IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN ANDREWS

Mountain Safety

Thank you for your service.

Roundtop Mountain Resort Safety

Snowsports can be enjoyed in many ways. There may be people using alpine, snowboarding, telemark, cross country or other specialized equipment such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, you should always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements or risks in snowsport activities that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.

Roundtop Mountain Resort and the Safety Department are dedicated to offering skiers and boarders a safe and fun environment. By understanding and following the Responsibility Code, Smart Style, and Ski Roundtop’s Etiquette and Behavior Code, you can help ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of our guest too.

Safety Is Everyone's Responsibility

Know the Code

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.

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Etiquette & Behavior Code

Be courteous and respect others. When skiing or riding, adjust YOUR skiing/riding to join the flow around you.

  1. Do not use rude language and/or behavior.
  2. When walking or climbing always keep to the side of the slope.
  3. Do not build or modify any terrain feature.
  4. BE COURTEOUS to those around you.
  5. Unsafe actions will not be tolerated.
  6. Skiing and snowboarding is allowed on marked trails as listed on the trail map only.

Beginner's Gear Guide

  1. Moisture wicking long underwear (polypropylene), top and bottoms
  2. A turtleneck
  3. Sweater or sweatshirt
  4. Waterproof, breathable, insulated ski pants and jacket (look for wind flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles, collars that can be snuggled up to the chin and pockets with zippers).
  5. A hat, headband ,or a ski helmet; ( 80% of your body’s heat-loss is lost through the head).
  6. Waterproof/resistant, insulated gloves or mittens
  7. Moisture wicking ski socks (look for blends and insulating fibers).

Know the Symbols

Take a few minutes to check out the lifts and trails marked on the trail maps. The colored symbols located on the trails indicate the difficulty of the trail. You will also find them posted on signs on the mountain.

Slope difficulty symbols:

Whitetail Know the Code

Before you ride a lift, make sure the trail symbols off of that lift fit your ability. Some skiers/boarders think they can improve by skiing/riding tough terrain when their skills aren’t up to that level, but that’s a good way to get hurt. To improve quickly, take a lesson. If you have any questions or need directions, talk with anyone in a Roundtop uniform.

Your Safety is Your Responsibility. Take accountability for your own actions while on the mountain. Know where you’re going, and respect the other slope users.

Make Your Trip Safe & Enjoyable

Take a lesson. Like anything, you'll improve the most when you receive some guidance. The best way to become a good skier or snowboarder is to take a lesson from a qualified instructor.

Real riders know that Terrain Park Etiquette and Safety matters. For more info check our park entrances.
  • Always use the retainer bar when riding the chair lift.
  • Certain areas 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/boarding will not be tolerated.
  • Respect all trail closures! Just because the terrain on the other side of the closure seems to be calling, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Closures are there for a reason.
  • Skiing and snowboarding is allowed on marked trails as listed on the trail map only.
  • DRINK, DRINK, DRINK and we mean LOTS of water. Make your day last longer and stay hydrated.
  • Curb alcohol consumption. Skiing and snowboarding do not mix well with alcohol or drugs.
  • How do you define your 360? When you’re on the hill 360 means knowing what’s happening all around you. Keep your eyes on the terrain ahead, behind and as well as all around you.
  • Your gear- your responsibility. Drop by our shop to check your bindings, tune your equipment and make sure your brakes are in order.
  • Prior to hitting the slopes each day, make a plan. Establish a meeting place for you and your buddies.
  • If you come upon an injury on the slopes, mark the accident by placing a pair of skis or standing above the site to provide warning to others approaching. Do not move the injured person and send someone to contact the patrol with the location. Skiers and riders involved in the accident may not leave the accident site until released by a Ski Roundtop Ski Patroller or a Mountain Safety Staff member.
  • Please report all injuries to the Roundtop Mountain Resort Ski Patrol located in the Bobst building at the base of the Minuteman slope, before leaving the area.
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Chairlift Safety

There are a number of different, but important, tips and reminders for riding chairlifts - whether you are a child or an adult, beginner or experienced skier or snowboarder. However, there is one over-arching key to keep in mind: It is your responsibility to understand and know how to ride a chairlift safely and to do so.

As a parent you should emphasize and educate your child about the overall importance of chairlift safety. A good starting point is to visit the Kids On Lifts website for some great FAQ's. At the resort, stand outside the lift line and with your child, watch other skiers and boarders line up and load the chairlift, explaining the process. Stress that your child should ask the lift attendant for assistance any time they need it - lift attendants cannot read minds. Once on the lift, your child should sit back as far as possible and should never lean forward toward the edge of the seat, nor rest on the restraint bar. A helpful reminder is "back to back" - sit all the way to the back of the chair seat, with your back to the back of the seat. Emphasize to sit still, hang on, and absolutely no horseplay while riding the lift!
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Knowledge For Your Noggin
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Snowsports helmets can make a difference in reducing or preventing injury and many skiers and boarders today are choosing to wear them. Parents, skiers, and boarders should educate themselves about the benefits, limitations, and proper fitting of helmets. Helmets can be rented in the rental shop. 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. For more information on helmets, visit 
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Drone Policy

Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Roundtop Mountain Resort prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists – without the prior written authorization from the Resort. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within Roundtop Mountain Resort boundaries.

This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drones launched or operated from Resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the Resort boundaries. Please contact our Director of Safety and Risk Management if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any aerial drones.

Any authorized operation of aerial drones may be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, as well as those policies separately established by this Resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability.

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 drone equipment, and may subject violators to any damages, including, but not limited to, damages for violations of privacy and/or physical or personal injuries or property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.

BEGINNER TIPS

If you and/or your child are just starting out, we also offer this advice.

Children's Safety Tips

Learning to ski or snowboard should be a fun experience for kids. Start their day out right with a nutritious breakfast for energy, and try not to be in a hurry. Allow at least an hour before lesson time to purchase lift/lesson tickets, and rental equipment.

Staying warm and dry all day will also help your child have a fun experience learning to ski or board, so dress your child in layers (listed above).

Moisture wicking ski socks (look for blends and insulating fibers). Cotton socks are not a good choice, because they lack warmth and stay wet if they get wet from sweat or snow that creeps in. It's also a good idea to change into fresh socks before putting your boots on. Damp socks worn on the trip to the ski area will quickly become cold and uncomfortable.

Children should also have goggles or sunglasses with them to help them see clearly. Also, be sure they wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think.
If you are not going to be at the ski area with your child, be sure he or she has the phone number of the location where you can be reached, written down on a piece of paper, and in a secure pocket. If the number you have given your child is your cell phone, make sure that it is on (and with you) while your child is at the area.

Please Remember that we can all have a fun and enjoyable day if we all Play It Safe!