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Detroit Mountain Recreation Area Safety Guide

We have designed this guide to educate our guests on how to ski, snowboard and mountain bike responsibly and safely. Please review the information provided and follow these guidelines on and off the slopes & trails to enhance both the fun and safety of all guests.

 

Skiing and snowboarding are active and exciting outdoor sports with inherent risks that cannot be eliminated, including the risk of serious injury and death. Because of these risks, it is YOUR responsibility to be aware of your surroundings, the conditions, and your ability.

The Slopes

  • Ski or Ride in Control. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Ski or ride at a speed you are able to safely stop and avoid others and objects you may encounter.
  • Look Out for Hazards and Obstacles (natural and man-made). Resorts may use poles, flags, discs, ropes, fencing, signs, and other devices to provide visual warnings. No resort can mark all hazards and obstacles. Be aware of changing conditions.
  • Do NOT go under ropes or enter closed areas. Ropes and closures are in place for your safety.
  • Do NOT Ski or Ride Impaired. It is unsafe and against the law. Be responsible with alcohol consumption.
  • Know Your Limits. If you’re tired, STOP. If you’re injured, contact Ski Patrol.
  • NO Horseplay. Always be respectful of others.
  • Look Out for Over-Snow Vehicles. They may be on the slopes heading uphill or downhill, so stay clear of them at all times.
  • DEEP SNOW SAFETY: Fresh snow is fun, but it also creates additional risks.
  • Avoid Tree Wells. These are voids or depressions in the snow that form around the base of a tree and are often hidden by low branches. To avoid tree wells, steer clear of trees and stay in control.
  • Stay With a Buddy. Always maintain visual contact and stay close.
  • Carry Information. Have ski patrol phone numbers so you can quickly call for help (but be aware of areas without cell coverage).

Lift Safety

  • Remove pole straps from wrists and hold in one hand. Remove backpacks and hold in your lap. Remove back foot from snowboard binding.
  • Be lined up with other guests and prepared to load before moving forward from the “Wait Here” area.
  • After the chair in front passes, move from the “Wait Here” area to the “Load Here” area.
  • At the “Load Here” area, look back and grab the part of the chair that is easiest for you, typically a side bar or backrest.
  • Use restraint bar, tell others and lower the bar when you can do so safely.
  • SIT BACK and remain seated.
  • NO HORSEPLAY.
  • Do not turn around, or otherwise move on the chair, even if the lift slows or stops. Never jump from the chair.
  • Check for loose clothing or equipment (such as backpacks) to make sure it will not get caught.
  • Tell others before raising the restraint bar before the “Unload Here” area.
  • Keep your ski tips or the front of your board up and straight ahead.
  • After unloading, move away from the unload ramp.
  • If you fail to unload at the “Unload Here” area, remain completely seated and wait for further assistance. DO NOT JUMP.
  • If you need assistance or there is a problem, SPEAK UP, and tell a lift operator.

Your Responsibility Code

Detroit Mountain supports Your Responsibility Code. Education, helmet use, respect and common sense are very important when cruising down the mountain. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) developed Your Responsibility Code to help skiers and boarders be aware that there are elements of risk in snowsports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Check out the NSAA website at http://www.nsaa.org/safety-programs/responsibility-code/ for more information.

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

Trail Signage

Trail maps contain a wealth of information, including trail and lift locations, trail difficulty rating symbols, and where to find information, ski patrol, and other mountain services. Trail difficulty ratings are relative to each resort’s specific terrain. A blue square trail at one resort may be easier or more difficult than a blue square trail at another resort. Work your way up from easier to more difficult trails. When in doubt about a trail or what type of terrain a particular lift serves, ask resort staff for guidance.

Trail rating symbols indicate the difficulty level of terrain. Here’s what they mean:

Easier

More Difficult

Most Difficult

Experts

Freestyle Terrain

CLOSED Means CLOSED

Please follow all trail closure signs. Trail closures are for your safety. Signage may include- closed sign, bamboo “X” poles, rope and/or closure tape. Those caught skiing on unmarked closed trails will result in loss of lift ticket. Skiing or snowboarding is only allowed during lift operation hours. Those caught skiing or snowboarding outside of lift hours, or when business is closed, will be subject to trespassing.

Terrain Parks

Terrain parks offer unique challenges and risks. Every park is different and it is important to use features that meet your ability. All users should educate themselves on Park SMART.

Parents, make sure you understand Park SMART and ensure your kids are educated on the proper use of terrain parks and their features.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

  • OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
    • We provide guests education on how to ski and snowboard responsibly.
    • We offer ski and snowboard lessons from qualified instructors.
    • We staff a trained ski patrol to provide first aid, assess mountain safety, post warnings, and close trails.
    • We conduct ongoing lift inspections and maintenance, work with regulatory agencies, and staff trained lift operations personnel to operate lifts.
    • We monitor weather and mountain conditions and modify operations when appropriate. We provide trail difficulty rating symbols relative to a resort’s specific terrain.

Lift Tickets are Required

All recreation area users must have a lift ticket and a completed and signed liability waiver. Those not having this liability waiver AND daily lift ticket will be subject to trespassing.

PASSENGER NOTICE: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

  • THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD FOR PASSENGER ROPEWAYS recognizes that certain dangers and risks are inherent in machines of this type, and their operation. Passengers accept the risks inherent in such participation of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware.
  • All passengers who use a lift, tow, or conveyor shall be responsible for their own loading, riding, and unloading.
  • They shall be presumed to have sufficient ability, physical dexterity, and/or personal assistance to negotiate and to be evacuated safely. Passengers shall maintain control of their speed and course while loading and unloading.
  • A passenger shall get on and get off at designated areas. No passenger shall load the lift without first understanding and observing the proper loading, riding, and unloading procedures.

“Your Responsibility Code” requires that “Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.” If you are unsure of your knowledge or ability, please ask for assistance before using a lift. Lift incidents are almost always avoidable. The best way to avoid a lift incident is to pay attention to loading, riding, and unloading. Be prepared to load and ride before you get to the “Load Here” area. Focus only on the lift and the loading process, not on your mobile device or any other distractions.

Make sure you are properly seated with your back against the seatback when you load, lower the restraint bar, remain properly seated during your entire ride, unload at the “Unload Here” area, and move to an area where you are clear from other guests unloading.

Drone Policy

Out of safety concerns for guests, employees and ski area property, and individual privacy, this ski area prohibits the operation/use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public – this includes recreational users and hobbyists – without the prior written authorization from the ski area. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalist operations above or within the ski area boundaries. This prohibition on drone operations/use extends to any drones launched or operated from the ski area boundaries, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the ski area boundaries. Please contact Detroit Mountain if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any aerial drones.

 

Any authorized operation of aerial drones may be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, as well as those policies separately established by this ski area. This may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability.

 

Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any drone equipment. This may subject violators to any damages, including, but not limited to- damages for violations of privacy and/or physical or personal injuries, property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.

29409 170th St
Detroit Lakes, MN
56501
218-844-7669
info@detroitmountain.com

OPEN
Today's Lodge Hours
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.
The Mission of Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Inc. is to promote sound environmental recreation and educational programming to develop the health and wellness of children, families and communities.
Detroit Mountain Recreational Area © Copyright 2023