Snowsports Safety - A Slippery Slope

by Mike Diedrich

As snowsports instructors we all share a common passion for the sports we love.  Our passion drives us to share the joy of the mountain with our fellow instructors, other employees and, most importantly, our guests.  A safe and satisfying mountain experience will help us share our snowsports passion and keep our guests returning to our resorts.

As a snowsports instructor many things are beyond your control: weather, facilities, snow conditions.  However, you can make a positive mountain experience for your guests by exhibiting and teaching snowsport safety.  In fact, students will better learn to ski or board only after their physiological (warmth, hydration, fatigue) needs and their safety and security needs are met.  One of your top priorities as a snowsports instructor is to ensure that your students are safe so that they can focus on learning.

Snowsports are inherently risky and anyone who chooses to ski or board must accept this inherent risk.  As an instructor your job is to help students realize their abilities and snowsports dreams while helping them understand the risks and responsibilities as well. We do this by teaching the students the Responsibility Code throughout the lesson.  When students feel that the instructor considers student safety important, the student develops the trust that is critical for a successful learning experience. Other ways to create a trusting and safe environment include:

•  Get to know your students' capabilities and limits so you can make good decisions on tasks and terrain.

•  Conduct classes in appropriate areas and on suitable terrain - avoid high traffic and runs that are too steep or narrow.

•  Consider weather and snow conditions in selecting terrain - even easy terrain can be challenging under certain conditions.

•  Educate students about equipment, clothing, and fitness.

•  Teach and reinforce proper lift procedures.

•  Be aware of the time of day - fatigue increases and snow conditions can deteriorate late in the day.

•  Resist the urge to end the lesson with the most challenging trail or task - always end on a successful and safe run.

It also is important to create a safe mountain experience for guests because a snowsports instructor and/or a ski area operator can be liable for a guest injury when such injury is caused by the negligence of the instructor or operator.  Snowsports participants assume the risk of the hazards inherent in skiing or snowboarding unless the injury was caused by the negligent operation of the ski area by the operator, instructor or employee.  Most of the assumed risk hazards are naturally created such as snow, ice, terrain and off-trail trees.

The Core Concepts Manual states that one of your top priorities is to ensure that your students are safe.  The legal system also places an instructor under a general duty to exercise due care when teaching.

In summary, an instructor who exhibits safety, teaches the Responsibility Code, and creates a safe environment in which to learn will be successful in helping a student focus on learning and avoid unnecessary injuries and the potential for liability.   When student fear is minimized, the mountain experience is maximized.