HOME--SkiMyBest.com:  "Learn to Ski/Ski Better/Ski My Best"  Synopsis  Contents/Search   Choosing an Area to Ski  Skiing the Colorado Rockies  EpicMix of Vail Resorts Ski Slope Ratings  Skier Skill Lesson-Levels 1-9  Skiing as a Career   Skiing Websites  The Colorado Winter Outdoors   Books/Videos/Apps  Skiing Humor  Dedication 
 Why and How to Take a Ski Lesson from a Professonal Ski Instructor   How to Pick a Ski Instructor 
    Bill Jones/Ski Instructor   Contact Bill Jones   How To Reserve Private Ski Lessons with Bill Jones
"SKIING IS A SLIDING SPORT"--a skiing web manual: contents (topics at page bottoms of manual)

u Did you come here from a link on another website? See page bottom for latest version of this page. This site is not associated with any ski area. Use of any page
means you accept our Site Use Agreement.

   "SKIING IS A SLIDING SPORT":
 Conventional Skiing Wisdoms (CSW's) 

by Bill Jones, Ski Instructor
Certified Professional Ski Instructor (Registration #110478), Level III
How to reserve private ski lessons with Bill Jones

CSW #30: "The Skier's Responsibility Code will keep me safe"

For review, here is the SKIER'S RESPONSIBILITY CODE:

1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6, Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.

KNOW THE CODE. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
This is a partial list. Be safety conscious.

Note the phrase "This is a partial list". Just as in driving a car, don't count on others to follow all the rules, for they may not know the rules, may not be able to control themselves to follow the rules, or may not care about the rules. Here are some defensive actions that may save a collision:

1) When making turns, be consistent with their radii. Others will tend to forecast that you will keep doing what you have been and have a better chance to guide their paths to avoid you. If, however, you must change your radius or you need to traverse a bit, glance uphill to be sure the slope is clear before you do that.

2) When skiing on one side of a slope, keep the outsides of your turns a bit away from the edge, for a skier coming down that edge might need to choose between falling into a drop or hitting a tree--or taking you out. Guess what might be the most likely choice.

3) Unlike skiers, snowboarders stand sideways to their paths. Thus, they may not be able to see you behind them even though turning toward you. Give them berth. Snowboarders are also more likely to sit on the slopes, for standing on a board can be more tiring than on skis and they may be out of sight beyond a rise.

4) Higher-speed carving turns cause direction changes that sometimes lead across the slope; watch for another skier or boarder making a similar carved turn coming from either side and heading toward your arc into which you may be locked due to a high edge angle.

5) It might seem safer to stand near the side of a ski trail, but nowadays folks may ski or board in the trees and come flying out onto the open slopes with speed or even in the air, having no ability to turn. Don't do this yourself.

6) One super skier takes the approach that it is safer to ski fast so that no one can hit him from behind. This may be all right for a person who can make quick adjustments to speed and direction to avoid other skiers who might themselves be changing course or timing, but would not apply for most. This tactic seems akin to the motorcycle rider who weaves ahead on the tiny zone between two lanes of cars on the highway, hoping no one will move into his way.

7) The new buzzword in skiing is "spatial awareness". Be aware of your surroundings, especially the parts that are moving such as other skiers and boarders. Look out at the space around you, not down at your skis or the snow you are sliding over. This way you can plan your path with more time to adjust it if needed. If you must look down, only glance and then look up again. Looking out instead of down also gives a better sense of balance and even makes it seem like you are going slower, increasing confidence.

8) As said, "This is a partial list."

Also see Skiing Ethics & Slope Survival.

main CSW contents
prior CSW #29: "Skiing slowly is safer"
next CSW #31: "Put (or keep) the weight on the balls of the feet"

"SKIING IS A SLIDING SPORT"--a skiing web manual:     Skiing Web Manual Contents   Why Read This Skiing Web Manual That First Skiing Lesson  A Little Skiing History  Motion in Skiing  CONVENTIONAL SKIING WISDOMS  Skier Excuses   Fear in Skiing  Conditioning for Skiing   Equipment and Technique  Skiing Equipment  How Skis Work   How to Develop Balance on Skis  A Skiing Turn Simplified  The Final Skiing Skill: pressure management  Tactics for Terrains and Snow Textures and Racing  Skiing Tips and Tales--a potpourri  Exercises for Developing Skiing Skills   Children and Skiing  Gender & Skiing   Skiing Ethics and Survival  Glossary  Skiing Environment   Acknowledgements SkiMyBest Website Contents  

This "CSW #30 'The Skier's Respnsibility Code will keep me safe...'" page last modified November 17, 2021. Did you come here from a link on another website? For latest version of this page, copy to your browser: http://www.SkiMyBest.com/skiCSW30.htm Copyright © 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. William R Jones.