Page 65 - 75920_NSAA_Magazine_web

BEST GUEST SAFETY PROGRAM SV | AM also collaborated with Homewood, Sugar Bowl,

SQUAW VALLEY | ALPINE MEADOWS, CALIF. and the local sheriff’s department on a Be Mountain Wise
campaign to educate skiers and riders about avoiding behav-
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadow’s efforts to put guest safety in ior that is against the law in Placer County, such as ignoring
the forefront extend far beyond Safety Month, with a focus resort boundary lines and closed areas, and sharing lift tickets
that encompasses every age and category of skier and rider and passes.
throughout the season. The resort also developed an acronym—STATE (Surface,
With the ski team, for example, the resort recognized a Terrain, Ability, Traffic, Exposure)—to help coaches and
prime opportunity to teach safe behavior to the 1,500 athletes instructors be mindful of tailoring lessons to each group. Yet
ranging from 4 to 19 years old. The Team Pride Mountain another program, Safety First, encourages employees and
Wide program, introduced in 2015-16, helps coaches instill managers to report near-misses and unsafe behavior.
safety awareness, courtesy, and mountain stewardship in the During Safety Month, mountain hosts distributed 2,000
athletes so these values become as intuitive and important as buffs printed with the Responsibility Code to guests; lift oper-
the development of skills. Clear consequences for poor deci- ators and coaches wore Know the Code buttons; and team
sion making as well as recognition for outstanding conduct are members received cards bearing a photo of a patrol puppy
an important part of the program. and the Code.
To help the youngest team members use safe chairlift For its resort-wide, holistic approach to safety education,
behavior, Squaw requires them to wear a special vest identify- SV | AM has seen a drop in behavior problems, stricter adher-
ing them as needing to ride with a qualified adult (employees ence to the rules, and more clarity for all on how to have fun,
and season pass holders are asked to do so). safely, every day.

SUMMER 2017 | NSAA JOURNAL | 63