Alpine Responsibility Code

Skiing and riding can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboards, adaptive equipment, telemark, cross country, and other specialized ski equipment. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes and property at your ski areas, always should be courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and riding that common sese and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers/riders the responsibility for a great skiing and riding experience.

Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
You must prevent runaway equipment.
Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazards markings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski areas employee.

Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions, and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski patrol employee.

The Osler Bluff Ski Club safety pledge is designed to maintain the spirit and safety of outdoor recreation while using the Club. We recognize that the passion of our guests can sometimes go too far and unfortunately conflicts or errors in judgement take place. It is never acceptable at Osler Bluff Ski Club to break the rules and hurt others through our actions.

Know the Code

Exclusion of Liability and Assumption of Risk

Participating in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, touring, winter fat bikes, and other activities at Osler Bluff Ski Club involves risks, dangers, and hazards.

Boarding, riding, and disembarking ski lifts,
Changing weather conditions,
Exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural and machine-made objects,
Trees, tree stumps, and forest deadfall,
Conditions of snow, ice on or beneath the surface,
Variations in the terrain which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility,
Variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow,
Variable and difficult conditions,
Streams, creeks, ponds, and uncovered depressions in the snowpack, including crevasses, cliffs, or drops.
Service roads, road-banks, or cut-banks,
Collisions with lift towers, fences, snowmaking equipment, snow grooming equipment (snowcats) snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures,
Encounters with domestic or wild animals
Collisions with other persons,
Loss of balance or control for example a slips trips, and falls
Accidents during snow school lessons or programs,
Negligent first aid,
Failure to act safely or withing one’s own ability or to stay withing designated areas,
Negligence

A Pledge to Safety

I Pledge…

To always abide by the 10 points of Alpine Responsibility Code.
To not use excessive speed in slow zones, family zones, and in congested areas (lift maze, base areas).
To observe posted boundaries, closures, warning signs, bamboo, and ropes.
To not ski or ride in closed areas.
To abide the direction of Club’s personnel.
To be ready to slow down or avoid objects or other people at any time. To ski and ride in such a way that I am always able to control myself regardless of conditions and avoid others and objects I may encounter on the run, groomed, or otherwise.
To stay alert to what’s going on around me, especially other skiers and riders.
To plan ahead by easing up at blind spots, checking uphill when merging onto trails, and giving other skiers and riders plenty of room when passing.

Losing Your Skiing and Riding Privileges

The following list highlights the most common behaviours that lead to member and guest complaints, dissatisfaction, disruption, and injury. While not exhaustive, these behaviours are not permitted at Osler Bluff. Depending on the severity of the behaviours, may result in disciplinary meetings or suspension from the Club.

Failure to abide by the 10 points of the Alpine Responsibility Code (your responsibility code).
Malicious throwing of snowballs or any other items or objects.
Skiing or riding on closed runs or terrain.
Theft of Club or individual’s property, including ticket/badge fraud or trespassing.
Excessive speed in slow zones, family zones, and in congested areas (lift mazes, connector trails).
Not obeying boundary, closure, or warning signs, bamboo, ropes, or skiing/riding in closed areas.
Hit and run skiing and/or riding.
Fighting or physical assault.
Use of threatening, abusive, intimidating or insulting language which is likely to cause fear, harassment, alarm or distress or which aims to provoke violence.
Vandalism, damage, or destruction of property.
Unlawful consumption or distribution of drugs or alcohol.
Demonstrating or acting in an unlawful way.

Please review the bylaws for a further list of behaviors that may result in loss of skiing and riding privileges, as well as additional disciplinary actions. These guidelines are in place to ensure safety, respect, and enjoyment for all members on and off the slopes.