Risk Management

Risk management is about being able to assess what might go wrong and acting to prevent possible accidents and undesirable events. The law requires people with a duty of care over others- as coaches have a duty of care to children- to take reasonable steps to avoid risk of harm or injury to those in their care. As a member of USSA, clubs and their members have a responsibility to follow a risk management program in the operation of club activities and club programs. A Sport Risk Management Program implemented by the club, has a number of positive advantages. This Program:

1. Will provide a safer sport environment for all participants through the development of safety guidelines, rules, regulations and systems for each sport.

2. Will demonstrate to the public, participants and ski areas an intense commitment to program safety and security.

3. Will assist in the establishment of minimum educational and skill standards for coaches, administrators and officials, thereby enhancing credibility.

4. Will provide educational and training opportunities for professional development for coaches and officials.

5. Will provide a framework for program and facility evaluation and provide for proper record keeping which will assist in the defense of any claims or litigation.

6. Will assist in lowering the costs of risk transfer methods such as Insurance.

NSAA's Responsibility Code

Endorsed by the National Ski Areas Association, the seven safety rules of the slopes are intended to ensure that skiers and riders will be safety conscious while skiing/riding and can help reduce the risks associated with the sport.

1. Always stay in control

2. People ahead of you have the right away

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 safety

Additional Safety Rules

• Helmets must be worn while training in all programs.

• Inspection of jumps, features, and courses is mandatory. Athletes late to a training session may either be given a chance to inspect or an alternate activity, but they must be given a chance to inspect before running a course or feature by state law and per our liability release.

• No hanging suspenders or downhill suits are allowed.

• Groups should avoid skiing/riding Turnpike.

• No fast skiing in slow ski zones or in beginner areas. Spread out in these areas.

• Generally ski in the middle of the trail as opposed to next to the trees.

• Clearly communicate destination and meeting area to group for each run.

• No skiing allowed on closed trails or in training closures unless the trail or area is closed for the purpose of your training.

• Never ski out of bounds with your group, even through the access gates. Some areas may be private property, are not patrolled, and skiers/riders in that area could potentially be subject to prosecution for trespassing.

• Always stop on the side of your trail with your group.

• Require that your skiers/riders stop on the downhill side of the group to avoid collision with the group.

• Watch for signs of athlete and coach fatigue toward the end of the day and adjust training accordingly.

• Watch for variable snow conditions and adjust training accordingly.

• Set a safe skiing/riding example yourself!

The Kelly Brush Foundation

The Kelly Brush Foundation is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for improving ski racing safety, supporting research to treat and cure paralysis due to traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), improving the quality of life for individuals living with SCI by purchasing adaptive athletic equipment for those with financial limitations, and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.

The Kelly Brush Foundation Ski Racing Safety Grant Program awards grants to ski and snowboard clubs and organizations that are unable to afford the safety equipment needed for ski races. The purpose of this grant is to prevent sever accidents by increasing the level of safety at ski races. Typically organizations awarded with grant money will use the funds to purchase safety items such as netting, padding, and markers. Organizations interested in applying for a Ski Racing Safety Grant must submit financial statements and a proposed use of funds. The Foundation also promotes ski racing safety through a public awareness poster campaign to ski clubs and areas throughout the United States.

The Smart Style Terrian Park Program

The Smart Style Program, commissioned by the National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards, is a freestyle terrain safety initiative. This program emphasized the importance of safety in terrain parks across the United States.

Smart Style has four main objectives:

1. Make a Plan: Before riding through the terrain park, decide on which features you want to ride. Anticipate your speed, approach, and take off because it will directly affect your maneuver and landing.

2. Look Before you Leap: Ensure that the landings of the jumps are clear before take off by looking around them (not over them). Clear yourself from the landing area once feature is completed.

3. Easy Style It: Start with small features and work your way up towards more difficult features.

4. Respect Gets Respect: Respect other skiers and riders.