Vail Mountain Puts "Safety First" For National Safety Awareness Week
VAIL, Colo. – Jan. 15, 2009 – “Safety First” is the focus of Vail Mountain’s campaign this season for National Safety Awareness Week, slated for Jan. 17-23. Guests are encouraged to participate in various events and activities during National Safety Awareness week at Vail, which are designed to raise awareness of safety initiatives on the mountain as well as measures that can be taken to help reduce certain elements of risk while skiing and snowboarding.
“We promote safety everyday on Vail Mountain, but during National Safety Awareness Week we aim to heighten awareness about skier and rider safety,” said Bob Cox, Manager, Vail Mountain Yellow Jacket Program. “This particular week gives us a platform to showcase safety and remind people how important it is throughout the season.”
Guests are encouraged verbally and through signage across the mountain to know and abide by “Your Responsibility Code.” National Safety Awareness Week provides an opportunity to highlight Vail’s safety initiatives and further communicate the “Safety First” message and “Your Responsibility Code” with guests and amongst employees. In conjunction with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), employees will also be communicating to guests the “Objects are Closer Than They Appear” message, which reminds skiers and snowboarders to remain in control and be able to stop and avoid other people and objects.
From the base areas to Vail’s highest peak, guests will notice a heightened presence of Vail Ski Patrol and Yellow Jacket personnel and an added emphasis on safety enforcement, which includes revoking skier days for safety violations. Safety enforcement occurs on a daily basis at Vail and has resulted in 298 revoked skier days so far this season.
In addition to the Pork Chop, Vail Mountain Safety Pig, trading cards released last season, guests will also see Henry the Vail Ski Patrol Avalanche Dog trading cards. Both trading cards highlight the seven points of “Your Responsibility Code” in a fun take-away for both kids and adults. The trading cards will be distributed during Safety Week at the base areas, through Yellow Jacket and Ski Patrol personnel and at many events throughout the week. Yellow Jackets will also be recognizing guests who are following the seven steps of “Your Responsibility Code,” and entering them in a drawing. Three lucky winners will receive a combination of lift tickets and lunch on Vail Mountain.
Vail’s 2009 National Safety Awareness Week calendar of events is as follows:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH
- Hot Chocolate with Vail Ski Patrol and Avalanche Awareness Seminar: Hosted by Pork Chop, Vail Mountain Safety Pig, at the top of the Mountaintop Express Lift (Chair 4), 9:30-10:30 a.m. Also, meet Henry, the Ski Patrol Avi Pup. Vail Ski Patrol will host an Open House all day at Patrol Headquarters (top of Chair 4). Call (970) 479-4610 for more information.
- Pork Chop, Vail Mountain Safety Pig, and Henry the Ski Patrol Avi Pup Autograph Signing:Chaos Canyon at Mid-Vail from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Bring your camera for a photo opp!
- Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Fair: Bottom of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead and the Vista Bahn Express Lift in Vail Village from 9-11 a.m. Check out the booths in the base areas and have your skis or snowboard registered with the Vail Police Department.
- Vail Sports Helmet Fitting: Get fitted for a helmet from 9-11 a.m. at the bottom of the Vista Bahn Express in Vail Village.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail at 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH
- Extreme Terrain Rescue Training:Vail Ski Patrol will be conducting rescue training at the Chair 4 cliffs at 11 a.m.
- Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Fair: Bottom of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead and the Vista Bahn Express Lift in Vail Village from 9-11 a.m. Check out the booths in the base areas and have your skis or snowboard registered with the Vail Police Department.
- Vail Sports Helmet Fitting: Get fitted for a helmet from 9-11 a.m. at the bottom of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
- “Pigs on Ice” with Pork Chop, Vail Ski Patrol and Other Special Guests: Family fun at the Arrabelle at Vail Square Ice Rink 4-6 p.m. Bring your camera for pictures with Pork Chop!
MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH
- “Cat Nap”: Check out a “sleeping” snow cat at Mid-Vail 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Flight for Life Helicopter Viewing:Informative look at the helicopter and its crew at the top of the Avanti Express Lift (Chair 2) at 11 a.m. (***Subject to Change***)
- Vail Yellow Jacket Safety Fair: Bottom of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead and the Vista Bahn Express Lift in Vail Village from 9-11 a.m. Check out the booths in the base areas and have your skis or snowboard registered with the Vail Police Department. Vail Mountain School’s second grade students will also be at the fair, helping to spread the safety message!
- Vail Sports Helmet Fitting: Get fitted for a helmet from 9-11 a.m. at the bottom of the Vista Bahn Express in Vail Village.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH
- Take Care of Your Body:Head to our on-mountain restaurants, Marketplace at Eagles Nest, Look Ma Level at Mid-Vail, for information from Howard Head Sports Medicine Clinic about taking care of your body, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Special guest at one of these locations: Pork Chop, Vail Mountain Safety Pig.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21ST
- “Cat Nap”:Check out a “sleeping” snow cat at Mid-Vail 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Vail Snowsports School Presents Terrain Park Etiquette:Join snowboard instructors at the Fly Zone Terrain Park for up to date park use information; meet at the log structure above the Fly Zone Terrain Park in Golden Peak at 12 p.m.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND
- Take Care of Your Body:Head to our on-mountain restaurants, Marketplace at Eagles Nest, Look Ma Level at Mid-Vail, for information from Howard Head Sports Medicine Clinic about taking care of your body, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Special guest at one of these locations: Pork Chop, Vail Mountain Safety Pig.
- Beacon Basin Challenge and Avalanche Simulator:Test your skills with an avalanche beacon at beacon basin by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4. Sign up all week long at Patrol Headquarters. Call (970) 479-4610 for more information.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol: Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD
- LAST CHANCE! Sweep with Vail Ski Patrol:Join the Vail Ski Patrol with trail closing at the end of the day. To sign up call (970) 754-4610 or stop by Patrol Headquarters at the top of Chair 4 for more information.
- Free Adult Ski Tips: Intermediate and advanced skiers depart Mid-Vail 11 a.m.
- Vail Sports Binding Check: Visit any Vail Sports location to have your ski bindings checked at 50% off (overnight drop-off of skis and one boot required). Just mention National Safety Awareness Week at Vail to receive the discount.
All events are subject to change. Please check with Vail Ski Patrol or Vail Yellow Jackets personnel about daily activities. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to watch TV8 or check the daily grooming report for the Safety Week activity of the day. For more information on Vail’s National Safety Awareness Week activities, please see www.vail.com.
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About Vail
Coveted as North America’s top ski resort, Vail is an extraordinary winter vacation destination. Spanning seven miles are seven legendary Back Bowls, blanketed last year with thirty-eight feet of powder snow. Under blue sky three hundred days a year and with more groomed terrain than anywhere on the planet, families reconnect and celebrate here from year to year and generation to generation. The vacation experience is world class, from the Vail Snow Sports School to the activities and festivals, the shops and spas, dining, nightlife and accommodations – with many new and luxuriously renovated to discover. Vail – Like Nothing on Earth. The Vail consumer website is www.vail.com.
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading of mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resort properties at the Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone mountain resorts in Colorado, the Heavenly Ski Resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States and the Caribbean. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.