Safety month in Vail

VAIL — Vail Mountain is celebrating National Safety Awareness Month throughout the month of January with a variety of themed and participatory educational opportunities designed to promote slope safety among skiers and snowboarders of all ages.

“One of our core values at Vail is safety. The safety of our guests and employees impacts nearly every decision we make during the winter season,” said Elizabeth Howe, senior director of mountain operations for Vail. “We are excited to make safety fun and engaging throughout the month of January and we hope to be able to educate our guests about how to personalize safety, whether on the slopes or off.”

Vail will host its annual month-long Know the Code GoPro Raffle. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to approach any mountain safety employee at any time during the month of January and recite the seven steps of “Your Responsibility Code.” Those who can accurately list the seven steps will receive a small prize and be entered into a drawing for one of two GoPro HERO4 cameras. Guests are also welcome to stop in the Mountain Safety Center at Henry’s Hut on weekends during National Safety Awareness Month to share their knowledge with Vail Mountain Safety staff.

The recognition of National Safety Awareness Month will continue at Vail with the following events:

Saturday and Sunday: Helmet Safety. Representatives from the Vail Valley Medical Center’s ThinkFirst program will be at Mountain Plaza at the base of Gondola One from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. answering questions about proper helmet use and provide helmet demos for kids and adults.

Hydrating while at elevation is important to avoid altitude sickness. Gatorade will be on-site at the base of Gondola One on today and Sunday to provide samples and encourage hydration at elevation.

Sun safety is equally important, and Supergoop! will provide samples to guests today and Sunday to help prevent sunburns.

Officers from the Vail Police Department will be at the Mountain Safety Center at Henry’s Hut registering skis and snowboards.

Jan. 23 or 24: A Flight for Life helicopter will demonstrate a landing in conjunction with Vail Ski Patrol near the top of the Tea Cup Express Lift (No. 36) on Jan. 23 or 24 for avalanche awareness.

Jan.23: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Vail Ski Patrol will be at Beacon Basin between the top of the Sourdough Express Lift and Two Elk to assist guests in learning to use an avalanche beacon.

January 23: Guests can sign up before noon at the Mountain Safety Center at Henry’s Hut if they wish to participate in a burial simulation with the Vail Ski Patrol and one of Vail’s trained avalanche dogs between noon and 2 p.m.

National Safety Awareness Month extends beyond the slopes and into the community through a local coloring contest among grade school students. Vail Mountain Safety and Ski Patrol visit local schools to share the slope safety message and encourage local students to illustrate what slope safety means to them. The top contestants’ illustrations will be submitted to the National Ski Areas Association to be entered in a national contest.

All event dates and times are subject to change. For details on any of these events, call Vail Mountain Safety at 970-754-4668.