Snow Skills

Another part of the Snowboarding Responsibility Code for skiing and riding is “Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others“.

This Code item applies the most when starting out and when moving into an intersection.  When starting out, looking uphill should become a habitual motion that occurs without thinking.  As previously discussed in other posts on the Code, it’s the uphill person who needs to avoid and anticipate your moves, but a sudden start from a standstill could catch oncoming traffic unawares.  The safest approach is to take your time starting out, and give uphill traffic plenty of room and time to pass before you go.

At intersections, the rule of traffic is really no different than when driving. It’s your responsibility to enter the intersection in such a manner that doesn’t impede skiers/riders that are already in or approaching the intersection. Slowing down, looking once and then looking again, and even coming to a complete halt are all tools that would mark you as a safe skier/rider at an intersection. Sure, it changes the pace of your run, but do you drive everywhere at exactly the same speed? No, and so varying your speed through the course of a run at intersections is a safe and controlled way to ski and ride.