It’s National Ski Safety Week and it’s the perfect time to teach your kids
“The Code.” National Ski Safety Week is celebrating its 10th anniversary and
several New England resorts are making safety fun with special contests and
promotions.
The 7 rule Skier’s Responsibility Code can be rather rudimentary – so
resorts are attempting to chat up the code with on snow games and contests.
Wachusett’s ski patrol will be stopping skiers and riders to quiz them on
the safety points. Kids that “know the code” get a free hot cocoa coupon.
Okemo in Vermont is hosting a safety scavenger hunt on the slopes – families
that collect all the safety tips scattered around the mountain get a prize.
As a mom I think the Ski Safety Poster contest is genius. Kids are invited
to draw their interpretation of one of the safety messages from the
Responsibility Code or the Smart Style terrain park rules. My kids made
posters when they were younger – and they know the code to this day – since
they deliberated long and hard over which point to portray in their homemade
masterpieces. Ski areas participating in the Ski Safety Poster contest
include Pats Peak, Wachusett, Killington and Pico. Prizes are awarded for
the best drawings, in categories like most creative and best safety message.
Making the safety message fun, even funny, is the best way to engage kids.
This year, Vermont is taking the past “Lids on Kids” helmet campaign to new
heights with their “PHAT” slogan. That’s clever code for protect head at all
times and protect head in all terrain.
Okemo is getting “PHAT” with a humorous contest for Best Helmet Hair.
Okemo’s safety crew will ski around looking for the craziest, messiest, most
matted hairdo under a helmet. The 10 best (or worst) helmet-head photos will
be featured on Okemo’s blog – talk about bad ‘do bragging rights!
Bromley is spearing heading their own PHAT promo by offering free helmet
rentals.
If you miss the kid’s poster contest at a resort, stage your own ski safety
trivia night or a safety drawing event at home. Break out the crayons and
make a game of being smart on the slopes. My kids loved spouting out new
slogans; “check it before you wreck it”, and “know the code or be a code”
are a few that they thought were worth repeating – again and again. The more
entertaining you make it, the more you engage your youth - and the better
prepared they’ll be on the slopes to ski safely.
Here’s “Your Responsibility Code”:
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
