MOUNTAIN SAFETY
AT ARAPAHOE BASIN, THE SAFETY OF OUR GUESTS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
Skiing and riding are inherently dangerous outdoor recreational activities. Natural and man-made objects are part of the alpine experience. Collisions with these objects, especially when skiing or riding fast or out of control, can result in serious or fatal injury. Ski and ride with caution. While skiing or riding, you may encounter rocks and trees, changing visibility and snow conditions. Be aware of snow cats, snowmobiles, and other equipment at all times. Be alert, use common sense, and ski and ride on designated open trails only.
COLORADO SKI SAFETY ACT
The Colorado legislature, recognizing inherent risks 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.
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.
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. EXTREME TERRAIN contains cliffs, very steep slopes, rocks, and other hazards. Skiing or boarding Extreme Terrain is for EXPERTS ONLY. Extreme terrain can be found on Pallavicini, North Glades, Montezuma Bowl, the East Wall, and The Steep Gullies, including cliffs and areas steeper than 50 degrees.
ALLOWED OR NOT ALLOWED DEVICES AT ARAPAHOE BASIN
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area aims to provide an inclusive environment and reasonable access for our guests, including those covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. We understand that certain devices not listed in this policy may be the only option for individuals with disabilities to access our Ski Area.
If you have any questions regarding the use of any type of device at Arapahoe Basin, please contact our Guest Services team. We will try to reasonably accommodate any request we receive at least 72 hours before your arrival. Arapahoe Basin Guest Services can be reached at:
- Email: guestservices@a-basin.net
- Phone: 888-272-7246
(This list is subject to change at any time)
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Arapahoe Basin is committed to promoting skier and rider safety. In addition to people using traditional alpine ski equipment, you may be joined on the slopes by snowboarders, telemark or cross-country skiers, snowbikers, skiers with disabilities, skiers with specialized equipment, snowshoers, 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.
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.
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.
SAFE CHAIRLIFT RIDING
Be alert - check that loose clothing and equipment are not caught in the lift before you unload. Retention devices are required on all equipment to access our lifts. Remove backpacks before loading. A-Basin maintains a smoke-free lift environment. No smoking of any kind is permitted on the chairlifts or lift mazes. Single riders should sit on the side of a chairlift closest to the lift towers.
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.
LIFT PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN
Place child on the side of the lift nearest the attendant. Remove the child’s poles and carry them yourself. Ask attendant to slow the chairlift in advance if necessary. Have child listen carefully to attendant’s instructions. When unloading, have child keep ski tips up. You may carry a child in a pack on a lift only as a foot passenger.
LIFT TRANSPORT
We reserve the right to close trails and/or lifts at any time due to weather and/or snow conditions. Please read all lift instructions in the lift maze. If you are unfamiliar with a lift, ask an attendant for assistance. If your lift stops for a prolonged period, or in case of lift problems, stay seated -- Ski Patrol will evacuate you.
LIFT ACCESS
Jumping from a lift, cutting lines or littering are some causes of ticket/pass revocation. Those skiers found misusing lift tickets/passes, transferring lift tickets/passes, or attempting to gain lift access without a lift ticket/pass, may be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.
Trail Signs and Ratings
We post signs for your information and well-being. Color codes indicate the relative difficulty of trails for Arapahoe Basin only.
Slow Zones
Certain areas (indicated on the trail map in yellow and with signage on the mountain) 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.
Rope Lines and Closed Terrain
Ski trails often contain rope lines for various purposes including trail boundaries and the marking of potential hazards. Do not ski or ride under posted rope lines for any reason. Further, some terrain may be completely closed to the public at any time. It is strictly prohibited to ski or ride in closed terrain. Going under a rope line or into closed terrain may result in having your ski pass revoked and or monetary fines.
More Info
Ski patrol can be reached at (970) 513-5760 during normal operating hours. If you have an emergency and are outside our operating hours, our operating boundary, or are not getting an answer, call 911.