Safety & Policies
Overview
Common Sense, it’s one of the most important things to keep in mind and practice when on the slopes. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) believes education, helmet use, respect, and common sense are very important when cruising down the mountain. NSAA developed Your Responsibility Code to help skiers and boarders be aware that there are elements of risk in snowsports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
Keep an eye out for our helpful staff if you need assistance anywhere and anytime while at Belleayre.
Please review our Health & Safety Information page before your visit.
What to Know
Know The Zone
Every Skier/Rider gets 15 feet. While on the hill, avoid collisions by giving others 15 feet of space on all sides. If kids are present, go slower and give them even more room. Know that skiers/riders can turn suddenly, so stay in control to obey the 15-foot zone.
Know The Code
We’re committed to promoting safety. In addition to people using traditional alpine ski equipment, you may be joined on the slopes by snowboarders, telemark, or cross-country skiers, people with disabilities using specialized adaptive equipment, and others.
- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- Do 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 retention 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 and unload safely.
- Always brake your speed when entering a SLOW ZONE. Match your speed to the flow of traffic.
- Caution – snowmobiles, snowcats, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time
SMART Style/Park SMART
The National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards would like to welcome you to the “Smart Style” Terrain Park Safety initiative. A cooperative effort with the help of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) that emphasizes the proper use of terrain parks while delivering a unified message.
The Smart Style video along with the TerrainParkSafety.org work together to emphasize the importance of safety in terrain parks across the country. Please visit the TerrainParkSafety.org for a comprehensive look at the Smart Style program.
Park Smart Terrain Park Safety Program Messages:
Start small – Work your way up. Build your skills
Make a plan – Every feature. Every time
Always look – Before you drop
Respect – The features and other users
Take it easy – Know your limits. Land on your feet
Practice Park Etiquette
Do not stop or ride through landings. If there are boards or skis in front of a jump, the jump is closed so go around the feature. When not using features, stay off to the side of the trail, out of the way. Use features in the manner in which they are intended. Don’t jump off the sides of the takeoffs.
Downhill Equipment Policy
The Olympic Regional Development Authority reviews our equipment policy periodically and this policy is in effect as of October 2018. You are responsible for obeying the New York State Safety in Skiing Code regardless of what equipment you use.
The lifts and trails are designed for use by guests on a wide variety of skiing and riding equipment incorporating an array of different binding systems. While within ski area boundaries, each guest shall have a device on their skiing and riding equipment that is capable of restraining or stopping it in the event it becomes detached from the user. The Belleayre Mountain Safety Patrol retains the right to prohibit any type of equipment at their discretion.
Allowed without restriction on all areas:
• Skis
• Snowboards
• Telemark
• Carving Boards
• Monoski (disabled)
• Biskis (disabled)
Metal Edges required for all of the above
Allowed with restrictions:
Snowskates – Belleayre Mountain allows the use of snowskates under the following circumstances:
- Snowskaters have restricted lift access and are permitted to ride the Catskill Thunder and magic carpets ONLY. All other lift use is prohibited and riders will be denied access to those lifts.
- Snowskates must have metal edges and a retention leash that is attached to the rider and the board at all times while on the slopes.
- Snowskaters like all other patrons must abide by the responsibility code.
Prohibited:
• Children in backpacks or other carrying devices
• Walking on the slopes
• Airboards
• Swissbobs
• Ski boards
• Snowbikes
• Bike Boards
• Sleds or snow toys of any type
Pet Policy
We welcome quiet, non-aggressive pets who are up to date on shots and vaccinations.
- Pets must be on a leash, in a carrier, or held and under control at all times.
- Any messes created by a pet need to be cleaned up by the pet’s owner.
- Pets are not allowed on chairlifts, the gondola, on-slope ski terrain.
- Pets are not allowed in lodges, indoor facilities, or food service areas.
- Pets may not be allowed in some event venues at Belleayre.
Service Animal Policy
Service animals are welcome at any time. A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. For ORDA’s full Service Animal Policy- read here.
Here to Help
How to Report an Accident
Any mountain employee can help you. Look for Ski Patrol in the red jackets or Mountain Hosts in the orange jackets. If you are hurt or know of someone else who is, these folks are there to help.
Stop at the top or bottom of any lift. The lift personnel can help you.
Call (845)254-6064 (PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911)
*MOST IMPORTANTLY: Please know the name of the trail the injured person is on. This saves time in getting help to them
Reckless Skier Policy
NYS General Obligations Law Article 18 states, “All persons using a ski trail or slope at a New York State ski area are considered to be skiers.”
Purpose
To promote safety in skiing and riding by maintaining a reasonable amount of control over the conduct and behavior of skiers and riders on the mountain.
To comply with all aspects of NYS General Obligations Law Article 18 Safety in Skiing Code.
Definition of Reckless Skiing & Riding
The skier/rider who is skiing/riding in a manner that is beyond their ability to control their actions.
Any person involved in activities that may result in personal injury to themselves or to others.
Any person who fails to abide by the New York State Safety in Skiing Code (found at General Obligations Law Article 18) particularly that section entitled “Duties of Skiers” General Obligations Law 18-105. Copies are available at Ticket Booth.
Reckless Skier Program
I. MISSION AND PURPOSE
The mission of the ORDA Reckless Skier Program is to promote skiing and snowboarding safety awareness, and education for employees and guests. The purpose is to educate employees and guests about the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Your Responsibility Code (the Code) and safe skiing practices, enforce proper mountain etiquette, and attempt to reduce fast and reckless skiing/snowboarding.
The ORDA Mountain Safety Program is led at each ORDA venue by a team of ski patrol staff, department supervisors, and mountain managers. Using the Code as a guide, and employing the list of approaches below, each team is expected to:
• Monitor skiing and snowboarding on each mountain, especially in congested areas;
• Explain to offending individuals why their actions are endangering themselves and others;
• Offer suggestions about more appropriate behavior;
• Issue warnings;
• Depending on a guest’s attitude and the seriousness of an infraction, revoke lift privileges.
This guidance document in intended to explain the Code and how it is implemented at ORDA venues, ORDA expectations for guest interaction and intervention, and the types of infractions and levels of discipline that may be imposed for failing to adhere to the Code and the ORDA policies that are designed to assure public safety.
View Reckless Skier Policy »
Skiing & Riding with Kids
Lids on Kids
NSAA promotes the use of helmets on the slopes. We urge skiers and riders to wear a helmet – but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet. NSAA views skiing and snowboarding in a controlled and responsible manner – not helmets only – as the primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders. A skier’s behavior has as much or more to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment.
In 2002, Lids on Kids http://www.lidsonkids.org/ debuted as a resource for consumers to learn about helmet use in skiing and snowboarding. This site contains FAQs about helmet use, fit and sizing information, general slope safety information, related articles and games, and testimonials about helmet use from well-known athletes, including US Ski Team members. The site has received nearly 2 million hits since it was created. The tagline, “A Helmet-It’s a Smart Idea,” is printed on posters and promotional cards at resorts nationwide.
Kids On Lifts
NSAA views using and riding chair lifts in a responsible manner as one of the primary safety considerations for all skiers and boarders. A skier’s behavior has as much or more to do with the safety of the sport as does any piece of equipment from helmet to chair lift.
In 2012, the website www.kidsonlifts.org/ and the initiative as a whole debuted around the country to resorts and consumers. This site contains FAQs and safety tips on how to load, ride and unload responsibly, general skiing and riding tips, coloring pages for kids, public service announcements and more. The tagline “No Horsing Around” is a motto we hope to ingrain in not only children but every skier and boarder.
Drone Policy
Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Belleayre Mountain 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 Belleayre. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within Belleayre’s boundaries. This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drones launched or operated from within the resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the resort boundaries. Please contact Belleayre 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.