 |
| Coryn Fielding, 13, of Lincoln puts on the brakes as she nears the end of the trail at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area on Saturday. (T&G STAFF PHOTOS/CHRISTINE HOCHKEPPEL) |
craig.semon@telegram.com
PRINCETON — Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and UMass Memorial Healthcare have teamed up to promote a season-long, multi-tiered Skier and Snowboarder Safety Program to coincide with a month-long, nationwide safety awareness program.
"Not only is January National Safety Awareness Month, but it's National Learn to Ski and Snowboard month," said Tom Meyers, director of Marketing at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. "Safety is an ongoing message that we really promote all season long, but there's a lot of national focus amongst ski areas all across the country during the month as January as well."
While there are certain inherent risks that come with skiing and snowboarding (as there are with any recreational activity, Mr. Meyers added), there are also certain responsibilities.
With that in mind, Mr. Meyers said the most important thing for any skier or snowboarder to do is abide by the "Responsibility Code," seven safety points to practice on the slopes, developed by the National Ski Areas Association, in conjunction with the National Ski Patrol.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and UMass Memorial Healthcare is heavily promoting a new four-and-a-half minute safety video that highlights the Skier/Snowboarder Responsibility Code.
 | ||
| Chris Spagnole of Johnston, R.I., helps fasten the helmet of his 6-year-old son, Christopher, before hitting the slopes at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. (T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE HOCHKEPPEL) |
"It's all very much common sense, as it is with any sport or activity. Just like you want to learn the rules of the road when you're riding a bicycle or you want to learn the rules of safety when you're swimming, it's all about using your head," Mr. Meyers said. "And the Responsibility Code is not just here. It's national. It's a national program that skiers all across the country support so it's consistent to all skiers."
Having an active presence in the National Ski Patrol, Mr. Meyers said the Wachusett Mountain Ski Patrol is a key element to safety on the slopes and four Wachusett Patrol veterans have been appointed to key leadership roles with the NSP for the 2013-2014 season. They are: Ed McNamara of Sterling, chairman of the National Ski Patrol Board of Directors; John Shipman of Princeton, National Ski Patrol Board of Directors, Division Director Eastern Division; Dave Walker of Lunenberg, National Ski Patrol Board of Directors; and Jason Tamulen of Winchendon, Eastern Division Safety Team Representative.
As part of the program, UMass Memorial also has new lift tower signs and several safety banners located throughout the mountain reminding guests to follow the "Responsibility Code." The Safety Program also includes several contests throughout the winter season promoting skier and snowboard safety.
"We use every opportunity we have to reinforce the safety message, especially to the kids," Mr. Meyers said.
As part of Safety Awareness Month, the Wachusett Ski Patrol will be randomly quizzing skiers and snowboarders on who knows at least three of the seven elements of the Responsibility Code. All participants are eligible to win a free hot chocolate, Mr. Meyers said.
During the 2013-14 season, the National Ski Areas Association reports that there were 32 skier and snowboarder fatalities occurring at U.S. ski areas, compared to the 25 fatalities that occurred during the 2012-13 season. This amounts to a modest increase from the previous season, but it represents a 20 percent decline compared to the 10-year industry average of 39 fatalities per season.
According to the National Ski Areas Association, 52 catastrophic injuries occurred at U.S. ski areas during the 2013-14 season, a steep decline of more than 30 percent since the previous season, when there were 76 catastrophic injuries reported at ski areas in the United States.
The 52 catastrophic injuries that occurred last season is only slightly above the ski industry's 10-year average of 50 catastrophic injuries per season. Catastrophic injuries include forms of paralysis, broken necks or broken backs, and life-altering severe head injuries.
Although he didn't have concrete numbers, Mr. Meyers said the numbers of ski and snowboarding injuries at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area are well below the national average. In addition to "common sense," Mr. Meyers attributes fewer injuries on the slopes due to scientific advances and adopted practices when it comes to ski gear.
"Technology today in the type of skis and bindings is so much ahead of where it was then it was just a few years ago. It lessens some of the perceived risks that people may have had," Mr. Meyers said. "And the other thing too is the use of the helmets. Helmets have become commonplace. A majority of people, especially kids wear helmets, just like they do now to ride a bike or any other contact sport."
When it comes to helmets alone, Michael Vlass, manager of Mountainside Ski Sports Shop at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, said they sell 1,500 to 1,800 helmets per skiing season on average. A far cry from 1992, the year they started carrying helmets and couldn't sell the allotted 15 in the shop, Mr. Vlass said.
First and foremost, however, if you don't ski and you want to, Mr. Meyers said it's important to take a lesson.
"It gives you an opportunity to learn at your own pace, learn with a professional instructor and learn the basic skills to help you advance to become a better skier," Mr. Meyers said. "Can anybody learn how to ski? Sure. Some learn faster than others. We teach anywhere from 4-years-old right on up to whatever age people like to learn."
Contact Craig S. Semon at craig.semon@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @CraigSemon
Ski lift injuries from falling out of chair lifts are the most preventable. If your chair is not clean before you sit on it demand they clean it. Stop the lift and report it asap. Talk to the ski patrol who need to tell the owners to inforce the clean chair rules.The next problem faced is the kids that go and drink/drug and ski out of control . A simple rule about that is don't allow it.The most dangerour thing when we go out is those who ski where they shouldn't. The beginners and some grandparents should know there limits and pick the slopes with that mindset. Those who can ski the triple black diamond are like the pros and should be respected for they have more control at higher speeds,unlike others at lower speeds. I have run from the summit to lift chair in under 60 seconds at least 100 times.I would only ski in this manner when few people were there. Never risking other skiers safety or out of control. The more people they pack in to rake up the money the more will get hurt/killed.I use to ski Wachusett when there was only a "T" and when the big money came to town they were only interested in the more money the better.Don't be fooled it's all about the money and less about your safety. Ski safe and watch out for the others they may not belong off the beginner slopes. The two times i was injured were from others who lost control and were skiing on ice that should have been closed due to the poor conditions.
ReplyDelete