Snow
PLAY ZONE
Snow
PLAY ZONE
WHAT IS THE ALYESKA SNOW PLAY ZONE?
Alyeska is a member of the National Ski Area Association, and as such, we adopt the same general mountain safety codes and regulations found across the country that are part of the NSAA system.
First and foremost, skiing and riding safely is everyone’s responsibility.
Emergency Line: 907-754-2500
ALYESKA SNOW PLAY ZONE
While on the slopes in the Snow Play Zones, you’ll see people using alpine skis, telemark skis, snowboards, and other snow play equipment such as snow skates, snow bikes and adaptive ski gear. You’ll see skiers of all levels – from beginners enjoying their first day on the slopes to expert skiers with years of experience. Our Snow Play Zones consist of Chair 7 & The Bear Cub Quad terrain. All equipment allowed in these areas are limited to the terrain from these lifts. You may not take ski bikes, snow skates, or other snow play equipment on Ted’s Express, Glacier Bowl Express, or the Aerial Tram. It is always your responsibility, regardless of the equipment used or the ability level you have, to be courteous to others and to be aware that skiing safely makes the slopes safer for all of us.
Our beginner ski zones and Snow Play Areas are high traffic areas and it’s important to refer to these areas as “Slow” zones. We label them as such on our trail maps and with signs and banners as you ski through each of these areas. We encourage guests to ‘Go with the Flow’ in these areas, ski only as fast as the skier next to you.
Alyeska has set Enforcement Guidelines based on the Skier Responsibility Code and Mountain Safety Concerns for behavior on the mountain. Alyeska operates under a lease through the Department of Natural Resources which requires the resort to enforce violations of state statute. Violations of the Alaska skier safety act or other state laws can be referred to DNR and may lead to a citation. In addition to loss of lift privileges and fines we also require all ‘violators’ to take the Mountain Education Test, a tool used to help educate.
KNOW THE CODE
SNOW PLAY ZONE RULES
Skier Responsibility Code
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.
WHAT AREAS ARE CONSIDERED SNOW PLAY ZONES?
- Chair 7 terrain
- All terrain from the Bear Cub Quad
WHAT'S ALLOWED IN THE SNOW PLAY ZONE?
- Snow Skates
- Snow Bikes
- Downhill Skis
- Snowboard
- Telemark Skis
- Mono Skis
- Sit Skis
- Bi-Skis
WHAT ISNT ALLOWED IN THE SNOW PLAY ZONE?
- Cross-Country Skis
- Boot Skis
- Snow Surfers
- Skis/Snowboards with plastic edges
- Tandem Devices
- Sleds, Tubes, or Toboggans
- Body Sled
- Fat Tire Bikes
- Snow Trikes
- Snow Scooters
- Snow Deck
- Snowshoes
HOW TO LOAD THE LIFT
- Wait in line with the rest of the guests;
- When it is your turn to load, walk from the waiting zone to the loading zone;
- Sit down, secure your device, and lift your feet so they do not drag.
HOW TO UNLOAD THE LIFT
BEGINNERS
- As you approach the ramp, consider giving a hand signal to the lift operator that you will need a slow down;
- When you get close to the cones marked “Unload here” stand up and walk down the ramp;
- Make sure you are fully clear of the unload zone before situating your gear.
EXPERIENCED RIDERS
- If you would like a slow, give the hand signal to the lift operator;
- If you are comfortable sliding down the unload ramp on your device, place it on the ramp and slide away;
- Make sure you are fully clear of the unload zone before situating your gear.
TRAIL SIGNAGE
SMART STYLE
The National Ski Area Association and Burton Snowboards have developed the “Smart Style” Freestyle Terrain Safety initiative, a cooperative effort to continue the proper use and progression of freestyle terrain at mountain resorts.
- MAKE A PLAN
Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you want to use. Your speed, approach and take off will directly affect your maneuver and landing. - LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know your landings are clear and clear yourself out of the landing area. - EASY STYLE IT
Start small and work your way up. (Inverted aerials not recommended except in events & terrain park). - RESPECT GETS RESPECT
From the lift line through the park.
INHERENT RISK OF SKIING
Under Alaska law, the risk of an injury to a person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing rests with the skier. Inherent dangers and risks of skiing include changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks, stumps and trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. If you are involved in a collision with another skier/boarder you must stay at the scene until ski patrol arrives.
Be advised that all poles, flags, fencing, signage and padding on equipment or objects or other forms of marking devices are used by the area to inform you of the presence or location of a potential obstacle or hazard. These markers are no guarantee of your safety and will not protect you from injury. A rope line made up of bamboo and rope, with no closed signs, indicates a hazard behind the line and can be considered a warning rope.
Please observe posted SLOW ZONE areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Fast and aggressive skiing/boarding will result in the loss of skiing privileges.
NEED HELP?
Alyeska Pro Patrol
Full and Part time paid positions covering the mountain seven days a week from the beginning until the end of the ski season during operating hours.
First Aid Room
This is our base area headquarters and the location we transport all patients to from the hill.
The Roundhouse Ski Patrol Dispatch
Located on the bottom floor of the Historical Roundhouse Building, this is where all of our communications centralize.
Top of two Patrol Station
The building we call home for our Top Patrol Station is the top lift station of the original Chair Two, the base of which was destroyed by an avalanche in 1974. It is from this point that we prepare to respond to anything in our open area.
Don Spencer's Shelter
This is our base area headquarters and the location we transport all patients to from the hill.
Resort Reservations
1-907-754-2111
Guest Services/ Hotel (local)
1-907-754-1111
Book Your Adventure Today
Select Your Experience and Make Your Reservation Now
While on the slopes, you will see people using alpine skis, telemark skis, snowboards, and other snow play equipment such as snow skates, snow bikes and adaptive ski gear. You will see skiers of all levels – from beginners enjoying their first day on the slopes to expert skiers with years of experience. It is always your responsibility, regardless of the equipment used or the level of skier that you are, to be courteous to others and to be aware that skiing safely makes the ski slopes safer for all of us.
Alyeska is a large mountain with difficult and dangerous terrain and skiing and riding are dangerous sports. We do our best to inform guests of the possible hazards associated with snow sports. We do our best to mark hazards and dangerous terrain appropriately. We also actively open and close certain areas of the mountain often due to Snow Safety considerations, ski conditions, or darkness
Our beginner ski zones and high skier traffic areas are important to us and we refer to these areas as “Slow” zones. We label them as such on our trail maps and with signs and banners as you ski through each of these areas. We encourage guests to ‘Go with the Flow’ in these areas, ski only as fast as the skier next to you. Our least favorite part of the job is to be the police on the mountain. We do our best to keep an eye on people skiing around to ensure everyone is skiing safely and within their limits.
Alyeska has set Enforcement Guidelines based on the Skier Responsibility Code and Mountain Safety Concerns for behavior on the mountain. Alyeska operates under a lease through the Department of Natural Resources which requires the resort to enforce violations of state statute. Violations of the Alaska skier safety act or other state laws can be referred to DNR and may lead to a citation. In addition to loss of lift privileges and fines we also require all ‘violators’ to take the Mountain Education Test, a tool used to help educate.