Brundage Kicks Off 2022 With a Focus on Slope Safety
January is Safety Month here at Brundage Mountain, where the safety of our guests and team members is our top priority. We’re looking forward to a long, healthy ski season, but it takes a group effort to keep the slopes safe. With near-record snowfall last month and more powder headed our way this week, we’re going to kick off our safety focus in this post with some safe powder protocols (below).
Those who are just starting out in the sport, or who prefer the groomed runs or park laps can find some important tips by following the links to the right.
But first, we can all benefit from a quick review of the seven points in Your Responsiblity Code:
The Basics: Know the Code
It’s Your Responsibility
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- Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
- Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
Protect yourself, protect others. With common sense and the seven points of Your Responsibility Code, you can have a safer day on the slopes.
In Pursuit of Powder: Tree Well & Deep Snow Safety
Brundage Mountain is known and loved for its powder-packed glades and easy-access tree skiing. It’s important to remember that these areas, even in-bounds, have naturally-occurring hazards that should not be taken lightly.
Tree Wells & Deep Snow:
As the allure of fresh, forgiving powder pulls more and more people off-trail, we want to remind everyone about a mountain feature that is NOT forgiving in these conditions: Tree Wells.
A tree well is a void or depression that forms around the base of a tree and can contain a mix of low hanging branches, loose snow and air. Evergreen trees in particular can have large, deep tree wells that form when low hanging branches block snow from filling in and consolidating around the base of the tree. These voids can be hidden from view by the tree’s low hanging branches.
There is no easy way to identify if a particular tree has a dangerous tree well by sight therefore, treat all tree wells as dangerous.
Tree wells make it more important than ever to ski or ride with a buddy, and to keep your ‘eyes on’ your buddy as you ride. 90% of people involved in Tree Well/ SIS hazard research experiments could NOT rescue themselves. If a partner is not there for immediate rescue, the skier or rider may die very quickly from suffocation – in many cases, he or she can die as quickly as someone can drown in water.
We urge all off-trail skiers and riders to review these deep snow safety practices before heading off the groomed runs.
The Brundage Ski Patrol dug out one side of a tree well to show a cross section of the deep depressions that can form under evergreen branches. You can see how easy it would be to fall in and get trapped if this tree well had been in its natural state.
If you choose to explore the glades within the Brundage Mountain boundary, here are some useful tips:
- Choose terrain within your ability
- Ski or Snowboard with a partner
- Carry a trail map and report incidents immediately
- Remember the ski area closes at 4:00 pm but the Lakeview lift closes at 3:00
- Download and install the FREE AirFlare Rescue App. It can help our Ski Patrol locate you if you’re lost or hurt!
Know the hazards, use the buddy system, and live to ride another day!
Powder Pursuits Beyond the Boundaries – Know Before You Go
The legendary powder at Brundage Mountain is enticing, but before you head out to uncontrolled, unpatrolled areas like Sargeants or head beyond the boundaries of the ski area, it’s important to have the right equipment and skills. The “Know Before You Go” Program is a good place to start.
In this video, Brundage Mountain Patrol Director, Janna Allen, explaining some tips on how to be prepared before leaving the ski area boundary:
