Alyeska Mountain Education Test

Snow riding can be enjoyed in many ways. You may see people using alpine skis, telemark skis, snowboards, or adaptive ski equipment. For this test, all of the ‘snow riding’ disciplines just mentioned will be referred to as ‘skiing’. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others. Be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Please understand that according to the Alaska Skier Safety Act, it is the duty of the skier/rider to notice and obey all posted signs. Observe the Skier Responsibility Code listed below.

There are a few things about skiing we want to emphasize:

A. Skiing is an action sport: accidents and injuries do occur.

B. Alaska has an Inherent Risks of Skiing Statute. An abbreviated version can be found on the back of your ski pass or media card/day ticket and states:

C: Be aware that snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles and snowcats may be on the slopes at any time. Always ski in control! You may encounter unmarked obstacles at any time.

D: Even though many natural hazards including bare spots, cliffs, rocks, drops, holes, avalanche debris, stumps, etc. are marked, it is impossible to mark every single hazard on the mountain.

Alyeska has orange "SLOW" banners in many places. Although we realize that all skiers enjoy skiing at different speeds, please show respect to slower skiers, children, beginners and congested areas by slowing down and being aware of your surroundings. Be extremely cautious and aware of others while skiing near any of these "SLOW" banners.

A ski run may ski differently at different times of the day. Changing snow conditions, fluctuations in crowd, and morning rushes are just a few things that may affect a given run, such as Denali or Von Imhof Drive. Often people trying to leave the ski area at the end of the day may cause crowding on a run that is usually fairly empty. Outer areas and upper mountain lifts may close leading to higher skier concentrations on lower mountain runs and night skiing terrain. If you find yourself in any of these situations, please be observant and ski courteously and responsibly, giving other skiers a wide berth and respecting their choice to ski at slow speeds.

Alyeska has a number of areas designated as Slow Zones or Slow Family Ski Zones. These areas are indicated by yellow on trail maps and/or slow signs on the mountain. When approaching designated slow or family ski zones, please proceed with caution and respect to varying skiing abilities.

Some may consider jumping to be an integral part of skiing. Jumping, by nature, requires a momentary loss of contact with the snow. This results in longer stopping or turning distances. Some jumps have blind landing areas as well. If you are jumping we ask that you avoid crowded areas and use a second person to check for merging skiers or other skiers who you can't see. Remember to exercise caution for control. Other skiers may not realize that they are below a jump. Please do not jump on or cross groomed terrain unless designated as "Freestyle Terrain".

One of the nicest things about Alyeska is the variety of people skiing here. We have many returning customers, some of whom have made the trip to Alyeska for decades. Each of these customers made a first trip to Alyeska, and it was this first experience that made them want to return. Some things keep them coming back that we can't control, such as scenery and snowfall, but many things we can. Customers offended by fast and reckless skiing, swearing, rude behavior and aggressiveness may have a negative ski experience, causing them to ski elsewhere. We ask your help in creating a welcoming atmosphere for all of our skiers.

Collisions with other skiers can occur. Many times the outcome is fortunate and neither skier is hurt, but sometimes an injury occurs. If involved in a collision with another skier we expect you to behave in a reasonable manner. This is not the time for blame and accusation. Check to make sure the other skier is not hurt. Make sure you are not hurt. The law requires that both skiers stop and render assistance, and upon request, exchange names and contact information. Ski Patrol should also be notified and given names and contact information of those involved in the collision. You should not leave the scene without these exchanges.

Skiing is a social sport, skiers like to share the experience with friends and family. Many people become concerned that they will become separated from their group. This causes people to stop and regroup. They may also proceed slowly so as not to lose the slowest member of their party. Parents skiing with their children and Ski School classes commonly do this. Please respect these groups when overtaking them. Expect sudden turns and stops. Be patient with the congestion they may cause.

One thing that makes Alyeska special is our incredible snow and outer areas. Outer areas may be accessed only through gates with signage indicating the area or run is open. Outer areas are surrounded by double or single rope lines with signs indicating “Avalanche Area: Enter thru Gate Only”. Be aware that outer areas routinely close at different times each day and always close prior to the main ski area. Status of the outer areas can be found on status boards located at the top of the Tram, the top of Lift Six, and at all ticket counters.

Signs, ropes, and bamboo are all used to mark things at Alyeska. They are also used to control access to certain areas. As stated above, these areas may only be entered through open gates.

Avalanches are powerful forces of nature that can catch and bury even the best of skiers. They may cause death or great injury and can overtake and bury people thousands of feet below. Avalanches can occur naturally or be skier triggered. If a skier causes the release, he or she may not even be the one affected. Innocent people or even rescuers could get buried. Avalanche sign line violators therefore not only risk their lives, but also the lives and well being of others.

Alyeska uses sign lines to control access to terrain affected by avalanches. Gates in these lines reflect whether an area is open or closed. These Outer Areas always close before the main area. After snowstorms, avalanche control teams inspect each area for slide potential and open them when they have finished their work. Going beyond a closed sign is against the law. It is punishable with a State Citation and a $150 fine, loss of ski privileges, or both. Alyeska is pro-active in opening areas after storms. If an area is closed the avalanche danger is substantial.

Causes of avalanche closures are not always obvious to the casual observer. Many times changing wind, snow, and/or visibility will cause an area to close mid-day. Closed signs and gates may have tracks through them. Do not proceed: these tracks may be left from the last few skiers through before the closure, a patrol sweep or an avalanche control team. They could also be from sign line violators. Please remember to read and obey the signs, regardless of tracks.

There will be days the patrol will be doing speed control. If you are skiing too fast they may warn you or take your pass. Their decision will not be based on your control, but your speed and location on the mountain. Please ski responsibly. Slow down in congested areas. Recognize areas preferred by learning skiers. Adjust your speed to crowd and conditions, and help keep Alyeska a friendly place for everyone.

Ski etiquette is an essential part of the ski industry today. Ski etiquette describes a code of polite conduct among skiers. It includes not skiing in closed areas, obeying all signs and rope lines, staying in control, prudent skiing speeds, not cutting lines, yielding the right of way, being polite to other guests and employees, looking uphill for others, being patient on hikes and openings, not traversing untracked bowls, etc. In short, ski etiquette is common sense and courtesy while skiing.

Not having a valid lift ticket or using someone else’s season pass or "Direct-to-Lift" ticket is stealing from Alyeska Resort. Season passes, Direct-to-Lift tickets and Day tickets are non-transferable; pass sharing in any way is stealing from the resort. This can be defined as ticket fraud. Anyone who is guilty of ticket fraud risks prosecution for Theft in the 3rd Degree. A Class "A" misdemeanor will show up on your record with the state of Alaska and you may face up to a year in jail and receive a $10,000 fine. It may be possible to avoid these maximum penalties by cooperating with ski patrol, paying Alyeska’s “Ticket Fraud fine” of $150+ the cost of a Day ticket (forfeited to Ski Patrol), losing lift privileges for 30 Days and taking the Mountain Education Test.

ALYESKA’S SAFETY VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES:

Category 1
1st offense: Revocation of lift privileges for one day (or pick up trash).
2nd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 7 days.
3rd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 14 days.

1 - Open Containers
2 - Public Drinking or use of illicit drugs on the mountain.
3 - Littering

Category 2:
1st offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 7 days.
2nd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 14 days.
3rd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 30 days.

1 - Unsafe Skiing or Riding (including inverted aerials and skiing fast in Slow Zones)
2 - Snowmaking Closure/Race or Event Closure/Night Closure
3 - Bouncing or Horseplay on chairlift
4 - Disorderly Conduct (ie: excessive profanity, non-compliance)
5 - Line Crashing (ie: cutting in lift line)

Category 3:
1st offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 14 days.
2nd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 30 days.
3rd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 365 days.

1 - Runaway Ski/Snowboard Resulting in Accident
2 - Jumping from Chairlift
3 - Threatening Harm
4 - Interference of Personnel in Performance of Duties (ie: verbal abuse)

Category 4:
1st offense: Revocaton of lift privileges for 30 days.
2nd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 365 days.
3rd offense: TBD by Patrol Director or Mountain Manager.

1 - Avalanche/Terrain Closure
2 - Leaving the Scene of an Accident
3 - Collision Resulting in Injury

Category 5: Possible Prosecution
1st offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 30 days.
2nd offense: Revocation of lift privileges for 365 days.
3rd offense: TBD by Patrol Director or Mountain Manager.

1 - Theft of Services (ie: Ticket Fraud) = $150 fine, possible prosecution [Theft
in the 4th Degree] and the cost of the lift ticket which is forfeited to Patrol
2 - Theft (will be turned over to law enforcement)
3 - Posession of Stolen Property (will be turned over to law enforcement)
4 - Physical Assault or Property Damage
5 - Trespassing ($150 fine)

Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fine Schedule:	Fine
Skiing on Closed Slope or Trail	$150.00
Stopping Device Required	$50.00
Crossing Uphill Track of Surface Lift	$50.00
Skiing or Riding Lift Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs	$150.00
Failure to Ski within Ski Area Boundaries	$150.00
Failure to Remain at Scene of an Accident	$150.00

If you are involved in a collision at Alyeska, you must remain at the scene of the accident until released by ski patrol. You are also required to exchange contact information with all parties involved and patrol prior to leaving the scene.