Steamboat is committed to promoting skier/rider safety. All skiers/riders must be responsible, treat each other with respect, be considerate, and know and comply with the Colorado Ski Safety Act, Your Responsibility Code, and Colorado law.

COLORADO SKI SAFETY ACT
The Colorado legislature established as a matter of law that certain dangers and risks are inherent in the sport of skiing.


WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or propertyresulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may notrecover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of theinherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: changing weather conditions;existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees;collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations interrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.

The Ski Safety Act also includes CLIFFS, EXTREME TERRAIN, JUMPS and FREESTYLE TERRAIN as inherent dangers and risks of skiing.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE
  1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  5. Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Learn more about mountain safety at www.nsaa.org.

SLOPEWISE CODE OF CONDUCT
Steamboat’s SlopeWise policy is intended to supplement the above in order to promote the best possible experience for all of our guests while on the mountain. The Slopewise policy prohibits, among other things, reckless skiing/riding, offensive or abusive behavior, skiing/riding while impaired, violations of the Ski Safety Act or other laws and regulations. The SlopeWise policy is enforced by Patrol and can lead to suspension of pass privileges. If you observe what you feel to be inappropriate behavior, please call Patrol.

The following with not be tolerated.
  • Fast and/or reckless skiing/riding.
  • Refusal to show and/or relinquish your pass to a mountain employee when requested.
  • Violent behavior, or abusive, foul or threatening language.
  • Skiing/riding in a closed area, whether marked by a rope or other closure indicator or on the map or grooming report. It is your responsibility to know what trails or slopes are open and closed. Skiing/riding in a closed area is illegal and you may be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000 in addition to actions that may be taken by Steamboat.
  • Riding a lift or skiing/riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Actions or behaviors that in our judgment may endanger your safety or the safety of others.
  • Pass and ticket fraud of any kind, including using someone else’s pass or ticket.
  • Violating the law, including the Colorado Ski Safety Act

Steamboat reserves the right to terminate privileges on a first offense if it determines, in its sole discretion, that such action is appropriate. Especially egregious behavior could mean that an individual is banned from the slopes for up to two years or more.

Any employee in uniform is available to assist with safety questions and is empowered under Colorado law to require a skier/rider to show their pass and if requested take control of the pass and suspend or revoke the skiing or riding privileges of anyone demonstrating reckless or inappropriate behavior.

safety programs

Steamboat BuddyUp Program Steamboat BuddyUp Program
#BuddyUp Program

The old adage 'there are no friends on a powder day' couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, Steamboat through the #buddyup initiative stresses that there's always room for a friend on a powder day. Skiing or riding with a friend can be fun, but can also help you stay safe on the mountain. Whether you need someone to help you stand up from deep snow, take a picture of you hitting a jump, or help you in the case of an emergency, having a friend is the way to go. Use #buddyup and #steamboatresort when you post pictures of you and your buddy to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Park Smart: Start Small, Make a Plan, Always Look, Respect, Take it Easy Park Smart: Start Small, Make a Plan, Always Look, Respect, Take it Easy
Park Smart

Start small, make a plan, always look, respect and take it easy are the 5 steps to being smart in the terrain park. Check out the full details on the Park Smart steps and watch the video before hitting the park.

View Terrain Park Policies
Kids on Lifts Kids on Lifts
Kids on Lifts

Back to back, bottom to bottom – this is how your child should sit on a chair. Please alert lift operators if your child needs assistance loading or unloading. Read our full guide on how to ride a lift before heading out for a day on the mountain.

View Kids on Lifts Guidelines
Skiing Skiing
Deep Snow and Tree Wells

Skiing or riding in tree areas and deep snow can be a exhilarating experience on a powder day, but it is an individual choice and carries with it inherent risks. Prepare yourself by reading our tree well FAQ and tips on skiing/riding deep snow.

Deep Snow & Tree Well Information
Helmet Usage Helmet Usage
Helmet Usage

Steamboat recommends wearing helmets for skiing and riding. Rental helmets are available at our Ski & Sport locations as well as kids helmets in our Kids' Vacation Center. 

View Helmet Guidelines
OTHER MOUNTAIN SAFETY INFORMATION

IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Please consider putting the following numbers on your cell phone and those of your family. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

1. Ski Patrol: 970-871-5911
2. Steamboat Security: 970-846-1055
3. Emergency: 911


Steamboat app
The Steamboat app allows the user to send their GPS coordinates to Steamboat Ski Patrol via email in the event of an emergency. Data charges may apply.
Download App


EQUIPMENT WORKING and other hazards

Grooming equipment, snowmobiles and other vehicles may be encountered at any time – give them space!Steamboat does not mark all potential hazards and fencing, poles, padding and other markings are intended to alert you to hazards or obstacles, all of which, whether marked or not, you must be able to avoid under the Colorado Ski Safety Act.


CLOSURES
Respect all signs and closures. It is your responsibility to know what trails are open and what trails are closed. Trails can be closed with a rope and bamboo barrier or simply a “Closed” sign at the most likely entrance onto a run which is usually at the top. Use caution when skiing or riding in the trees so that you don’t end up on a closed trail that could result in your skiing privileges being suspended.


AVALANCHE WARNING
While rare within the resort, avalanches may occur both inside and outside of the posted ski area boundary at any time WITHOUT WARNING. Become educated on how to reduce the risks through your own actions and awareness. Visit www.avalanche.org, www.avalanche.state.co.us, or contact Patrol for information or location of our Beacon Basin avalanche beacon training area.



SKI WITH FRIENDS
It is impossible for the resort to conduct a complete search of the 2,965 acres of terrain each evening. Because there is a possibility of being left on the mountain, skiing or riding with friends is strongly recommended.