HAVING FUN SAFELY MATTERS HERE AT AB! 

Here’s a great website to check out for all sorts of winter-related safety topics!

highfivesfoundation.org

NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION // YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE (2022)

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.

2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.

3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.

4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.

5. You must prevent runaway equipment.

6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.

7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.

8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need

assistance, ask the lift attendant.

9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

10. 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.

TIPS TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT

● Know "The Code" and stay in control.

● If you can't stop, you're going too fast.

● Practice defensive skiing.

● Never stop where uphill skiers cannot see you.

● Always stop on the side of the slope, not the center.

● Keep your group size small.

● Look uphill before starting from a stationary position or when merging.

● Don’t take blind jumps without a spotter.

● Teach your children the "Rules of the Road."

● Don’t leave the scene of an accident, wait for Patrol.

OUR TERRAIN AREA

The terrain here at Antelope Butte presents everything from groomed slopes to natural

features and dangerous cliffs and drops, and our weather is equally variable. During

periods of low visibility or other inclement weather and snow conditions, the degree of

difficulty of these runs for each individual may change. It is important to use extra

caution to prevent getting lost or making a mistake that could result in a serious injury or

death. Please protect yourself by obeying all trail signs and markers.

Warning: Risk of Avalanche

While there are few avalanche-conducive areas here at Antelope Butte, and while snow

safety and avalanche mitigation efforts help reduce the risk of avalanches, avalanches

and snow slides may occur at ski areas, both inside and outside of the posted

boundaries. Avalanches are an inherent risk of the sport due to the nature of snow and

its application on steep, mountainous terrain. Become educated on how to reduce the

risk of injury or death from avalanches through your own actions and awareness.

LIFT SAFETY

Be advised that you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity,

ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use the lift safely or until you have asked for

and received information sufficient to enable you to load, ride and unload the lift safely.

You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

5 TIPS TO STAY SAFE ON OUR LIFTS

Need Assistance? Ask the lift attendant for help. The smallest kids should load closest

to the attendant.

1) Remove and Carry Packs. Packs tend to get stuck or can push your body weight to

the front of the chair, so be sure to remove them and carry them on your lap. Also, do

not use phones, music, or games while loading or unloading the chair.

2) It is OK to miss a chair. You can always catch the next one. Your safety is a priority.

3) When loading, watch for the approaching chair. Then sit to the back of the chair once

seated!

4 ) Drop something? Let it fall! Any item dropped can be picked up later.

5) Absolutely no horseplay on the lifts! This needs no explanation. Skiing is all fun and

games, but lift safety is of the utmost importance.

TREE WELL SAFETY / Snow Immersion Suffocation

Here’s a great website for information on SIS (Snow Immersion Suffocation)

deepsnowsafety.org

SIS stands for Snow Immersion Suffocation, and it is the second-leading cause of

ski related deaths in the Western United States. SIS incidents occur with deep snow

or tree well immersions, in which a rider or skier falls into an area of deep,

unconsolidated snow and becomes immobilized. The more the person struggles, the

more entrapped in the snow they become, risking suffocation.

• Always ski and ride with a partner. To minimize your risk, you must know how to travel

safely with your partners in ungroomed deep snow areas.

• Always stay in visual contact so your partner(s) can see you if you fall. Visual contact

means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times and proceeding

downhill while he or she watches you at all times. It does no good if your partner is

already waiting for you in the lift line while you are still descending the slope.

• Stay close enough to either pull or dig out. If you have any question about what "close

enough" to assist someone in a tree well is, hold your breath while you are reading this.

The amount of time before you need air may be how much time your partner has to pull

or dig you out of danger. Other factors such as creating an air pocket or the position you

fall in may affect this critical timeframe.

• Remember, don't lose visual contact with your partner, or you could lose your friend. It

is important to know that most people who have died in deep snow or tree well

accidents had been skiing or riding with partners at the time of their accidents.

Unfortunately, none of these partners were in visual contact, so they were not able to

help in time.

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY… KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

Before you venture into the backcountry, you must recognize the risk involved. While we neither encourage nor

discourage backcountry travel, we do advocate for continued education, the practice of safe backcountry skills, and the use of a

beacon, a probe, a shovel, and a partner. Your safety — and the safety of others — depends on knowledge and preparation.

KNOW THE SLOW ZONES

Certain areas (as highlighted on our trail map) are designated as SLOW ZONES.

Please observe the posted slow zone areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the

general flow of traffic. Fast and aggressive skiing and riding will not be tolerated.

HELMET USE

Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area encourages you to educate yourself on the

benefits and limitations of helmets. If you choose to wear one, then please ski or ride as

if you are not wearing one. Every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or

her safety and for that of others using the ski area facilities.

Check www.lidsonkids.org for important helmet safety information complete with simple

helmet sizing instructions to help ensure a proper fit.

TERRAIN PARKS & FREESTYLE TERRAIN AREAS

Here’s a great website to check out!

terrainparksafety.org

Freestyle terrain areas are designated with an orange oval and may contain jumps, hits,

ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes, quarter pipes, snowcross, bump terrain

and other constructed or natural terrain features. Prior to using freestyle terrain, you are

responsible for familiarizing yourself with Freestyle Terrain and obeying all instructions,

warnings and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the

air. Use of freestyle terrain exposes you to the risk of serious injury or death. Inverted

aerials are not recommended. You assume the risk.

Freestyle terrain has designations for relative size at Antelope Butte. Each feature can be broken down into four zones. Identify these zones and have a plan before using any freestyle terrain, and keep the following safety tips in mind:

1. Make a plan. Every time you use freestyle terrain, make a plan for each feature you

want to use. Your speed, approach and takeoff will directly affect your maneuver and

landing.

2. Look before you leap. Always scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know

your landings are clear, and clear yourself out of the landing area.

3. Easy style it. Start small and work your way up. (Inverted aerials are not

recommended).

4. Respect gets respect. Show everyone respect from the lift line through the park.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT

Wyoming ski safety laws require individuals involved in skier/skier collisions to...

1. Stop at the scene

2. Render aid

3. Provide their name, address, and identification

You should also report the accident to ski patrol.

HOW TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT

In the event of an emergency on the mountain, please call 307-529-1052.

If you are involved in an accident on the hill, the Skier Responsibility Code and state law

requires you to stop and assist. Ensure that the emergency services are alerted.

Depending on the circumstances and location of the accident, there are two ways to do

this:

1) Phone us at 307-529-1052. Saving our number on your mobile phone before you hit

the slopes is a good idea. However, reception may be limited, so please also.;

2) Ask someone else to ski/board down to the nearest lift station where the lift attendant

can be alerted, and they can contact the ski patrol.

The ski patrol will want to know three details:

1) The exact location of the incident. Try to give as much information as possible.

Many runs will have numbered lift towers nearby that are a great help. If you have a

GPS, you can obviously give the exact coordinates.

2) The nature of the accident. Relay what happened and list any potential hazards.

3) The number of injured parties and an idea of the type of injuries (if possible).

Let them know if children are involved. Finally, in particular, alert the ski patrol if there is

someone who is unconscious, not breathing or who has head or spinal injuries.

Once the emergency services have been alerted (e.g., the ski patrol), prioritize the

following:

• SAFETY — consider yourself, the scene and the casualty (in that order)

• AIRWAY — control cervical spine, if necessary

• BREATHING — provide adequate ventilation

• CIRCULATION — control hemorrhage

DRONE / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle USE

Out of safety concerns for guests, employees and resort property, Antelope Butte

Mountain Recreation Area prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial vehicles,

or aerial drones, by the general public - including recreational users and hobbyists.

This prohibition includes drones for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by

media or journalists operating above property owned or managed by Jackson Hole

Mountain Resort. This prohibition on drone use extends to any drones launched or

operated from resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside

of the resort boundaries.

Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding

privileges, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any

equipment. Violators will be liable for any damages, including but not limited to physical

or personal injuries, property damage, damages for violations of privacy, regulatory

fines and legal fees.

UPHILL POLICY / SKINNING

We are open to the paying public from 9 AM - 4 PM on Wednesday through Sunday, and daily

during holiday periods. Complimentary uphill access to (the area within our ski area boundary)

including skinning, carrying skis and snowboards, snowshoeing (and/or any other personally

and non-powered method of conveyance) will be limited to non-operating hours or days on our

specifically designated route. There will be no charge for uphill travel that complies with these

policies. Outside of our ski area boundary… you’re on your own.

All uphill users utilizing the ski area’s (boundary footprint) must begin to return to the base

no later than 15 minutes prior to opening of the first lift of the day. To be clear - if you’re within our ski area boundary you must be

back at the base area by 9 AM when we open for the paying public. Dogs who are under

vocal control or on a lead at all times will be allowed to accompany uphill skiers, riders or snowshoers

within the time allotted for uphill traffic only. Ski Patrol and resort employees will enforce

these restrictions.

Once we open the ski area for the paying public, all dogs within the ski area boundary or accompanying areas must be on a lead and

must be returned to (your vehicle and/or the parking lot). There are no dogs allowed in the lodge, on the trails, or in the base area while

we are in operation… and PLEASE clean up after your dog at all times… we hate seeing our beautiful white snow surfaces soiled… thank

you!

IN BOUNDS / OUT OF BOUNDS

All specified trail / tree-skiing area closures within the ski area boundary are considered legal

closures. The ski area and the County Sheriff's office will work together to enforce closures

within the ski area boundary. Trail and tree area closures may be marked with the international

”Closed” sign and/or ropes. Trails and tree areas that have not opened for the season are

considered closed.

“Final Exam” section (East Side)… most of this area is considered “in bounds,” but features limited patrol throughout the day and is

lightly swept and closed at 3 PM on days it’s open and accessible. Cell / WiFi coverage is very limited at best. We strongly advise

that you tackle this challenge only if you’re well-prepared and highly skilled, and that you never

undertake this challenge alone. We recommend the use of a beacon, a shovel, a probe, and a partner, and we

encourage you to be well-versed in avalanche preparedness and tree well / Snow Immersion Suffocation protocols. The lowest area of

this terrain (below the cutback) is considered out of bounds and will feature no services or patrolling.

“West Side” section (toward State Route 14)… most of this area is considered “in bounds,” but features limited patrol throughout the day

and is lightly swept and closed at 3 PM on days it’s open and accessible. Cell / WiFi coverage is very limited at best. We

strongly advise that you tackle this challenge only if you’re well-prepared and highly skilled, and that you never undertake this challenge

alone. We recommend the use of a beacon, a shovel, a probe, and a partner, and we encourage you to be well-versed in avalanche

preparedness and tree well / Snow Immersion Suffocation protocols. The lowest area of

this terrain (below the cutback) is considered out of bounds and will feature no services or patrolling.

Accessing the area beyond our marked boundary(ex. hiking to the true Antelope Butte summit at 9,850’) is done at

your own risk, and the area is not patrolled or serviced, and cell / WiFi coverage is very limited at best. We

strongly advise that you tackle this challenge only if you’re well-prepared and highly skilled, and

that you never undertake this challenge alone. We strongly advise that you tackle this challenge only if you’re well-prepared and highly

skilled, and that you never undertake this challenge alone. We recommend the use of a beacon, a shovel, a probe, and a partner, and we

encourage you to be well-versed in avalanche preparedness and tree well / Snow Immersion Suffocation protocols.