STEAMBOAT CELEBRATES NATIONAL SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

Resort Highlights Safety Through Seminars, Programs & Contests

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO-January 17, 2013-As the New Year unfolds, Steamboat Ski Resort & Corporation continues its commitment to safety on and off the slopes by celebrating National Safety Awareness Week, January 19-27, 2013 with special seminars, demonstrations, programs and contests for all ages of skiers and snowboarders.

“Steamboat’s commitment to safety is one of the key priorities for the resort and allows us to remain in the top tier of ski resorts in North America,” said Chris Diamond, president & chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “National Safety Awareness Week is an opportunity for Steamboat to showcase unique initiatives and programs, while educating winter enthusiasts how to safely enjoy the mountain.” 

Steamboat Ski Area will host a variety of safety programs during National Safety Awareness Week, including the following events which will take place primarily over the weekend of Jan. 18-21:

• Meet Patrol: The individuals, who help keep the mountain safe, along with the United States Forest Service Snow Rangers, will be onsite in Gondola Square January 18-21 to provide information and answer questions about mountain and slope safety.
• Patrol Open House: Stop by PHQ at the top of Sundown Express or Patrol Headquarters at the top of the Gondola, January 18-21, to out get an inside look at these Patrol stations and their responsibilities.
• Park Rangers: The designers, testers and maintainers of Steamboat’s Terrain Parks will be in Gondola Square January 18-21 sharing the ParkWise code.
• Bear the Safety Dog: Steamboat’s Safety Mascot will be in Gondola Square January 18-21. Get your picture with Bear or just come by to say “HI”.  Remember to check out his online safety blog, Bear Essentials.
• Snow Safety/Avalanche Awareness: On Friday and Sunday, January 18^th & 20^th, Steamboat Patrol will host special seminars on snow safety and avalanche awareness. The seminars are free to the public and meet at the Yurt at the top of Pony Express Chairlift at 10:30am both days.
• Know the Code Contest: Skiers and Riders will randomly be stopped on the slopes by members of Steamboat’s Patrol. If they know at least three of the seven parts to the Responsibility Code they’ll receive a prize. Contest runs Jan. 18^th through 21^st.
• Billy Kidd One O’Clock Run: Free clinic by Steamboat’s Director of Skiing, who will be joined by Patrol.
• FREE Mountain Tours: Join Steamboat’s Ambassadors with SlopeWise & Safety Information from Patrol at 10:30am at the top of Vagabond Trail.
• FREE Racing: Any guests who can tell the attendant one of the seven topics of the Responsibility Code races free at the NASTAR training course.
• Grooming Reports, daily snow reports and individual chairlift message boards will feature safety messages throughout the week.  In addition, Signage across the mountain continues to promote safe riding, jibing, slow zones and deep snow/tree wells.

Steamboat’s SlopeWise initiative is an overarching campaign built upon safety programs in place, as well as ParkWise (terrain park program), SafetyWise (employee program) and the resort’s Code of Conduct, in conjunction with the NSAA Responsibility Code, which makes it extremely clear that every user of the mountain, regardless of ticket or pass type, understands what is expected, and how the consequences of their actions can impact their ability to enjoy the slopes.

The National Ski Areas Association’s National Safety Awareness Week is an annual event highlighting resort safety education efforts across the country while increasing slope safety.

-www.steamboat.com-