National Ski Safety Week in January is the perfect time to teach your kids
“The Code.” National Ski Safety Week is celebrated at
several New England resorts
by making safety fun with special contests and
promotions.
The 7 rule Skier’s Responsibility Code can be rather rudimentary – so
resorts are attempting to chat up the code with on snow games and contests.
Wachusett’s ski patrol stop skiers and riders to quiz them on
the safety points. Kids that “know the code” get a free hot cocoa coupon.
Okemo in Vermont hosts safety scavenger hunt on the slopes – families
that collect all the safety tips scattered around the mountain get a prize.
As a mom I think the Ski Safety Poster contest is genius. Kids are invited
to draw their interpretation of one of the safety messages from the
Responsibility Code or the Smart Style terrain park rules. My kids made
posters when they were younger – and they know the code to this day – since
they deliberated long and hard over which point to portray in their homemade
masterpieces. Ski areas across the country participate in the Ski
Safety Poster contest.
Making the safety message fun, even funny, is the best way to engage kids.
To this day my kids loved spouting out new
slogans; “check it before you wreck it”, and “know the code or be a code”
are a few that they thought were worth repeating – again and again. The more
entertaining you make it, the more you engage your youth - and the better
prepared they’ll be on the slopes to ski safely.
Here’s “Your Responsibility Code”:
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
