Know the Code, It's Your Responsibility
1. Your Responsibility Code
Heavenly is committed to promoting skier safety. In addition to people using traditional alpine ski equipment, you may be joined on the slopes by snowboarders, telemark skiers or cross-country skiers, skiers with disabilities, skiers with specialized equipment and others. Always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and snowboarding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Know your ability level and stay within it. Observe "Your Responsibility Code" listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
• Be advised that Heavenly does not mark all potential obstacles or hazards.
When marked, poles, flags, fencing, signage, padding or other forms of marking are used to
inform the skier/rider of the location of a potential obstacle or hazard. These markers are no guarantee
of your safety. It is part of your responsibility under the Your Responsibility Code to avoid all obstacles
and hazards.
2. Ski Safety
Under the law, any individual who engages in the sport of skiing, alpine or Nordic, or any person who is within the boundaries of a ski area for the purpose of observing any skiing activity, accepts and assumes the inherent risk of skiing insofar as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary.
Inherent risks of skiing include, but are not limited to, those damagers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport, and can also include changing weather conditions, variation or steepness of terrain, snow or ice conditions, surface of subsurface conditions, whether man-modified or not, bare spots, creeks, gully, forest growth or rocks, stumps, lift towers and other structures and their components, collision with other skiers and a skier's failure to ski within the skier's own ability.
Any individual involved in a skiing collision causing injury must leave their name and address with the Ski Patrol. Failure to do so is a violation of California Penal Code Section 653i.
Skiers and Riders should be advised that a green circle, blue square or black diamond at Heavenly is not necessarily the same as a green circle, blue square or black diamond at other resorts. The system is a relative rating of trails at each resort and does not compare trail difficulty between resorts. Skiers and Riders should begin with the easiest terrain and then move up in difficulty as their ability permits in order to understand the relative rating at Heavenly.
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Extreme Terrain contains cliffs, very steep slopes as well as rocks and other hazards. Skiing or boarding Extreme Terrain is for EXPERT SKIERS & RIDERS! |
3. 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. |
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| 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 size. Start small and work your way up. Designations are relative to this ski area.
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Smaller features |
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Medium features |
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Larger features |
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.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.
You are responsible for inspecting Freestyle Terrain before initial use and throughout the day. The features vary in size and change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day. Do not jump blindly. Use a spotter when necessary.
EASY STYLE IT.
Always ride or ski in control and within your ability level. Do not attempt Freestyle Terrain unless you have sufficient ability and experience to do so safely. You control the degree of difficulty you will encounter in using Freestyle Terrain, both on the ground and in the air.
RESPECT GETS RESPECT.
Respect Freestyle Terrain and others. Only one person on a feature at a time. Wait your turn and call your start. Always clear the landing area quickly. Respect all signs and do not enter Freestyle Terrain or use features when closed.
4. Electronic Devices
Heavenly discourages the use of electronic devices - cell phones, music players, or earphones - while skiing and snowboarding, or loading and unloading lifts.
5. Lift Safety
Under the law, you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use such lift safely or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to use the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
6. CAUTION
Snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking equipment may be encountered at any time.
7. Slow Zones
Certain areas (indicated on the map in yellow) are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.
8. Helmet Use
Heavenly encourages our guests to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of winter sports helmets. Regardless of whether or not you choose to wear a helmet, every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her safety and for that of others using the ski area facilities.
9. Backcountry Warning
The ski area abuts USDA Forest Service land that may be beyond the ski area boundary. The ski area assumes no responsibility for skiers going beyond the ski area boundary. To access the backcountry, use designated gates only. Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled or maintained. Avalanches, unmarked obstacles and other natural hazards exist. Be aware: the backcountry avalanche hazard may be extreme. Rescue in the backcountry, if available, is the responsibility of the County Sheriff. It will be costly and may take time.
10. High-Altitude Environment
Some visitors may experience symptoms associated with Heavenly's high altitude. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, restless sleep, coughing and difficulty in breathing. If symptoms persist or if you have a concern about your health, you should seek medical attention.
11. Children's Ski School Helmet Policy
Heavenly recommends the use of helmets for children 14 years and younger while participating in our children's ski school programs. Parents or guardians who decide their child (14 years and younger) will not wear a helmet while in a ski school program will be required to decline helmet use in writing on the ski school release agreement prior to their child's participation.