Mountain Safety at Bristol Mountain

Check List

• Sunglasses
• Goggles
• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm
• Ski or Snowboard lock
• Bag to carry clothing, boots, and extra equipment

Clothing

The following list of items is recommended for staying warm outdoors for extended periods of time.

• Long Underwear
• Ski Pants or Bib Pants (No Jeans!)
• Outer Layer Jacket (Preferably with a waterproof/breathable shell)
• Gloves or Mittens
• Neck Gaiter
• Turtleneck
• Sweater or Fleece
• Socks or Sock Liner (1 thin- to medium-weight pair should do)
• Vest (for insulation)
• Face Mask
• Warm ups for after skiing or riding
• Hat or Headband

Helmets

While Bristol Mountain does not currently mandate that guests wear helmets, we do feel it is very important that parents, skiers, and snowboarders educate themselves about the benefits and limitations of helmets.  With the growing popularity of helmets, many parents are considering a helmet for their child.  The National Ski Areas Association, together with the help of many others in the ski industry, has developed a website to help educate parents about the benefits and limitations of helmets.  Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet is one of personal or parental preference.  View information on getting your kids to wear helmets at Lids On Kids.  Associates in our Bristol Ski & Sport shop can also answer questions you may have on helmets and help you get fitted properly.

Bristol Mountain puts a high priority on providing you with a fun and safe mountain experience.  We take your safety seriously and would like to remind you of a few things that we hope will make your day on the mountain more enjoyable.

General Mountain Safety

Pipes & Parks Safety

Bristol Mountain has adopted the National Ski Areas Association's new 'Smart Style' Terrain Park guidance.  The program offers some smart safety advice that we think is very easy to understand.  At the entrances to each park, please read the signage as these provide guidance for safe use of the park features.  Park rangers are always in the terrain parks and they are there to assure safe use of the parks.  Please listen to them and thank them for their help. 

We know that terrain parks and half-pipes are fun and challenging places to explore and Bristol Mountain is committed to building new features and elements, however, we encourage people to keep safety in mind.  Check out these examples of Smart Style signage that are associated with some of the park features:

Smart Style Code

Ski Patrol

Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol (member of the National Ski Patrol) & Courtesy Staff work overtime to help ensure your safety.  They are there to help you at any time.  Bristol Mountain is one of the first regional resorts to implement the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to ensure that Ski Patrollers have the tools available to offer superior emergency medical care to guests.  An AED machine delivers an electric shock to the heart known as defibrillation.  This is considered the definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.

Your Responsibility Code

• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.  Skiing/riding in control is asking yourself these questions:  Am I skiing/riding in a manner and speed that allows me to stop, turn, and avoid other people and objects?  Am I skiing/riding at the same speed as those around me (with the flow)?  Am I skiing/riding on a trail that matches my ability today and do I know my limits?  Am I leaving a safe distance between me and others?  Am I able to stop or turn within a reasonable distance?  Am I aware of the impact of what I do relative to others?
• People ahead of you have the right of way.  It is your responsibility to avoid them.  You have the responsibility to avoid people below you and give them a wide berth when passing.  Just as the state and town rules dictate how we operate our cars on the road, the responsibility code dictates how we act on the slopes.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.  Do you like to stop and watch you friends get big air off the hits in the parks?  Do you enjoy stopping on a run and taking in the incredible views or just catching your breath after a great run?  Did you ever stop to think that where you stop may not be visible to those skiing or riding down toward you?  The "Responsibility Code" states that we must "Stop in a safe place for ourselves and others."  Just like there are places we can't park our cars, there are places that we should not stop when on the slopes.  Set the example. 
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.  Ever watch someone drive right through an intersection without ever slowing down?  What did you think?  Chances are that you weren't very complimentary.  Well, the same goes for skiing and riding.  The "Responsibility Code" says that we must look uphill and YIELD when merging or starting downhill.  Regardless of your ability to be in control, you must slow down and yield when going through an intersection or starting from a stop.  
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.  This may seem like a minor point, but imagine a runaway ski or board or one that drops off the lift into a busy slope.  Be sure your equipment is in good shape and use your run away prevention devices at all times.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings.  Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.  Reading and following all posted signs and warnings is an important part of your safety on the slopes.  If you don't understand what a sign means, don't assume.  Ask!!
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload safely.  There are instructions posted at the bottom of each lift.  If you would like more direction, the lift operator and attendants would be happy to help you out.  Just ask them.  The best advice for loading and unloading a lift safely is to pay attention.  Don't talk to your friends or admire the skis of the person next to you.  Loading safely is your responsibility so practice, practice, practice! 

For more information about the "Responsibility Code" stop into Guest Services or ask any ski patroller or courtesy staff member you may see on the hill or at the base area.

KNOW THE CODE.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Bristol Mountain’s Policy

• Endangering oneself or others; being out of control and/or traveling too fast or too close to others for conditions of the slopes, weather, and traffic.
• Colliding with others or causing collisions by others.
• Not obeying posted instructions or signs.
• Repeated skiing or riding of trails beyond ability level.
• Jumping or fast skiing/riding in designated "Slow Zones."
• Arial somersaulting (inverted) maneuvers.
• Skiing or riding closed trails, closed areas, or out of bounds.
• Skiing or riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Tampering with or misuse of area signs, ropes, markers, or equipment.
• Misconduct while riding lifts.
• Exchanging or defacing lift tickets or passes.
• Any action deemed by management to be unsafe or reckless.

Officially endorsed by:  National Ski Areas Association 

Thank you and have a fun and safe day at Bristol Mountain!