and may take time.

Closed Terrain. If a sign indicates that certain terrain is closed, do not ski in the closed terrain. Skiing in closed areas is against the law and may result in loss of resort privileges.

High-Altitude Environment.  Some visitors may experience symptoms associated with Beaver Creek’s high altitude.  Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, restless sleep, coughing and difficulty in breathing.  If symptoms persist or if you have a concern about your health, you should seek medical attention.

Sun Protection.  With every 3,000’ increase in altitude, UV levels rise by 10% -12%. We recommend eye protection and suncare products to ensure protection from UV rays.

Protect your skiing and riding.  Your ticket or pass is non-transferable and may not be resold or used by anyone other than the person to whom it was issued.  Report lost or stolen passes to resort staff or law enforcement immediately.  Resort staff may ask you to show your pass or ticket at any time.  Failure to show a valid pass or ticket or engaging in fraudulent behavior of any kind may result in loss of resort privileges and/or criminal prosecution.

Marijuana Consumption.
It is illegal to consume marijuana in public.

Aerial Drones
Recreational drone use by any guest or member of the public, for any reason, is not permitted on or over any Vail Resorts property.

ALL ACCESS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK—THERE IS NO PATROL, MAINTENANCE FOR RECREATIONAL USE, OR SERVICES. UNMARKED HAZARDS MAY BE ENCOUNTERED AT ANY TIME. FOLLOWING DESIGNATED ROUTES IS MANDATORY AND SLEDDING AND BIKING ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. 

All users are required to call the Uphill Access Hotline for conditions, routes and safety information prior to access: (970) 754-5907

UPHILL TRAVEL POLICY. Non-lift access to ski area facilities such as uphill snowshoeing, hiking or "skinning," may present high danger of personal injury to participants or others and therefore may be limited or forbidden based on conditions, on-mountain activity and/or mountain policy. Uphill travel is only allowed on designated routes; for both ascending and descending a designated route must be used.

Non-lift served uphill users of Beaver Creek Resort assume all risks associated with access. The ski area is not maintained for uphill access and trails are not patrolled outside normal ski area operating hours, therefore emergency services may not be available. Ski area operations are 24 hours and users may encounter vehicles, slope and trail maintenance activities, snowmaking, and other hazards not typically present during operating hours.

Users are subject to the Colorado Ski Safety Act.

Please note, fat tire biking and/or mountain biking is prohibited on the mountain during the winter season, both during day time and night time operations. Recommended recreational trails outside of Beaver Creek Resort can be provided by the USFS White River National Forest Ranger District.

Prior to embarking on these uphill activities, please call the Trails Hotline for approved uphill travel routes and mountain access: (970) 754-5907

Checklist for Uphill Travel:

• Call the Trails Hotline: (970) 754-5907
• Uphill travel is permitted on designated routes from 30 minutes after the lifts close until 15 minutes before first chair.
• For both ascending and descending a designated route must be used.
• Wear reflective materials.
• Stay towards the side of the trail.
• Position yourself so that you are visible from above.
• Wear brightly colored clothing.
• Dogs are prohibited at all times.
• Obey all pertinent signage.
• Avoid all areas where machinery is operating.
• Carry a light or headlamp.
• All access is at your own risk and be aware that ski area emergency services are NOT available.

Traditional designated routes, subject to change:

Goldust: Bottom of Centennial Express Lift 6 > Haymeadow > Lower Goldust > Upper Goldust> Top of Centennial Express Lift 6

Sawbuck: Lower Beaver Creek Mountain Express Lift 15 > Leave the Beav > Sawbuck > Top of Sawbuck

Little Brave: Bottom of Arrow Bahn Express Lift 17 > Little Brave > Top of Arrow Bahn Express Lift 17

Designated Uphill Routes: Please call the Uphill Hotline as it is updated daily for tonight’s designated travel routes. 970-754-5907

Snowshoe to Allies: Haymeadow > Lower Gold Dust > Lower Cinch

Snowshoe to Beano’s: Beaver Lake Trail > Lower Larkspur

Snowshoe to Zach’s from Arrowhead:  Cresta > Stirrup

Snowshoe to Zach’s from Arrowhead:  Mudsprings Trail > Arrowhead Mtn trail>Stirrup

Snowshoe to Zach’s from Arrowhead:  Apache/Ute Trail > Everkrisp > Little Brave > Springtooth > Stirrup

Snowshoe to Zach’s from Bachelor Gulch: Lower Cabin Fever > Stirrup

 

Any employee in uniform is available to assist with safety questions and is empowered to suspend or revoke the skiing or riding privileges of anyone demonstrating reckless or inappropriate behavior.