Safety and Class Management

Make safety a routine and drill it every time.

For example:

• Always look uphill before starting a run, keep an eye on merging traffic.
• Stop away from the group and then approach.
• Explain ropes, signs and warnings.
  
  

Terrain

• Is the terrain appropriate for everyone in the group?
• Do athletes seem relaxed and eager to learn on the terrain?
• Is the slope too crowed?
• Are the conditions safe for the group’s ability?
• Athletes are freshest in the morning. Work on the most difficult terrain before lunch. You can do skill drills in the afternoon on easier terrain.
• If you find yourself on difficult terrain, work on tactics, sideslipping and speed control. Pretty soon you can make a black feel like a blue.

Group Handling

• Count early and often. Establish a routine time to count, usually at the top and bottom of every run. Have your group do the counting for you.
• Set up a place to meet if someone gets lost.
• Give clear directions on where athletes should stop and what trail they should ski on.

Stopping

• Always be clear on where you want athletes to stop.
• Stop where you can be seen by uphill skiers.
• Never stop in the middle of the trail or under a lift.

Riding the Lift

• Review loading and unloading procedures before the first few rides. Practice with a stationary chair, if one is available, or draw lines in the snow.
• Watch and learn – Form groups near the lift and allow students to watch people getting on the lift and you talk them through the process.
• Establish rules – Always hold on to the bar, always face forward.
• Designate a meeting place at the top of the lift.
• Check for loose clothing.
• Check to see if athletes have removed pole straps from wrists before loading.
• If it is necessary to assist them loading or unloading, grab them under the arm and guide them.
• Constant Vigilance! – Even experienced skiers get distracted and mess up

Dealing with Accidents

• Send someone to contact Ski Patrol – not an athlete, not you. Lift attendants and some on-snow personnel can contact Ski Patrol.
• Have the group stop together in a safe place, away from the injured athlete.
• Put a pair of skis in an X to warn oncoming traffic.
• Keep the injured skier as warm and comfortable as possible.
• Don’t move equipment or the injured athlete.
• Reassure the athlete and keep him or her calm until the Ski Patrol arrives.
• Once the athlete is under Ski Patrol’s care, get the rest of the group off the hill and follow your mountain's reporting procedure

Correcting unsafe behavior

• Immediately address the problem, don’t let the athlete think that behavior is acceptable
• Address the problem privately, there is no reason to embarrass them
• Make sure the athlete understands why this behavior
• If the issue persists contact a supervisor or the athlete’s parent